My first Canada Goose jacket was the HyBridge Base Down jacket… a puffer-style bomber jacket. I love it. It’s warm. It looks cool. It’s perfect for the kind of winters we get unless it’s pouring.
Since I loved that coat so much, I saved up and bought a big pile of Canada Goose wear including the CG Freestyle vest, hoodies, sweater, mitts, gloves, beanie, rain jacket and a parka. The parka is just one type of Canada Goose jacket among many.
This article reviews my Canada Goose parka. Specifically, it’s the Brockton parka.
Just for reference, I’m 6′ 3″ tall and weigh 220 lbs. I purchased a large Brockton parka.
First impressions
It’s warm. It’s insanely warm. I don’t foresee any weather ever coming to North Vancouver (in Canada… go figure) that this parka will fail to keep me warm. Not only is it warm, but it keeps me dry. While it’s not as waterproof as my Canada Goose rain jacket, it repels water reasonably well and definitely snow so I stay warm and dry.
While it’s not the Expedition Parka or the slightly lighter Citadel, the Brockton is a beast of a coat.
My one big complaint about the Brockton Parka
It doesn’t have side-access side pockets. The pockets for putting hands in are top-entry which isn’t as comfortable as side-entry. The coat is huge so I don’t understand why both couldn’t be added to the coat. From a design perspective, the lack of side-entry pockets give it a sleeker look but I actually think the slight flaring out side-entry pockets would provide would enhance the design.
What’s up with the black and gray Canada Goose badge?
That’s a new badge design for the Black Label line.
Why did I opt for the Brockton Parka instead of the iconic Expedition Parka?
I liked the sleeker look of it. It’s part of the Canada Goose Black Label line which is outerwear designed for urban settings. I live in a suburb just outside of a city. While I hike and ski, most of my time outside is in an urban setting so I might as well the a parka designed for that.
For what I do outside and where I live, the Expedition Parka would be total overkill. Frankly, the Brockton is too for most days but when I need it, it comes in handy. It’s not like I’m heading to Antarctica any time soon. If I were, I’d pony up for the Expedition Parka. After all, Nicolas Cage’s character wore it hunting treasure in National Treasure. What’s more interesting, Canada Goose coats are often the coats of choice worn by cast and crew on sets when filming in cold locations. You can’t get a better endorsement than that. They aren’t wearing them because they’re getting paid. They’re legitimately wearing them because they want to stay warm.
I have no regret opting for the Brockton line.
It looks great. It keeps me toasty no matter how cold it gets (which isn’t terribly cold in North Vancouver… the rain is a bigger problem).
I could definitely ski with it although I doubt I will because I have a killer Descente ski coat that is designed for skiing. I’ve never gotten wet or cold in the descent and I’ve skied at the top of Whistler and Blackcomb in January.
But for cold days on the soccer field sideline or those times when sub-zero temps smash into North Vancouver, my Brockton is going to be perfect. For example, every year I volunteer at a Christmas tree chipping event where we are outside all day in the rain or snow. It gets cold. This year I will not get cold one bit especially if I layer up with the rest of my Canada Goose gear.
No need to layer to stay warm
My MO often in order to stay warm is to layer. Undershirt, long-sleeved shirt, hoodie or sweater topped with my Base Down jacket and if raining, put my extra-large North Face rain jacket on top. It does the job.
Now I don’t need to layer to stay warm. I can literally wear a t-shirt in January and with the Brockton parka, stay warm all day. It’s awesome.
Brockton Parka Features
Materials = WARM: This thing is thick. It’s filled with Power White Duck Down. The exterior is a tough water-resistant material. It’s rated for -10° C to -20° C.
Long: It’s a parka so it’s long. This is very long. I’m 6′ 3″ and it extends down to a few inches above my knees.
Reflector stripes: I love coats with reflectors because I often walk at night and well, let’s face it, it’s hard for drivers in vehicles to see pedestrians at night especially if raining.
Carrying straps: There are built-in backpack straps so that you can sling it on your back when you get warm… and chances are you will get warm.
Pockets: This thing has plenty of pockets on the outside and interior. Check them out.
Large “bucket” pocket on the back: There’s a large pocket on the back under the flap. Check it out:
Durable: I can tell this thing will last for years. It may well be one of the last parkas I ever buy. That’s what quality gets you … almost heirloom apparel.
Reinforced: In high wear-n’-tear parts of the coat, it’s reinforced. Check it:
Hood (removable): I like hoods because I don’t always have a toque or hat with me. I also like removable hoods because sometimes I don’t want the hood. The Brockton offers a removable hood (via zipper).
Secure cuffs: The cuffs seal up nicely around my wrists to keep the cold and snow out.
High collar: When fully zipped and buttoned up, it comes up above my chin. I can tuck my chin in and keep a part of my face warm. Moreover, the hood can button into the top of the collar for a secure hood closure that’s snug for when nasty, howlin’ wind and rain/snow hit.
Worth the 4-figure price tag?
Yup. No regrets. I don’t wear it a ton and doubt I will but when I need it, that’s when the investment pays off. Like I said above, no more having to layer up.
I do wear my HyBridge Base Down far more often… daily once late Fall and Winter set in. It’s a perfect coat for Vancouver winter most days. For those days where it’s not quite enough… I don the Brockton Parka.
Quick overview of key features
- This amazing parka is made in Canada and is available in three different colors, including titanium, navy blue, and basic black as well as a variety of sizes to fit everyone. A darker color is a great choice since darker shades are slimming and can be paired with a variety of other colors when it comes to the different outfits you will be wearing with your parka throughout the winter months. You can also remove the hood from time to time and that will change up the look, depending on the occasion.
- This parka offers a slim look and fit since it strikes at the hips. It has a removable hood that you can adjust two different ways and it is filled with down stuffing which adds to the warmness as well as the softness of the parka’s head and neck area.
- The overstuffed collar area also provides you with plenty of warmth, along with insulation, and the chin guard is lined with a tricot fabric that provides even more comfort as well as softness for you while you are wearing this amazing parka. In other words, the higher-abrasion areas that may cause you issues or simply become annoying are taken care of through the use of a special fabric that provides comfort and durability.
- There is reflective webbing when the back of the hood that will keep you safe because you will be more visible in the evening, nighttime, and early morning hours when you are out and about. This area is a dropdown panel in the back that boasts a hook and loop-type fastener so you can hide the reflective area during daytime hours.
- This parka has exterior pockets which also feature reflective material that can be tucked away in the pocket flaps when you do not need it.
- This parka can be carried over your shoulders and can become hands-free since it sports interior backpack straps.
- With thumbhole construction for added comfort and to lock in heat, the recessed cuffs not only add style to this parka but clearly are functional as well.
- You can use the hidden D-ring attachment under the left pocket flap of your parka to attach your gloves, mitts, or other accessories.
- The parka boasts three interior pockets that are very secure with zipper closures where you can keep your wallet or other important items. Also, on the inside of the parka, there are two mesh drop-in pockets that you can even use for your cell phone or other items.
- Four exterior pockets have hidden snap closures for security and two of them are lined with fleece, so you can use them as hand warmer pockets while the two others are located lower down on the parka and can be used to drop in items when you are on the go.
- The hidden snap closures and the two-way zipper ensure that you will keep the cold weather, as well as snow and ice, away from your body. The two-way zipper also allows you to unzip your parka from the bottom for venting or added flexibility of motion.
FAQ
Where to Wear Your Parka
You can wear a parka to the park for an evening walk with the snow highlighting the branches of the trees or for a day sledding with your children. A parka keeps you toasty even when you are skiing down a mountainside but can also be worn when you go outside to shovel snow from your driveway and sidewalks.
What to Wear with a Parka
Since a parka is one of the warmest winter coats you can wear, you will want to pair it with other warm clothing. From a cute pair of jeans and bulky sweater to a pair of snow pants and warm boots, you can dress a parka up or down depending on the event or activity you will be heading out to attend.
What is the difference between a parka and a jacket?
A parka is longer than a jacket and extends below the waist to the hip area. Some parkas are made to even cover your entire backside and end at your upper thighs or even your knees. Jackets normally strike at the waistline area.
Is a parka a winter coat?
A parka is very similar to a winter coat but actually better for extremely cold weather, but it can also be worn year-round. Since many parkas have a removable lining, they can be made into a great jacket for spring, summer, or fall.
What makes a coat a parka?
A parka is similar to a coat but it fits slimmer and is extremely well insulated. Parkas also sometimes boast a hood that is lined with fur.
Why is it called a parka?
It is believed that since the Caribou Inuit is able to stay warm in the Canadian arctic, parkas were originally made of seal or caribou skin then coated with fish oil for waterproofing. In the Nenet’s language, the word parka means animal skin, hence the name of a coat that keeps us very warm during cold weather.
How long will a parka last?
A quality parka will last at least three to five years if you wash it and store it properly during the warm months will you will not be wearing it.
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