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[00:00:00.02] If you do need three jackets for different times of the year, look no further than this jacket. It's one jacket that can do it all.
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[00:00:09.02] Hi, I'm Rob, I'm the Corporate Merch Manager for Outerwear at L.L.Bean. I've worked at L.L.Bean for 13 years. Today, we're in the outerwear workroom, which is really where all the magic happens. This is where merchants deliver concept ideas to product creation teams, and the designers and developers go out and make those concepts a reality.
[00:00:27.09] One of the great things about working in L.L.Bean is the culture, and the outdoor work team is no exception. We all love to get outside and love using our product to do that. We're not going to let any product go to market that we won't be proud to wear on our own.
[00:00:39.21] I'm really excited today to talk about our Wildcat 3 in 1 jacket. The inspiration for this jacket was really to solve the problem of versatility. Maybe one day you need more warmth, and other days, you just need light rain protection.
[00:00:50.85] So as we look to the outside of this jacket on the shell, it's a great two layer, 100% recycled polyester shell, that gives you waterproof protection and breathability. It also doesn't get crinkly when the temperatures get cold. So I wanted this to be soft and pliable for you.
[00:01:07.03] At L.L.Bean we have a testing lab. We, on this jacket have tested for waterproofness, wind proofness, and abrasion resistance to make sure it can hold up to all of the elements. We take a ton of pride in delivering the best product we can. This jacket is feature rich. It's got a helmet compatible hood with a nice fixed brim, and three points of adjustability, both on the back of the hood and also inside of the neck. Great center front zipper, very easy to use, and has a nice windproof flap behind it.
[00:01:36.31] Also, when you do warm up in this jacket in the higher aerobic activities, great pit zips right under the arms, so you can zip it open either way, and just dump a little bit of heat. There's hem adjustability too, so you can cinch that down to keep any powder out, and great adjustability on the cuff, too. It opens nice and wide to get a glove under there, and you can cinch it right down. Great big chest pocket, easily fit a phone or anything else you need, ham pockets. I also love the side pocket on the sleeve, pass pocket, or a credit card pocket.
[00:02:04.24] So what's great about this jacket is it's a 3 in 1 So it does have the zipped in liner. So worn together, you have a waterproof, insulated jacket. So this is both a rain shell and an insulated jacket that can be worn all together, or it can be worn individually, but it's very easy to take apart.
[00:02:20.90] So what we have is a lined jacket that has an inner zipper that can zip all the way out, and then an adjustable clip on the top of the hood and at the cuff. While you're wearing it together, it is seamless, acts as one. And if you'd like to wear them separately, you just unclip and zip out.
[00:02:37.07] It's 100% recycled polyester shell with a pertex quality fabric, which is an industry leading fabric with a mini ripstop design, so that it will stand up to all of the challenges you throw its way. It's insulated with 100 grams of Primaloft insulation. It's a nice alternative to down, and then it still performs even when the product gets wet.
[00:02:56.99] I've always been a big skier, and I've enjoyed skiing up in the Western Maine mountains my entire life. I'll be out there with my kids now teaching them how to ski, and that's one of the joys of my life right now. So every Monday morning, I read all of the reviews that come into the website. We just see all of your feedback as being so important to the process and the evolution of our assortment moving forward.
[00:03:16.52] So, Rob, I have some customer reviews that I want you to take a look at.
[00:03:20.39] This jacket has everything that I was looking for. It's waterproof and insulated to keep you warm, but is not too bulky. It has a snow skirt, pit vents, and plenty of pockets, including a pocket in the sleeve for my ski pass. It also has an adjustable hood, which will fit over a ski helmet. I'm now very happy with the fit and the quality of the jacket, and I love the color.
[00:03:38.59] That could have been the product brief I handed off to design. When that comes full circle, and we know that what we asked the design development teams to work on, is what made it all the way back around to the customer and filled that need. And that's when we've known we've hit the mark.
[00:03:50.45] Thank you for watching our video today and learning more about this jacket. To see more videos like this, please click the Like and Subscribe buttons. I look forward to seeing you out there. I'll be the guy in the Wildcat jacket.
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A Tradition of Problem Solving
When you speak with Product Development Manager Melissa M., one thing is immediately clear: the process of designing L.L.Bean outerwear starts and ends with the customer. We listen to their needs, then find the most innovative solutions to address them. The Wind Challenger Stretch Down Jacket is a product of this philosophy, packed with problem-solving features that help you beat wind and chill whether you’re taking a winter stroll or hitting the slopes.
The Need: A Better Way to Windproof
As warm and versatile as a traditional down puffer is, it will always be limited by the simple realities of its construction. Normally, the baffles that hold insulation in place are sewn, creating tiny stitch holes that allow wind to permeate the shell – and on occasion let down feathers escape. This same stitching prevents the inclusion of any stretch in the material – a benefit that adds more comfort and movement during long stretches of activity.
“This garment solves for all the problems we’ve seen in previous down construction, plus has the added benefit of stretch. That feels to me like the holy grail of a down-insulated jacket.”
Melissa M., Product Development Manager
The Solve: Stretch the Definition of What a Down Jacket Can Do
So, Melissa and her team went to work, sourcing a complex double-weave technique that minimizes stitching to achieve a number of benefits that elude most down jackets. Less stitching mean less puncturing, which creates a stronger shell that does a better job keeping down feathers in and windy weather out. The unique woven construction also allowed Melissa’s team to give customers something we’ve never been able to offer before in a down jacket: stretch.
“Now you get this beautiful stretch that gives you an insulated piece that’s more wind resistant, more thermally efficient, and also gives you great comfort.”
Melissa M., Product Development Manager
It’s All in the Details
It took months of close collaboration between talented product designers, developers, and our in-house testing lab to bring this jacket from sketch to store – and their expertise can be found in every detail. From ski-friendly features to thoughtful additions for all your outdoor endeavors, this piece delivers innovation for real life.
650-FILL DOWNTEK™ DOWN
Light, lofty water-repellent down that continues to insulate even when wet.
OUTDOOR TOUGH
Water-resistant and windproof, with reinforced abrasion resistance on hood, shoulders, and bottom of sleeves.
BUILT TO BE ACTIVE
With features like pit zips to dump heat during more intense activity.
READY FOR THE SLOPES
Helmet-compatible hood, hem cinches to keep snow out, scan-and-go ski pass pocket on sleeve.
Ready to try out the Wind Challenger Stretch Down Jacket for yourself? You can get it here – or shop other innovative Outerwear pieces for everything you do outside.
For more product videos, tips, tricks and outdoor inspiration, visit Explore L.L.Bean.
About Melissa M., Product Development Manager, Outerwear
Melissa has worked for L.L.Bean for 18 years, beginning her career on the sales floor in the Camping department. It was there that she honed her talent for listening to what customers want and need. Since transitioning to Product Development, she has driven the creation of outerwear for everyone from the littlest toddlers all the way up to the most hardcore outdoor enthusiasts. For Melissa, the most fulfilling part of being a product developer is creating products that prolong a person’s enjoyment of the outdoors. “It’s great when someone thinks it looks good,” she says, “but it’s most rewarding when someone gets really jazzed up about the functionality.”
