Backside Line
REI strikes once more with the Norseland Down Parka. It’s on the prime of our listing of finest winter jackets due to its affordability, heat, and elegance. The insulation energy of this coat doesn’t fiddle. The mixture of 650-fill down and artificial insulation excels in offering heat with no hefty price ticket. In actual fact, our insulation take a look at blew us out of the water; it ranked third out of the ten we examined on our information to the most effective girls’s winter jackets. It took a whopping 145 minutes for the within of the coat to drop 30 levels and attain outside ambient temperatures.
The water resistant, PFC-free end helps bead and shed gentle snow and drizzle, however this isn’t your coat for moist circumstances apart from operating from the automobile to the shop. It wetted by way of throughout our soak take a look at in simply 7 minutes. Nonetheless, the down maintained a few of its loft, which we had not anticipated.
How We Examined
We lab-tested the insulation and water-repellency of the Norseland, and it carried out higher than we anticipated for such an inexpensive winter jacket. We wore it on winter scooter rides by way of downtown Denver. We stood in 40 MPH winds in NW Montana, ran errands, went to the films and out to dinner, and walked our canine in sub-zero temps on this down parka to see the way it fared in variable circumstances, from chilly and dry to moist and snowy.
Fast Specs
REI Norseland Parka
Greatest Heat and Reasonably priced Winter Coat
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.5/5.0
Worth:
$230
Weight:
2 lb. 2.2 oz.
Insulation:
650 fill-power down & 120g artificial mix
Size:
36.5 in.
Professionals
- Very heat
- Water resistant
- Shearling hood
- Relaxed match
Cons
- Aspect zips give it a boxy form
- Must be cautious with snaps ripping material
- Barely noisy material
Heat
The REI Norseland Down Parka was unexpectedly considered one of our greatest performers in heat. That is because of the mixture of 650-fill down insulation and 120g of recycled artificial insulation within the decrease physique and hood opening. This design helps retain warmth and retains you comfy in chilly climate.
Our heat take a look at confirmed how we felt within the area. The Norseland lasted 145 minutes earlier than the temperature dropped 30 levels to ambient circumstances. The fleece-lined hood and knit cuffs additional improve the jacket’s means to lock in warmth, making it a strong alternative for winter temperatures as little as the low teenagers. It’s an amazing steadiness of heat and weight, particularly for individuals who need to keep cozy with out feeling weighed down.
Climate Resistance
The Norseland performs finest briefly stints of rain, gentle snow, and low temperatures. Its DWR-treated recycled polyester shell will bead moisture, however extended publicity to precipitation will finally penetrate the shell, dampen the down, and zap you of your heat.
In our soak take a look at, it took 7 minutes for water emigrate to the within of the jacket. This was typical amongst different DWR recycled polyesters. We did discover that the down did an amazing job of sustaining loft, and we couldn’t squeeze moisture out of the coat, in contrast to another fashions we examined. It additionally dried out rapidly.
Consolation & Performance
Consolation is a serious plus with the REI Norseland Down Parka. It has a roomy, comfy match, excellent for layering over sweaters or base layers. We carried it on the aircraft and used it like a blanket. The fleece-lined hood seems to be cool and feels good, but it surely doesn’t slide simply over a beanie. If left down, it accumulates snow in a not-so-pleasant approach.
Because of this, we like this coat higher in shorter bouts of snowy circumstances, like going from the automobile to the shop. In any other case, it was excellent within the chilly and dry circumstances of Colorado this December. Whereas we by no means attempt to break a sweat whereas carrying down jackets, we did admire its breathability as an alternative of trapping our sweat after we obtained huffing and puffing.
The aspect zips, whereas purposeful for air flow and mobility, give the jacket a barely boxy really feel and trigger the again panel to flare out awkwardly. The jacket’s total match is extra relaxed than slim-cut parkas, so if you happen to want a extra fitted look, this might not be the only option.
The hood cinch is purposeful, however they positioned it contained in the collar, which isn’t probably the most intuitive or simple to make use of when the jacket is absolutely zipped. After some time, we obtained the hold of it and adjusted the hood cinch earlier than absolutely zipping. One fear is how lengthy the snaps will final as a result of they’re burly snaps connected to the shell, which looks as if over time, with use and UV, the material may tear.
Options
The REI Norseland Down Parka boasts a number of options that purpose to enchantment to many kinds of wearers for each consolation and performance. The entrance zipper is protected by an inside and outer storm flap, and the 2 hand pockets are lined to assist maintain your arms heat. The aspect zips are a singular characteristic, permitting for additional motion when sitting or strolling.
The boxy match from the aspect zips and the interior hood cinch, whereas purposeful, isn’t as modern as another parkas available on the market. Nonetheless, for the value, the Norseland consists of spectacular particulars like a comfy fleece-lined hood and sensible storm flaps for added heat and climate resistance.
Ought to You Purchase the REI Norseland Down Parka?
An inexpensive parka that truly retains you heat is tough to seek out. Excessive-quality down is often very spendy, however this jacket is each heat and affordably priced. It’s obtained a hardy shell, lofty down, and has a roomy match that works for all physique sorts. The comfortable fleece-lined hood is a pleasant contact however not probably the most sensible for anybody who has hair that has an affinity for rats nesting. If you happen to don’t just like the swishy sound of artificial shells, this jacket additionally isn’t the quietest. Even nonetheless, it is a nice coat for informal outings in bitter climate.
What Different Winter Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?
The REI Norseland isn’t the one winter parka on our information to the finest winter jackets for girls. Listed here are another winners that you simply may like:
Patagonia Down With It Assessment: Slightly extra female type, elevated protection, and a purposeful hood delivers a coat you’ll be able to stand in howling winds and really feel fairly dang comfy, even when it has much less insulating energy.
Out of doors Analysis Coze Down Assessment: For final protection and long-lasting heat for standing or strolling round in excessive winter winds and snow, try the Coze Down from Out of doors Analysis.
Rab Deep Cowl Parka Assessment: If you happen to’re after a fast drying down puffy parka that balances technical efficiency with on a regular basis type, the Rab Deep Cowl delivers.
