I’m looking for a quality winter parka. The buy one - cry once kind. My Cabelas down Goretex parka is 10 years old at least and been a good one but it just looks worn. The only complaint I’ve had with it is I will sweat soak it snow blowing for an hour or two which is the most activity I ever see in this type of coat. Mostly for just walking around in single digit temps.

I like a nice hood with a high neck cover that ideally covers half your face. I also like lined hand warmer pockets preferably chest height. Finally I like a cleaner look in black. The outer surface must be a durable cloth and not slick easily snagged nylon.

I am not someone who is going to layer ever. When I get inside it’s coming off. I won’t even wear a big coat outside until it’s below 30 usually just getting funny looks in a long sleeve shirt. The thing is when I do put one on it’s because I really need it - no in between.

So far I am considering:

Fjallraven Nuuk and possibly the Lite version due to better hand pockets.
LL Bean Maine Mountain Parka

Coats I like but I have yet to convince myself they are worth the price:
Canada Goose Langford Black Label
Nobis Yatesy

Recommendations?

You can't go wrong with LL Bean. I have a 25 year old version of the Baxter State parka, and it has been fine. But for a slash in the arm from the edge of a very sharp ski, it looks almost new.

I don't wear it much now that I live in Florida, but they are fine, quality clothing.

quote:

Originally posted by ArtieS:
You can't go wrong with LL Bean. I have a 25 year old version of the Baxter State parka, and it has been fine. But for a slash in the arm from the edge of a very sharp ski, it looks almost new.

I don't wear it much now that I live in Florida, but they are fine, quality clothing.

k

The Baxter parka is one of the few things Beans has that is well worth buying. I have one and I use it in extreme cold. It is big bulky and warm.

Take a look at wiggys.com I have purchased several extreme cold weather items from them. Everything I have ordered has been top notch.

Look at 66North.

Link

A few years ago I bought a Helly Hansen jacket and have been very happy with its quality and warmth. As you may know HH got their start in the foul weather gear for mariners and have expanded into other areas. They’re not cheap but very well made.

https://www.hellyhansen.com/en...romo_position=1a&p=1

I will also vote for Bean's Baxter State Parka. As previously mentioned it is heavy and bulky. The shell is very durable and looks new after 15 years or so. It is by far my warmest coat.

quote:

The only complaint I’ve had with it is I will sweat soak it snow blowing for an hour or two

How about a ski-oriented jacket that has armpit vents you can unzip when you get hot?

Canada Goose, nuff said.

^^^WAAAAAAAY Over-Priced...AT LEAST HALF of the cost is paying for the logo!!! They have one technical/expedition grade parka (@ $1575.00 ), and it ain't that technical. Most of their line is fashion wear IMO. All the trendy influencers on Instagram and TikTok are happy to promote and wear it though.

Nah, you have one? I do. It was negative 30 last week. Warm and toasty. Will last generations. There is a reason they cost $. Not made in a third world shit hole like most of the suggestions so far.
The logo has nothing to do with it other than verifying it is not a knockoff. Top quality gear.

My wife and daughter have Canada Goose. They both say they are the warmest coats they have ever worn and they grew up in cold winters. They are very expensive. Fortunately my daughter gets a significant discount. They are holding up excellent after a few years. I'd put them in the buy once cry once group.

Canada goose. Thugs will rip it of your back to resell.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Nah, you have one? I do. It was negative 30 last week. Warm and toasty. Will last generations. There is a reason they cost $. Not made in a third world shit hole like most of the suggestions so far.
The logo has nothing to do with it other than verifying it is not a knockoff. Top quality gear.

Surely everyone has seen the $1725 Snow Mantra Parka (granted it's supposed to be the warmest jacket on earth), but have you seen the $425 Cotton Hoodie, or the $150 Cotton T-Shirt ($195 for the Long Sleeve!), the $650 Fleece Jacket, or the $895 Down Vest...All with the 'Iconic Label', sometimes in signature colors even!

Yes, it's Made in Canada, but I'm not saying their shit isn't warm, I'm saying it's WAY OVERPRICED!

I've been skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and camping for forty years, often in extreme winter conditions, and know a thing or two about outdoor gear. All of my outerwear has true technical fabrics and insulation (even Canadian Goose Down), and all at one third the cost of most of what Canada Goose sells. The majority of the brands mentioned by others (to include LL Bean, Fjallraven, Helly Hansen, 66°North) offer excellent performance outerwear, with true technical fabrics at one third the cost of Canada Goose. There's NO reason to spend 3X the money on a coat to wear walking around outside unless you want to make a fashion statement!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: nhracecraft,

I've an Eddie Bauer goose down parka that's rated down to minus exceedingly cold I've found "necessary" here in S.E. Michigan maybe a handful of times in the twenty plus years or so I've owned it.

But I'm not averse to layering.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Nah, you have one? I do. It was negative 30 last week.

Oz Shadow's in S.E. Michigan. The coldest I recall seeing it here in the last thirty years or so is maybe -12°F?

quote:

Originally posted by Oz_Shadow:
I’m looking for a quality winter parka. The buy one - cry once kind. My Cabelas down Goretex parka is 10 years old at least and been a good one but it just looks worn. The only complaint I’ve had with it is I will sweat soak it snow blowing for an hour or two which is the most activity I ever see in this type of coat.

You're wearing too much underneath, overwhelming the waterproof laminate and, you're not venting your body sweat during your activity.

Waterproof technology for apparel operates like a greenhouse - as the humidity-level increases underneath (due to your increased activity-level) the air pressure increases slightly enough to push the moisture you're generating, through the technology layer. If you wear a cotton sweatshirt underneath, it'll soak-up your sweat instead of allowing it to pass through. The other part to wearing waterproof technology is you can overwhelm, you need to either vent it out or, remain sealed-up and let the technology underneath (to include synthetic mid & base layers) to do their thing.

Fully insulated parkas like what you're looking at are great for immediate warmth. Keep in mind, if you're doing any activity where you're likely to be sweating (blowing snow and some shoveling), that sweat you're generating will be absorbed by the insulation (down or, synthetic) and begin to degrade until it can be dried-out. You may not feel it immediately but, as a good practice if you know you got a good sweat on, take the jacket and air it out in your drier on low to no heat. I got my dad one of these specifically for what you're doing and walks in the Winter time, it fills the need. All the other styles you listed will all do well also.

Troll Ebay for higher end cold weather gear.
Example: I needed a parka in a certain color to match a uniform I wore at a job I had. Found a "used" LL Bean Goose Down parka in the right color. $250 on the LLB website. I got it for $79. Appeared brand new when it arrived. I wore it the other day in 10 degree weather and it was close to being too warm.

I bought a Columbia parka last year that has this shiny metallic inner layer and it’s been phenomenal. I think I paid around 150 bucks.

Hold out this winter and use “Gear Trade” next summer when no one is buying winter clothing. Backcountry owns the website.

I have bought Arc’teryx jackets, ski pants, etc at 50-90% off. Customers return clothes slightly dirty and Backcountry needs to sell it and does so at a discount. Knowing how to wash a garment has dramatically upscaled my wardrobe.
Lots of different brands do show up from time to time. I have sold clothes there also. Hold out and find your deal.

Arc’teryx also has an “outlet” section and a used clothing site on their storefront. Other brands may also have one.

Remember some brands actually have a great lifetime guarantee. Friend of mine bought damaged items on Gear trade only to have them replaced for free. He bought an outdoor research jacket that was missing a hood from Gear Trade. Called outdoor research, told them he lost the hood and wanted to buy one. OR had him mail the jacket back and replaced with a brand new one with the hood. New jacket at a 90% discount, he is an OR customer for life.

quote:

Originally posted by gojoe:

The Baxter parka is one of the few things Beans has that is well worth buying. I have one and I use it in extreme cold. It is big bulky and warm.

Big & bulky sounds like the newer version:

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/60850

I still have the original version from many years ago, it's more of an insulated shell:

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/127887