No Products in the Cart
Roald Amundsen was one of the first people to reach a geographic pole, and it is claimed that he owed his success to his thick-lined parka with a fur hood. These jackets are the ultimate winter insulation.
A good parka should provide warmth while allowing movement. Trying it on is the best way to ensure this.
If a parka doesn’t have enough insulation, it will be cold and uncomfortable. Insulation comes in different forms, with down feathers or synthetic fibers. The best choice depends on the climate and how you plan to use your jacket. The type and quantity of insulation is important, but also the shell fabric, waterproofness, and breathability. The insulation should be well distributed within the shell, preventing cold air from reaching your core. A high-quality parka will have durable, tightly woven shell fabrics and seams that prevent cold air from penetrating the jacket. In addition, it will have a storm flap on the hood and interior storm cuffs to further block cold air.
Most modern parkas are insulated with down feathers. This lightweight fill is highly efficient at regulating body heat and slowing the loss of warmth to the outside air. It also has a higher loft than other insulated materials. However, down has one downside: it can get wet easily. A parka that gets wet will lose its insulating properties. For this reason, a good parka should have a waterproof membrane and fully taped seams. This is especially crucial for a parka that will be worn in wet weather or in places that are prone to rain and snow.
Another way to improve a jacket’s performance in wet weather is to use Ventile, which is an all-natural, water-resistant fabric. The fabric is made from long staple cotton, which is densely woven to provide high levels of wind resistance and moisture wicking. It has a high tensile strength, making it resistant to ripping and tear. The fabric is also breathable, thanks to its open pore structure and to the fact that the cotton fibers swell up when they get wet to close the interstices between them.
In addition to a high-quality insulation, a good parka will have plenty of pockets to hold all of your gear. These pockets come in various sizes, closures, and materials and are located in strategic spots on the jacket. Some pockets have covering flaps while others have zippers. You can find jackets with chest, hem, and wrist pockets, as well as music or pocket warmers. You should also look for a parka that is available in different lengths to suit your body frame.
A parka is designed to keep you warm and protected from frigid weather conditions. It does this by trapping your body heat inside the jacket and reducing the loss of warmth to mother nature’s cold air. The quality of the insulation is key to this effectiveness. It is important to choose a jacket with high fill power (the number of tiny pockets that one ounce of the down fill creates) and an excellent insulating rating. Responsibly-sourced goose down with a fill power of 800 or more is considered premium and will provide superior insulating properties.
In addition to the type of insulation, the shell fabric and other features also contribute to the thermal performance of a parka. A tightly woven shell fabric reduces the chance of cold air penetrating and deflating your insulation. An adjustable hood that fastens with zipper instead of snaps prevents cold wind from entering around the face. An interior storm flap with velcro or a snap can close off the zipper opening in case of strong winds. Finally, an adjustable drawcord at the hem can help seal in warmth and prevent cold air from blowing up your jacket.
An active parka is designed for athletic activities and may feature an articulated hood, helmet compatible hood, zippered hand warmer pockets and more. This type of parka will usually be a bit lighter and more flexible than a casual parka. This is because it is a more versatile piece that can be worn in a wider range of climates and activity levels.
Regardless of the activity level, both active parkas and casual parkas should have good water resistance. This is because they will be exposed to cold, wet conditions on a regular basis. The best water resistant parkas will have a waterproof outer shell that is durable and offers a high breathability rate. Some of the most well-rated parkas will even include pit zips that allow trapped sweat to escape and increase comfort in cold, wet conditions.
To make the most of your parka, it is important to understand how you will wear it and what activities you will perform in it. This will help you select the appropriate insulation fill, shell fabric and other features for your climate and activity level. For example, a lightweight synthetic parka will provide better protection from snow and wet weather than a heavier down parka. It will also dry more quickly when wet.
Whether you want to look polished on your walk to work or just feel warm and toasty, there is a parka coat for you. These jackets often feature a more sleek aesthetic and can come in eye-catching prints or solid colors such as navy, olive, black, or gray. They can also feature a cinched waist for a flattering silhouette or fur-trimmed hoods to add extra flair and warmth. Parkas can also be found in more casual styles such as puffy or fleece jackets that are perfect for walking around town and running errands.
While a parka can keep you warm on its own, it’s also important to consider the layers that you wear underneath it. For example, you’ll need a baselayer to help absorb sweat and moisture so that it doesn’t get trapped inside your jacket and lead to a chill. In addition, a good layering system can help you stay warm even in damp conditions.
Another consideration is the size of the jacket. Some parkas are very large, which can make them difficult to move in and can leave you feeling overheated if you’re active outdoors. In these cases, you’ll want to choose a smaller size to get the most out of your jacket’s insulation and fit.
Finally, it’s a good idea to check the jacket’s windproof features. Many brands will test their fabrics and provide a wind resistance rating in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The lower the number, the better the fabric blocks airflow from blowing snow and cold winds.
Parkas are an essential winter coat for anyone who lives in a climate with extreme and volatile temperatures. They are a key piece in any outdoor gear collection for those who love to explore, hike, camp, ski, snowboard, and other snow sports. For public safety professionals, the Response Parka offers a combination of warmth and durability. It includes a pathogen-resistant ASTM F 1671 B.DRY membrane and multiple 3-in-1 insulated lining options that zip into the shell. The parka is also designed with special responder pockets to accommodate essential tools and equipment.
Depending on your climate and how you use your parka, there are different levels of warmth and comfort. Considerations include insulation type and fill, shell fabric, cuffs, hood and other features. If you’re going to be active in cold weather, a down parka is likely your best choice. These jackets are optimized for outdoor activities like winter hiking, mountain climbing and skiing. They have a technical look and feel with lots of pockets, adjustable waists and waterproof fabrics. They also have a large hood to seal in warmth and are often offered in dark colors like black or olive green.
A good parka will be insulated with goose down and have a tightly woven outer shell fabric to reduce cold air penetration and maintain the loft of the down. An interior storm cuff and hood help to prevent air leakage while a chin guard helps to keep the cold off your face. Other important considerations include the number of layers you’ll wear under the jacket. A hood with an adjustable drawcord can seal in warmth around the head, while a close ribbed hem and cuffs can keep cold air from reaching the lower body.
The weight of the jacket is another factor to consider. A lightweight parka will be less bulky than a heavier jacket and is easier to carry in your backpack or backcountry pack. It will also be easier to stow away when you’re not wearing it. The lighter weight jackets will also be more comfortable against the wind than a heavier parka.
While a lightweight parka is a great option for most cold temperatures, it’s not suitable for very extreme conditions. In very cold temperatures, you’ll want to add a heavyweight down or synthetic jacket as a midlayer. You may also want to add a hat, gloves and insulated pants. These additional items will keep you even warmer in cold weather.
If you work in the oil and gas industry or other hazardous environment, a safety parka jacket will help keep you warm and protected while you work. These jackets are made from flame resistant (FR) fabrics and are often equipped with reflective strips that improve visibility in low-light or dimly lit environments. They are available in a variety of sizes and colors, making them easy to find for any work environment.
