User Review: Marmot Big Parka

Marmot Big Parka
Above: The current Big Parka, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 20, 2009 by CJ Quibble

Rating:
Fabric: Gore
Fill: All Down
Price Paid: $229 (On sale w/20% off)

At 6'4" and 200 lbs this parka in XL fits me comfortably with room to spare. Typically, I order 2XL coats for a proper fit, but this truly big parka is big enough to fill the needs of my generous frame.

On a side note, I was only able to obtain the odd Inca color much to the dismay of my wife and children, but my main concern is with function over form (typical male logic). Now that I have the coat the color is growing on everyone. It's difficult to describe the color, not quite orange, yellow, or tan, but some combination of all three, which my spouse snickeringly calls mustard. Enough quibbling, on to the rest of the review.

In my opinion, the quality of manufacture and materials put into this parka exceed any of the North Face parkas I have owned. The exterior shell is rugged and waterproof while the down of the interior holds you in a gentle warm embrace.

Three notable qualities of this parka are, one the magnetic storm flap along the zipper, two a total absence of leaking feathers, and three when zipped all the way I am kept warm from just below my hind quarters to my chin. Although, your magnetic closure would fail in the event of disturbances to magnetic field of the Earth and I will miss pulling feathers from my previous coats to make wishes.

In spite of my love affair with this parka there is one attribute I wish it did have (alas, no love is perfect). Absent is a draw cord at the waist. However, the draw cord at the hem makes up for this failing and does an adequate job at keeping drafts out.

Overall, this mammoth parka makes walks through the sub-zero depths of winter feel like a comfortable stroll on a summer day. Winter, I now laugh at your cold fury.

Save & Share