Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero SL Down Parka - Men's - 2006 BCS

HIGHER QUALITY/FAR WARMER THAN MOST OTHER PARKAS!
Alert to Fellow Geaheads:
The Mountain Hardwear Subzero SL Parka will serve you better than any parka that I have tested from Land's End, Eddie Bauer, LL Bean or any of the "commercially advertised brands." With winter a week or two away - the following info. is important as to why this is a great parka, and a better choice than others:
BOTTOM LINE REASONS:
1) Baffled Construction - This prevents the cold spots and loss of body heat that lesser garments with sewn through seams unfortunately allow! The Subzero SL protects you from cold spots and loss of body heat - very important!
2) It is highly wind resistant - due to its Conduit SL Laminate Shell. Thus, you will be protected from biting winter winds!
3) It is nearly waterproof - due to its Conduit Laminate Shell.
4) It has 15 ounces of Down Fill - a significant amount of down, which will keep you warm!
5) It has an Awesome Down Filled Hood - that is also Face Protective. Since 65% of our body heat is lost through one's head- a great hood is imperative! The Subzero SL Parka delivers here also.
TRUST ME! THIS IS A PARKA THAT PERFORMS!!

This jacket is amazing. Its super warm , it packs down small yet fluffs back up quickly, and its get just enough waterproofing to make it so that you don't have to worry when the snow or even sleet starts to fall. I use this jacket for belay duty while ice climbing, and its awesome for after you've made camp for the night on a peak. I even use this to sleep in on alpine climbs so that I can afford to bring a lighter sleeping bag. The hood is also amazing almost beyond description. With all of that said, the only downside to this jacket is that the down has a tendency to migrate a bit. It tends to move to the top of the arms, or to the sides of the jacket if you are sitting down. Its not super bad though, and I've never gotten cold because of it. Overall, I give it 5/5 stars!

Trust mountain hardwear to have created the best down parka, that is good to -20 wind chill. Also water resistant!!
Light and very comfortable!

This is a great parka with very good material and offering great value for the price. I tested it recently in Regina, SK Canada where the mercury dropped last week to -34C (-48C with wind chill) and the jacket lived up to expectations with only one other layer of protection. On regular winter days, it provides more than enough protection even for extended times.

The only downside that I've seen is that the main zipper is hard to zip up and seems to be of poor quality. My suggestion to MH would be to improve the quality of the zipper to make this an unbeatable package.

Other than the lame hood attachment, this is the best coat for the money. Living in Fairbanks for 10 years, I've seen some pretty cold weather. Last year, when the temperature scales met (-40 C and F) for a few days, I put on one light base layer, a very thin softshell, and the Sub Zero Parka on top, with the same bottom two layers on my legs, with the Compressor Pant as an outer layer, and my normal winter boots, and was overheating after simply standing outside for almost an hour. The only reason to get the Absolute Zero parka is if you are heading to Antarctica in winter or doing some high altitude mountaineering, like the description says.

This is a very nice down parka at it's current price at Backcountry ($235) and with discounts that bring it close to $200. At this price point it blows the competition away. Depending on your planned use, you may wish to consider the Absolute Zero Parka in the MHW line (but at seriously more change) for a more hardcore piece of mountaineering equipment and a more technical jacket in critical applications. The Sub Zero SL Down Parka compares with products like TNF McMurdo, Baxter State Parka, Cabella's Etc. and is a better piece of equipment. You get more down fill (650 vs 550), a warmer jacket, equal or better construction quality and features.

To address some of the shortcomings in this parka previously mentioned:
The zipper is a good quality YKK that allows bidirectional unzipping. This is a feature with similar zippers in all the jackets I looked at in this price range. A single zipper like the Absolute Zero is much easier to start and use with gloved hands but does not allow you to unzip the bottom to squat, sit or get into pants pockets. A fixed hood like the Absolute Zero offers no drafts or removability. Almost all jackets in this price range offer a removable hood. Although I would prefer a zipped hood with a velcro or snap storm flap covering the transition, this current hood has worked well for me and not detached or allowed drafts in 30 MPH winds. The pocket zippers are taped and work fairly well without material getting caught so far. My TNF Nuptske is really bad in this department.

This jacket's strengths:

Good Packability
Light Weight
Good Wind Protection
Good Down Fill Weight (650)
Toasty Warm even with no exertion in subzero temps with winds (tested so far to -5F with windchill -17
Ample Pockets, Tech Spec's are incorrect this jacket has 4 Front (2 Napoleon and 2 Hand warmer) and 2 Interior pockets ( one a mesh water bottle)
pocket)
Good Hood adjustment
2 draw strings-one at bottom and a higher 3/4 cord in waist

Cons:
Hood Snaps instead of zipper/ secured flap

I haven't had this on any mountains yet, but it's a necessary addition for any Chicagoan's arsenal. With our bone-rattling cold snaps, wind kicks from the lake, ice-rain, and snow, this parka laughs at it all. On one particularly cold and windy day, I wore my MH MonkeyMan underneath and the only cue for me to go inside was my Husky pulling me home.

Pros:
1) Comfort! So glad I went with the longer Parka version of this jacket
2) Sharp! Pics don't do it justice
3) I've had zero issues with the zippers, so I'm not sure what other reviewers are on about.
4) The parka repels water fairly well and snags even better.
5) It has more pockets than I can find a use for.
6) My wife tugged the hood roughly and I was surprised when none of the buttons released.
7) Lined hip pockets are awesome when you forget your gloves

Cons:
1) While the mesh thermos pocket is a neat idea to keep your drink of choice from becoming a slurpee while sitting next to the fire, I can see how the location of the pocket would be very annoying (to use) while doing anything more active than walking or hiking.
2) Though it may feel like it, you can't take over the world just because you're wearing it.

MH strikes again!

I'm not professional climber, just sporty type but I always get really cold so finally I did my research and found this jacket for reasonable price for the warmth provided :)
It's great, first time in my life I don't have to put layers to feel warm :) and it's longer than regular jacket so my kidneys will feel warm too :)
I was afraid it might be too warm just to wear it on daily basis (I read all other reviews and I'm only at 5000 feet here in Colorado :)) but to my surprise I was fine even in 32 degree weather (as well as 9 degree:)) The only thing if you have to remove snow from your car in 32 degree weather then yes it's toasty -toasty but other than that it's fine.
I still have to try in on the slopes but I think it will be fine too- finally I won't freeze on the chairlifts :)(I don't think it will work during spring skiing though since there is no vents and that's the only minus of this parka)
I like the strap inside so I can change the puffy parka style to look more like jacket without loosing the length.
So for now I like it a lot. I'm 5'8'' and got men size M, but I do some rowing so my shoulders are a bit wider and my arms are long too so even though overall I think the jacket might be tiny bit too big but I love that sleeves are perfect length.

-10 couldn't stop this baby. It kept me warm at base camp while we sat on our butts chatting over a cup of hot Joe.

Really got to test out my sub zero this weekend at the Chicago Bear game against the New England Pats. If you saw the game on tv you say that it was absolutely miserable and cold out there. Not for me! I was so warm and comfortable. I cannot say enough about how warm this coat is. I did not even have to layer up like I normally do. My son and I looked like twins as he got his last year and talked me into this parka.
If I had to give a negative, the only thing I would like changed is the zipper. Make it a little more heavy duty. I have had some trouble getting it started at the end. Other than that it is wonderful.

Really got to test out my sub zero this weekend at the Chicago Bear game against the New England Pats. If you saw the game on tv you say that it was absolutely miserable and cold out there. Not for me! I was so warm and comfortable. I cannot say enough about how warm this coat is. I did not even have to layer up like I normally do. My son and I looked like twins as he got his last year and talked me into this parka.
If I had to give a negative, the only thing I would like changed is the zipper. Make it a little more heavy duty. I have had some trouble getting it started at the end. Other than that it is wonderful.

Nice Parka/Very light and warm/big enough to layer underneath but not to an extreme/Hood feels a little bulky but is down filled and warm and I can live with the bulk considering . No problem with snaps on the hood/ I like them much better than a zipper.

This is one of the worst MH products I have ever owned and I have a lot of MH. I used this parka for a winter summit attempt on Mt. Rainier. #1 the hood snaps on - not zippers. In a 'real' winter mountain wind the wind will blow through every snap gap and freeze your neck. #2 everytime you try to zipper the pockets the zippers get material in them and jam-up. Then you have to remove your gloves to fix the zippers. To me these are both show stoppers for a coat designed for as the name implies Sub Zero. Don't buy this parka and MH should either fix these issues or pull it off the market! Of course if you are just wearing it as a puffy jacket to the bar go ahead just don't wear it for its real use.

got the jacket a few weeks ago and haven't been happier....or, warmer.
I live in Toronto, Canada....and with this coat, I wish I lived on Everest!!
I pray for cold weather and laugh at people freezing in their "Non- Mountain Hardware" sub par windbreakers.......all my friends have commented on it and I don't wear anything but a t-shirt underneath when before, I would wear 3 layers plus my Columbia coat (which, I still love) but no where near the same league as the MH.
Last thing....I'm 5'10, 170lbs and I bought a medium and it fits perfect............I love this thing!!!

I come from Italy and I wasn't prepared to the frozen American winter. This down parka is exactly what I was looking for: light to carry but extremely warm. easy to put in the luggage back home, perfect in the snow and wind.
It changed my life here, I'm no more scared about weather conditions.

Just got back from two weeks in the North Cascades. I tend to run pretty warm so a down parka in late May early June seems like overkill but it came in handy several times. It was raining cats and dogs for our approach and I was soaked to the bone and cold once we hit base camp. Once I put the parka on, I immediately warmed up. The odd thing was that the heat from my body was condensing on the outside of the parka and then freezing. Strange indeed but it still insulated me.

One thing I really like about this parka is its length. I have an odd-shaped body with short legs and long torso. If you are like me then you will find the length will suit you fine.

By far it is the must have in any real mountaineers gear bag!
this guy never climbed mr or any other mountain because the jacket is the nicest in every way and I have tried them all!!
unless you want to go but mh hs they run 1,000.00 so buy it where it love go nuts!!!
I am 5'8 160 lbs and I got a large so it will fit over layers! it is loose but good loose!!!

This so-called mountaineering parka is a huge boondoggle. Here's why:

1. The snap on hood comes detached easily and will rip the fabric around the snaps. The gaps cause a draft to blow in in high winds.

2. The down will become very thin around the inside of the arms and you will feel it.

3. The waist drawcord doesn't wrap entirely around your waist and you will no doubt feel a draft blow through. (what idiot came up with this design).

4. The zippers are a royal pain in the ass...pocket zippers get snagged constantly and the main zipper is a real pisser to get started.

5. The stuffsack is a bit small and it's a pain to get the darn thing into it.

The parka is worth maybe $100.00, and that might be too much. On the plus side, it looks great in the orange and black color and the fleece lined pockets are warm. Please don't buy this if you want a hassle free time trying to deal with it in bitter cold environments.

LOVE IT!!! Warm from 40 degrees to -20, this coat is like wearing a cloud of warmth. This is tractable and not too puffy and it even fits into a small little pouch it comes with. It's great for traveling and packing as a primary or secondary coat and when packed away, it takes up no more room than a 2-litre bottle of soda (but with much less weight). Literally like a sleeping bag and with plenty of pockets, this down coat is definitely something I would suggest to anybody. No Cons what-so-ever!

I just received my Jungle green parka and it’s a fantastic piece of gear. I read numerous complaints about the hood using snaps to attach to the parka and was a bit concerned. The latest design for 2010 is now using a zipper system instead of snaps. It makes the hood very secure and draft-free. Love it!
Sizing tip: I’m 6ft, 210 pound, 45 chest, 36 waist and the large is a great fit with plenty of room for extra layers.

The zipper need to be worked out, I suggest a large tooth ykk with a tether on both zippers so that one can grab with gloves or mitts. This can be changed by clipping the tag off and using some small cordage to fix the issue.

ME: 6' 215' 34 Waist. I got the Large and it fits well. The XL would have been WAY too big.

I LOVE THIS PARKA! I live in Minnesota and it's been very cold lately, this 'Beast' never lets me down.

I hear what some people are saying about the main zipper being somewhat difficult to operate, but it really only happens when the zipper is under pressure from the bottom drawstring. If you release the easy to operate drawstring before you zip it up, it works fine. It just took a few days to get into the habit.

Ohh, and VERY WARM!!!

I love the tons of big pockets, and the hood.

For standing/sitting around in urban areas or in base camp, this jacket is fine and seems like it will keep you warm. If you intend on going thru any brush (or rubbing up against objects with even dull points or portruding angles), forget it--the material is too thin and will puncture or tear. Sizing seems large-I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs. and an XL was way too big (though sleeve length was about right). Not sure how the L would fit--probably fine in the chest and sleeves too short. I returned it due to the flimsy material.

I have been a die hard North Face fan, before TNF even became fashionable. I was looking for a new jacket to replace my Nuptse 800 limited, but couldn't find a TNF style with the features I wanted at I price I was happy with. I have always been interested in Mountain Hardware gear, but never purchased any. This is my first. I have to say it has quickly become my favorite cold weather coat. And if you think the flannel lined pockets are just a gimmick, you haven't experienced them, they are awesome! This coat is just plain cozy. I have worn it in ice storms, -20 below wind chill weather and I could swear that is was 80 out. I may never by another North Face coat again. Mountain Hardware, you have a new customer for a long time.

Warm, comfortable, wind resistant, water resistant. Wore jacket on a boat and was blasted by wave. Water just beaded up and rolled off.

Iam Currently in Kazakhstan, and when I arrived in Aktobe it was -27 c, and my baggage has been lost in transit.
However I did pack this coat and the compressor pants in my carry on luggage and it is all I have got at the moment.
The coat is super warm and the pants the same, they are just great and at the moment saving my life.

Hi,

I bought both the SL parka and the SL down jacket-- kept the parka and LOVE IT! If I had a jacket like this when I grew up in Buffalo NY winters, I might never have left!

Why not 5 stars? I don't like the two chest pockets, the asthetics of the black/red, and they could have put some soft fleece where the top of collar hits my neck when zippered. Not much else to knock!

this is the best jacket that I have ever owned. incredibly light and warm. I live in melbourne Australia the temperature does not fall below zero, so its nearly too warm, but I love wearing it it is very comfy and it is like wearing a doona. It is also very waterproof.

Very nive and very warm. The parka is a longer lenght than the jackert and works better for warmth; the zipper is fine and works great; the pockets are great; the hood is very nice and had no problems with the snaps; and the jack is very well made and is very nice!

Great parka. I had to exchange it for a larger size after following the guidance of another review. The review that says this jacket is "great for fat people" and has enough room to zip it over his bent legs is spoofing us. This is an "over everything" parka, and it needs some space, but it's just right in line with the Marmot size guides. Don't order it to "skin size" because you will not have room to move. I especially like the inside pockets!

This is the only parka you will ever need,had it on at 1:00am in 50mph winds,snow and freezing rain never got cold or wet,it is very well constructed and very very warm, best buy i have made in years.

Let me start out by saying I am generally a fan of mountain hardwear products. I have, however, been consistently dissapointed by their down coats. The zub zero parka is pretty nice but has design flaws in that the fabric inside the jacket always get caught in the zippers. It's also pretty bulky. I ended up getting a 900 fill down coat from a local manufacturer that is going to work better for about the same price. Don't get me wrong, mountain hardwear gear is bomber but for my needs, 650 down in a house sized parka with zippers that always jam is not going to cut it.

I love this jacket! The Parka looks good for a puffy jacket. I bought the parka because it is longer and I heard that the jacket version has a tendency to lift above the waist when hands are raised in the air. Not a problem with the parka. I have had no problems with the fabric in anyway (although I do not scrape the jacket against jagged edges or wear it while playing contact sports). It appears to actually be water proof from my tests (I couldn't imagine wearing this jacket in temperatures above 25ºF anyway). The hood is great. I have no complaints about the zipper. I have done away with layering when walking around town as a T-shirt and the jacket keep me warm to 10ºF. With long Johns and a fleece underneath I bet I would be comfortable to -20ºF. With in the first few days of using the parka I notice some down emerging from the fabric, but since the initial half a dozen feathers have come out the problem has ceased. I hope the Parka holds up against the test of time and keeps me warm for many winter to come.

this is the best suit i own,have had it 2 years now and it still looks new, has held up great just wish they had put a bigger zipper on the pants the parker you cant beat so warm it is unreal pants too,i give mountain hardwear A+ on this one

Used my Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero Jacket for the first time on a remote 4000 foot mountain in the Adirondacks. It stormed on our approach in and we had 30 to 40 mph winds during the climb the next day. Due to the storm and lack of ice on the face, we had to do a snow climb with continuous post holing. I wore my parka while setting up camp and was amazed how warm it kept my core, allowing me to use my hands without gloves for several minutes at a time. I also wore the parka the entire time we climbed the next day over my shell. I was concerned from another review about perspiration management but this was not an issue. I simply regulated my temperature by opening the zipper Also, going with the parka versus the sub zero jacket was a wise choice for winter camping, belaying, and winter climbing.

I have used this parka mostly for work purposes all over Greenland these past two months, which involves a lot of stationary work and some trekking. I chose this over the North Face McMurdo mainly because of weight issues, compactability and more downfill. And I didn't want to spend Canada Goose money.

The good:
-Very warm
-Lightweight
-Very compactable
-Outer layer is water resistent
-Plenty of pockets
-Affordable

The bad:
-Outer layer is ultra sensitive to sharp edges and hooks. I have already ripped it three times in two months.
-Pocket zippers get stuck on fabric, which is very annoying
-Hood attachment is somewhat flimsy. My hood blew off the buttons in +30m/s winds
-No Zippered back-of-arm vents

Also get the parka instead of the jacket if you plan to use it in arctic conditions.

BTW. the size was just perfect. XXL for 6'6", 240 pounds.

very nice jacket for the money.Very warm.only complaint is the zipper is a little tricky getting started\almost seems likenot enough material between zipper teeth and edge of coat so touugh to grab.otherwise excellent and will use often

When I bought this in the winter of 2007/2008, the product descriptions advertised a zippered hood. Apparently the information applied to earlier versions, and I had problems coping with the snap-on hood, fall off hood. It kept blowing part way off in the zero degree gusts, and I wound up tying stay cords at every snap to keep it in place. Now, I have a slightly leaky fixed hood because of the gaps between the snaps, instead of a solidly zippered removable hood. Had I noticed before I roughed up the parka, I would have returned it. But I was in the backcountry when it really counted, and discovered the hood was not reliably attached. Now, I'm stuck, because there is no way to remedy this circumstance. I don't have budget for a "spare" heavy down parka, and I'm going to have to live with it. I've purchased little from MH since then, because I can't trust their gear any more. It's warm overall, but the hood is a critical disappointment.

What a great coat! I used it the Upper Penninsula of Michigan but packed it in it's travel pouch. The best cold weather coat I have ever owned.

This coat rules. Kept me toasty in single digit weather with 50 mph wind gusts in the Colorado mountains. The snaps on the hood hold in place fine. Not sure how some have reported the hood to blow off. Unless you're in a hurricane, it should hold fine. This coat is worth every penny.

A year ago I bought Mountain Hardwear's 800 loft jacket. Warm, but short enough in length that it has a tendency to ride up and leave that cold spot at the waistline. I wanted a high-quality down parka that would last for the next 20 years and Mountain Hardwear had already proven to me they had perfected construction and design in specific niches. This item is no different. The baffle construction assures that there are no cold spots, the length allows the parka to drop low enough to cover the round of your ass and keep it warm. The sleeves are finished with the proper velcro flaps to tighten to perfect comfort without having elastic controlling the opening. Double drawstrings allow it to be tightened at the bottom to keep out draft and further compartmentalize the torso from any draft by cinching it up a little more at the waist. This waistline drawstring also allows for a somewhat tapered look, rather than appearing to be wearing a tent. You'll pay for this one, but you'll get a parka that you'll wear for a couple decades and be warm every bit of the time. Dont' scrimp when buying something like this; pay the little extra it takes to get the best construction and the coat you'll be happy with for decades. You'll be happy that you did.

I spoke with many gearheads before deciding on the MH Sub Zero SL Parka. i needed somelthing for around town use with occasional below zero temps. I'm getting colder mofre easily and more frequently as I age and always bought cheap jackets in teh past. this is my first quality down jacket, the on sale price was surprisingly not much more that what I've bought at big box stores all my life for cheap polyester jackets. my compliments to all of the knowledgeable and helpful gearheads, especially Corey P. I initially ordered a medium with layering mind but found it a little big. I tried on a small and found it had a much better fit with our without layering. It's sized according to the chart so I wouldn't recommend larger than what you usually wear. All in all it exceeded my expectations. I've had no problems with zippers or snaps but I don't use it under mountaineering conditions, in town only.
I highly recomment this jacket, especially when on sale around 60 bucks less than list price. it truely is like a good fitting toasty sleeping bag.

Picked this parka up on sale and glad I did. Yea the zipper can be a bit hinky but that is mainly because of the length, and the snaps on the hood could have been a zipper but those are minor. It's warm, light weight looks good for around town, and great for my winter backcountry outings. For the price, I am more than satisfied.

It's a good parka in general. Warm, waterproof, reinforcement at key areas. The lengh is just right, enough to cover my butt. Originally i'd get a subzero jacket. but i know it might be too short from reviews, so i get this parka. The only problem is that i found a little down 'escaping' sometimes, especially in the two pockets. The main zipper is fine when you learn how to operate it.

Minor beefs: Yes, the zippers can be a bit frustrating but actually I haven't had too many problems with them. If you have the hem cinched up tight the main zipper can be very difficult to get started. I haven't tested the hood in windy conditions but its a great shape and doesn't obstruct my vision even when tightened down.
I wish MH had put the waist draw cord the whole way around to the front. It's annoying to have to reach in behind your back to tighten. It also tends to leave a bit of air flow up the front.

Major Beef: The inside of the collar is not lined with soft fuzzy material which means that when its done all the way up you get a chapped chin. I am going to sew in some light fleece.

Now having said all that.... I LOVE the jacket. I live in Aspen and it gets used pretty much every day. In town, on the mountain, and hanging outside in the Backcountry. Great value!

True to size. I am 5-10 and 195 and the large is perfect. Long enough to cover the butt, thick enough to be warm--we live in NE Wyoming and it has been as low as -30 so far this winter. Also is compact enough so that you don't look like the Michelin Man. good enough tat my wife has ordered the men's small. Finally, it really does breathe so that when you come inside (store, car etc.) you don't have to immediately strip.

Got this on my old ski team. Phenomenal for those cold mtn days and biting winds. It insulates better than my patagucci down jacket, and doesn't have moisture issues b/c of the synthetic insulation. I've worn it skiing in -20 w/o any problems. I esp lke the removable hood for ease of use. Plus, the jacket tail extends to my rear, keep more of my body warm for long chair lifts. The jacket material is rip-stop, and sheds wet snow and light precip w/o problems. I wouldn't say waterproof, but then again mine is an older model. Summary: warm, functional, wind and water resistant, rip-proof, lots of pockets. A+

Got this in Nov. 2008, within weeks, Chicago weather dropped down to 10 degrees in the morning. My 15 minutes walking commute couldn't be warmer. With my hood on, after 10 minutes walk my back actually begin to sweat and I needed to unzip a little to stay cool.

Looking forward to try it out on -15 degree mornings...

Hope this parker will keep it's warm for years to come,my other down jackets become less warm once the down get compressed and weighted down to the bottom.

Very warm parka, well designed. Down is compartmentalized and does not shift for the most part. Well insulated zippers. The hook and loop closure on the arms and over the zipper is easy to adjust with mits on. This jacket compresses well and has held its loft so far (~15 trips, 1 year). Primary uses: (very) cold weather belaying, alpine regions, winter camping, etc. I would consider this jacket overkill if you are using it in weather above -15 C (i.e., you WILL sweat). I have to disagree with "sman's" commment: This jacket is not that tough and is very easily torn on sharp edges/rock/ice-tools. Overall: excellent quality and value if you are in a very cold-weather climate.

It keeps you so warm that I don't feel the cold at 20 F with slight wind. I was laughing when everyone around me show they're cold while I walk around like the summer time. If anything were to happen to this parka, i'd simply buy another one. It's very good. Had a great deal with backcountry for only $236 shipped.

I love my Parka. Just what I was looking for. Longer than a down jacket and it has down hood to keep your head warm and toasty. I would like it to zip out as advertised, but it still works fine. The parka is lightweight and yet keeps the cold out. The stuff pack is great for traveling. Wish I bought this years ago.

Great Parka. Light weight, but really does the job. I like the extra length over a jacket for extra warmth. Although the hood is not zipped in as claimed, it still does a very nice job. When you purchase the parka you get a stuff bag which is nice for traveling. All in all, just a great parka. Should have bought it years ago.

I purchased the Mountain Hardware Sub Zero SL Parka specifically for a high-altitude mountain climb (Aconcagua) and although it was warm enough, it did not perform as expected. I wore it briefly a few times at Camp 1 and Camp 2, and all day on Feb 12, 2008 (summit day).

Although it was quite warm, poor design/ construction revealed itself in several very disappointing / annoying ways:
1) The main zipper was very hard to get started. It required a lot of struggling to get the zipper started. In the early morning of summit day, I had to remove my outer gloves and fiddle for a long time with just thin polypro liner gloves in extremely cold conditions before I could get the zipper started properly. Plus the zipper is metal. This seems like a good recipe for frostbite. An unreliable main zipper is a fatal flaw for a climber’s parka
2) During the climb, the zips on two or three of the pockets snagged on the fabric backing that runs along the zipper just due to normal operation (opening and closing the pockets). It was too cold to mess with them, so I left them in the snagged / half-closed state until I returned to high camp. I later found that I had to operate the zippers very slowly to prevent snagging
3) The removable hood needs a different, more secure attachment system. At one point after a brief rest stop, I put my pack back on and realized that the hood was trapped between my pack and my back. I pulled on the hood and it started to detach, being held only by a few snaps.
In summary, the jacket was a hassle the entire day. I think it needs significant revisions to meet the needs of high-altitude mountain climbing. It is less expensive than some other parkas, such as the North Face one, but in retrospect, the savings were not worth it. I returned this item.

This parka has a snap-on hood -just right for letting draughts up the back of your head. I expected a zip-on hood for the price. Even the tags that come with it say it has a zip on hood. The other thing is that in my experience the snaps will fail- either the material tears or the snap button will distort making it impossible to secure the point. If you have 300 bucks, spend it on a different parka.

I'd forgotten how warm a good down parka could be. Really does the trick on those cold mornings when I am walking the dogs before the sun comes up. I really like that the hood can be adjusted for the tightness of the fit. Only complaint is that it lacks vertical slit handwarmer pockets. Overall very pleased.

Super coat that is fireplace warm. Runs a little big but this does allow extra layers to be worn-but you won't need any extra layers with this baby. Hood is excellent. I bought this for Antarctica expedition and I think it will be plenty warm. Now if I could just get my feet that warm!

Also have the Subzero Jacket and have taken it on a few trips, but was always left wanting in really freakin cold weather. The Subzero Parka leaves nothing out. Ultra warm with plenty of length to handle longer bodies (6'2") even when stooping to light a camp stove. The hood is amazing. I've never been this warm. Is like wearing a sleeping bag.

i loved it because it was so lightweight and warm, but hated it because one of the 2 outer materials (the one that runs down your shoulders) attracts so much dust, hair, and animal fur that it drove me crazy.

Best jacket I've ever owned. I love the Tiger color. Been out in a cold wet rain, about 34 degrees, steady rain, stayed warm and dry. The hood is excellent. Nice deep pockets. Highly recommended.. this sites service is top notch. I get comments all the time on this jacket, like " you going to Alaska, or what". Or "that jacket sure looks warm".

I had one of these for 5 years. It was by far the best jacket I've ever owned. Then it wore out and disaster - they don't sell them in the UK anymore! Had to import one from the US AND pay shipping, VAT and import duty, which added a further $120 and I'm still very happy. It really is that good.