Parkas

A parka is a thigh-length coat type that provides excellent weather protection and is equipped with a hood. When a technical fiber filling or down filling is added between the waterproof outer fabric and the comfortable lining fabric, the result is a warm winter coat that handles everything from slushy rain at around freezing point, to harsher cold weather. The lightest parka jackets are designed for midseason use and have a fabric lining instead of insulation.

The warmth of a parka jacket with technical insulation can be assessed based on the material weight of the fiber: 100g/m² is on the lighter side, and over 200g/m² starts to be among the warmest in the range.

A parka jacket is a warm choice for everyday winter use or even for dog sledding. As a jacket model, it has become more popular in recent years, and for good reason. Parka jackets typically use very durable outer fabrics, unlike highly packable down jackets. They also generally offer plenty of pocket space.

Among our most popular parka brands are Fjällräven, Jack Wolfskin, Didriksons, Helly Hansen, and Halti.

Usage tip: Parka jackets almost always have a two-way zipper. It’s a good idea to open the zipper from the bottom before sitting down on a train, car, or café seat - this protects the zipper from lateral forces.

Explore our selection of parka jackets here!