Synthetic Parkas for winter hiking/mountain snowshoeing

I am looking for information regarding synthetic parkas that are warm as a stand alone, as well as good for layering under a waterproof shell. Anyone with recommendations or feedback from personal experience with particular models or manufacturers would be greatly appreciated!

It depends on where exactly you are hiking. For example, most of the time in the nearest mountains to me with substantial snow (Sierra Nevada), most of the time a fleece equivalent to a PolarTec 200 is plenty warm, and in most of the colder times my Integral Designs Dolomiti jacket is warm enough (it is a Primaloft fill). I carried the Dolomiti up Kilimanjaro a couple weeks ago and only used it for a while when getting up at 11PM before the summit ascent (to 19,000 ft or whatever the summit altitude is), but stuffed it into my pack for the actual climb (you get very warm during the exercising, of course). I have also used the Dolomiti down to -20 or -30 in the Tetons backcountry even while standing around (it is intended as a belay jacket for ice climbing). I had multiple layers as appropriate to the level of cold and wind on my torso (plus whatever on my legs), of course - wicking T-shirt, light/med/exped long john top, fleece vest or jacket, outer wp/b shell (Goretex or eVent).

Exactly what combination depends on the conditions - temperature, wind, activity level. Lots of possibilities here.

Remember that fleece doesn't keep wind out, and it isn't waterproof, so it doesn't keep you very warm in windy or rainy conditions (but can work well in a fairly heavy cold dry snow with no wind). I find that the WindStopper type of fabric is not very warm for its weight, although it can work well in windy conditions. Thing about something like the Dolomiti is that it breathes well and insulates well, and with the Pertex outer shell I chose for it, sheds light rain and moderately damp snow, while being reasonably windproof. It is not waterproof, however, so a waterproof shell is required in really wet conditions.

As for the fleece brands, so many companies are making these, and even selling them in the Big Box Stores really cheaply, that you can easily get something that works well quite cheaply - may not be as well made or be as stylish as Patagucci (but I love my Pata fleece jackets, and my Marmot fleece - well made, durable, expensive, but they last). You won't find anything like the Dolomiti from anyone other than Integral Designs, though, and very much well worth it.

Thanks for the information! I am rather impartial to Patagucci, as it is rather bombproof in my opinion and will most certianly take the beating. However, in my search for a synthetic fill parka I am torn only because Patagucci, in my opinion, fails to make something that is suitable for layering for winter hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
Additionally, I have yet to convince myself that I can get merely get away with a fleece, mainly of the R3 or R4 value provided by Patagucci. I have little experience in the winter landscape, leading me to turn to the more experienced for advice in this matter.
If the belief is that I can wear the R3 or R4 fleece independently as well as a layering piece and maintain the warmth needed to climb and snowshoe then I will draw my attention to such products, rather than at the synthetic fill parkas made by Outdoor Research (Chaos or Fraction) or Montbell's U.L. Thermawrap Parka.

If you are going to the Whites, I suggest visiting http://www.viewsfromthetop.com, a NE specific hiking site. Lots of good info from people who know the area (I'm not one of them, but belong anyway for the bc ski knowledge and winter camping tips I pick up). The site may be closed to new members (not sure about this) but gear questions get asked all the time.