Battle of the Women's Winter Jackets

Wondering about which to get between The North Face Arctic Parka, the Mountain Hardwear Downtown Coat, and Canada Goose Kensington, The North Face Metropolis? It's a tough choice. Well look no further as we’ll explain the differences here. But first, let’s check out the similarities.

The North Face Arctic Parka

Mountain Hardwear Downtown

Canada Goose Kensington Parka

The North Face Metropolis

Similarities

First of all, they’re all very warm winter jackets with down insulation, the best insulation on the market. Second, they’re made for an urban use, for getting around town. Third, they are all long, offering great coverage, down to the knee. Fourth, they all have removable hoods.

Differences

That’s where similarities end and the differences start. They all have a removable fur trim, except for Metropolis, which does not have a fur trim on the hood. The Kensington is the only one that uses real fur, coyote fur in this case.

Both the Arctic Parka and Canada Goose Kensington are windproof, making them better suited to the worst winter can offer. It’s not that they are warmer but that they protect you against the elements better. The Arctic Parka is also waterproof, making it the most versatile of the bunch as the down will be protected in the event of a downpour.

Lofty Down

Speaking of down, here are their loft ratings: Arctic Parka 550, Metropolis 600, Kensington 625, Downtown 650. If you want to learn more about down and loft, please head here. In the meantime, these numbers simply indicate the space an ounce of down takes. The higher the number, the better the down in that it takes less of it for an equivalent amount of weight. This reduces the weight of the garment but also increases the volume.

Now let’s check out additional specifications. Both the Kensington and Downtown have elastic cuffs. The Arctic Parka’s are adjustable, as are the Kensington’s.

Pocket wise, both the Arctic Parka and Kensington have four pockets up front. The Kensington’s chest pockets are rather small though, limiting their use. All jackets have a fleece lining, but the Kensington’s are softer. The Downtown and Metropolis have two hand pockets each. The Metropolis’ are quite roomy. However the fleece lining is only on one side.

Moving inside, they all have pockets except for the Kensington. Both the Arctic Parka and Metropolis have interior media pockets with an exit for an earphone cord, whereas the Downtown’s is just a simple pocket with a zipper.

Catherine, our tester (and resident climbing champion), felt the Kensington had the most flattering fit but that the Downtown was the lightest and most comfortable.

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Canada Goose Kensington vs Quartz Nature Kimberly

The North Face Arctic Parka vs Nobis Merideth

*This article was originaly published November 24th, 2009. It was last updated August 28th, 2011.

25 Comments

By lucia, January 26, 2012 at 12:37 pm
hi, i 5’4 and 130 pounds and i got the red trillium in a size medium.. do you think it’ll fit?!
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, January 26, 2012 at 12:56 pm
  Hello Lucia,
  Good question, I would say you really fall between small and medium. It all depends on your shoulders and chest. I think there’s a good chance it’ll fit and I certainly hope it does. Please let us know!
  Reply
By Linsey, November 28, 2011 at 10:44 pm
I recently bought the black Kensington CG55 in a small. I am regretting not trying on the XS. Im 5″2 and 115 lb…was the small the right choice? Is there that much of a difference between sizes? I wanted to have some room to wear sweaters and whatnot underneath.
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, November 29, 2011 at 1:03 pm
  Hello Linsey,
  I’m sorry to hear the size you got is not to your liking. The differences between sizes is relatively small, so if the Small is rather too large, you should be able to go to XS and have some room to wear a sweater underneath.
  I hope this helps,
  Reply
By Kate, November 24, 2011 at 6:25 pm
Hey Juan,
Wondering how do the women’s Canada Goose Jackets fit for arm length? In previous years I had purchased a man’s medium Northface Prodogy to get the arm length & warmth I was looking for while out doing winter photography. As I’m now requiring a WATERPROOF and warm winter parka, what is the best jacket for the job?
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, November 25, 2011 at 12:23 pm
  Hello Kate,
  I personally find Canada Goose jackets to be slightly short when it comes to arm length. At the same time, they do have long elastic rib knit cuffs that more than compensate. It is so you can fit large mitts/gloves. It is a design feature.
  That being said, most Canada Goose jackets are not waterproof. Have you considered Nobis: http://www.altitude-sports.com/eng/brands/nobis/womens-clothing/jackets or Quartz Nature: http://www.altitude-sports.com/eng/brands/quartz-nature/womens-clothing/jackets
  They are both Canadian companies (and Quartz Nature makes its jackets here in Canada) and make fantastic down winter jackets that will keep very warm. They are waterproof and windproof as well.
  I hope this helps,
  Reply
By Jean-Yves Altitude, November 7, 2011 at 6:28 pm
Thanks for the useful review. I relied on this info when picking out a jacket for my girlfriend and it served me well.
Reply
By KML, November 5, 2011 at 11:44 pm
I’m wearing a small in the Montebello jacket and planning on getting the Kensington online. How is the sizing of the Kensington in comparison to the Montebello? Should I get the small for the Kensington as well?
Thanks,
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, November 7, 2011 at 10:39 am
  Hello KML,
  The Kensington and the Montebello have the same sizing, so you should go for small. I hope this helps.
  Reply
By Margrethe, November 2, 2011 at 2:49 pm
I tried on a Canadian Goose Expedition and fitted size XS. I want to buy the Kensington online, should I go for the XS or S?
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, November 3, 2011 at 10:29 am
  Hello Margrethe, the Expedition fits rather large, so I would suggest going for the S with the Kensington then.
  Reply
By Amanda, December 28, 2010 at 11:13 am
I have a medium in the North Face arctic parka, very similar to the Kensington, so would I order a medium in the kensington or go a size up. I’m 5’7 130 pds.
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, January 5, 2011 at 6:11 pm
  I would go for medium.
  I hope this helps,
  Reply
By aangie, July 25, 2010 at 8:25 pm
should i go a size down for a kensington,
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, July 26, 2010 at 11:07 am
  Hello Aangie,
  Good question. However, I need to know a size down from what? Your normal jackets or for example a Canada Goose Expedition jacket.
  Reply
  - By Anish, November 29, 2010 at 8:13 am
    Hey,
    Pls can u tell me where i can buy a canada goose expedition parka in london… i have to get one for my girlfriend and need to knw which size to buy too considering she wears a size 42 jacket normally… ps let me know at the earliest… since i need to send it to her.. asap.. she lives in oslo..one more thing is the expedition jacket a good choice for such cold weather??
    thnx
    Reply
    - By Juan Altitude, December 1, 2010 at 10:00 pm
      Hello Anish,
      Unfortunately, I do not know where to get a Canada Goose in London (UK). For London, Ontario you can go here: http://ow.ly/3ixxg
      And yes, the Expedition will be great for Oslo’s weather. In fact, it might be a little too warm! But she’ll just be more toasty!
      Reply
By Alice, July 22, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Does anyone know which coat fits a top heavy big busted figure best? Or where to find the Canada goose female coats in London? Even Canada goose themselves couldn’t tell me and non of the London stockists on their website sell the female coats… Thank you anyone who might be able to help?!! Xxxx Alice
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, July 22, 2010 at 7:20 pm
  Good question for London. Which means I do not know. However, if you have friends or family, we’ll gladly send it to them from here. As for coats for fit a top heavy big busted figure best, I would go for the intense series, such as Expedition, Snow Mantra and Resolute. They are most spacious in the torso area.
  I hope this helps,
  Reply
By Menna Hornsby, May 25, 2010 at 12:26 am
Just wondering what the sizing is like with each of them? I read that the Kensington is a slimmer fit, does this mean I have to go up a size or that it’s just more fitting? Does the Kensington have a shaped waist or is it fairly straight?
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, May 25, 2010 at 5:40 pm
  it means that it is a little more form fitting. Also, it does have some shape at the waist. I hope this answered your questions.
  Reply
By christiane, January 28, 2010 at 5:04 pm
the prices on this web site are they reduced by 60o/o example the kingston parka 595. minus 60o/o
Reply
- By Juan Altitude, January 29, 2010 at 3:40 pm
  The Kensington is still at full price.
  Reply
By Juan Altitude, December 18, 2009 at 11:12 am
Good question. They’re all great jackets, but the Kensington and Arctic Parka will be warmer because they are windproof.
Reply
By Robson, December 18, 2009 at 10:39 am
I was wondering which one is the warmest ? On paper they all seem to be warm, but how do they fare in real life ?
Reply