Customer Reviews The North Face McMurdo Parka III - Tall

This parka requires a large heavy duty Zipper set. It is impossible to insert the tiny male part of zipper into double slider within ten minutes, only after pulling the coat above waist under direct vision. North Face cut costs, sewed in a zipper which belongs on a light sweater. There is no zip tab to assist inserting the left side into the sliders which must line up Perfectly before the zipper can close. Closing the snaps first only makes it worse because you cannot see bottom of the zipper. Sleeves do not have snow guards. Coat useless as a substitute for a ski jacket on a very cold day.

Sometimes the wind just goes through the slits where your ears at which can get very cold if you forget ear muffs. It's fine if you wear the integrated mask but I don't usually put it on.

Got this coat to survive Chicago winters, and it's working out great... except the hood. While the coat fits perfectly (North Face tends to run large on me (I'm 6'1", 175#), so I sized-down to medium, and it's just right) and is a great defense against the sub-zero temps and wind chill, the hood design, fit and attachment are all huge shortcomings. First, the snap-on faux fur trim invites icy drafts in between the snaps like I have air-conditioning vents in my ears (why isn't it attached with a zipper?). Second, the hood is too shallow and slips off when caught head-on in a breeze or especially if I am wearing a hat. The cinch cord in back for adjustment just compounds the problem. Third, there is no drawstring closure to tighten around the face when the wind really howls (or if you just want to keep the hood from flying off). Fourth and finally, the zipper attachment at the back is too short and creates gaps inviting more "ear-conditioning" drafts. For what is in all other respects a spectacularly made and designed coat (which I would still buy again), the hood is a complete fail. Odd.

The jacket is incredibly warm however the waist flares out quite a bit, the hood liner looks awkward, and the real reason why I sent it back; the sleeves are incredibly short and only felt comfortable with my arms at my side. I knelt down to tie my shoe laces and the sleeves came almost half way to my forearm.

Good coat but not as waterproof as comparable parkas. Also, it could be a little longer. Otherwise really good and warm

This is a good quality jacket, it is very big and warm. It is sized very large (so you can layer under), but the medium I ordered felt like an XL. I am 6'2" and a lean 195 and a medium felt pretty big. I am a bit disappointed the hood detaches, not as warm as it could be otherwise and why would you detach the hood of a jacket made very cold weather. My biggest complaint and reason for returning was that the cut is pear shaped. The jacket is larger around the hips than the shoulders and the lower pockets do not lay flat (they stick out 1-2 inches right on the hip), making the hips look wide. I returned for the North Face Mount Logan Parka and am much happier with it (although it is not quite as insulated).

Had to return this item. A bit small. But, I really disliked the zipper.....small, hard to get started.....Can see it breaking in the future.....I really wanted this to be a good jacket...Would buy one next year if they improve the zipper,

Actually a great parka but the cut was slightly pear shaped. The biggest problem was the hood. Very poorly designed and basically unusable. No way to tunnel it down for extreme winds. The string adjustment , located on the back of the hood required 2 hands and then I found you actually had to remove the coat to adjust. The gaitor is a nice idea but also not usable when wearing a mad bomber hat. Either you have to remove the hat or select other headgear. In rural Nebraska winters with temps in high teens to low 20s and a normally 20+ N wind, the hood is a must have. Hood needs to be redesigned and draw strings placed on each from side along with a storm flap to help hold it in place. Additionally, quality control needs to assure correct cut/fit. Pear shape just isn't the way to go. Parka was returned.

Loved the look, it is bulkier than shown in the picture... But warm for that reason as well. I would go to a store and try one on as I bought an xl and ended up trading for a large. The hood is warm and the built in face mask is actually really great, I use it all the time in WI.

I purchased this coat for my husband as a Christmas gift but ended up returning it due to the stiff collar. He said when he wears the hood and has it all the way zipped it is still cold because the fur does not hug his face/head and lets in the cold air. The other "con" on this coat is that the collar is very stiff when it is fully zipped and makes it difficult to see or turn one's head

Great quality parka for the price. I like that the parka is waterproof and comes with lifetime warranty. It is very warm and comfortable. When I bought the parka, I thought it should have elastic cuffs like many other parkas do. However, I wear suits to work and it is better to just have Velcro cuffs so I can wear the parka on top of my suit jacket when my topcoat is useless in the NYC winter. I bought size small in black color. I am 5'6 tall, 143lb, 38 chest, and 31 waist. I feel that the parka is too wide around my torso especially right below my chest. I tried to adjust the width by using the waist draw cord but it made the parka's shape unnatural and didn't not like it. I am trying to like this parka because I do not want to pay extra $500+ to get the fit I like such Canada Goose Langford. I may return the jacket but other than the fit, Mcmurdo is a great parka and I highly recommend.

Ordered the M size after entering my detials in the find your size option. The size was way too big for me and not a snug fit as like it. I even entered details a little smaller as i like to wear fitted clothes.

This is very nice jacket. Warm, good size and amount of pockets. Main zipper open both ways and with external flap. Flap has buttons and not always full of lint velcro tearing seat belts. Scarf built into hood is very nice idea adding a lot of warm comfort. Jacket has just right length. However, I had to return mine, as collar was cutting to the front of my neck making it very uncomfortable. Main zipper was sewn too deep making it difficult to operate as it was catching on the fabric. Sleeve cuffs has very short velcro and no internal flexible rubber band. Velcro when engaged is sticking only on last quarter inch. I was looking for replacement of my 1999 Mountain Light Parka with Nuptse Down zip-in. After also trying its current version, Triclimate, Varius Guide and Vortex Jackets, my conclusion is, that closest to 1999 North Face Mountain Light Parka is Arc'teryx Fission SV Jacket. Probably slightly less warm and without main zipper flap, but apart that it looks like it has all its important features. It also sound logical. Mountain Light and Nuptse Jackets costs today exactly the same as in year 1999. By factoring around 43% inflation rate, we get cost of Arc'teryx Fission SV. I wish North Face would keep making 1999 version of Mountain Light with all its features like extra thick fabric under backpack straps, bullet proof water resistance (15 years without treatment no single drop coming through in 10 hours of rain), buttons on zipper flaps, mesh fabric on internal shoulder panel, huge pockets, rubber band and full size velcro in sleeve cuffs, right size of sleeves, under arm opening with mesh fabric and not just opening potentially tearing seam. Just thoughts . . .

Pros: - Warm - Well made - Looks good Cons: - hood just doesn't seem to fit or sit right - only one inside pocket (wallet pocket) - drawstrings on hood are hidden and almost impossible to find with your fingers. - angled outside pockets (where your hands go) have zippers. These zippers scrape my hands each and every time I put my hands inside. Also, these pockets are not lined. Inside they are just the nylon. For $350.00 you would think NF would at least put some kind of wool or cloth lining. Feels like putting my hands into two plastic baggies. - the two other outside pockets have velcro flaps, which are annoying if you plan to use the pockets on any regular basis. *ripppp*** every time. It seems that NF should have put more thought into these areas for a jacket with this price point.

No cinchcords at hem, waist or collar! No way to tighten collar! Bizarre cinchcord at top of hood will tighten skullcap, but creates windscoops at ears. No inside pockets. Velcro panels at wrists are poorly placed... cannot tighten wrists enough. No rib knit inner cuffs.... Good insulation throughout...

Bought this at local shop and was ok until I wore it in my car. By that time I no longer could return for refund. The sleeves seams at the elbows are designed in such a way that they are extremely uncomfortable and irritating. Looks like a weird patchwork of fabric and seams put exactly at the worst spot... What genius designed that?

I love this jacket on every level, it is warm, comfortable, very functional and fits perfectly. However, the zipper broke after months of use, unacceptable for a North Face, especially such a heavy duty jacket.

There must have been some real design changes and cutting corners from previous versions of the McMurdo to this one, I have never been so disappointed with a North Face purchase. Pros: - The British Khaki color looks even better in real life - The built-in balaclava was one of the main reasons I bought it Cons: - NO WAIST DRAWSTRING. This is the main reason I will be returning it. I am 5'10", 150 and even the Small size made me look like I had a slight pooch, which I could do nothing about. Aesthetics aside, the biggest drawback is that my torso was constantly cold due to the draft that the parka let in bc it can't be cinched. - Awkward zipper placement, from the bottom when you're trying to zip it up to the top where it would sometimes catch my facial hair (ouch!) - Poorly placed, way-too-thin pockets everywhere. The side pockets are too small to fit most guys' hands and the chest pockets are too high unless you have short arms. There is virtually no insulation meaning you'll always need to wear winter gloves. I am really disappointed that North Face jackets have reached this point. I had my last one for 10 years and to see this drop-off in quality is pretty shocking.

Very disappointed in this coat. Too few pockets. No drawstring at waist or bottom. Upper pockets too high and lining too cold to touch,

Why the zipper doesn't fully zip around the entire hood is beyond me. Makes having a hood rather useless being that wind blows through the gaping holes where the zipper should cover. Why even have a zip-off hood? No built in elastic cuffs for the wrists and no powder skirt. Again, wind blows up through the bottom without a powder skirt. Yes you can tighten the drawstrings, but it's not an appealing look, and air still seeps in. C'mon North Face! You've been making outdoor gear for decades and you can't even put on a full zipper for the hood! It's common sense to make a hood that doesn't allow wind to creep in through the back.

I love this jacket but have REAL problem with zipping the zipper to get it started.

The zipper is really small and hard to zip up and at least once a day it unzips from the bottom up. It is hard to get the zipper to open back up again.

The seams outside the pocket started ripping after a month. The zipper is bad and hard to close. The customer service was not helpful. They just gave us the number for the warranty department to send it in, but that means that we're left without a coat for a while. This shouldn't happen within 1 month of wear. Poor quality and poor customer service.

Bought at sport check at BF sale. Will be returned. Disappointed.

Have no idea why The North Face got rid of their adjustable wait feature. That was such a no brainer especially in the current fashion climate that values slimness. If this jacket had the adjustable waist id give it a 5/5