North face artic parka - worth it?

[Bluewavescrashing]

Considering treating myself to this coat as I've just had a pay rise and I need an incredibly warm, 100% waterproof coat for winter walks.

Are they the very best (for that budget) warm and waterproof coat? Any reviews please?

Other options are Mountain Warehouse polar hybrid or aurora (both are down with totally waterproof layer on top).

I have a North Face parka, a men's one from 10 years ago. I sweat in it if the temperature is warmer than -15c and have managed to walk a couple of kms in -40c in it. They are good kit, provided they haven't changed their supply chain too much over the last 10 years.

Down parkas are usually not recommended for damp cold, thats the only thing. Look into something with ironclad waterproofness and perhaps a synthetic down.

Just had a look op and i'm almost certain I have an earlier version of the parka you are looking into. I must say, i would recommend it, if warmth and waterproofness are your main reasons. My only caveat is, I've only worn it in extremely low humidity conditions, so I can't speak to how it would perform in damp cold.

Thanks, I'm tempted by the polar hybrid at mountain warehouse. £143.

Which coat would be good for damp cold, out of interest? What happens if you wear an Arctic parka in damp cold? Can you just tumbledry it?

I have the rab deep cover it’s great

So I tried this yesterday..a couple of great features such as magnetic “poppers” over the zip so they automatically do up and fleece cuffs that fold over to be mittens. I was upgrading from a previous north face puffa style. This parka was better as it was more waterproof so more suitable in wetter weather. However it was 550 fill power which never felt that warm (I live in Massachusetts but didn’t feel warm enough when visiting Uk either) and the parka was also 550 fill power.

I went for a marmot Parka instead due to fleece inner around the shoulder and neck collar, it was 700 fill power so that little bit warmer. I also think that I had to size up in the north face to fit my shoulders so there was too much room in the body and arms so didn’t stay as warm as it should have. I also wanted a coat that reached my knees as mid thigh didn’t cover enough. My husband has had a marmot 700 fill coat for a couple of years and he was always toasty!

So I recommend looking at some of the specific features such as fleece areas and definitely fleece cuffs as they do make the coat that bit better than a standard parka. The magnetic poppers were fab !!

@Bluewavescrashing

Thanks, I'm tempted by the polar hybrid at mountain warehouse. £143.

Which coat would be good for damp cold, out of interest? What happens if you wear an Arctic parka in damp cold? Can you just tumbledry it?

The issue isn't getting it dry again, per se - its that you will lose the insulation effect as the down gets damp. So a down parka itself can make you cold, if the air is damp.

For wet conditions you're best off with layers of merino or silk against skin, then a layer of fleece or wool, then a waterproof layer, with any insulation being synthetic fill, not natural down.

A waterproof coat with synthetic insulation fill (not down) and a fleece lining would be the next best thing, if layers are too much of a faff.

It’s my go to coat. In fact I struggle to even wear other coats in the winter as this meets so many of my requirements.

Super warm, but no overheating, waterproof, wipeable, waist shaped just enough that I look smart.

I’ve bought the rab deep cover parka but it doesn’t feel as resilient in comparison. Or as sturdy and waterproof.

I’d spend the money on the Arctic parka again. No question.

I love my Arctic parka and it is going on forever!

I bought mine for a winter trip to Siberia and, like a poster above, struggle to wear other coats in Winter because it is just so flipping practical.

In Siberia (-40 at times) I doubled up with a down filled coat underneath. Utterly fantastic.

Ive got an Artic Parka and its just too warm unless its snowing. Goes down to -25 but its too much unless really freezing.
Im a freezing cold person as well
Ive got a Merrell Wakefield ( dont think they make them anymore)which is much better weight in -2-5/6c temps.
I dont think there is a holy grail one winter coat .
Ive got 2 Seasalt, one is a raincoat and one a warm raincoat ( Plant Hunter) plus my ancient Merrell and NFAP which comes out once or twice per year.

I've had my Arctic for four years and it still looks new. It does cover most bases. But I recently bought a very long down filled puffa coat from Sweaty Betty, with a similar price point, which I also love. The Arctic is great, but sometimes you need a longer coat

This is the best coat I've ever had, go for it! It's so warm, so dry, like wearing a giant duvet outside. Mine's about 7 years old and like new, despite being used almost daily from November to March every year.

I have the North Face Artic Parka, my first I sold as was too big, had 4 years wear and still looked as good as new. Really warm and waterproof coat. The only thing is it is to warm for going to shops etc. (not a problem at the moment) I have a Mountain Warehouse puffer, shorter style and the NF is warmer by miles.

Worth the money as it will last you years, lovely shaped waste, looks relatively smart too.