When winter hits, we need a good piece of outerwear that we can depend on. More specifically, we need a piece of outerwear that can withstand harsh temperatures and dry weather. The parka is the perfect coat when the cold starts to set in. But what is a Parka exactly?
Today, we’ll be covering the parka, a coat that is a staple for many winter wardrobes. If you’re looking to skip around, we have a table of contents available for you to use. So if you want to check out the different Parkas we recommend or the difference between a parka and a poncho, you can check it out via our TOC!
Table of Contents
What is a Parka?
A parka is a long, well-insulated coat that goes down past your waist and has a hood, often lined with fur. Originally invented by the Caribou Inuit for frigid Arctic weather, parkas were originally made from caribou and seal skin.
Nowadays, parkas are made of some type of water-repellent fleece, wool, and geese or duck down. This provides maximum insulation and warmth within the coat
Difference Between Parkas and Jackets
There are quite some differences between parkas and jackets. For one, parkas cover past the waist to the upper area of your legs. Jackets tend to only cover to the waist. Jackets also have a wide range of insulation.
Some jackets are meant only for the spring and summer with a mild layer of cotton protection. Other jackets are better suited in the fall and winter with a mid-to-thick layer of cotton insulation to protect the wearer.
Parkas reach lower and cover more body mass than jackets. Furthermore, parkas use geese or duck down, the layer of insulation underneath the feathers. This keeps parkas warm on the inside and helps repel incoming heat.
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Parkas vs Windbreakers
When comparing parkas versus windbreakers, it’s very easy to see that parkas and windbreakers are made for two different things. Windbreakers are a thin fabric jacket usually made from nylon, poly-cotton, or a mix of the two.
You can find more expensive windbreakers with a stormproof finish or a rubberized surface. Due to the weatherproof design of the windbreaker and its thin fabric, windbreakers are more suited towards springtime when wind and rain are more apparent.
Parkas are thicker, usually made of far, and have some type of geese or duck down to keep everything insulated. Due to the fur, it’s harder to use parkas when it’s raining. However, parkas do hold up better for wearers in the fall and winter than a windbreaker.
Parkas vs Ponchos
Ponchos are an outer garment that is designed to keep the wearer warm at all times, though it isn’t necessarily a coat or a jacket. A rain poncho is specially designed with watertight material to keep the body dry from rain.
This differs from a parka which has a coat design. With ponchos, there are traditionally no zippers attached. Rather, ponchos act more like a pullover which do a very good job at keeping the upper body insulated.
Parkas vs Puffer Jackets
Both parkas and puffers are used for the wintertime, largely thanks to the great insulation that both pieces of outerwear provide. Puffer jackets also use some type of down material to insulate. However, it’s also not uncommon for puffer jackets to use a synthetic material instead.
Most puffer jackets also have a striped design on the outside with a polyester texture. Parka jackets on the other hand can have a range of designs and textures, including polyester. You’ll also find that parka jackets beat the puffer jackets in terms of length.
However, due to its lightweight and easy-to-wear design, puffer jackets are easier to take on trips which don’t require very much packing. Parkas, on the other hand, will require more luggage since the piece of outerwear alone can take a significant amount of space in a suitcase.
Different Types of Parkas
There are two different kinds of parkas: snorkel parkas and fishtail parkas. Snorkel and fishtail parkas were designed for different purposes. However, both types of parkas can still be formidable against the cold and wind.
Each type of parka also has their own specific set of advantages that can be used in different situations, though.
Snorkel Parkas
Snorkel Parkas were developed in the 1950s by the US army for flight crews stationed in areas with temperatures as low as −60 °F (−51 °C). These types of parkas reach about 3/4 the length of your body and have an attached hood.
The N-2B parka is only waist-length and has an attached split hood. The padding of the snorkel parka is made of polyester, giving the parka a lighter and warmer feel. The outer layer of the parka has a cotton-nylon blend.
The name, “snorkel parka” originates from the ability to zip the hood all the way up, leaving only a small space for the wearer to look out from. Not only does this protect against harsh elements like the ones the flight crew experienced in the 1950s, but it also has a similarity to a snorkeler.
Most military snorkel parkas had a sage green color. However, today you can find this snorkel parka in a variety of colors: brown, black, blue, and even bright orange.
Fishtail Parkas
Fishtail parkas were first used by the US army in the Korean War. They have a split tail at the back which can be tied around to secure insulation and make it wind-resistant. The M-65 fishtail parka introduced the detachable hood, which was the final revision made to the fishtail parka.
The parka itself is made of waterproof nylon and cotton, stuffed with some down to provide insulation. While originally intended for the military, England openly adopted the parka and the piece soon became a pinnacle for many different outfits.
Today, the fishtail parka is used in many different countries as both a stylish piece and a great insulator for the fall and winter.
Do You Need a Parka?
It depends. Where are you located? If you’re located somewhere in the north like New York or Canada, a parka is a necessity. Parkas will help protect you against the cold 24/7 during the winter and help you trudge through snow without freezing your internal organs.
While puffer jackets might not protect your body during strong snowstorms, parkas can and they can do so while providing mobility that would not be expected from such a large jacket.
On the other hand, if you live in an area where the lowest temperatures can get is in the 30s, I recommend that you invest in some strong layers–perhaps a few sweaters and a tough overcoat.
Parkas are meant for the extreme cold and while you can still buy one, parkas aren’t an absolute necessity in areas where temperatures never go below the 30s. At 30 ° Fahrenheit, you can easily make do with an undershirt, a sweater, and a jacket on your body accompanied with a beanie.
My recommendation is that if you want a parka, go ahead and get one. However, parkas are pretty expensive because they’re very valuable and they’re a life-long investment. If you don’t absolutely need one for the harsh winter months, there might be a better alternative, even if you would look super stylish in the parka.
But if you do absolutely need a parka, what is a parka that would fit you? Let’s take a look at some of the best parkas a man can get.
Best Parkas for Men
What are you supposed to look for in a parka? For one, they need to have great insulation. Without great insulation, you’re looking at an oversized jacket strung down to almost your knees.
You also need mobility. The opening of the parka needs to be enough for your legs to have mobility that can enable you to move around. After all, you never know if you’ll need to run in these things.
Another added bonus, but not something totally required, are utilities. Parkas can have multiple pockets or detached hoods. These can make things much easier for the man when it comes to certain tasks like storing your wallet or changing the fit. However, they aren’t required. They’re a bonus.
The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III
The North Face McMurdo Parka III fits all the prerequisites I ask for a great parka. Starting off, the McMurdo is made with a DryVent shell to keep the coat and it uses high quality materials to ensure insulation.
The McMurdo Parka also has a relaxed fit, allowing for movability throughout the body, which I find very important, especially since parkas are huge and can be a burden on the body.
The shining star of this parka is the utilities it provides. The parka has an emergency gaiter set in place to keep the face covered in times of extreme weather. Meanwhile, there are zip hand and chest pockets that can store any essentials you have. Inside the parka is a designated zip-up pocket designed specifically to hold your phone.
Overall, the North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka III checks off every box that I have for a great parka. You can wear this with confidence.
Canada Goose Men’s Expedition Parka Coat
Canada Goose is known to be much more expensive than other brands, but there’s a justified reason for it. As you can see in the Expedition Parka Coat, the parka uses a synthetic blend of polyester and cotton with a ratio of 85% to 10% respectively.
The lining and interlining are both 100% nylon while the fill is 100% duck down, ensuring maximum insulation and weather-proof protection. As for the fur, the fur is 100% domestic Canadian coyote fur.
The utility on this coat is also amazing. The coat has a multitude of pockets that can be used for storage, just like the North Face McMurdo. There’s also a storm flap, adjustable bracing wire for high wind conditions, and an elasticized nylon snowskirt for snowy conditions.
Eddie Bauer Men’s Boundary Pass Parka
Eddie Bauer is a reputable outdoors brand, known for the high-quality outerwear they produce. Their parka is more affordable than North Face or Canada Goose but nonetheless, they exceed standards.
The Boundary Pass Parka is built with an outer nylon shell and packed with premium down for insulation. There is a detachable faux fur hood and storm cuffs for harsh weather conditions. The Boundary Pass Parka lacks multiple zip-secured pockets that you can find on a Canada Goose or a North Face jacket, but nonetheless, Eddie Bauer still makes a great coat.
My favorite feature of the Eddie Bauer parka is that they have a universal fit, meaning that the coat can fit almost any body size. The only downside to this is that some fashionistas like their coats tailored to a specific size. If you’re one of those guys, I recommend Canada Goose or North Face.
Eddie Bauer is the most affordable option out of these three parkas we’ve looked out. I recommend that you take the Boundary Pass Parka if you’re looking for something high-quality but doesn’t require premium payments.