REASONS TO BUY
Decent water resistance for a budget layer
Reasonable weight
Useful chest pocket
REASONS TO AVOID
Rubbery interior
Less useful hood adjuster
L.L.Bean Trail Model Review
From running errands to relaxed hikes, this rain layer will keep you dry and spare you some cash
Credit: Zach Lovell
By Zach Lovell ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 3, 2026
RELATED: The Best Rain Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
Rain gear can be ridiculously pricey, but jackets like the L.L.Bean Trail Model challenge industry norms as a capable and affordable layer. We wouldn't wear it to battle Moby Dick at sea, but it punches above its price point in weather resistance. On casual hikes, this relatively light layer breathes well enough, though its rubbery liner is uncomfy without a long-sleeve shirt or fleece on. The no-frills Velcro hood adjuster serves as a reminder that this is a budget rain layer, but the we think it's a worthy value for those needing to stay dry who can't stretch their wallet any further.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
L.L.Bean Trail Model | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Bang for the Buck | Comfort on a Budget | | ||
| Price | $100 List Check Price at Backcountry | $140 List Check Price at Backcountry | $130 List Check Price at Backcountry | $130 List Check REI (on sale!) | $100 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | For shorter storms, this budget layer might be all you need and will save you some cash | Comfortable and quality rain jackets often come at a high price, but this layer offers a less expensive alternative to premium options | Water resistance normally comes with a big price tag, but this layer’s an exception to the rule | A well-made rain jacket that carries your dollar exceptionally far | An all-arounder rain jacket that offers decent adjustability and weather resistance at a good price |
| Rating Categories | L.L.Bean Trail Model | Rab Downpour | The North Face Antora | Helly Hansen Loke | REI Co-op Rainier |
| Water Resistance (45%) | |||||
| Breathability (20%) | |||||
| Comfort and Mobility (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | L.L.Bean Trail Model | Rab Downpour | The North Face Antora | Helly Hansen Loke | REI Co-op Rainier |
| Material and Waterproof Membrane | 2.5-layer waterproof-breathable TEK shell | 2.5-layer Pertex Shield | 2-layer DRYVENT shell with a fluorine-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer Helly Tech Polyamide (proprietary material) with a PFC-free DWR finish | 2.5-layer HydroWall recycled ripstop nylon with non-PFC DWR finish |
| Measured Weight | 13 oz | 13.3 oz | 16.5 oz | 8.4 oz | 12 oz |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand | 2 zippered hand, 2 interior drop-in |
| Pit Zips | No | Yes, 10 inches | No | Yes | Yes, 11 inches |
| Helmet Compatible Hood (Per Testing) | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage | Yes, but snug fit with partial coverage |
| Stows Into Pocket | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Carabiner Loop in Stow Pocket | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
| Hipbelt Friendly Hand Pockets | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Additional Features | Adjustable hood in front, front placket/storm flap, adjustable hem, velcro cuffs | Adjustable hood with stiff peak, dual sided rear hem adjustment, internal storm guards | Adjustable hood in front, front placket/storm flap, adjustable hem | Adjustable hood, front placket/storm flap, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem | Adjustable hood with visor, adjustable Velcro cuffs, adjustable drawcord hem, windproof up to 60 mph, articulated elbows |
Our Analysis and Test Results
From flash-flood storms in the desert to autumn downpours in the Sierra Nevada, the L.L.Bean Trail Model kept us dry on a budget. Credit: Syd Lovell
Water Resistance
If you need a rain layer for runs to the grocery store, office, or coffee shop, you don't necessarily need a high-end jacket. Put simply, the L.L.Bean Trail Model will keep you dry. Even on drizzly camping trips, this layer worked well, but it will wet out in prolonged downpours. If your ambitions include extended backcountry adventures in the rainy season in Alaska, you'll need to spend more money for a heavier-duty layer, but the Trail Model's weather protection per dollar is impressively high.
L.L.Bean isn't necessarily the first brand that comes to mind when we think of rain gear, so this was a surprise favorite among the budget jackets we tested. The Trail Model uses a 2.5-layer nylon construction to combat water, and across our field and shower testing, it was effective against light to moderate rain. For longer hikes or windier storms, the head opening can also be easily tightened to reduce the amount of water getting in. Just remember, this isn't the right jacket if you want “battle gear” to take on sideways rain like William Wallace in Braveheart.
The L.L.Bean Trail Model is an affordable rain layer that can be tightened down around the head for a better seal from precipitation. Credit: Zach Lovell
Breathability
If you need breathability from your next rain jacket, the L.L.Bean Trail Model isn't the best choice. However, it's good enough for lower-output hikes, rainy camp hangs, or moody days in the city.
There are two reasons the L.L.Bean Trail Model fell further back in the pack: its rubbery liner and lack of pit zips. 2.5-layer jackets can still be relatively breathable, but the Trail Model's liner traps heat. Fortunately, the mesh-backed chest and hand pockets give some relief if you leave these pockets open, but there still isn't a ton of airflow in the Trail Model.
Leaving the chest and two hand pockets open will keep the sweating down, but this still isn't a layer for high-output adventures in the rain. Credit: Zach Lovell
Comfort and Mobility
Overall, the L.L.Bean Trail Model is comfy enough, but it isn't a layer we'd want to wear all day. Rubbery liners, like the one this jacket has, are inherently less friendly against the skin and can even pull on your arm or neck hair. With a base layer on, the skin feel becomes less of an issue, and the Trail Model moves quite well as long as you aren't wearing too many layers underneath it. The Velcro cuffs were a nice feature for a budget layer, and kept our hands/wrists free of unwanted fabric.
With a long-sleeved sun hoody underneath the L.L.Bean Trail Model, the rubbery feel inside the jacket wasn't a huge deal, but in warm weather we ended up in a T-shirt underneath the Trail Model. When reaching overhead, whether when setting up a tent or scrambling up a steep section on a wet hike, this jacket generally let us move however we needed. Occasionally, some of the fabric got caught around our shoulders, but pulling up the jacket at the waist gave more fabric to the upper jacket, and we could go about our business.
The Trail Model has a slightly slimmer fit that can lead to some movement restrictions at the shoulder or back when crossing our arms. Credit: Zach Lovell
If you do need to stretch your arms overhead with the L.L.Bean Trail Model on, just keep in mind there is a decent amount of lift in the hem. That lack of coverage might get your hiking pants or base layers a bit wet.
This slimmer-fitting rain layer doesn't have the best coverage with arms overhead. Credit: Zach Lovell
Weight
The L.L.Bean Trail Model is actually light enough for some backpacking trips, and might even be justified bringing along in your commuter bag depending on the weather forecast.
We measured the L.L.Bean Trail Model at 13 ounces in a men's medium, putting it just slightly below average. In the context of casual adventures and city days, we think this weight is excellent and shouldn't cause any hesitation in you hitting the “buy” button online.
The Trail Model may not be the lightest, but it's still light enough for day hikes, relaxed backpacking trips, or office commutes. Credit: Zach Lovell
Construction Quality
This rain jacket doesn't use any earth-shattering design breakthroughs, and in the context of a budget layer, we think that's a good thing. It's made with nylon fabrics and has taped seams to reduce the amount of water sneaking in through the stitches, which all held up throughout our testing season. We did have a few qualms with the design of the jacket itself, but it didn't change our love for the L.L.Bean Trail Model as a budget layer.
We love having a drawstring at the back of a rain jacket's hood to quickly seal it around our heads, with or without a hat on, but the L.L.Bean Trail Model only has a Velcro adjuster, which also detached mid-hike.
The Velcro hood adjustability was our biggest design grievance with the Trail Model. We prefer toggles. Credit: Zach Lovell
Fortunately, the L.L.Bean Trail Model has two drawstrings at the neck, which help seal the head opening in heavier rain. We also appreciated L.L.Bean's left-hand pocket, which doubles as a storage bag and even has a carabiner loop. Why would you want that? It generally saves room in your bag or luggage, and the loop lets you clip it to a backpack or harness for quick access.
While the backside of the hood left something to be desired, we loved the adjustability at the neck, which helped form a better seal around the face. Credit: Zach Lovell
Should You Buy the L.L.Bean Trail Model?
If you need a decent rain jacket for casual use that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, buy the L.L.Bean Trail Model. If you've got visions of going on some far-flung trips to the Alaskan Tundra or the Amazon rainforest, we're here to tell you this is too little of a jacket for you, and you need to pony up for a much pricier layer. But for in-town errands, friendly backpacking trips, or car camping, the Trail Model is a great buy; go for it.
The Trail Model is all the jacket you need for less intense rainstorms. Credit: Zach Lovell
What Other Rain Jackets Should You Consider?
If you want a lighter storm layer, the Helly Hansen Loke is a great just-in-case option that can handle backpacking trips further from the car. It's about 30% more expensive than the Trail Model, but it also includes pit zips if you need to dump heat. If you want a bit more weather resistance from your next rain layer, The North Face Antora is another great budget option that'll handle a bit more rain than the L.L.Bean model. Just keep in mind the Antora's a bit pricier and heavier.
—Zach Lovell
You Might Also Like
