I want one of these. Are they really worth the money?

[snowmummy]

uk.thenorthface.com/tnf-uk-en/women-s-metropolis-parka_3.html

I've got the Arctic Parka and it's fantastic. Really warm and cosy, excellent for standing on the sidelines while ds plays sports. It's like going out in your duvet! The one thing I don't like about it though, is the massive hood which yours doesn't have.

I had one of these and loved the look of the coat. However, it fell down on the keeping-me-warm front, I had to put loads and loads of layers underneath when it was really cold. Maybe I was expecting too much but I wanted a coat I would be able to put over a normal amount of layers IYSWIM!

Oh that's no good Docket! I'll have a look at the Artic Parka then Ceilia. Thanks.

the Arctic parka £275!! I can't get my head around the £220 for the other one. It does look nice though

I love mine, I find it 'warms up' . There were times I was sweating in it...

Shop around, I didn't pay £275 for mine, more like £240 iirc.

Available in size 14 or 16 at £233 here

Or more choice here for £247.

I do like it but it is pricey. Just a suggestion, but I got one from GAP a couple of years ago - same style, third of the price, really warm and it is still going strong. I'm sure they will do another this winter.

Would you not just look like a walking insulated hot water tank in that silvery colour?

I have got the brown one. I bloody love it and I find it very warm.

I have it too - emergency purchase last year when the snow came and I LOVE it! Really really warm and cosy - a real investment buy!! Shop around though - price does vary a lot!

at insulated hot water tank!!

Yes the silver one would make you look like a hot water tank! I'll have a look in Gap thanks whilst keeping my eyes open for a north face one. Thank you

If you want to look like Bianca Jackson (EastEnders) you go for it

I've had Gap, Land's End and Uniqlo ones.
Couldn't say which is best but I try to find a minimum 600 fill.

curwy I got one from gap last year,felt really thin but by god it was warm in -16 with high winds last winter whilst walking the pooch & only cost £80 full price but I used a discount code of 20ish% so twas a bargain.it will be coming out again very soon :o

Thehusband - exactly - very warm and as it's relatively thin, not too much like a duvet. Would like to add that I have it in black so hopefully manage to avoid looking like Bianca Jackson/an insulated hot water tank!

Right, I'm going to wait for the Gap ones to hit the shops then. They're not on the website yet but it sounds like they're warm and a hell of a lot cheaper than the North Face ones.

I have a Gap parka from a few years ago. It is very similar to the NF parka and warm but it is not waterproof, in case that's important to you!

uniqlo one here

sick that one looks very similar to the gap one

curwy I bought black too as also wanted to avoid loking like a tukey in bacofoil bianca jackson