Warm and Compact

Johnathan Rambo

Member since  Jan 5, 2012

Posted on August 1, 2012

I reviewed this parka this last winter and took down some good notes for those of you interested in a warmer down jacket. I used this Jacket on Aconcagua this last season and was able to wear this on summit day. The jacket is incredibly warm and the pertex shell provides the water resistance as well as wind blocking properties that make it a great jacket for wet and blustery conditions. The reinforced elbows and shoulders gives the jacket a more durable wear for wearing a pack and flexor motions at the elbows. 2 things I really like about this jacket is the adjustable hood and the length of the jacket. The hood can fit a helmet and cinch down to accomodate lighter headwear. The Length of the parka provides complete coverage to the butt and can cinch down around the waist to reduce air traffic from updraft. The parka is HOT. I wore it on a ski touring trip to the Apostle Islands this winter in -15 and was toasty. For sizing considerations I usually wear a medium top. I got this online so I did not try on any other size than the medium, which I felt ran a little big, but this jacket is designed to layer underneath. I am 5'10" about 165 and the jackets length is perfect. As for the size I can cinch it down with less layers and with more layers it fills out nice. I think if I were to size down to a small it would definitely limit the versatility of the jacket. A large would be way out of my range. All in all I love this jacket and recommend it for the price, quality and versatility.