Customer Reviews Marmot Chelsea Coat

I took a chance and ordered this coat despite the mixed reviews. Sadly, it did not work for me but I was impressed with the quality so if you're willing to take a chance, you could end up with a great piece. I'm 5'6" 128lbs and ordered a medium because I like to be able to have some room for layers. Given the A-line style, it was especially roomy around the hips. And, as many other reviewers mentioned, the hood was very snug and the fir placement made it hard to see. If the fit of the hood was better, I would have tried the smaller size but for me, that was a dealbreaker.

I live in Boston and have terrible circulation in my extremities, meaning that between November and March I am constantly cold. I survived three Boston winters (including the last Snowmageddon) in an Eddie Bauer Stadium Parka, but due to my new work wardrobe of winter-unfriendly pencil skirts and my windy commute, I decided it was time to invest in a longer coat that would keep me warm through the winter. I had two main requirements: that the coat be knee length or longer, and that it keep me warm without need for excess bundling up underneath (if I needed to wear two more sweaters to make it work, I might as well stick with my old Eddie Bauer). To this end, I picked up four coats at different price points to compare: the North Face Shavanna coat, the Canada Goose Whistler Parka, the Eddie Bauer Duffle Coat, and this Marmot Chelsea Coat. I must say that out of all four coats, the Chelsea offered the least bang for its buck, came in last in warmth, and came in second to last in style, with only the Eddie Bauer Duffle coat ranking lower. While I am short and the Chelsea hit comfortably at the knee, the conical cut and lack of waist cincher meant that the wind blowing up the bottom could be felt all the way at the chest. In contrast, the Shavanna and the Whistler both kept wind at a tolerable mid-thigh height, and the Duffle (at a hideous ankle length on me) kept the wind around the knee. The details on the Chelsea were clearly well thought out, with fleece lined pockets and a sturdy zipper (neither of which are traits on the Shavanna), but its ultimate inability to insulate is sending it back to Zappos. I would suggest dishing out the difference for the Shavanna, if one is willing to pay a little more for a lot more warmth, or for those who are less concerned with looking like the Michelin Man, to check out the Eddie Bauer Duffle for a budget-friendly option that will keep you reasonably toasty through the winter.

I really wanted to like and keep this jacket. I am 5'10 130 Lbs and I ordered a SM. However, the sleeves were way too short (barely came to me wrists) and the jacket was well above knee length. It seemed like it would have keep me warm and dry, but the material also made funny noises when moving around. Disappointed overall.