Fjallraven Nuuk Parka Review

The Fjallraven Nuuk Parka was designed by people who understand winter. This jacket is unique because it holds fast to its Swedish roots while blending modern styling and performance. In honor of its Fjallraven name, we conducted many of our warmth tests in its country of origin, Sweden. We spent more than a week above the Arctic Circle in the dead of winter, the sun never rose, and temps hovered below zero.

Warmth

There's nothing like the feel of a light and cozy down comforter, but sometimes you just want the security of an extra-heavy handmade quilt to keep you warm. That's exactly the kind of warmth the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka offers.

This jacket is all about carefully constructed synthetic insulation that gives it a concentrated, weighty feel — something we really liked. We've tested and worn the same Nuuk jacket for more than two years, and have repeatedly found its proprietary Supreme Microloft insulation to be incredibly responsive and reliable, even in the worst weather conditions. Some synthetic insulations pack down over time and lose their warmth, but not so with the Nuuk. The two best things about the insulation are that it's made from 100-percent recycled polyester, and it actually mimics real down (thanks to Fjallraven's special recipe).

We were able to confirm this jacket's heat-saving abilities through the use of thermal images. During a recent 22°F night, we took comparison photos of the Nuuk and two other parkas in our lineup. These side-by-side images clearly show how the Nuuk's superior construction and insulation hold in body heat better than its competition. The lighter colors denote escaping heat, while the darker colors show the level of heat retention.

We wore this parka extensively while hunting for the northern lights in Sweden's Lapland, where December temps barely reached 0°F during the day and plunged to -15°F at night. Closer to home, the Nuuk was our go-to daily wear during the coldest stretches of Utah winters. More recently, we spent several weeks wearing the Nuuk as we braved Europe in January. After years of personal experience in a wide variety of climates and locations, we know one thing is for sure: whether you're in the woods, the city, or anywhere in between, this jacket is built to keep you warm.

The Nuuk is not a professional-grade expedition parka, but it is styled like one. On its own (without extra layers), it kept us plenty warm down to 15°F. When we combined it with ski pants, gloves, a beanie, and some serious midlayers, it kept us warm enough to spend hours outside watching the northern lights at -15°F.

Its cold-weather abilities were backed up by our temp tests, where we used a Bluetooth thermometer to record body temperature inside our Nuuk. On the outside stern of a ferry in the middle of the Gulf of Finland, where the outside temp was 9°F (internal reading 78.2°F), and then again at home, where the outside temp was 18°F (internal reading 80.2°F), the Nuuk recorded some of our very best internal temperature scores.

The trench-style coat extends to the upper thigh, which provides heat to the lower body. The fleece-lined, removable hood is also insulated and lined with faux fur. Two easy-to-reach drawstrings cinch it tight around the head, reducing vision significantly but keeping the wind off the sensitive skin of the face.

This jacket's recycled polyester shell feels like canvas and offers an excellent first line of defense against the cold. This super-dense fabric is laminated with a polyurethane barrier, which adds water- and windproofing, and it also helps keep warm air trapped inside the insulation and cold air on the outside. One minor drawback to this densely layered system is that it is less breathable, so you'll sweat a little more if you're overly active while wearing it. We feel the Nuuk is an all-purpose jacket that is well suited for nearly any winter activity; however, we enjoyed it most for activities with longer exposure to more extreme cold — walking, bonfires, ice fishing, and sledding.

As stated, the Nuuk is warm, but on truly frigid days when temps are well below zero, you will definitely need to layer up. Luckily, the cut is roomy enough that we could comfortably fit 2-3 layers underneath. The parka's one weak spot is its hem. It doesn't have a drawstring, so it can't be cinched tightly around the lower body. However, in temps above 0°F, we didn't feel this was much of an issue. It does have a cinch higher up around the waist, though. Our favorite feature was the massive fleece-lined collar that extended well above our nose.

Weather Resistance

Weather resistance is the key differentiator between a down puffy and a winter parka. Designed for cold, wet Scandinavian winters, the Nuuk does a good job of keeping out the worst winter weather. The recycled polyamide shell is waterproof, and its synthetic insulation stays warm and lofty even if it gets wet (unlike down, which loses all insulating power when wet).

The long hem, deep handwarmer pockets, and huge fur-lined hood help keep the elements at bay. However, the shell fabric loses its DWR coating over time and wets out during the fiercest deluges. During prolonged exposure to water, the outer shell fabric had a tendency to absorb moisture, making the jacket waterlogged and heavy. However, thanks to its hardy, waterproof membrane, the water didn't reach the interior, and the insulation remained dry.

To test wind resistance, we stood aboard the open stern of the Tallink Silja while crossing the Gulf of Finland, where temps were 9°F, and wind speeds were about 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. These conditions were a bit more extreme than a typical city jaunt to the local java stop, but we thought it was a perfect opportunity to test our Nuuk to its limits. Overall, it blocked the wind very well.

An overlooked but very important feature the Nuuk offers is its full-length main zipper storm flap. We love that it's wide, dense, and it securely snaps into place with quality metal hardware. A substantial storm flap blocks wind from penetrating small gaps in the zipper teeth. It also shields the body from rain or snow and helps to minimize heat loss.

Comfort

The Fjallraven Nuuk is a moderately comfortable garment to wear. It's a bit bulky, but the soft interior polyester liner fabric lies gently against the skin. Every key peripheral feature of the jacket — the hood, collar, and pockets — is lined with soft fleece.

The hood effectively creates a micro-climate of calm around the face while still allowing enough room for a beanie underneath. One slight downside to the jacket's comfort is its weight. We measured our size 2XL at 4.64 pounds, making it the heaviest jacket in our review. This added weight and bulk does not lend itself well to highly physical activities. However, we certainly weren't feeling the extra heft during extended stays in the cold while sledding, winter camping, or standing for hours watching the aurora borealis.

Although roomy enough to accommodate additional layers, the Nuuk doesn't overdo it when it comes to size — a feature we really enjoyed. Even when sporting a base layer, long-sleeve shirt, and a light down puffy underneath, we never felt overly confined, but we didn't feel like we were wearing a circus tent either. We did, however, have two consistent complaints when it came to comfort: the main zipper can be difficult to lock in for that initial pull, something we're still complaining about. The Nuuk is also not the best travel companion, and carrying it under the arm is really the only option when it comes to hotel lobbies, train stations, and airport terminals. It's simply too bulky to pack in a duffel or carry-on bag.

Versatility and Style

Despite its somewhat bulky polar vibe, the Nuuk still pulls off an urban-native look that allows it to be utilitarian but stylish. It didn't garner our highest marks in this metric, but if you like a rustic style, you'll be happy. Given its heavy, parka-length design, the Nuuk is slightly less versatile than your average everyday winter coat. However, its numerous pockets, long hem, straight cut, fur-lined hood, drawstring waist, and leather accents effectively combine to produce a unique style immediately recognizable as Fjallraven.

It is a fashion-forward jacket and helps the user stand out in a crowd during winter weather. We probably wouldn't wear the Fjallraven Nuuk to a fine restaurant, a formal gathering, or to the symphony, but we do think it has enough of a look to feel just as at home on a casual walk through the city as it does in the woods. Earthy color tones give it a subdued, unassuming look that allows it to blend in with your everyday clothes. What we loved most was its detachable fur ruff on the hood. When removed, the Nuuk can go from looking dog-sled-ready to more urban-chill.

The Nuuk has pockets in droves. Whether you need to securely store a phone or wallet, or stuff larger items like a scarf or gloves, this jacket has a place for everything. Its exterior dons four massive snapping cargo pockets (two chest, two waist). We loved the added protection their large flaps offered against rain and snow. Our favorite pockets are the two top-opening waist pockets and two fleece-lined waist hand-warmer pockets. They're a perfect place to rest or warm your hands while walking. They're also great for quickly storing something while on the go. And, even after years of use, ours show no wear and tear.

Worth specific mention are the two side-zip breast pockets. Simply put, they are massive, measuring 11" X 12". Their chest-height side access and leather zipper pulls make them super easy to access, while their deep reservoirs allow items to settle safely below the zipper opening. This is an excellent design that gives quick access to important cargo but also makes them a difficult target for pickpockets. While traveling, we chose to use them for storing valuables.

Construction Quality

After 2+ years of wearing the jacket, the true quality of the Nuuk's construction is apparent. The Nuuk's outer shell is thick and canvas-like, and slides easily over rough surfaces without scratching or snagging. Upon close inspection, we found an obvious attention to detail in the leather zipper pulls, quality materials, and excellent stitching — we didn't find much to question or complain about.

Stitching, in particular, is a detail that is often overlooked, but it can be the difference in how well an outdoor garment holds up over time. Nearly every seam of the Nuuk contains 12 stitches per linear inch. This is the norm for higher-quality products. During our scratch tests, the exterior shell showed no signs of damage, but the Nuuk's silkier inner liner was more prone to snags.

On the negative side, the Velcro on the cuff straps eventually wears out. We would prefer metal snaps instead. Additionally, we didn't like that some of the polyester fill appeared to bleed through onto the liner after repeated use. This doesn't change the functionality of the jacket; it's just slightly annoying to see.

Should You Buy the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka?

It's gonna cost you a bit of cash, but we think the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka brings a lot of value to the table for a large audience. Warmth and construction quality are two of its most desired characteristics. So, if you are looking for a jacket that will shield you from a variety of winter weather conditions, the Nuuk certainly will have your back. Likewise, its quality is second to none, so you're buying a coat that could last you decades — and it boasts enough classic style points that you'll still want to wear it in 10 years. We wouldn't push this coat below 0°F without substantial extra layers. That said, it's built for cold and will keep you especially toasty during average winter weather. From ice skating to walking the city to winter camping, the Nuuk is an ideal choice for just about any place you're headed.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

If you prefer down insulation over synthetic, the The North Face McMurdo is about the closest jacket to the Nuuk in our lineup. It offers 600-fill, and is shielded with a waterproof, nylon exterior. The Canada Goose Expedition Parka bests the Nuuk in warmth and construction quality. This jacket is straight up built for the Arctic, and it won't leave you hanging when it comes to protecting you from the elements. If you're simply looking for a reasonably warm parka at a great price, you'll love the Columbia Landroamer II.