Warm Parka

Joined
Nov 23, 1998
Messages
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I'm looking for a warm parka for sitting still at temperatures down to -30 C.

Currently, I'm thinking about the Resolute parka from Metro Sportswear. It has duck down insulation, a Sypmatex membrane liner, and two hand warmers in pouches just above waist height on each side.

Any thoughts?

Will
 
Believe it or not, but the warmest jacket I own was bought by accident! I needed a larger warmer, "better camo" hunting coat. But the one I wanted was one size TOO BIG! I knew the salesman and so he let me have it for a few dollars less because of it.

It turned out to be a little baggy, but it works GREAT! The dead air space traps a LOT of air and I can OVERHEAT at -20 if I'm not careful. I can wear long underwear, a shirt, a sweater and a LIGHT jacket underneath it and still have air space. THis turned out to work well!

I don't remember the exact brand name as it has been packed away for two years, but it does have Thinsulate. So get something good and make it a little BIG! You can really LAYER that way!
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Good luck!


------------------
Plainsman :)
primitiveguy@hotmail.com

You use what you have on you, then you improvise! :)
 
If you are only looking at a very cold weather parka, and intend on sitting for a long time, go with a straight down parka. Don't worry about liners, since you should be layering anyways, and will have clothing between you and the parka, and don't worry about waterproof gizmos and other things, since the only water you are likely to see at -30C is stuff you brought with you, or stuff you are leaving behind.

I'd vote for something along the lines of North Face's Nutpse (sp?) jackets. They have several 700+ fill power down jackets that should fit your bill nicely. STP, mentioned above, has these jackets at a nice markdown right now, and has a few other down jackets to choose from as well.

Cold Weather Warning!!! If you intend on doing anything other than sitting down (ie, jumping out of the tree to go chase down the walking freezer-meat you just shot at) you need to be very careful about heat management. Down is a great insulator, but _will not_ keep you warm if you go running through the woods with your adrenaline pumping in the same layers you sat around in all day, and sweat your eyeballs out. Be conscious of how warm you are, and act _before_ you begin to sweat. Afterwards will be too late.

Now that we've covered that, my personal choise would be a heavyweight mackinaw from Filson, provided I could afford it (I can't afford the Nuptse jackets either). Filson makes fantastic wool clothing, and my choice of wear (Which would probably do me for most activity down to -30C) would be heavyweight poly-pro, nice and thick wool pants and shirt (I have some belgian mil pants, and woolrich shirts) and a good, double-thick mackinaw. Wool will be quieter than the nylon of the down parka as well, and be better if conditions change, or you do a bad job of heat management.

Stryver
 
Personally I would consider just layering with combo of fleece, polorguard 3D or down and a gortex shell. This will allow you to modify layers as necessay per weather/activity. It is also much more cost effective as each garment can be used alone which makes it much more versatile. However, if you want just one warm down parka consider a Marmot Alpinist Parka with Gortex.
I have had one for years but have used it very little since it is so hot! It is great if you are just sitting/standing still but add any activity and you start sweating,which is REAL bad. My hands and feet give way before my torso with this coat.

Good luck!

Dave
 
I agree with DDS; layering is the way to go, unless you spend lots of stationary time in really cold temps. I have not used my heavy duvet (down parka) in years, because it's too warm for anything but quiet time. Really heavy jackets are wonderful for expeditions, bivvying, belaying, and hanging out in a stand or a blind, but you can get the same warmth with proper layering, and have more versatile gear. You also save a bunch of $$$.

db
 
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