The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

This coat is perfect for climates with cold, nasty winters where you have to spend more time outdoors than running to and from your house and car. It is very warm and the design of the hood can cover your ears or pull more forward to hide everything but your mouth. The body is comfortably fitted, tapered in at the waist for a feminine shape, but roomy at the legs for movement. The shoulders also provide a lot of movement, unrestricted by bulk or the seams. Overall, the fit reduces bulk, but allows for generous layering of clothes underneath without restricting movement. The fleece wrists are soft and prevent wind from moving up the arm. The side pockets are very deep with a soft fleece lining on one side. The waterproof capabilities are perfect for snowy conditions. I don't know how it holds up in rain and sleet.

In comparison to the North Face Metropolis parka, this is a bulky coat because of the cut at the chest. The cut allows for more movement and room for layering. It is not as bulky as the men's version of this coat, but this coat is designed with more function in mind than pure style. That said, the bulkiness is very relative, and for the warmth and movement designed in this coat, it is very minor, thus, I didn't check bulkiness as a con. The pockets at the breast are odd. They are difficult to access and I don't know what you'd want to specifically place there. I wish the bottom of the coat, along the legs, was cut slightly closer to the legs. I have plenty of room to move, but the added room allows for a little more wind to move up the legs.

Overall, this is a fantastic coat for those who need warmth in various cold conditions and don't want to look like you are going skiing. I wouldn't wear this out to a night at the opera, but it's stylish enough to wear around town.

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

This was my first North Face purchase and I am in l-o-v-e. It was really difficult for me to spend so much money on one thing, but with REI's return policy I felt secure in my choice. I am 5ft 3 125-130lbs, 36B cup and bought the small. With a long sleeved shirt, this is slightly roomy when zipped up on my frame. I am also able to wear a hoodie under it or a small fleece coat for added warmth (I get cold easily). I wouldn't have sized up to an M--I bet it's too big for me. This style is fitted, so you don't look like you're wearing a feather pillow. It isn't heavy. It's water resistant so you can wear it in the rain or when it's snowing. It's machine washable. The fake animal fur zips off. The pockets will hold a small wallet and phone and iPod. This is comfortable and cozy in -15F weather (the lowest temp. I've experienced with it on). Everyone compliments me on this coat, asks where they can buy it and if it's worth the $$. I am very frugal and hoard my money, but this has been one of the best purchases I have EVER made. I've had it 2 winters and it still looks brand new. I would buy it again in a second and would consider buying a second to have on hand, I love it. Highly, highly recommended!

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

I bought this jacket for a trip to China during the month of January where the average weather was going to be 20 degrees Fahrenheit and on some occasions with wind at 25mph at 0 degrees. I was by FAR the warmest person. I loved the length too so that when I sat down on a freezing bench I couldn't really feel the cold.

The only downside would be that there are no under arm zippers to help ventilate when walking around.

If you are prone to getting cold easily then it really is a great buy, but if you live in a climate where it isn't freezing it might even be too warm.

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

I am an ice cube. Keeping me warm is like keeping a icicle warm. This jacket is perhaps one of the only jackets that keeps me toasty and comfy. If you hate the cold and winter...this jacket is for you.

I use the jacket in day to day activities. Nothing too extreme. I've been on a causal day hike with it and it's a bit heavy for long hikes and since it's longer lifting your knees for big rocks and such is not what it was designed for. You can still do it though.

It runs small. I am 5'4 and 110 pounds and the XS is too small for me. The small is perfect.

Pros: It's waterPROOF. WindPROOF. It has polar fleece cuffs around the hands to keep out cold and wind. Very nice. The hood is detachable and it is insulated as well.

Cons: Only con is that it's not a super light weight coat. But that is it.

When I wear this coat the only parts on my body that are cold are the parts that are not covered by the coat.

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

I bought this for my long walks to and longer waits for the bus. Am I happy I did! It's not super bulky for how warm it keeps you. It feels so cozy I wear it everywhere, even if I won't be outside long.

The cut/diameter of the bottom makes it really easy to walk and move in, unlike some other coats I tried on. The drawstring hood is useful and the "fur" at the top is a cute feature, though it can be removed. Pockets are very deep and also warm.

It hasn't gotten super frigid yet this winter, but I trust it will keep me very warm. The only downside I can think of is that I feel like dirt really clings to the outer fabric, but that really doesn't matter much to me though. I have the black, but a co-worker has the purple, which is very pretty (and probably wouldn't show as much dirt/salt as the black). I would definitely recommend this coat to a friend!

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

(I got this coat from my mother-in-law.) I live in Chicago and have used this coat for a few months, mostly for tooling around town, but also on a number of long hikes. It's a wonderful coat! I really have loved it. It's pricey, but worth the money. The Hydravent waterproof/windproof outer material is great; rain & snow roll right off. It's also a great shape; I've got good-sized hips and it keeps out the cold. The fleece around the wrists is also great! Pockets are at the right height, and even the kind of oddly placed chest pockets are useful for putting my phone in (not as weird looking as you'd think). Really, just a very useful coat!

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

It is an excellent fit and the gathering on the back gives me a waist unlike many other knee length coats. It is so warm and cozy!

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

Bought as a holiday gift for girlfriend; she loves this parka. She was one of the "always cold" types, but loves the down insulation and says this is one of the warmest jackets she has ever owned.

Comments about The North Face Arctic II Down Parka - Women's:

I purchased this jacket a year and a half ago and I still love it. It has held up in some of the coldest and wettest winter weather. I have taken this jacket from Northern Ontario, Canada to the high mountains of Colorado to the Adirondacks and even after multiple washings and wear& tear this jacket still looks great and is plenty warm.

What i didn't like about this jacket is the slim fit. It's quite fitted in the chest and torso. I have a 32-33 in chest and if I wear a bulky sweater or hoodie under this coat (which is often since I get cold in the winter) it feels like I'm compressing the down from the inside since the waterproof shell has no give . I don't know if getting a larger size would have improved warmth since the bottom of the jacket is quite bell-shaped, maybe making cinchable sides or stretch panels would have alleviated this problem of sizing. Since the top is fitted around my torso I guess the cold air stops there and keeps me warm. Also with the jacket being bell-shaped I haven't had any issues with casual activities like hiking whereas the jacket prior to this one the zipper tore away from the jacket when I tried to step out of the car -the bottom was too tight that it ripped in this simple everyday activity. Anyhow, the bell-shape still looks a little odd and exaggerated.

Other disadvantages to this jacket is it's bulkiness and it's not the lightest. This jacket was made for running around town. It's not particularly compact or stuff-able, so not for your multi-day mountain adventures. Even when I take this coat to the mall I'm always looking for a place to ditch it. It's bulky and a little heavier than a non-waterproof nylon-shelled down jacket of comparable size. The bulk and heft seem to be from the cotton-like waterproof Hyvent material and the fur trim collar, but I guess I'm willing to put up with the disadvantages since this jacket is so ideal when I'm outside in cold, wet weather.

Despite the odd bell-shape and the fitted top this jacket is warm, waterproof and fabulous in non-active pursuits during cold weather. The hood is deep and the fur trim can be rolled forward to protect one's face and head. It's a great coat if you're one that often feels cold. I wouldn't suggest this coat for active pursuits it's length and thickness made it awkward and too warm for anything more than hiking. This jacket still looks great after all these years. It hasn't faded (I got black) and the loft is still really good. All the seams are still good so no leaks even when the freezing rain is coming down.

For reference I am 5'2, about 105 lbs and I bought the XS. The sleeves and length are great. I can see an issue with length if one were tall.