Winter Parka Reviews: Fjallraven Nuuk v/s Marmot Chelsea 2.0 v/s North Face Arctic Parka v/s Patagonia Frozen Range v/s Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 v/s REI Stormhenge Jacket

Winter Parka Reviews: Fjallraven Nuuk v/s Marmot Chelsea 2.0 v/s North Face Arctic Parka v/s Patagonia Frozen Range v/s Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 v/s REI Stormhenge Jacket

Firstly, I found these coats to be the most popularly recommended when you search for the warmest winter parkas (except for REI Stormhenge, for a strange reason). They are also under 300 dollars when they’re on sale  (except for the Pataguccis). I was also looking for coats that could last me through whatever the winter put me through, hence my selection of waterproof parkas. 

I am discussing them on four criteria: Warmth, Comfort, Style, and Weather Resistance. At the testing condition of 6C/43F (windchill 4C/39F), I was leisurely walking and reading comics on my phone. I had only a half-sleeve cotton T-shirt on. I generally run very cold and keep my A/C temperature set at 22C/72F at home while wearing a light sweatshirt.

Warmth:

Fjallraven Nuuk was the warmest of all of these. It came as a surprise since it has all synthetic insulation. I was comfortable wearing just a half-sleeve cotton T-shirt underneath. The parka reached mid-thigh on my 5’4” frame. I would survive much lower temperatures if I had mid-layers on. 

Fjallraven Nuuk

Marmot Chelsea 2.0, despite its 700 down fill, wasn’t warm enough by itself like Fjallraven Nuuk was. I could feel the chill on my back in the testing conditions. I would need a mid-layer with this parka.

Marmot Chelsea 2.0

North Face Arctic Parka was similar. I could feel the chill through the coat. I am unsure if I would do well wearing this parka if I were outside in sub-freezing temperatures in a snowstorm.  When I was in Chicago for a few days in February, I saw many women wearing the Arctic Parka, so take my word with a pinch of salt.

North Face Arctic Parka

Patagonia Frozen Range 3-in-1 is toasty, and unlike Fjallraven Nuuk, it is also quite light due to its 700 down fill. I did very well wearing just the t-shirt underneath it under the testing conditions.

Patagonia Frozen Range 

Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 is also 700 down fill but not as warm as Frozen Range. I felt similarly chilly in the parka as I did with the North Face Arctic Parka and Marmot Chelsea 2.0. 

Patagonia Tres 3-in-1

My REI Stormhenge jacket (not the parka) has been in my possession for two seasons now, and I couldn’t love it more. It has an 800 down fill with synthetic insulation in the sides where sweat is most easily produced. While I was not as warm in it as in Fjallraven Nuuk, it performed similarly to Patagonia Frozen Range. You would be right in asking, why did I not buy the parka 

version itself? At the time, I needed a jacket that I could wear while hiking and the parka length would not have been ideal in such a situation. 

REI Stormhenge Parka

Comfort:

I typically wear a Small or Medium size in jackets if it is a slim fit. I could have easily gone down to an extra-small. This is with a heavy middle layer on. I loved how much freedom of movement I had in the Fjallraven Nuuk.

I preferred to wear a medium size in the Marmot Chelsea 2.0 to allow for mid-layers. It felt bulky around my chest and shoulders, and the collar felt stiff around my jaw. I have a longer neck, so I am unsure how comfortable I would be with that collar for extended periods.

I wore a small size in the North Face Arctic Parka. I had enough space for a thick fleece as a mid-layer. The parka went down to my knees, which says good things about how much of my body would stay covered.

I wore a size small in the Patagonia Frozen Range is a strange one. Unlike other 3-in-1 coats, the outer waterproof shell doesn’t zip to the inner down jacket. And yes, the inner layer is a down jacket, not a parka. It covered my hips like my REI Stormhenge, and that was about it. With the outer shell, it came close to mid-thigh. The cuffs cannot be tightened, which would let the cold air in.

The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 is slim-fit in shape. I needed to wear a medium. Due to the fit, I am unsure if I could wear a thick sweater underneath it. 

I wear a small size in my REI Stormhenge with enough space for a mid-layer. This is the most comfortable to wear amongst all the mentioned coats, all thanks to its low weight and roomy shape.

Style

Fjallraven Nuuk is cute and has a casual feel. I like to look sleek on most occasions, and considering how I would wear this to work also, I wanted something that looked well-cut and professional. Ultimately, I decided that I could look cute, and that would also be a look. This is especially because I would be toasty warm in this.

Marmot Chelsea 2.0 looks bulky around the bust and shoulders. It just looks odd on my body shape. If you have a pear shape or an hourglass figure, you should try it to see if it looks better on you.

The North Face Arctic Parka has a stream-lined shape and drapes well like a traditional coat over the body. You wouldn’t go wrong with this parka.

Many people have described Patagonia’s Frozen Range as a cloud in their review, and I agree. However, it is a flattering cloud.

The Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 wins hands-down in the style department. I looked so sharp in it that I was heartbroken that it wasn’t warm enough for me.

The Red Stormhenge has a straight silhouette. My only gripe on certain days is that it is baggy around the chest and doesn’t contour the torso. This is my personal opinion. Many people would absolutely love its shape and I would agree with them on most days.

Weather Resistance

All of the parkas that I have mentioned, perform very well in windy and rainy conditions. Patagonia’s Tres 3-in-1 performs the best among them in heavier rain. The others wouldn’t perform very well if it was pouring.

Final Opinion

I love the Fjallraven Nuuk and REI Stormhenge the best among these coats based on how much warmth and features I get for the price. If I was able to compromise on the warmth, I would probably go for the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 or the North Face Arctic Parka.