August 12, 2011Four Classic Down Jackets for Men Reviewed
This week I decided to proceed with a review of four classic down jackets for men. Even though each one of these models was made for braving extreme cold, their urban look makes them excellent city coats. Anybody who has waited at the bus stop for twenty minutes in Québec’s bone-chilling winter winds will understand the advantages of a good coat. The four models under review are: The North Face McMurdo Parka, The North Face Ice Jacket, the Canada Goose Expedition Parka and the Canada Goose Ontario Parka.
Canada Goose Expedition Parka
Canada Goose Ontario Parka
The North Face Ice Jacket
The North Face McMurdo Parka
Where They’re Made
Many people are initially surprised by the difference in price between these two brands. I don’t really like to repeat or quote myself, but for the benefit of the cause here is an explanation from my previous article: Canada Goose is made in Canada, whereas The North Face (in the case of the McMurdo Parka and the Ice Jacket) are made in China.
Click here for more information in my most recent article: The North Face Gotham vs. the Canada Goose Chilliwack (in French).
The Down
After trying them last winter, I have to say they’re all very warm: the kind of jacket good for walking around outside in, but that needs to be taken off on the bus or in the metro. The differences between each one are small in detail. For example, the Expedition has more down than the Ontario. The North Face Ice Jacket and the McMurdo Parka have the same amount of insulation. The down used in both the Canada Goose jackets is white duck down with a fill power of 625, while the two North Face Jackets are filled with goose down with a fill power of 550. In my opinion, the difference between the two types of duvet is too small to cause any hesitation.
Blocking the Wind: Two Schools of Thought
A good winter coat is waterproof and will break the wind, and our featured companies have different ways of satisfying these demands. The external material on The North Face jackets is lined with a waterproof breathable coating – The North Face HyVent – and both jackets have sealed seams. This guarantees that they are waterproof and will block the wind. Aside from really extreme conditions, I don’t think it is necessary for these jackets to be waterproof. They are so warm that it is rare you wear them when it is warm enough to rain. Concerning Canada Goose, they use a very strong, robust outer material that cuts the wind. In this way, the Arctic-Tech (polyester and cotton) material used on the Expedition is slightly more efficient than the Commander used on the Ontario, which uses more cotton in its blend.
Details about the Fit
All four coats have a very roomy fit. I am 5’9 (1.75 m) and weigh 155 lbs (70 kilos) and usually take small or medium, but only the small in The North Face Ice fits me; the others in the same size are too big – the Expedition being the largest (I would need an extra small). When it comes to length, the Ice Jacket is the shortest, ending at the waist, while the others come down to about mid-thigh. The Expedition differs from the McMurdo Parka by its elastic storm skirt at the waist. The other four coats have quite a few storage pockets as well as hand-warmer pockets. At the wrist, The North Face coats have adjustable Velcro® strips on the back of the sleeves. The Canada Goose parkas have long fitted inner wristbands. The North Face jackets have detachable hoods, whereas they are secured on the Canada Goose. I also would like to point out that the zippers on the Canada Goose are very big and consequently very sturdy.
Real Fur or Synthetic?
The North Face parkas have removable synthetic fur around the hood, whereas the Canada Goose parkas have real coyote fur. To get more information on the advantages and disadvantages of each type of fur, click here to read the related section of this article: The North Face Gotham vs. the Canada Goose Chilliwack (in French).
Each of these coats would be perfect for those of you who want to be (really) warm all winter long while doing a moderate activity like walking.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also click on the models I just reviewed in the section “Related Products” for more details.
Talk to you soon,
Max
P.S Guillaume: I hope this helps you with your shopping!
*This article was originally published on 2010.10.22
Cet article est disponible en français ici
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Hi, any idea how much down McMurdo has? Can’t find the info anywhere, must be a state secrecy or something…
Good question. The North Face does not indicate how much quantity of down they put in their jackets, just the quality (the McMurdo being 550 loft).
I can honestly say that the McMurdo is extremely warm and you should not fear for the warmth of this model. They have stuffed it full of down!
Is the woman’s CG Expedition parka built at exactly the same specifications as the man’s parka ? All i know is the cut and length are different.
Robson, if you are referring to construction (ie: down quality, fabrics, etc), then yes they are identical. Besides the cut and length, as you pointed out, they are no tangible differences. In fact, we sell a lot of men’s models to women, and vice versa because of this very reason.
Thank you Eli! Honestly, the original “review” told me nothing of value. Eli saved the day by explaining the differences between the Ontario and Expedition. How they compare in the real world to TNF offerings will have to be found elsewhere.
Bonjour !
j’aimerais savoir ce que vous pensez du parka victoria de canada goose.
merci !
hello,
im so confused to whether or not i should get a S or M size for the mens canada goose chilliwack parka. which should i get in your opinion? im 5″10, 150 lbs, and id say i have a slim figure. and if this helps at all i wear size 36 suit.
thank you,
Andrew
Hello Andrew,
I would go depending on the length of your arms. Although your chest might be better for a small, you still want the coat arms to be long enough. So if you have long arms, go for the medium.
You should get a small. I’m 5’9 and 170 lbs and the small fits well. I can even fit a
Hoodie under an zip it.
To complete my own review: I had a chance to test Expedition too, and to compare that with Ontario.
I am 152lbs and 5 10. Extra small for Ontario, and XXS for Expedition fit me (remember Exp cut is relaxed and ONT is regular). For other jackets, usually my size is medium or, occasionally small.
The difference between Exp and ONT is more than what Max said. Exp is way warmer than ONT: you can NOT wear EXP for a place like inside Toronto, and for your everyday use. It’s simply too warm. It’s got a lot more down than Ontario, the outer shell is stronger, no down leaks out from inside fabric (as opposed to ONT, for which, traces of down can bee seen inside poking the fabric. Nothing serious though, just traces!). Cuffs for Exp are more sealed and windproof, and the hood is smaller but provides the same, or better, protection. I would rate Exp for temperatures -10 C to -40 C, and Ont for 5C to -17 C. Definitely you can not wear Exp if it is warmer than -5 C. At -22 C feels like, I wore Exp (from my friend) over a simple long sleeve shirt and walked 500 meters, and soon I was sweating totally! Sweating would be a serious issue in extreme cold conditions. You can not do lot of physical activity in both of these jackets. Both 5/5 for above temperatures, and being ,of course, stationary. At -12 C feels like, I wore ONT and biked for 10 mins, again I started to sweat.While staying still on beach, I could not feel the wind at all and was warm. At -22 feels like, waiting for bus about half an hour, and with a short sleeve shirt under that, I got cold spots in my forearms in ONT jacket (other places were warm). I do not know if it was because of a faulty cuffs or a defected design, or naturally I feel the coldness starting from hands. Also it seems that there is less down, down to biceps which makes lower extremities in hands vulnerable in ONT jacket. I did not feel cold spots in my hands in EXp at -22. EXp is a VERY VERY warm and serious jacket. warmer than as thought by Max. It’s meant to be used for a different application, not inside city and everyday regular use in winter season. So comparing them is nonsense, as they are not replacements for each other. Exp has a lot more pockets, compared to ON with 2 cargo pockets outside, and 1 simple one inside. Neither of these jackets is good for backpacking: they are a little heavy for that purpose (EXP weights about 2.5 lbs) and not compressible. Be careful about sweating in these jackets if you use them for expeditions. Consider the temperature exactly and the type/amount of activity you are likely be involved. Exp is perfect for hunting, fishing, watching the nature, bushwacking, …but do not think putting a 15lbs backpack and walk 3 miles at -15C, with this jacket on ! ONt is perfect for Ontario residents in winter. Both feel indestructible and seem to last at least a decade.
You’re 5’9 155 lbs and wear a small? I’m the same and wear Large for all shirts and jackets.
The North Face McMurdo Parka fits me perfectly in Large (roomy, but it definitely “fits” properly).
I bought the Ontario parka just a month ago. Man, it’s a quality product! It just feels so good wearing it. Practically isolated from outside. So far I did not have a chance to test it at Antarctic temperatures, as Toronto has not been that cold this Jan, but so far so good. If I wear it in subway, because it’s breathable, I do not feel like taking it off. Feels absolutely perfect in subway and bus too. I am going for a 1 month trip northern ontario, and I am little worried if this would be good enough. I know Expedition does the job for that purpose, but do not know the practical difference between Ontario and Expedition. Both are 625 fill power and the outer shell is only slightly different in the amount of cotton used. Do you think Ontario parka is good enough at average -30 C for few days (worse-case)?! email me your opinion plz, as I am researching efficacy of my clothing.
And in choosing between NF and CG, no doubt CG!
My pleasure Trang. Let us know how you like your The North Face jacket once tested!
Hi Max, thank you for the review between Canada Goose and North Face. I am from Ontario and the winter here is harsh as well. I am trying to decide between these two brands. After reading your review, I lean a bit more towards the North Face since the price is at least 1/3 cheaper but it is as warm as the Canada Goose. Merci beaucoup!