Marmot Fordham Review

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Generous amounts of 700-fill down treated with Marmot's water-repellent Down Defender, and a heavy, densely woven, hardwearing exterior shell, allow the Fordham to effectively trap body heat. It doesn't share company with the most elite jackets on our list, but for a daily wearer, the Fordham is toasty, earning it noteworthy scores for warmth. The newest generation of this jacket kept us just as warm as the older ones.

Its 700-fill insulation is above average for its price point, making this jacket equally as warm as it is affordable. We noticed its outstanding warmth while wearing the Fordham daily during the coldest months of winter in northern latitudes.

A densely insulated removable hood is a key player in this jacket's ability to retain body heat. It utilizes the same 700-fill down and dense polyester shell as the top portion of the coat. The hood also integrates directly into the collar via Velcro tabs, making it one of the sturdiest removable hoods we've ever seen.

The Fordham falls a little short for weather resistance. It's not fully waterproof like many of the other options tested, but we still awarded it better-than-average scores across the board. All things considered, we feel its strong suit is wind resistance, but it may not hold up as well to heavy, wet precipitation.

Environmentally speaking, a 100% recycled polyester shell (post-consumer) gives the Fordham a leg up on the competition. This repurposed exterior is also super dense and rugged, making it much more resistant to tears when doing chores or partaking in winter activities like sledding.

We had to pull the hood forward to avoid getting water on our face during our “rain test” in the shower.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The shell tends to absorb water, but neither the insulation nor the interior of the jacket was ever affected.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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The Marmot has a decent amount of features, including a drawstring hood and hemline to help keep warmth from escaping, a storm flap behind the main zipper, and adjustable cuffs. It also has great pockets, with both top and side entry options.

Dislikes

We liked nearly everything about the Fordham, especially its construction quality. However, after testing a few versions of this jacket, we do have two consistent complaints.

Our biggest bag on this jacket is its shallow hood. Although amazingly insulated, we wished it extended out a bit further from our faces. The bill and sides of the hood don't cover much past the forehead, nose, and face, leaving them more exposed to wind, rain, cold, and snow. It is also more fitted, which can make it more difficult to fit over a beanie, which we like to do on colder days. And, during extreme precipitation, the less-protective hood allows rain or snow to more easily land on the face, and even sneak past the collar and chin guard into the jacket itself.

Even when we pulled the hood forward, it still offered much less coverage than other jackets we have tested.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

The shallow hood makes it easier to see from your peripherals, but won't keep your nose safe from numbing winds.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

Most of our body stayed dry during our “rain test”, but water easily got into the hood area, and we got a few drops down the neck.   Credit: Jason Wanlass

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We also wish the Fordham sported a longer hem line, which could greatly improve its coverage and protection. We realize that the shorter cut is a design choice made by the manufacturer, and that some may prefer this style. But after testing several versions of this jacket, we would prefer the hem to extend well below our back pockets. In Aesthetic terms, we prefer longer cuts, and it would make the Fordham a lot more protective as well.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

If a down puffy jacket is what you want and you don't need intense weatherproofing, we've got a full review of down jackets for you to check out. If you do want full weather protection, the Outdoor Research Stormcraft Down Parka offers the same down fill as the Fordham (700-fill), but it is surrounded by a bomber GoreTex shell. We also really love the rugged look of the Columbia Landroamer II, and it costs much less than the Fordham. The L.L. Bean Rugged Ridge Parka is nearly as weather-resistant and comfortable. It's not quite as warm, but it has great style, is made well, and is a good choice for moderately cold winters.