Review: LLBean PacLite Stowaway Wading Jacket with Gore-Tex

The LLBean PacLite shedding water.

Growing up in Maine, there were two related summer traditions: One, that we would go on a canoeing and fishing trip on a different river every summer and, two, that it would rain like hell on that trip. To this day, fishing trips revolve around water: whether too much or too little is in the river, it is rare that I have a fishing trip without rain (or, if fishing Scotland, without snow!). This makes a good, reliable waterproof wading jacket one of the most essential parts of my fly fishing arsenal.

Over the past few months, I’ve been testing the LL Bean PacLite Stowaway Wading Jacket with great results. (Full disclosure: I worked at LLBean as a summer intern years ago during college.)

Made from ultralight GoreTex material, the PacLite is LLBean’s lightest wading jacket. This is a good thing, in so many ways. Over a few months of wearing and carrying this jacket — and you do both when fishing, as the weather changes so quickly — I’ve come to a few conclusions about what I look for in a wading jacket I’d recommend:

• I want a wading jacket that I don’t notice when I’m casting. I’ve worn jackets before that that have so many tabs, pockets, zippers, clasps and accessories that they get tangled in bushes and in my line. I’ve also had them bulky enough in the front that the butt of my rod when Spey casting will get caught in the fabric. Neither scenario is good: you want a jacket balances being light and functional. This jacket does that.
• I want a wading jacket built for the warmest conditions. I can always put layers on under a jacket, but I can’t take layers off a jacket. I’ve never been cold with enough layers on under this jacket.
• But I also want a jacket that will keep my fingers warm. The side pockets, into which you can slide your fingers, help immensely with this, and have saved my hands, and thus the outing, on a few occasions. The neoprene wrist bands also help keep water out, also saving your hands and fingers from too much cold.
• I also want something that’s priced reasonably.

After a few months of testing, this jacket is my go to. That’s not to say it’s absolutely perfect. If I had to offer a few suggestions for improvements it would be:

• I’ve had trouble successfully closing the drawstrings around the hood quickly and with one hand — and that, when fishing a sinking or intermediate line in salt water, is all you have.
• I’ve also sweat up a storm in this jacket. But I don’t necessarily blame the jacket for that: when it’s raining and hot, you have little choice but to endure. This jacket does breathe, and breathe well. Any jacket would have trouble on hot spring and summer days.

In the end, I’d highly recommend his jacket — especially for the price, and with the backing of LLBean’s legendary guarantee.

Tech Specs:

• They claims it “weighs less than most spare spools” and i’d have to agree
• “Stows in its own pocket for packable convenience” — this is true: it is TINY when packed up, making it a great space saver.
• Made from ultra-lightweight and breathable Gore-Tex PacLite fabric
• Adjustable neoprene wrist guards

Price: $179

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The LLBean PacLite Stowaway wading jacket drying after a day on the water.

Ample front pockets — here stowing a large fly box.