looking for a down parka for my wife

Mike,

I’d look at the Patagonia Fitzroy. My wife got one at the outlet in Dillon. Amazing parka. I think better than the Neutrino I had.

I’m still kicking myself for not getting one myself at the ridiculous good price they had. They were 40-50 percent off and then the outlet took another 40% off.

thanks Ed- I’ll check it out :)

GooseFeet Gear! Get exactly what you/she wants.

Patagonia makes the Fitz Roy Jacket and the Fitz Roy Parka, with the Parka being warmer and with a hood. Unfortunately the Parka only came in mens, whereas the Jacket came in two sexes. You can still find the Men’s parka on 50% off sale at Patagonia’s website but only size is XS. Maybe a men’s XS would fit your wife?

http://www.patagonia.ca/product/mens-fitz-roy-down-parka/84570.html?dwvar_84570_color=CUSO&cgid=root#tile-28=&q=fitz%2Broy&lang=en_CA&start=1&sz=48

the Fitz Roy looks to be highly rated

they still make a women’s parka, but not offered at 50% off
http://www.patagonia.com/product/womens-fitz-roy-down-parka/84575.html

sadly XS isn’t going to work

Interesting. I guess they did make the Fitz Roy Parka in women’s. I think it’s discontinued now though because they’ve released a redesigned mens (below) and nothing for women. Notice at your link it says no longer available and all the sizes are gone.

I’m in the market for a down winter jacket for my wife also. Let me know if you find a killer deal.

http://www.patagonia.com/product/mens-fitz-roy-down-parka/84571.html?dwvar_84571_color=BLK&cgid=root#tile-1=&q=fitz%2Broy%2Bparka&lang=en_US&start=1&sz=24

+1 Ed on the Patagonia Fitz Roy Parka. I have the men’s and it’s very well designed (there was a forum discussion with Dan D. and me and others re the Montbell Frostline and Patagonia Fitz Roy I think about 2-2.5 years ago, which noted that the newer Fitz Roy Parka of the last 2-3 years is better designed than the previous one, in case you are looking at used ones). Note that the Fitz Roy is sized as a belay parka and is quite oversized to fit over shell and layers – I’m 6 ft. 175 lbs 42 in. chest and the Medium gives me plenty room. I recall there was a women’s Fitz Roy Parka but it had lower fill than the men’s so avoided it for the Ms.

Be aware that the newest Fitz Roy Parka which is on the Patagonia site without discount has more fill – I think about 8 oz – and weighs about 2-3 oz. more than the last one. Much of that weight appears to be fill. So that newest model will be the warmest.

Dan and Mike, I’m also on the lookout for a winter parka for the Ms. if you see any great deals.

Also note Mytrailco is about to release heavier fill men’s and women’s down parkas, including one they say should be like Golite’s Bitteroot Jacket.

I’ve heard only great things about Goosefeet Gear and Nunatak and no doubt you can customize the lightest warmest parka combo with high fill, light fabrics and a half zip, much lighter than you can get from mainstream companies. You could probably order a Goosefeet Gear or Nunatak parka that’s just as warm as the new 22 oz. Patagonia Fitz Roy Parka (8 oz. 800 fill) for only about 12-14 oz. The cottage prices seem to compare well with mainstream offerings but it’s hard for the cottage companies to match high end-of-season or holiday discounts. A fair trade for custom sizing, custom materials and weight savings.

I did find a good deal, I’ll know more how good of a deal it is when it arrives

it’s Mountain Hardwear’s Phantom parka- 850+ treated down, the men’s has ~ 6.5 oz of fill, women’s will be less in sure. it’s gotten really good reviews from gals that are spending a lot of time in the mountains, so that’s encouraging

appears to be discontinued for women; Sierra Trading Post has them for $179, retail is $400  I had a 25% coupon so it ended up being $135 with free shipping

if it has decent fill (appears to from the reviews), this will be a pretty good deal

Ha Ha….I just bought a MH Phantom women’s as well for my wife! I got a similar deal via a Canadian seller (cheaper shipping for me).

The MH website lists the women’s at 175g (6.15oz) of 850 FP down. Total weight is listed at 519g (18.3oz)

MH Phantom: 18.2oz w 6.2oz 850 FP Down
MB Frost Line: 16.2oz w 6.5oz 800 FP Down
P Fitz Roy: 16.3oz w ??oz 800 FP Down
R Neutrino: 20.6oz w 7.6oz 800 FP Down

MH confirmed the fill weight as 180g, which is quite nice. Also from their measurements and a few women’s reviews, it appears they are sized oversized belay-style to wear over shell and all (though they don’t have a zipper that also opens from the bottom to access a belay).

thanks for confirming the fill weight :)

two large mesh inner pockets which is a big plus, and another zipped inner pocket too

we don’t do anything with a harness, so the lack of a two zip wasn’t a big deal

I think LL Bean has the warmest down parka due to its lack of sewn-through seams and Down Tech DWR treated down.

Next on my list is Eddie Bauer’s heavier parkas. They have Storm Down DWR down treatment but they are sewn through.

Most of the jackets discussed here have baffled construction, and the Rab and Mountain Hardwear jackets also have treated down.

my wife’s parka arrived today- very pleased with the loft, fit and finish is very well done as well- a good score :)

I just scored a Men’s Fitz Roy parka on Wornwear, size XS for $120 plus shipping. I’m looking forward to being super warm this winter, now I just need winter to arrive! (it’s been crazy warm in New Mexico lately…sigh)

Well, I got my Fitz Roy parka and it’s super warm, but I am not meant to wear a man’s jacket. The XS is big everywhere (I normally wear small in women’s sizes) but around the hips it is tight.  And something about being tight on the hips makes me look bout 6 months pregnant which I know shouldn’t matter but it does…Plus if I’m wearing insulated pants the tight fit around my hips will be an issue. I’m going to return or sell here and then keep an eye out for something else.

my wife has given the Phantom two thumbs up- we’ve had several cold days with a really bitter wind- she said she was snug as a bug with the parka on