Customer Reviews The North Face Arctic Parka

Great coat. Bought this for my wife and she loves it. I bought this for Christmas and I purchased a Medium. After receiving it, I thought it might be too small, so I called up Zappos and explained. they shipped another out and I received it the very next day. By the way, the first one I received was free 1 day shipping, the second one was free 1 day shipping. Now, I've got both coats. Anyway I showed it to my wife and she chose to keep the medium. Called Zappos, canceled the return of the medium and wanted to return the Large. I received a free shipping label in 2 minutes, printed, and labeled the box and off it was. I received an email a few days later saying Zappos received it and the return was processed. This isn't my first experience with Zappos. Greatest customer service. They all speak English and have a sense of humor! The only customer service that is comparable is LL Bean, but they don't offer free next day air shipping like Zappos.

Love this jacket! I live in NY where the winters can be very cold, windy and wet and this baby keeps me very warm and dry. Very nice fit, color and overall design. I recommend anyone who likes staying warm, dry and toasty get one! Also difficult to puncture and tear - a quality a klutz like me appreciates very much!

This coat is exactly what I was hoping for. Extremely warm and cozy but not a giant puff ball. I ordered the size medium. I am 120 pounds, 5'5". I normally wear a 2-4 in clothing, but I can't stand tight shoulders in coats. After reading reviews, I decided a medium was a safe bet and it was. There is room for a sweater or sweatshirt under it, which is usually what I'm wearing if it's cold enough for a coat like this. I love how it tucks in at the waist -- I think more than it looks like in the photo.

Buy this coat! I live in North Dakota and experience all kinds of "winter fun" each year. Cold. Wind. Subzero temps. You name it. I purchased this coat earlier this month, November 2011, and have worn it a few times in cold weather (10-30 degrees). Couldn't be happier! I have to take my coat off when I go inside a business. I sweat too much. That's how warm it is! The style is awesome. I actually purchased it in a small last winter, but had to return it because the fit was still a bit too loose. The XS was then out of stock, so I had to patiently wait until this year to buy it again. I am 5'4" and wear a 0 or a 2 in pants and a small or XS in tops. The XS in TNF Arctic Parka fits me perfect. It is fitted enough to keep me looking sleek, yet I can still wear a sweater or sweatshirt underneath it for extra warmth. I also love the raglan sleeve styling - accommodates my broad shoulders perfectly. Whoever designed this coat deserves a raise! There's no velcro to collect lint. The pockets are angled perfectly. The two lower pockets are lined on the palm-side in a smooth material and on the top of the hand in a soft material. So even if you're not wearing gloves, your hands are still warm and comfortable in the pockets. There are also 2 other pockets on the chest area and even a hidden pocket on the inside of the coat. I discovered that pocket about a week after I had the coat - sweet! If you are having reservations, at least buy the coat and try it. To me, this coat has everything. It's super warm, looks great and is from a fantastic brand. You can't go wrong!

I was so happy to be buying a really warm coat this winter. When I tried this on in my regular size, the arm holes were too small. It was grabbing under my armpits. Why would North Face cut a winter coat like this, that is probably the spot where you would want it roomy to maneuver your arms about. I don't have fat arms either! Very disappointed.

I love this parka! I hesitated to buy it because of the price, but it's worth the expense. I'm 5'6" and 140 lbs, and the size medium fits perfectly. It's snug enough to feel enveloped in a cocoon of warmth, but I don't feel restricted. I can sit down and move around with ease. It keeps me so warm (no chilly drafts) and yet it seems light and comfortable to wear indoors while shopping. The sleeve cuffs are luxuriously soft, and even the synthetic fabric lining the body of the coat and the cuffs feels great. And unlike fleece-lined hoods, this hood doesn't cause a lot of static, so my hair comes out frizz-free! On top of all that, the jacket is the right length (long enough to keep my body warm, short enough to not be cumbersome) and slimming. I've already had compliments!

I ordered this coat in a Small and it fit perfectly. I'm 5'6, 35-28-38, but prefer my coats to be more fitted. I loved the look of this coat, the warmth, the price and then I noticed that it's a major lint magnet. Near as I can tell, the fabric can carry a relatively high degree of static charge. As an experiment my husband held a single dog hair parallel to the sleeve, and found that it actually bent toward the fabric. I made the mistake of trying to wear the coat in my car and discovered that after a few minutes, my back was solidly coated in fuzz. Ladies, I recommend doing a quick lint test before deciding whether to keep this coat. Otherwise you may risk being thoroughly embarrassed when you discover you're covered in more hair and fuzz than the Crazy Cat Lady. If it weren't for the lint, I would have rated this coat a solid 5.

Loved it but the armholes were much smaller than the other NF jackets I have tried so had to return.

I was looking for a warm jacket with a hood in a longer length. This North Face is perfect. I am 5'9 and ordered the XL. Plenty of room and the arm length is perfect. Also it is very warm without being too poofy. North Face and Zappos--Excellent combo.

I was very excited for this jacket given the glowing reviews...unfortunately, it didn't stand up to my expectations. I want it to wear to and from work, and I don't want to have to put on many layers for it to keep me warm. It's very light and comfortable to move around in, so I tried this jacket outside for about 15 minutes with a thin long sleeve sweater underneath. It was 15 degrees, with 8 mph wind and 20 mph wind gust. (pretty standard winter day in MN, nowhere near the coldest) At first it was nice and warm, but after about 5 min, I noticed cold spots in the jacket on my chest, shoulders, and arms. The way the down is stitched in large rings around the jacket allows it to shift, leaving some spots virtually uninsulated. Also the outer shell doesn't seem very windproof when the wind picks up. I have another Northface ski jacket with their heatseeker insulation (was pricey) that keeps me toasty warm in even colder conditions, but doesn't have the length I want. I expected much more for the price of this jacket. If you want a jacket for 25 degree weather with little wind, I think this jacket will be great. However, if you are looking for something to keep you warm with one layer in single digit/subzero temps with double digit wind speeds, I would try something else. As far as size, it seems to run a little small, my other north face items are larges, and I needed an XL in this jacket. I would size up. As with all down jackets, its a bit puffy, but it looks fairly sleek with the down puffs on the inside, and the back elastic makes a nice hourglass shape.

This jacket is amazing! It is very warm and comfortable, while maintaining excellent mobility. I would recommend this to anyone that needs a really warm winter coat. Zappos' service is impressive. I ordered late afternoon and received it the following day.

I've finally found a perfect winter down jacket. After searching, ordering, and returning other jackets, I am thrilled with the Arctic Parka. Finally a North Face jacket that lives up to the great North Face name. I normally wear a medium or an 8/10 in most tops, and the M in this fits perfect. Love the details of this jacket, especially the warm wrist cuffs, perfectly-placed pockets, the cinching in the back waist to give a more feminine shape, sturdy fabric, great warm down, and the splashy fur along the hood. I returned the North Face Metropolis two days ago and there is no comparison. Metropolis is thin and cheap, more of a spring jacket. Not the Arctic Parka. I expect to wear this for many years; just what I wanted. Seems worth the steep price.

I have to say I am so very satisfied with this jacket. Super quality, very warm. I am 5'9", 155 lbs. I ordered the large and it fits perfectly. It is fitted and shapely. It's worth the money in every way. The swamp green is very appealing and goes with everything. Very satisfied! Zappos has very fast shipping. I ordered this at 5pm and it arrived at noon the next day. Thrilled!

Zappos to the rescue! I fell in love with this parka, but I was not able to locate it in my size and color choice in the Chicagoland area. Of course, Zappos had it in stock. I placed my Zappos order online late on Saturday and it arrived at my house on Monday at noon, talk about fast! The parka itself is just what I've been looking for...very warm and functional, but not the cookie-cutter, marshmallow-y black puffy coat. Color: I chose the dark blue color, which despite its fancy 'Arctic Pool' name, is really a nice, basic Navy Blue. The North Face logo on the blue version is stitched in matching blue thread, so it is not as prominent as in other versions. This is fine for me, but if you want to make a North Face statement, the black coat has contrasting white stitching for the logo. Fit: I chose the small and it me fit perfectly. (I'm 5'5", 125ish lbs) Of course everyone is different, so if you are considering buying this parka please note...the sleeve length is generous and could easily be too long for someone who is on the shorter side. If you need extra room up top, the parka does fit slim across the chest. Style: The overall cut and the waist band across the back and around the sides of the coat gives a nice refined, slimming shape. Function: This coat is warm! The sleeves have cozy fleece bands at the wrists which will keep the cold and snow out. The hood has down lining for warmth. I like that it zips all the way up to your nose when needed. Overall, this is a great product that will keep me warm for several winters to come. It (almost) makes me excited for the first serious Chicagoland winter storm of the season!

Excellent coat! I bought this right before we had a very cold snap in Europe. I went back and forth between whether to buy a small or medium and settled on the medium thinking I would probably wear sweaters under the coat. The coat runs true to size. I was warm even in -2(F) temperatures. There are lots of pockets that are easily accessible.

One of the best coats I have ever bought! I purchased it in advance of a trip to Europe in the height of winter and it didn't disappoint. It is incredibly warm - even on the coldest of days. And the length and fit were perfect. Highly recommend!

I love this coat it is warm and people always comment on how it feels so warm. It is for very cold weather, otherwise you will be hot. I am always a small however with this coat I ended up with a medium because of the shoulders feeling confined. The small fit better overall, but did not want to feel confined when layering, other than that everything perfect with the coat and Zappos. It is worth the extra money!

I wrote somewhat of a negative review earlier because initially my girlfriend had a problem with her arms feeling tight. After checking it out we determined that although it felt like her arms was being squeezed she had full range of movement. She wore it for short periods at first and after two days, she felt comfortable with the "feel." We spent several hours taking pictures after a snowfall and she is absolutely in love with this coat! Temperature in north central PA was mid twenties at the time. She is 110 lbs 5' 3 and we ordered the SM.

This was a warm jacket. I did find that the fur around the hood kept coming off and getting in my eyes and mouth but, it's removable. I love this jacket! I wasn't cold once in Europe where I vacationed for NYE. Would recommend!

I received my coat yesterday. I ordered an XL in the eggplant and I love the color. I am 5 feet 5 inches and normally wear a 14/16 and I'm hippie. So coat was a little snug in the hips but overall a perfect fit. I love how the hood covers your face and I'm confident it will shield my face from the freezing cold. I'm from Chicago and can't wait to test it out in the rough winters we get here in the windy city.

Great jacket. I'm 5'10, 177 and I a got a L and it fit great. It's fits mid-thigh and it's soft. It's a great price for a long term investment.

This coat is extremely warm and will see me through the Chicago winters. I had to order a size up because I tend to layer a lot. The cut is flattering and rather than make me look like a marshmallow, which many coats tend to do, it gives me a nice hourglass figure that is slimming. On top of that, I ordered this at 5pm and got it at 4pm the very next day. Zappos, I love you.

First, I must say I am 5'5" and always need a coat and sweater on and wear a parka in summer many days. My last parka was longer and it is so used as I am homebound by illness - and the only thing I do is garden. That said, this is the worst coat I have ever owned. I left the house on December 29 and could not walk one block and cried, as the jacket did not keep me warm with 2 sweaters on and the wind blew through me. That said, the name North Face is a gimmick of high wage earners to me, not a good coat, but my kids love the style, and to me, yes, nice style, horrid warmth. Once you wash it, forget the factor of warm and do not buy it if you are thin. This is a very honest opinion as I could not get to store for dinner food. And I need to eat big time.

I bought this after moving to Kansas from Houston and it has been a total lifesaver. It keeps me warm even after extended time in the snow and does not get damp easily. The hood and faux fur (along with the high collar) protect my face and neck from the wind extremely well. I also like that it's long and keeps the top of my legs warm. Surprisingly enough, it even looks kind of cute once you have it on (for a huge, puffy winter parka, of course).

After searching for a waterproof down coat for a while, I was so excited when I found the Artic Parka. It is very warm and I love the fleece lining in the sleeves. Also love the removable fur so it won't get wet when it is really raining or snowing. I also really liked how the North Face logo was black so it blends in with the coat.