L.L. Bean Baxter State Parka Keeps Me Warm Through Alaskan Winters

Having lived in Alaska for the past 30 years, I have experienced extreme winter conditions. It's not unusual for winter temperatures to dip down to -25 degrees, and occasionally we'll have a cold snap that reaches the frigid temperatures of -35 and -40 degrees. When these temperatures hit, it is extremely important that you have the proper winter clothing, or you will risk frost bite or at the very least, frost nip (the first stages of frost bite).

There is one company that I trust to supply me with reliable cold weather gear, and that is L.L. Bean, based in Freeport Maine. They are the most customer oriented company that I have ever dealt with, and they have a lifetime satisfaction guarantee on all of their clothing. You simply can't go wrong with L.L. Bean. I would like to tell you about L.L. Beans Baxter State Parka.

Description

This parka comes in three colors: mariner blue, plum grape and mid blue. It is available in extra small, small, medium, large and extra large. All of these sizes come in both regular and petite (for shorter women). The Baxter State Parka is also available for men, but this review will focus on my jacket, for women.

I have owned numerous down parkas over the years, and this one is the best quality out of all the coats I have owned. It has a Gore-Tex shell that is both breathable and waterproof, in fact L.L. Bean guarantees that it will be waterproof. This is important if you are going to be outside in the winter when it's snowing, as a wet coat isn't going to keep anybody warm. The inside of the parka has two pockets, which are security and cell phone pockets.

It is filled with high quality goose down, unlike some cheaper down parkas that are filled with down and other types of feathers. The down is called "650-fill-power goose down", which is the warmest and best insulator that nature provides us. The front of the parka has four pockets, and they are lined with a soft, warm fleece, so these are perfect hand warming pockets. The interior of the parka is also lined with the same plush flannel or fleece like material, giving extra warmth and coziness. There is a drawstring at the waist that you can cinch in to keep out the cold.