Lands' End Ranks Tops in "Quality Coat Challenge"

DODGEVILLE, Wis., Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- If tomorrow's forecast included blowing snow, plunging temperatures and howling winds, the most important line of defense would be a good, quality coat.  Lands' End has been making high-quality outerwear for nearly 30 years and this year decided to take the ultimate quality test.  The company partnered with Mom Spark Media, to host the Quality Coat Challenge and reach those on the front lines of coat quality – moms.  Twenty women in cold-weather U.S. markets were sent the Lands' End Women's Shimmer Down Parka along with three similar coats from other retailers in an effort to find the overall "quality champion." After tests that checked for warmth, wind resistance and construction, the Lands' End Shimmer Down Parka was the clear quality winner.

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"We pride ourselves on the level of quality and details that we put into all of our outerwear for the whole family," said Chris Kolbe, Lands' End brand president.  "We are proud to win the Quality Coat Challenge and to be recognized as the place to get quality jackets, coats and parkas."

The Challengers

In addition to the Lands' End Shimmer Down Parka, testers were sent women's jackets from The Gap, L.L. Bean, and Nautica.  Coats were sent from a third-party in non-descriptive packaging to the 20 select bloggers in the Mom Spark Media blogging community.  Testers were asked to fill out an online survey breaking down each category tested, as well as picking an overall quality winner.  While it was a close race, Lands' End's Shimmer Down Parka was rated the best overall quality jacket by 12 of the 20 reviewers.

Quality Results

After reviewing the ten-question survey, Lands' End scored strong in wind resistance, insulation, wrist cuffs and overall warmth. In each category, at least 50% of the testers selected the Lands' End coat as the best.  Testers commented on items such as fleece-lined cuffs, an adjustable hood, and great insulation in the Shimmer Down Parka.  "Every detail counts when we design outerwear, and that is why having our parka selected is a great compliment," commented Kolbe.  

"The Lands' End coat was hands-down the best in the wind.  The day these coats arrived, it was freezing here (and snowing!) and I tested each one out in the nasty weather.  I actually started to sweat in the Lands' End coat it was so toasty," commented an outerwear tester.  

Tweet and Win

To celebrate winning the Quality Coat Challenge, Lands' End is hosting a Tweet and Win promotion on Thursday, November 17 and Friday, November 18, 2011 from 10:00 a.m – 5:00 p.m. EST.  Twitter followers can follow @LandsEndPR and retweet promotional tweets for a chance to win one of five Lands' End Shimmer Down Parkas each day – the coat that won the Quality Coat Challenge.  

About Lands' End

Lands' End® is a classic American lifestyle brand with a passion for quality, legendary service, real value and a simple two-word promise to stand behind everything it sells: Guaranteed. Period.® Lands' End delivers timeless style for Men, Women, Kids and the Home at landsend.com, 1-800-800-5800, the Lands' End Shops at Sears and around the world.  Lands' End is a proud member of Sears Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: SHLD).

SOURCE Lands' End