We put the Nuuk Parka by Fjällräven to the test in a cold Jackson Hole, WY winter. Here are the pros and cons of the Nuuk Parka based on our first-hand experience.
Nuuk Parka by Fjällräven [Staff Tested]
Highlights: PFC-free outer lining, sustainably made parka with plenty of pockets for strolling around town. Excellent and stylish option for cold winters in eastern and midwestern cities, but not warm enough for the mountains without a lot of layering.
The Nuuk Parka by Fjällräven is a warm, comfortable winter coat that’s considered suitable for wet, windy, and snowy conditions, especially for city-dwellers. We see this Parka as a great option for navigating lower Manhattan in the winter months, but it’s probably not heavy duty enough for the mountains. After testing the Parka in the Tetons, we don’t think the coat will be warm enough for ski towns and high-altitude environments without a lot of layering. It’s a heavyweight jacket with plenty of pockets (eight!) and comes with an insulating hood lined with detachable faux fur, but it will fall short in the most intense winters.
There’s a lot about this parka that looks appealing, but is it really the right choice for your winter wardrobe? Here’s a breakdown of its most significant selling points and our analysis of whether it’s worth the purchase price.
About Fjällräven
This Swedish outdoor gear company got its start in the 1960s when founder Åke Nordin created and sold a lightweight aluminum backpack. He named his fledging business after the Swedish term for the Arctic fox as a homage to its resilience and ingenuity.
Now seventy years later, the company remains committed to enabling and inspiring more people to spend time in nature. Fjällräven aims to make products that will last—both from a design and a functionality standpoint.
About the Nuuk Parka
- PFC free and non-toxic
- Stylish, suitable for urban life
- Comes in several colors
- Lots of pockets
- The shape of the coat is too wide for frigid climates, and the flared bottom lets in cold air, especially for pregnant women. The drawcord at the waist is helpful, but we would also like to see a second drawstring at the bottom of the coat to seal in heat.
The newest Nuuk Parka is an updated version of Fjällräven’s classic design with more sustainable fabrics. As a semi-long trench, it extends down to the upper thighs. The coat is padded with synthetic micro loft insulation for extra warmth in temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit, and the faux-fleece-lined hood has a protective brim to keep cold air away from your nose.
A drawcord at the waist and a two-way zipper makes it easy to adjust the coat to your dimensions for a snug fit, even when wearing plenty of layers on underneath. However, the quilted synthetic insulation doesn’t quite match the warmth or lightness of down feathers. This might mean you’ll need to put on a few layers under it to stay warm enough on truly frigid days.
While the jacket is waterproof, it’s also designed for breathability so you don’t become a sweaty mess when wearing it. This means it’s well suited for weather conditions ranging from light rain to severe winter winds—making it versatile enough to replace other coats in your closet.
Nuuk Parka Features
- Designed for moving around in cold, windy, and wet weather.
- Made from recycled polyamide with a waterproof hydratic layer
- Includes a storm hood with metal wire support and detachable faux fur edging
- Eight pockets (two chest, two hip, two inner, and two mesh storage pockets).
- Made of recycled materials and through fluorocarbon-free impregnation.
At publication, the coat costs $500. It’s available in four colors (port, black, dark navy, and deep forest) and comes in sizes XXS-XXL. The synthetic insulation and abundance of pockets make it somewhat bulky, with the size small weighing an estimated 3.8 lbs.
Buy the Nuuk directly from Fjällräven, and you’ll get free shipping, free returns, and access to lifetime repairs. The parka is also covered under warranty against all manufacturing defects, which include split seams and broken buttons, zippers, and buckles.
Is the Nuuk Parka Eco-friendly?
Fjällräven has made environmental protection a priority since the brand’s beginning. The company uses recycled materials whenever possible and aims to design long-lasting clothing. Most products are built to be self-reparable with a bit of DIY knowledge, and the apparel is cut in classic designs to ensure it won’t go out of style in a season.
It maintains a ‘Preferred Materials and Fibers List’ of the fabrics that have the lightest impact on the environment and aims to utilize them as much as possible. One example is fluorocarbons. While these waterproofing agents have been a mainstay for outdoor gear manufacturers for years, they can cause environmental havoc. Fluorocarbons don’t break down, and they are a suspected carcinogen that can trigger respiratory issues and affect human hormones and reproduction. Fjällräven has kept them out of their gear since 2012 with a switch to fluorocarbon-free impregnation.
Fjällräven is a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition and the Fair Labor Association. The brand is also working to remove perfluorocarbons (PFCs) from its outdoor gear. Learn more about its commitment to environmental sustainability and just working conditions through the Fjällräven Code of Conduct.
Nuuk Parka Care Instructions
The Nuuk Parka is designed for rugged use. It can be washed under normal conditions in a home washing machine and should be left to line dry (do not tumble dry). Avoid dry cleaning and remove the fur trim before washing.
Nuuk Parka by Fjällräven [Staff Tested]
Highlights: PFC-free outer lining, sustainably made parka with plenty of pockets for strolling around town. Excellent and stylish option for cold winters in eastern and midwestern cities, but not warm enough for the mountains without a lot of layering.