Can PETA Survive the Arctic?
A list of the warmest synthetic jackets money can buy.
(Updated: May 1, 2020)
PETA says you can ditch Canada Goose for a “Superior Vegan Alternative” but their list of cruelty-free jackets focuses on fashion rather than arctic survival.
Fashion aside, can synthetic really compete with Canada Goose’s Arctic program? This article compares the warmest synthetic jackets available from 15 brands:
- Airboss (N-7B Shuttle Parka)
- ARC’TERYX (Dually Belay Parka)
- Black Diamond (Stance Belay Parka)
- Carhartt (Quick Duck Sawtooth Parka)
- Columbia (Rugged Path™ Parka)
- Fjallraven (Yuptik Parka)
- Helley Hansen (Shoreline Parka)
- Marmot (Yorktown Featherless Jacket)
- Mountain Equipment UK (Citadel Jacket)
- North Face (Apex Flex GTX Thermal Jacket)
- Orage (Redford Jacket)
- Outdoor Research (Perch Belay Parka)
- Patagonia (Micro-Puff Storm Jacket)
- RAB (Photon X Jacket)
- Wuxly Movement (Sabertooth ̶E̶l̶k̶ ̶P̶a̶r̶k̶a̶)
(SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM FOR CONCLUSION)
Synthetic vs Down
The ‘warm when wet’ advantage of synthetic is not a deciding factor in the extreme cold. Even if it were, there are hydrophobic treatments for more active uses. So how do these insulators compare in the extreme cold?
Sleeping bags, not jackets, might have the best comparison. Mountain Hardware makes a synthetic bag rated to -34°C that weighs 2.98 kg and a 800 fill-power down bag rated to -40°C that weighs 2.14 kg. Similarly, they have a -26°C synthetic that weighs 2.69 kg and a -28°C down bag that weighs 1.99 kg. By weight, synthetic is ~70% as effective as 800- fill-power down.
Down fill power = cubic inches fill per ounce of down.
Down with Down?
Patagonia and Primaloft, both innovators in synthetics, still sell down.
Primaloft One (now called “Primaloft Gold”), according to Sierra Trading Post, is the best synthetic insulator. Primaloft still market a hydrophobic down product. Patagonia, a socially responsible company, still sells down but markets a jacket with a synthetic insulator called “PlumaFill” which they claim has the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any jacket they have made. One of their marketing videos says “the synthetic vs down debate is over”.
Can Canada Goose switch to synthetics and still claim to make the warmest jackets on earth? Maybe with some added weight… but it could introduce mobility issues.
I’m sympathetic to PETA’s ethical and environmental claims. Ten years ago I spent several days looking for a jacket that would survive -30°C day / -40°C night weather. I could not find a synthetic alternative. I made a fully considered decision to have a jacket made from coyote and geese. From what I understand, synthetic fur is mostly a fashion because it freezes and stiffens in the cold. I also could not find a synthetic insulation claiming a better warmth to weight ratio to down. Extra weight is an issue when you’re hauling several pounds of gear. 10 years later, is there a better alternative?
Insulation type: 625 Fill Power White Duck Down
Temperature rating: -30°C & Below (Field-tested at -49°C)
Cost (CAD): $1095 CAD ($650 in 2010)
Special notes: Fur trim, long wool cuffs prevent drafts, plastic zipper insulated overlap, synthetic fur near mouth/zipper area.
Warmest Synthetic Jackets by Brand:
This list is biased to male jackets but many have several colour options and female-specific cuts.
In most cases, I went to the manufacturer websites and sorted by price and compared the most expensive synthetic options. In a few cases, a manufacturer has designated something a outer-layer and mid layer and I have combined them.
DISCLAIMER: I have not tested any of the synthetic jackets. This list is sorted alphabetically by brand to remove bias.
If I missed anything please leave it in the comments or contact me: dvoshart at google’s email dot com.
Airboss’ Warmest Synthetic Jacket:
Airboss N-7B Shuttle Parka (N-3B is shorter)
Insulation: Probably 250g/m2 Thinsulate (See note)
Price (USD): Sale: $158–$258 (Depending on size/style). ~$350 CAD
NOTE: Airboss website says it is a “down parka” but this is probably a Polish translation error. The site’s “shop” link goes to Amazon which says synthetic: usually 250g/m2. See also the similar N-7B Challenger version.
ARC’TERYX’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket:
Insulation: 2.7 ounce continuous fibre fill insulation which is then completely immersed in DWR (Durable Water Repellent) treatment.
Price (CAD): $800
Carhartt’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket:
Insulation: 3M™ Thinsulate™ featherless (amount unknown)
Price (CAD): ~$285
Black Diamond’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Black Diamond Stance Belay Parka
Insulation: 2L ThermoLite® (180 g, 100% polyester)
Price (USD): $230 (Sale $172)
Columbia’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket:
Insulation: 200g Omni-Heat™ Thermal Insulation
Price (CAD): $269 (Sale $176)
Fjallraven’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Insulation: Supreme Microloft: 100% polyester Fill weight: 250 g
Price (CAD): $570
NOTE: Synthetic Fur, highest synthetic fill weights. My
Helley Hansen’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Insulation Type: Primaloft® Black insulation, 100g/m²
Price (CAD): $325
NOTE: Helley Hansen’s most expensive jacket is a $600 outer shell. Expedition 3L used by Norwegian People’s Aid. Combined with the $230 Lifaloft Insulator Jacket (~80g).
Icebreaker’s Warmest Jacket Combo (Wool-Synthetic):
MerinoLOFT Stratus Transcend Hooded Jacket (outer layer) + MerinoLOFT Helix Long (Mid-layer)
Insulation Type: 88% Merino Wool, 12% Polylactide + 70gm MerinoLOFT™ 88% Merino Wool, 12% Polylactide
Marmot’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Marmot Yorktown Featherless Jacket
Insulation: 3M™ Thinsulate™ Featherless loose-fill synthetic insulation
Price (USD): $360 ($485 CAD)
Mountain Equipment UK’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Mountain Equipment UK Citadel Jacket
Insulation type: PrimaLoft® GOLD insulation (200g body and 170g arms/hood)
Price: £300.00 ($530 CAD)
The North Face’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket:
North Face Apex Flex GTX Thermal Jacket
Insulation type: 80 G PrimaLoft® Black Insulation In Body; 60 G In Hood, Collar And Sleeves
Price (CAD): $429
Notes: Might pair well with Themo-ball hoodie. Not clear.
Orage’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Insulation type: “480g [total] of Warm SD” (SD = Synthetic Down)
Price (CAD): $450
Outdoor Research’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Outdoor Research Perch Belay Parka
Insulation type: PrimaLoft® Gold 100% polyester insulation 200 g/m2 body160 g/m2 lower body and lower sleeves
Price (USD): $325 (Sale $243)
Patagonia’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Patagonia Micro-Puff Storm Jacket
Insulation Type: 65-g PlumaFill (100% polyester)
Price (CAD): $589 CAD (Sale $353)
RAB’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Insulation: 170g/m2 (6oz) PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Active throughout, 133g/m2(4.7oz) PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Active in sides and underarms & 193g/m2 (6.8oz) PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Active in front Torso
Price (USD): $295
Wuxly Movement’s Warmest Synthetic Jacket
Wuxley Movement Sabertooth (replacing Elk Parka Black)
Insulation Type: Primaloft® Gold insulation
Temperature rating: +10 to -45°C (+50 to -49°F)
Price (CAD): $1295
Opinion / Conclusion (UPDATED)
Airboss, Fjallraven and Wuxly make the best synthetic alternatives.
UPDATE May 2020: Wuxley Movement has a -45°C jacket available for pre-order. Canada Goose might have a run for its money. Until then…
Unfortunately, Canada Goose earned its reputation by making the warmest parka on planet earth and, as far as I know, there is no synthetic alternative for temperatures below -30°C.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DANIEL VOSHART, according to Bill Maher, is a douche. He has shot over 100 films including an hour of music video, five hours of documentary and six hours of fiction. He currently works in architecture and VR in Toronto Canada.
