L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket Review

Bottom Line

The L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket is an extremely lightweight jacket that packs all the warmth of thicker down jackets but with none of the weight. We love how packable it is, and quickly stood out to us as one of the best men’s winter jackets. While it may not be warm enough for the coldest winter days, it is versatile enough for three-season use and aerobic winter adventures.

Weighing in at one pound, the Ultralight 850 is the lightest jacket in our lineup. It is also one of the most compressible. With a reversible left pocket, the jacket packs down to the size of a Nalgene water bottle. We love this feature for fitting into tight backpack spaces or even throwing in a running vest.

While extremely lightweight, we found that the Ultralight 850 does come with some concessions, it is not as warm as other jackets we tested and is best suited for three-season use or aerobic winter activities. We also found the down to start losing its loft in areas of high contact like under backpack straps and under the arms and elbows. Despite these small misgivings, the Ultralight 850 is the gram counter’s dream jacket and isn’t going to weigh you down on your next winter outing.

How We Tested

When moving fast and light on cold winter days, we brought along the L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Jacket to test its performance. Whether cross-country skiing, winter trail running, or snowshoeing, the Ultralight 850 was thoroughly tested to find out every detail of its cold weather abilities.

Warmth

The L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 comes equipped with 850-fill down to provide warmth in most winter conditions. During a hike in single digits in the alpine of the Chugach, we loved wearing this jacket while powering uphill and on short breaks. Great for aerobic activities and quick pauses in between, we quickly became cold in it while in cold on longer outings. It’s clear that this jacket lacks the warmth of others we reviewed for true winter temperatures.

However, this slightly lower warmth makes it a versatile three-season option. Used in single digits, to above freezing, the Ultralight 850 is warm enough for most winter temps, while comfortable enough for spring and fall conditions. We’ll keep reaching for the Ultralight 850 on milder winter days or when increased body heat can help keep us warm.

Weather Resistance

With an outer shell of Pertex Quantum, the Ultralight 850 can withstand brief exposure to moisture but is not our top pick for days out in the rain or snow. The shell fabric has the look and feel of traditional down jackets: thin and slightly shiny. It’s enough for a brief sprinkle or mist, but we found that even exposure to snow was enough to wet it through.

However, we were impressed with the weather resistance of the Downtek water-repellent insulation. On a day in the mountains where areas of the shell became soaked through, the down didn’t clump or ball up. The weather-resistant treatment of the down is an excellent backup to keep the insulation from soaking through as quickly and compromising insulation.

Comfort & Functionality

The Ultralight 850 is advertised with a slightly fitted cut that is best with a midweight layer. During our testing, both with and without a midlayer on, we found this to be accurate and the jacket is most comfortable with a layer between you and the jacket. For both warmth and on-the-skin comfort, we suggest pairing this jacket with your favorite fleece or synthetic layer. 

As mentioned previously, this jacket works great as a three-season performer for those of us who live in colder climates where breaking out a down jacket in the middle of summer is not uncommon. The slightly fitted cut and hip length make this a smartly styled jacket at home on both the trail and in town. Light enough for backcountry use, but sleek enough for town, this jacket blends both worlds. Thru-hikers, ultralight geeks, or those just looking for a light and warm jacket will love the Ultralight 850.

Features

To keep its weight so low, the Ultralight 850 is light on features, but well designed in the ones it has. We were particularly impressed by the ability of the jacket to zip into its left pocket. Compressing down to roughly the size of two large oranges, we crammed the Ultralight into tight spaces in our backpack with no problem.

Even without velcro cuff tighteners, the elastic kept the jacket secure around our wrists without letting any moisture or cold in. The hood is tightened by two tensioners on either side, and the hem snugs down securely around the waist. While not boasting a huge number of features, the ones found on the Ultralight 850 are well-appointed and aid in this jacket’s lightweight performance.

Should You Buy the L.L. Bean Ultralight 850 Down Hooded Jacket?

If you’re the type of hiker who prioritizes weight above all else, then it’s hard to find a lighter winter jacket than the Ultralight 850. At one pound, it has an impressively low weight, while still being able to handle moderately cold temperatures.

Though this jacket lacks the warmth for the coldest days, it is versatile enough for three-season use. After wearing this jacket multiple times with a pack upwards of forty pounds, we did find that it lost loft through the shoulders, hips, and other high-contact areas.

While this might not be the most bomb-proof jacket on the market, it functions excellently as an ultralight puffy jacket. So whether you’re looking for an insulating layer for a thru-hike, a quickly deployed puffy after a cross-country ski, or something light and functional enough for an all-around jacket, the Ultralight 850 is sure to have you covered on your next adventure.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

Check out our complete guide to the best winter jackets for men or read about other specific recommendations we think are right if you’re interested in the Ultralight 850.

Patagonia DAS Parka Review: If the Ultralight 850 left you wishing for more wet weather warmth, the DAS Parka’s synthetic insulation is sure to do the trick.

Mountain Hardwear Stretchdown Parka Review: Even warmer than the Ultralight 850, the Stretchdown Parka is lightweight and durable for adventures in colder weather.

REI Stormhenge Review: While slightly heavier, the Stormhenge provides the warmth of down, but with the fully waterproof shell that the Ultralight 850 lacks.