Recommendations for a winter/SHTF jacket or Parka.

I just bought an insulated parka after using the fleece and shell type layering for the last 12 years. I still go for a sweater under a light jacket most of the time, but when it gets really cold the parka is so convenient. I love not having to worry too much if my sweater is quite warm enough, or having to fight with 3 layers taking them on or off when I go out. If you can offord to own more than jacket, I think its totally worth having.
 
REI has a "Switchback Parka" shell with the "Elements" label on the left sleeve that is all season waterproof, breathable and windproof to 60 mph. Black/grey in color, pit zips, detachable hood, lots of pockets, room to layer, and covers the hips completely.
Also available is a zip in vest or full sleeved fleece called the MUIR Woods jacket to layer under it or zip it in. Very good setup.

I was out hiking after dark with 25mph winds and about 18 degrees and was toasty. Layered up consisting of a Dufold wool blend shirt, TNF100 1/4zip fleece and a fleece vest under the shell. Goretex pants over jeans. Warm the entire time.
I can't say enough about this setup and am going to buy another for work!

http://www.rei.com/product/738388

http://www.rei.com/product/770887?p...-B49C-DE11-93DB-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA

http://www.rei.com/product/770885?p...-FB85-DE11-B7F3-0019B9C043EB&mr:referralID=NA
 
Waterproof and warm jacket don't mix well.
Rather than a single jacket you should rather go with a layered system.
Synthetic polyester underwear.
Various insulation layers (polar fleece, wool...).
"Environnmental" shell. You can get a goretex shell if you need waterproof although in very cold weather, windproof might be more appropriate.
For really cold weather get an additional layer for static activities like surplus winter parkas (swedish one is good and cheap, or us "fish tail" parka) if you're static (tough and heavy), or a down/synthetic filling jacket for moving around (a lot better weight insulation ratio, but more fragile and a lot more expensive).
 
helle hanson is really good stuff with a killer warrenty, and my Dad has two snow-goose parkas, one of which is older than I am I think. heavy as hell, but very well made. but overkill until -40.
 
Ok, I am Canadian so all of this is making me very curious. To those of you that mentioned this before me thank you for making me feel less crazy. Those of you that are recommending jackets like the Canada Goose parka do you really wear these at 20°F? I am looking outside my window now it is abnormally warm today it is -8°C so approx 18°f and I am wearing a cotton shirt and a fleece outside.

Like was mentioned Canada Goose parkas are meant for the Arctic not 20° weather. So any of those with so little cold tolerance that you need a parka at 20° for your own health and safety never come to Canada in months that are not June July or August. sorry if I missed something, I am operating on almost no sleep. If any of this offends you I am sorry.

To the OP: A decent fleece and a Gore-tex shell should be all you need to keep you warm and dry both from sweat and weather far below 20°. If it hasn't been mentioned look at the Eddie Bauer "First Ascent", a little pricey but very durable and well worth it all around. When it gets real cold here (-30 to -35°C) I break out a good wool shirt the same fleece that I am wearing today and the "ranier storm" shell from First Ascent and it keeps me nice and toasty.

Hope this helps :)
 
US ARMY FIELD JACKET WITH THE LINNER. I got mine in the army. I have had it soking wet on the out side but dry on the inside. I used it in gerrmany and it kept me very warm over there. it is the only jacket that I have had all of my life and I refuse to get anything else. my mother before she passed away had bought me a bigger one but i have never used it. she even had my patches sew on it just like my issue one has. she said my belly has gotton bigger over the years. i think she is right but i would not trade it for all of the knifes in the world.
 
Get yourself into a wool Swandri, big full length and damn near industructable, hunters and farmers over here use them, as do linmen, rangers, etc etc, the wool is water proff to a degree, bu8t will keep you warm when wet, cut wide so as to be able to ride a horse with them...just google Swandi then have a hunt.
 
NO F-Bdy Bs said:
Im in the market for a winter jacket. Here is my criteria.


Waterproof
Hood
long in length. Something that will cover my ass if I have to sit down when its cold/rainy.
DURABLE!
Be able to keep me warm in 20deg weather, and 35deg weather when its rainy.
Something I can wash
Id PREFER something US made, but its not definite.
Not to bulky

I guess, im looking for a Parka.


I would be using this jacket at work, and as a winter jacket. Not something to be tucked away in a Bug-out kit, never to be used. That in mind, it needs to be tough.
Id like to stay away from the "tacticool" look. Something blue, gray, kakhi, ect
Click to expand...

I have an army coat with a button in liner I got from a surplus store that's done this (Keeps me warm to temps colder than you listed) for 4 years or so now. I think you can get them in solid colors but I'm not sure. Prices will vary based on condition and who you buy from. Mine is woodland camo, which I don't really care for that much but it's worked, and that matters most.
 
Only layering will keep you warm and adjustable for exertion and temps. Patagonia Capeline and Polartec Power Stretch are my favorite base layers, adding Primaloft for really cold stuff. Polyester base layers will wick the sweat from your skin and help transport it to the outer breathable shell. There are a bunch of merino wool base layers offered now, but I don't care for wool-- YMMV. IMHO, down is great in dry climates-- and terrible in my Pacific NW drizzle. Same goes for sleeping bags.

Breathable fabrics like Gore-Tex work well if maintained and need to have a DWR (durable water repellent) coating to do the job. If you Gore-Tex doesn't bead water, it needs to be treated.

Extensive testing has been done with breathable rain gear, and most of the major brands of breathable fabrics help, but every test I have read confirmed that good ventilation is mandatory for effective rain gear. Look for features like pit zips, venting chest pockets, and velcro tabs on the front zipper storm flap (allows venting by closing the flap with the zipper undone)




Favorite shells:

North Face Summit Series Gore-Tex GTX parka. It's my everyday foul weather shell.

Patagonia Rain Shadow Jacket. This is my ultralight hiking rain jacket-- not good for bushwhacking though.

Martmot Precip rain jacket. As above, very light but not for bushwhacking. A very good buy.

Mountain Hardwear Exposure II Parka. Tougher than the North Face, but has a snow skirt.

Carhartt Waterproof Breathable Jacket (toughest but too short)

IMHO, Arcteryx makes very good products--- at breathtaking prices. I could buy a complete hiking wardrobe for the cost of one Arcteryx shell. I just can't justify the cost and it's more fashion than function to me.

The REI One jacket is a decent soft shell for skiing, etc, but really doesn't add much insulation. A 200W fleece under a good shell would add as much or more loft as the REI One, would weigh less and costs about 25% of what the One jacket does.

Soft shells look good and work for running errands or when you know what the weather will be--- an afternoon ski run, etc. They are too expensive and deliver too little insulation for the weight. The don't compress well when hiking like Primaloft or down will.
 
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