When it comes to battling the elements during the winter months, two great parka jackets are: the Canada Goose Men’s Expedition Parka and The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka.
Each jacket has unique strengths and is tailored to different weather conditions and user needs.
The Expedition Parka is engineered for extreme cold, originally designed for scientists in Antarctica, while the McMurdo Parka offers a versatile solution for urban adventures in chilly climates.
In this article, we will examine the features, materials, and overall performance of these two iconic parkas to help you determine which one is the best in the world of winter outerwear.
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1. Canada Goose Men’s Expedition Parka
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Description
The Canada Goose Men’s Expedition Parka is designed for extreme weather conditions, originally developed for scientists working in Antarctica. This parka provides exceptional warmth and protection, updated with streamlined hood details and additional interior pockets.
Proven in the harsh environments of McMurdo Station, it is suitable for both urban and wilderness adventures. Customize your parka with interchangeable hood trim accessories for extended coverage and a personalized look.
Main Features and Materials
- Temperature Rating: -22°F (-30°C) and Below
- Origin: Made in Canada
- Fit: Oversized for optimum movement
- Hood: Adjustable, down-filled, with removable zipper guard
- Chin Guard: Lined with tricot fabric for comfort
- Back Strap: Webbing grab strap with ‘Expedition’ emblem patch
- Waist: Interior drawcord for customized fit and warmth retention
- Cuffs: Recessed rib-knit for added comfort and heat retention
- Interior Lining: Sleek, with backpack straps for hands-free carrying
- Snow Skirt: Nylon elasticized for added protection
- Zipper: 2-way with Velcro placket and storm flap for added protection
- Exterior Pockets: 6 total (4 double entry with top flap and Velcro closures, 2 side entry with zipper closures)
- Utility Pockets: 1 on each sleeve (left with utility pocket, right with top flap and Velcro closure)
- Interior Pockets: 3 total (1 security pocket with zipper closure, 2 mesh drop-in pockets)
- Fabric: Arctic Tech (83% Polyester, 17% Cotton) with a water-repellent finish
- Fill: 625 Fill Power Responsibly Sourced Down (80% Down, 20% Feathers)
This parka is crafted to endure the most extreme conditions while providing comfort and functionality.
2. The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka
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Description
The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka is the longest men’s coat offered by the brand, designed to provide ultimate protection and comfort in harsh weather conditions.
This parka is windproof, waterproof, breathable, and insulated with 600-fill recycled down to ensure warmth. It features a variety of functional elements, making it a versatile and reliable choice for winter wear.
Main Features
- Windproof and Waterproof with breathable properties
- 600 Fill Recycled Waterfowl Down insulation
- Adjustable Hook-And-Loop Cuff Tabs
- Attached, Adjustable, Three-Piece Hood with internal drawcord and removable faux-fur ruff
- Dual-Entry Patch Hand Pockets with hook-and-loop flap-closure top entry and secure-zip side entry
- Stormflap with Hook-And-Loop Closure covering the two-way, VISLON center front zip
- Two Concealed, Secure-Zip Alpine Chest Pockets
- Relaxed Fit with a logo on the left chest and back-right shoulder
- Secure-Zip, Internal Chest Pocket
Materials
- Body Fabric: 70D x 160D 128 g/m² DryVent 2L – 100% recycled nylon woven with non-PFC durable water-repellent (Non-PFC DWR) finish
- Faux Fur: 930 g/m² 62% polyester, 38% acrylic
- Insulation: 600 Fill 100% recycled waterfowl down
- Lining: 50D x 50D 78 g/m² 100% recycled polyester plain weave with non-PFC DWR finish
Additional Info
- Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL, 3XL
- Center Back Length: 31.75 inches
3. Comparison
Here are the main differences between these two jackets:
- Origin: Canada Goose Expedition Parka is made in Canada, while The North Face McMurdo Parka does not specify the country of origin.
- Temperature Rating: Canada Goose Expedition Parka is rated for -22F (-30C) and below, whereas The North Face McMurdo Parka does not specify a temperature rating but mentions “Warmth: 3, Warmest.”
- Fill Power: Canada Goose Expedition Parka has a 625 fill power down, while The North Face McMurdo Parka uses 600 fill recycled down.
- Fabric Composition: Canada Goose Expedition Parka is made from 83% polyester and 17% cotton with a water-repellent finish. The North Face McMurdo Parka uses 100% recycled nylon for the body fabric and 100% recycled polyester for the lining, both with a non-PFC DWR finish.
- Hood: The Canada Goose Expedition Parka features an adjustable down-filled hood with optional interchangeable trim. The North Face McMurdo Parka has an attached, adjustable, three-piece hood with a removable faux-fur ruff.
- Fit: Canada Goose Expedition Parka has an oversized fit, while The North Face McMurdo Parka has a relaxed fit.
- Weight: The North Face McMurdo Parka is described as midweight. No specific weight is mentioned for the Canada Goose Expedition Parka.
- Windproof/Waterproof: The North Face McMurdo Parka is windproof, waterproof, and breathable. Canada Goose Expedition Parka is water-repellent.
- Pockets: Canada Goose Expedition Parka has 6 exterior pockets and 3 interior pockets. The North Face McMurdo Parka has dual-entry patch hand pockets, two concealed chest pockets, and an internal chest pocket.
- Additional Features: Canada Goose Expedition Parka includes features like a webbing grab strap, recessed rib-knit cuffs, a nylon elasticized snow skirt, and backpack straps. The North Face McMurdo Parka includes adjustable hook-and-loop cuff tabs and a storm flap with a hook-and-loop closure.
- Environmental Consideration: The North Face McMurdo Parka uses recycled materials for the body fabric, lining, and insulation. This is not specified for the Canada Goose Expedition Parka.
- Sizes: The North Face McMurdo Parka is available in sizes S to 3XL. Size options for the Canada Goose Expedition Parka are XS to 3XL.
4. Which is Better?
The Canada Goose Men’s Expedition Parka and The North Face Men’s McMurdo Parka are both high-quality winter jackets, but they cater to different needs and environments.
The Canada Goose Expedition Parka is specifically designed for extreme cold conditions, such as those encountered by scientists in Antarctica. It features a temperature rating of -22°F (-30°C) and below, making it ideal for the harshest climates.
This parka is equipped with numerous features to ensure maximum warmth and protection, including an adjustable down-filled hood, a storm flap, and multiple pockets for utility and storage. The durable Arctic Tech fabric is water-repellent and designed to withstand extreme weather, providing a robust defense against the elements.
This parka is best suited for expeditions in polar regions or extremely cold urban environments, where staying warm and dry is critical.
On the other hand, The North Face McMurdo Parka is designed for versatility and comfort in cold but not extreme conditions. It offers a balance of warmth, windproofing, and waterproofing, making it a great option for everyday winter wear.
The McMurdo Parka features 600-fill recycled down insulation, a waterproof and breathable DryVent shell, and a removable faux-fur hood trim. These features make it suitable for urban environments and outdoor activities where you need reliable protection against wind and rain, but not necessarily the extreme cold that the Canada Goose parka is built for.
In summary: choose the Canada Goose Expedition Parka for extreme cold and harsh weather conditions, where maximum warmth and durability are paramount. Opt for The North Face McMurdo Parka for everyday winter use in cold, wet, and windy conditions, where versatility and comfort are key.