Which is the best parka for the winter?

The cold weather has arrived and you're looking for a parka that you can wear on all your outings We'll help you decide. As they say in Scandinavian countries: "there's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing" (or equipment depending on the translation).

summary

1 How do you know if a parka is warm?
2 How are men and women's cold weather jackets and parkas tested?
3 How is testing carried out in the mountains?
4 How are heat tests carried out in the lab?
5 When should I wear a parka?
6 Which are our warmest parkas?
7 What sort of warm jacket do I need for an active excursion in the snow?
8 What sort of warm jacket or parka is best for children?
9 How do I extend or reactivate my jacket or parka's water repellent properties?

How do you know if a parka is warm?

There are a number of elements that indicate how warm a parka or winter coat will be, including its thickness, cut and whether or not it has a hood. All Quechua's snow hiking parkas have a minimum comfort temperature of -10°C.

We use a variety of tests to ensure the products we offer will keep you warm. These tests, carried out in laboratory and field conditions, help us determine how warm our jackets are and provide a comfort temperature.

The material used for making your jacket is also important when assessing the level of insulation provided. The longevity and efficiency of the insulating material will depend particularly on use and weather conditions.

According to sources, down and feathers, or small feather fillers, have been used in parkas for mountaineers since the 1940s and in early padded jackets for the general public since the 1980s. Their low weight and capacity to retain air produces a warm, relatively light parka. Feathers from a feather-filled jacket can sometimes escape through the seams, which in the long-term, reduces the warmth they provide. And, unfortunately, in damp conditions, the down can clump together and lose its ability to insulate. So feather-filled jackets are best left for excursions when it's very cold and there's no moisture in the air. Not ideal for rolling about in the snow. A small piece of advice to help keep your jacket in good condition for longer: never compress your feather-filled (or down) jacket when storing as this could damage the feathers and reduce its insulating power.

Wadding is a synthetic material which is normally made from polyester. It is a good insulator even though it has a lower weight-to-warmth ratio than feathers. That said, synthetic wadding developed in recent years increasingly resembles down. The main advantage of wadding is its capacity to retain heat even in damp conditions, including rain. Its fibres trap and store air and are not adversely affected by water. Similarly, with synthetic wadding, there's no real risk of losing the insulating material! And unless your jacket develops a hole, it will retain its wadding, ensuring your parka remains warm over time. Finally, synthetic wadding has a significant advantage when it comes to children: it's super easy to wash!

Learn how to wash your synthetic or down padded jacket!

How are men and women's cold weather jackets and parkas tested?

We test all our jackets thoroughly to ensure that the products we offer provide as much warmth as possible. We conduct tests in the mountains and laboratory using a cold room and thermal camera.

How is testing carried out in the mountains?

Our product managers and engineers head off to the mountains - usually Cervinia in Italy - to hike for several days in the snow, along with volunteer testers! These volunteer testers are sports enthusiasts who are recruited via our co-design platform. They try out the jackets to check that they are warm. But as everyone experiences temperature differently, we have to carry out lab tests so we can provide an approved warmth rating.

How are heat tests carried out in the lab?

In the laboratory, we use a thermal manikin (fitted with heat sensors), a cold room, a human tester and a thermal camera. This allows us to test the jacket's heat zones and check for hot air leaks, if there are any! This test also helps us objectively determine the jacket's comfort temperature - information that we can then relay to our customers.

A small clarification: the comfort temperatures we give are based on the user when active. Let me explain: a parka with comfort temperature of -10°C may not feel as warm as you'd expect if you are stationary. If you move, you should get warm quickly!

When should I wear a parka?

Depending on your sensitivity to cold (we all have a different tolerance), you can wear a parka when it's too cold for a mid-season coat. That said, before opting for an ultra-warm parka, specifically designed for hiking in snowy landscapes, you could try a short jacket which is suitable for both town and mountains. They are lighter and provide less coverage than parkas.

Check out our warm jackets which are perfect for day-to-day life.

A parka is characterised by its longer length. You must have noticed that: a mid-thigh or even calf-length coat will keep you much warmer than a jacket that leaves your legs uncovered. If you're visiting a cold region, or if the weather is cold and windy, we recommend wearing a parka which will help keep out the cold air and keep you as warm as possible.

Which are our warmest parkas?

A warm parka generally features a high collar, a hood and cuffs which prevent cold air from entering. The thickness of the insulating material (synthetic or down) is also a good indicator of how much protection the jacket provides against the cold.

The jacket's anti-blizzard hood and its ability to keep out wind and snow further enhance its design and insulating properties. The aim is, of course, to create and maintain a layer of heat between your body and the parka. And finally there's also the length of the jacket. A straight parka which comes down to the hips, below the buttocks, will keep most of your body warm which means you'll feel warmer overall!

We've focussed on these specific features to develop our warmest range of parkas: the Ultra-warm range. Because we wanted to offer high-performance jackets for all tastes we have developed a wide colour range so you've bound to find the perfect colour for you!

What sort of warm jacket do I need for an active excursion in the snow?

A parka, or short, warm, waterproof jacket will not be suitable for athletic excursions in the snow. In fact, the waterproof seams and fabric prevent sweat from evaporating during physical exertion. You may prefer a hybrid jacket.

We've used different materials - chosen for their specific technical properties - for different parts of the body: wind-proof components on the upper body, breathable components under the arms and on the back, for example. The hybrid jacket facilitates perspiration-wicking during exertion, while keeping the areas around your vital organs warm. It's an ultra technical product which is perfect for sport enthusiasts.

I need a jacket designed to suit my level of exertion.

What sort of warm jacket or parka is best for children?

Children and teens also need a nice warm jacket for walking around town as well as in the mountains, although it may seem at times as if they don't feel the cold. A parka is guaranteed to keep your youngsters nice and warm and is designed to stop snow from getting inside, even when they roll around in the snow or are preparing for their next snowball fight.

We offer products designed to suit different weather conditions and activities so they can choose between a warm parka or a very warm parka, which is ideal for walking in the snow.

I'm looking for a warm or very warm kid's jacket

Teens are less likely to dive into fresh snow (although having said that...) and they are often more interested in style. So, unless you're planning to take them on an expedition in the snow, you could suggest a short jacket which is perfect for keeping warm in both the town and mountains.

My teen needs a warm or very warm jacket

How do I extend or reactivate my jacket or parka's water repellent properties?

Ensuring your jacket remains water-repellent will allow you to use it in all weather (rain or snow) and will reduce the amount of time it takes to dry if you're caught in a downpour. Which is why, after washing for example, you should remember to use a water-repellent re-activator product on a regular basis. There are various different types. Ideally, you'll have used a special laundry detergent. Next, you'll need to apply a waterproofing product (spray or impregnation product). Tumble dry your parka on a gentle cycle if possible (check the label). Or air dry for 24 hours if you don't have a tumble dryer (or if your jacket can't be tumble dried), then warm your jacket with a hair dryer on a low heat.

Your jacket will retain its high-performance properties for years to come!

Now you know all there is to know about the warmest parkas to wear in town, on snowy mountains and sporty excursions. To complete your outfit, think about gloves, hats and warm socks! You're ready for the outdoors - and even the extreme cold.

CLOTHILDE

Hiking enthusiast, even in winter!