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Ridiculously warm, this bulky jacket is for the high end user in extremely cold climates and conditions
The coyote-fur hood on the Canada Goose Expedition Parka is fantastic for blocking wind and spin drift. It also makes a strong style statement. This is an example of a parka that works well in very cold, everyday situations.
Is -5°F the high temp where you live? Do you wake up in the dark to clear the driveway with a snow blower? If this sounds like a typical winter day for you, you might be interested in what the Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage can offer. This burly winter parka provides incredible warmth and function in severe conditions. Designed for polar expeditions and long, frigid snowmobile commutes in the cold northern latitudes, it is undoubtedly the most niche jacket in our review. It's possible that it is too much jacket for most people, but if you need the ultimate in cold-weather protection, this one will fit the bill.
REASONS TO BUY
Incredibly warm
Many pockets
Great features
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky
Too heavy for most users
Not comfortable to sit in
February 2026 Update The Canada Goose Expedition Parka has been updated since we last tested the jacket. We reviewed the Heritage version, which includes a coyote fur ruff around the hood, but Canada Goose is phasing out the use of fur in their products, and while the regular non-fur version of the Expedition Parka is still available, the Heritage version is not. We confirmed with Canada Goose that other components of the jacket remain the same, and overall performance should be the same in both the Heritage and regular versions of the Expedition Parka.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Weighing in at 4 pounds 9 ounces, the Canada Goose Expedition Parka is the most substantial and bulkiest jacket in our review. The reason for this weight is the immense amount of 625-fill duck down and the heavy-duty Arctic Tech outer shell material. Storage is not an issue with a total of 10 exterior pockets, with a mix of zipper and Velcro closures, as well as one interior zippered pocket. Additional features like a snow skirt and best-in-the-business hood make this jacket one of the most effective dedicated winter parkas out there.
Like many specialized products, the very excellent Expedition Parka doesn't have high marks in all of our metrics. The overall performance of a product like this involves inherent compromises. Warmer jackets are often more bulky and less comfortable, for instance. The Expedition Parka optimizes for warmth at the expense of other things, hence the inconsistencies in its scores.
The hood and high collar work together to block out the coldest wind and blowing precipitation. Credit: Jediah Porter
Warmth
Unless you want to zip yourself into a full-body Himalayan down suit, you would be hard-pressed to find a warmer jacket elsewhere. It earned one of the best scores in this metric. During our review period, we saw temperatures from 40°F down to -10°F, and didn't catch the slightest chill.
This coat was comfortable while standing around, but it was too hot when doing something active like shoveling snow. This warmth comes from 625-fill duck down. Although it is not the highest quality down available, the amount of down fill, as well as its super dense shell, is the root of this parka's warmth. With the help of a Bluetooth thermometer, we monitored this jacket's interior temperatures while we stood around in 20°F nighttime temps in Utah's mountains. It managed to keep the interior temperature above 80°F.
It has a full parka length with a snow skirt and an insulated hood lined with genuine coyote fur that is roomy enough to fit a beanie under. This jacket does an excellent job of trapping body heat and keeping the cold out.
Enjoying a chilly mountain evening at 8750 feet above sea level in order to test our jacket's ability to retain heat. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Long rib-knit cuffs provide a superb seal while allowing gloves to be worn over the top. The only cold spots we could find were in the outer pockets, which are non-insulated.
Heading back from talking to a man about a horse. Despite 20°F temps, this jacket still heats up during simple, moderate activities like walking. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Weather Resistance
The Arctic Tech fabric that makes up the jacket's outer shell is burly and coated with a DWR treatment, making it one of the more wind and waterproof options.
While able to shed snow and sleet, the fabric did begin to show wetting in prolonged exposure to moisture. Again, if it is raining, it is probably way too warm to wear this parka, so it is unlikely you will find this a problem. Because it's meant to be used in the coldest of cold climates, the Expedition prioritizes warmth and wind resistance, and it excels in these aspects.
The huge cuff allows for even the biggest gauntlet style mitts to be used with ease. Credit: Jen Reynolds
The integrated snow skirt keeps updrafts from entering from below. An insulated adjustable hood with coyote fur trim keeps the face warm and is less ticklish and more resistant to freezing up than faux fur trims. (As of winter 25/26, the coyote fur ruff is no longer offered on the Expedition jacket.)
The “snow skirt” is something we expect on ski resort specific jackets. In this context, it makes sense to lock in that valuable heat. Credit: Jediah Porter
Comfort
We love the many insulative features on the Expedition, however, it is a beast of a jacket, and its bulk makes it tough to sit comfortably while wearing it. Also, due to the volume, this jacket is heavy and hard to move in. It is not the jacket for high-output activities like snowshoeing or XC skiing. It is simply made to keep you warm when standing around in temperatures well below zero. It earned a relatively low score for comfort due to these factors.
The size of the front zipper means that not only will this jacket be durable, but it is also much easier to operate with gloves on than any of the other contenders. This doesn't factor directly into wearing comfort, but anything that keeps us from having to take off our gloves again is a pro in our book.
While this jacket is really bulky, it doesn't seem all that bad when wearing insulated pants and winter boots. Credit: Jen Reynolds
Versatility and Style
This Canada Goose jacket has a distinct style that announces itself immediately. The instantly recognizable CG patch will earn you some clout, but this is a functional parka designed primarily for cold, inhospitable conditions, and so does not prioritize a flattering or sleek fit. It earned a score on the lower end of the group.
The cut is boxy and allows plenty of room to layer underneath, but it lacks the high fashion of the more casual parkas we reviewed.
This jacket's drawstring waist not only helps trap heat, it also is a nice style feature that gives this otherwise boxy jacket somewhat of a tailored look. We liked this option. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Canada Goose put every bell and whistle it could on this parka. The utility will be bliss for some wearers, while others may find the maximalist approach too much for their taste. That said, we were never short on storage; the only feature we wished for was an extra-large interior pocket for a thermos, gloves, or goggles.
There are a LOT of pockets on this jacket. Top load, side zipper, you name it, this jacket has it. Credit: Jen Reynolds
The hood uses a three-way adjustable drawcord to keep the snow and wind from whipping you in the face, and sticks out far enough to provide plenty of protection. The waist also uses a drawcord, although the fabric is so bulky that it is hard to cinch it tight. A Velcro snow skirt wraps tight around the inside waistband, keeping you dry when riding fast on a snow machine or walking out into a storm where the snow is blowing left, right, down, and up.
Look at all those pockets! You can carry a whole day's supplies in the pockets of this parka. Credit: Jediah Porter
Construction Quality
The Expedition Parka is a tank, and we did not experience any abnormal wear and tear issues during our test. In fact, even after a few years, we haven't noticed much visible wear on the jacket.
The zippers on this jacket are some of the largest on the market, and the Velcro closures are burly and held up well to the stresses of the massive outer fabric. With a lifetime guarantee, one can be assured that their investment is protected.
We loved the burly shell fabric for hard-working chores in brutally cold temps. Credit: Meagan Buck Porter
Should You Buy the Canada Goose Expedition Parka?
The Canada Goose Expedition is one of the warmest and most burly jackets available. It will keep you warm and happy if you have to spend extended time outside in extremely frigid regions. Practically speaking, if you live in a place that consistently gets extremely cold temperatures, the Expedition is our top recommendation. That said, this is somewhat of a niche parka, and it is definitely pricey; more than 2x the price of any other jacket we tested. It's comforting to know that the brand really does outperform every other parka when it comes to warmth. But does it perform 2x as well? We're not sure. You should recognize that you are at least partially buying the brand here, but if you like to splurge on unique clothing, this jacket will be your jam.
Shoveling snow in the front walkway is almost too much for this jacket. We quickly overheated thanks to the large amounts of down fill. This parka is better suited to more sedentary pursuits in really cold climates. Credit: Jen Reynolds
What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?
The Expedition is the most expensive jacket in our review. Although it is a significant investment, this is a jacket that should last for many years. However, there are other options well suited to everyday use that don't come with four-digit price tags. The Fjallraven Nuuk Parka and The North Face McMurdo Down Parka are also built for the intense cold, but they both come with a trimmer cut and a lot more wiggle room when it comes to cost.
The huge and protective hood of the Canada Goose Expedition parka does the job, but some will object to the use of real coyote fur. Credit: Jediah Porter
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage versus top competing products:
Power Responsibly Sourced Down, ethically sourced down monitored via The Canada Goose Down Transparency Standard which also mandates that all down adheres to the Five Freedoms policy set out by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)
