Last year I finally ordered a true winter coat. For several winters I had gone without a warm winter coat, only ever wearing my dressier coats. I know that isn’t the end of the world, clearly I survived just fine. But now that have a true winter coat, Nebraska’s harsh winters are much more bearable.

I went so many years without because I just couldn’t ever decide on which coat to order. I knew I was going to splurge on a winter coat because I wanted something that would last for several years, truly keep me warm, and that was relatively conflict free. There were several coats that I considered. Ultimately I wanted to order a Canada Goose Jacket, but I just couldn’t bring myself to spend that much money. After researching Patagonia’s jackets I felt they were great quality at a much lower price point while still meeting my criteria for a winter coat. Ultimately I decided to go with Patagonia’s “Down With It” Parka.

Features

• Insulated removable hood.
• DWR (durable water repellent) finish.
• Insulation from 100% Traceable Down (600-fill-power duck down traced to birds that were not force-fed or live-plucked).
• The shell is made of 100% recycled material (bluesign® approved fabric denoting sustainable textile production).

You can read Patagonia’s “footprint chronicles” on the production of the coat here.

Sizing

This coat has a slimmer fit to it so I sized up one size. I wanted it to be roomy enough that I could add extra layers underneath on super cold days. Length wise it hits right above my knee (I’m 5’6″ for reference) so it is great for keeping my full body warm, especially when paired with taller winter boots.

If you aren’t a fan of long parkas like this one, the coat also comes in a shorter version too which you can find here, here and here.

Where to Find It

In addition to purchasing directly from Patagonia, several other retailers carry this coat as well. It is definitely popular so not all retailers will have the same size and color combinations. Here are a few places to look: Nordstrom, Backcountry, & REI.

I cannot recommend this coat enough. It is so warm and cozy, perfect for places with harsh winter temps!