Customer Reviews The North Face Polar Journey Parka

What a relief...finally and thanks to Zappos incredible inventory I was able to find a lightweight but warm winter coat (not jacket, not LONG coat). I am a larger-busted, short waisted, 5"2" woman who was in search of a serviceable coat in which to walk the dog, get around town in Upstate NY, and have a packable coat for travel. I wanted zippered pockets, an insulated hood, and elasticized cuffs (if not fleece sleeves) to keep out the cold. This parka is the perfect length (a couple of inches above my knees) and the flared bottom with 2-way zipper (with inner baffle) makes is easy to sit without being confining. So many jackets I've tried in local shops and from Zappos didn't make the cut, the worse being too narrow across my bust and back, restricting arm movement, and too long-waisted, making all but the thinnest underlayering possible. The popularity and functionality of a down garment has been subverted by the current dictates of fashion for a very fitted garment; this is fine if you want it as a mid-layer but difficult otherwise and certainly not the most practical if you spend much time in the cold and want to be able to "move"! This version from Zappos is slightly different than the one on the North Face official website in that the waist can be cinched at the mid-back but on the exterior of the parka. Zappos' version has 2 drawstrings on either side of the waist in the interior of the garment; I think this is a plus since the outer drawstring might wind up catching on things. There is a zippered interior media pocket (or for ID, small wallet, keys) and a flannel type lining in the 2 zippered hand pockets. All interior seams are bound. And the stuff sack as depicted on the Zappos site is actually not a separate item but found in the hood velcroed and attached to a little pocked in the lining of the hood! Very efficient but not obvious. The hood has 2 adjustment: one across top and one around your face! I initially bought the silver version but the zipper seemed misaligned making it hard to use; I also couldn't find what I thought was a separate stuff sack. Zappos immediately sent a replacement (excellent service as usual) but at that point I decided that practically speaking the black was the better choice (easier to keep clean and more visible against snow). I hope North Face continues to offer this jacket (maybe in another color or two) since it's other styles are not so forgiving for the more "endowed" woman! I even bought a size up--a M instead of a small and have room of a lightweight turtleneck and 200-weight polyfleece sweatshirt. This is definitely an investment and will keep you posted if it turns out other than a wonderful!