Customer Reviews The North Face Arctic Parka II

Pros: -Fabrication seems sturdy enough to contain down and prevent shedding. -Even with larger sizing, sleeves are not excessively long. Cons: -Photo on website is deceptive in that it doesn't show how much the coat flares starting from the lower ribcage down even with the slightly cinched waist. I ordered the L because many of the other reviewers reported tightness in the chest region of the coat only to find that I would have to trade comfort in the top half for severely ill fit in the lower half. I'm normally a M in all apparel and have average width hips, yet I looked like a giant bell from all profiles! The design is better suited to maternity wear. -The length could be a bit longer in proportion to the width of the size L coat for a more slimming effect, or the waist could be dropped to lengthen the appearance of the torso (other sizes could be better proportioned, don't know). -The fur trim is weirdly conspicuous because there's just so much of it. If you're like me and have a large head and face and do not wish to draw extra attention to it, I would not recommend wearing the hood with the trim. -Exterior pockets are placed a bit high. I have short arms so this isn't a big deal. However, those with long arms may have to keep their elbows bent if they wish to use the pockets for hand-warming. Final remarks: I really, truly wanted to keep this coat because of the weather-proof features but the design flaws were just too overwhelming considering the price.

Was surprised at how little down is in there, but kept it based on the reviews. Bought it for walking my dog and walking around Manhattan. Now that it's cold, - about 30 degrees - I am freezing. it's more like a shell with a little thin patches of down inside. Almost zero insulation in the shoulders or sleeves. I need to wear another thinsulate coat, sweater & long sleeve t-shirt underneath to stay warm. It's looks attractive - nice slim fit since there is minimal insulation. Beautiful fur ruff, hood fits well. Great pockets. If you want style, this is your coat. If you want serious warmth below 30 degrees, don't get this coat. Sorry I bought this, esp for the price. Just another shell.

I??ve been wearing this coat for about two weeks now, and I have to say that I don??t understand how so many people can say this coat is warm because it??s not. For the money I spent on this coat, I expect it to keep me warm in -4 Celsius weather, but it doesn??t. Even with layers I can feel the cold. On top of that, I can feel the wind blowing through the coat. I find it warm enough when the weather is hovering around freezing, but once it gets colder than that, I need to wear a warmer coat. This coat also fits very small. Last year I bought the Tremaya park in a medium and had room to fit three layers underneath it. With this parka, the large is snug, and I have not gained weight in the last year. On a positive note, this is a nice looking coat, and it??s light to wear, but what I??m looking for is a coat that??s going to keep me warm in below freezing weather, and this is not it!

I live in Nunavut, Canada. The temperature can drop to -50C at times, with the wind gusting to 90km/hr. I needed a warm, wind-proof jacket that still allowed me to be active during walks without feeling uncomfortable. I bought the Graphite Grey - which is much lighter than I thought - in a Large. I simply got the large because Northface told me I should, and because I did read some of the reviews that said it fit small. I really should have gotten a Medium. I am pretty curvy, so I thought that the large would fit nicely. I am 5'8", I weigh approximately 165lbs, I use a 36C bra, and this jacket is much too big and bulky for me. This jacket leaves me with tons of room EVERYWHERE, which is uncomfortable! I could wear 2 sweaters and it would fit perfectly. I was hoping for a more snug fit, that would keep me warm, and still allow me to move comfortably. I look huge and bulky in this jacket. I'm pretty disappointed, but it wouldn't be worth it to send it back because it will cost me a bunch of money to ship it back to northface, and I would have to wait another month to buy a new jacket. :( I would definitely recommend trying this on before buying it. On the plus side, the jacket is very warm, it has quality material that feels wonderful on the skin, it's light-weight for activity. I absolutely love north face jackets, and will continue to buy from Northface, but I'm pretty disappointed in this jacket.

I bought this coat mostly to stay warm, secondly, to look good. The down is too thin, not even close to the thickness and warmth of a coat I bought at Cabelas 3 years ago with the same label of down. I am thinking of returning it.

Didn't get a chance to test this coat for warmth, because the fit was so off. This coat is perfect for a pear-shaped woman. It is tight in the chest, and huge in the hips. I am 5'9", 122lbs, and a 34D. I ordered a Medium. I had no room in the chest area, and way too much room in the hips. Sleeve length was fine, as was length. Too bad the fit was so bad, it looked like a nice, warm coat.

The fit seems to be off. I would recommend ordering a size up if you want to be able to comfortably fit a sweater underneath.

Ordered the garnet red color in XL and was suppose to be getting the Large, but was told they no longer had that color in the size I needed, so I went with the gray one instead. When it arrived, I could tell right away that the feel of the coat was way different, looked at the tag and one was made of cotton and the other 100% polyester. The cotton and red garnet was a great material just larger on me than wanted, but the fact that they aren't all the same material was disappointing.

Wish the sleeves were not so long. And not so long in the back but sleeves long for petite women.

I like it because it is stylish. I don't like it because inner material is not made good quality, the fur comes out from inner material and sting on me throw my clothes, and my clothes and paints has white fur too, especially when I wear black sweat or pants. I don't recommend anyone to buy it.

The coat is very warm, and weather proof. Unfortunately the snaps that keep the hood connected to the collar are very weak. They will not stay connected. I had to return the coat and the store manager said he sees this issue a lot.

I want to like it but I can't breathe because the neckline is too stiff and covers up to my mouth.

My daughter was wearing my brand new one and sat by a CLOSED wood burning stove and next thing we knew the jacket was on fire, smoking and completely melted. She was thankfully okay but my jacket was not.

Don't like it

When I first got this I thought it was so cute and the fit is flattering. Then I tried it on with black clothes and ended up with white spots and feathers ALL OVER my clothes. Not even a chance I am keeping this it's going right back - I expected better quality from TNF especially when you spend over $200 on a jacket.

I have never been so disappointed for years I have bought TNF product for my family and myself. I bought this coat last December wore it for 4 months, I pulled it out and wore it for two weeks this fall, the zipper has broken and the snap ripped off. There solution is to pay shipping and send it away for 6 weeks. Well that leaves me with no winter coat when it is -20 outside. I would say the quality of this coat is nothing like previous stuff I have owned. There product is becoming cheap and not worth the money. I will never buy it again, time to find a brand that is ready to stand behind there product.

I absolutely love this coat and wish it did fit. It is build for a very tall large woman but not someone who used to be a size 10 and put in weight around the middle. I don't understand manufacturers who make large sizes for amazons instead of middle aged spread. They are built quite differently and there are way more gals fighting middle aged spread than their are chicks who can play pro basketball. The 3X does not give any relief in the midsection but is super long in the coat and arms. The zipper is so low it was hard to reach and zip. The coat did technically "fit," but it was not roomy and comfortable like you'd want a big winter coat over layers to fit. So that's why I gave it 1 star. If you are a regular overweight woman this "3X" is not true to size and won't make you happy.

I was thrilled to see that The North Face has added more winter coats in 3x! Then I received it...I'm a pretty true 3x...this isn't a 3x. If you are plus size/wear a 3x, don't waste your $ on this coat. It was small everywhere - tight in the shoulders, super slim fit, couldn't even zip it up. The North Face, please measure some actual 3x women for more realistic sizing instead of giving plus size women false hope that they can wear a stylish North Face winter coat.

I wanted to love this coat. I liked that it is waterproof and down, and it seemed like it would be warm. The problem is that I am 5'1, 115 lbs and the XS was too tight around the shoulders and underarms. It looked and fit great everywhere else. I tried the small but it looked enormous on me and was way too long. I wish North Face would make petite sizes or make their coats just a little more roomy through the shoulders as this seems like a common problem based on other comments.

I was sent the wrong item and upon return it was sent back to me

I live in Chicago, so a warm coat like this is definitely a need. This coat is warm and is great in the cold weather. However, every time I wear it, I am COVERED in feathers. I am so disappointed. I dread putting on this coat, especially when I'm wearing dark clothing. I've been a North Face customer for years and this is not the quality I remember.

After much research into warmest coats I purchased this one only to have the feathers leak all over my work clothes. Then after waiting 30 min on hold to talk to customer service they sent me an invalid return label. Overall extremely disappointed!!

I've returned this unit. Unfortunately, I've compared it to my LOLE coat and it doesn't compare at all. I won't purchase again.

I ordered this coat for my teenage daughter to take on a school trip to Canada. When the coat arrived it had duct tape on the inside covering a rip in the lining. There was also adhesive left behind from where a previous larger piece of duct tape had been applied and then removed. It was obvious that the coat had been worn, ripped, returned and sold at full price as a new coat.

I am so disappointed. Wear this to work in a suit and you'll look like you went 9 rounds with a duck- and lost. Such a nice design and such poor quality for an expensive jacket. Feathers started shedding the first day, tried it a week and had to return it. If you plan to wear this to work and are in a professional environment, don't buy this jacket! If you don't care about picking duck down and feather from your clothing, and from a brand new expensive purchase, this jacket is for you.