REASONS TO BUY
Parka length is warmer
Faux fur hood
Lightweight for its size
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky
Lacks a drawstring hem and waist
The North Face McMurdo Down Parka Review
A warm, stylish down parka that's built for rain, snow, wind, and cold temps, but lacks a bit when it comes to versatility
Credit: Jason Wanlass
By Jason Wanlass ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 9, 2026
RELATED: The Best Winter Jackets for Men
Our Verdict
We didn't give The North Face McMurdo Down Parka an award, but don't let that keep you from buying it. This is the second time we've tested it, and we're still convinced this parka crushes it when it comes to warmth and construction quality. It also bested many of its peers in weather resistance, particularly when it came to handling wet weather — turns out its DryVent waterproofing works. It kinda has that “bull in a china shop” bulk, so we'd definitely shy away from wearing this beast to a black-tie dinner or the opera. But wow, it's exactly what you'd want on a cold winter's night in the woods or a snowy day in the city.
Editor's Note: This is the second version of the McMurdo that we've tested in the last three years. We found this most recent jacket to be just as rugged and reliable as previous models.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
The North Face McMurdo Down Parka | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Men's Winter Jacket |  Best Value for Wetter Winters | |||
| Price | $450 List Check Price at REI | $535 List Check Price at REI | $299 List Check Price at REI | $240 List Check Price at REI | $189 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Extreme cold weather protection with a relatively affordable price tag | A cold weather parka that can meet nearly any winter climate head-on | A bargain from every angle, this parka offers a ton of features and quality for its price — it's just not as warm as our heavyweight options | It isn't the warmest of the entire bunch, but it's still a legitimate contender for general winter use | Not a bad option if you're looking to save some dough |
| Rating Categories | The North Face McMur... | Fjallraven Nuuk Parka | REI Co-op Stormhenge... | Columbia Landroamer II | Decathlon Quechua NH... |
| Warmth (30%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Versatility and Style (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | The North Face McMur... | Fjallraven Nuuk Parka | REI Co-op Stormhenge... | Columbia Landroamer II | Decathlon Quechua NH... |
| Insulation and Fill Power | 600-fill recycled waterfowl down | 100% recycled polyester | 850-fill-power goose down, polyester (98% recycled) | Synthetic | 100% polyester |
| Fill Weight | Not specified | 250 grams/ sq meter | 180 g hood, upper sleeves and lower back body, 80 g in side panels and underarms | 200 grams | 200 g/sqm body and 150 g/sqm arms |
| Weather Resistant Features | Seam-sealed DryVent 2L, Non-PFC DWR lining, stormflap zip, drawsting hood | Faux fur lined hood, cinchable hood and waist, adjustable cuffs, heavy exterior shell, rugged front zipper flap, water-resistant shell, | Water resistent down, HydroWall 2-layer, PFAS-free DWR, fully sealed seams, adustable hood and hem, waterproof zip | Drawstring hood and hem, main zipper storm flap, adjustable cuffs, sealed seams, Omni-Heat Infinity lining, | Waterproof membrane 15,000mm H2O (Schmerbers). 100% taped seams |
| Hood | Attached, Adjustable, Three-Piece Hood With Internal Drawcord With Cord Locks, Removable Faux-Fur Ruff | Cinchable, insulated with removable faux fur ruff | Insulated, helmet-friendly, 3-way adjustable, sleeping-bag-style draft tube | Removable, insulated, cinchable | Detachahable, adjustable |
| Shell Fabric | 70D X 160D DryVent 2L 100% recycled nylon woven with non-PFC DWR finish | Polyamide | HydroWall 2-layer 94% recycled ripstop nylon/3% nylon/3% polyester, PFAS-free DWR | 100% polyester | 100% polyester |
| 2-Way Zipper | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Pockets | 2 dual entry hook and loop flap hand pockets, 2 external zippered chest | 2 zippered breast pockets; 2 buttoned breast pockets; 2 top-loading bellow pockets; 2 fleece-lined handwarmer pockets; 1 media pocket on sleeve, 2 internal zippered chest pockets, 2 internal mesh stash drop-in pockets | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered exterior chest, 2 internal drop-in pockets | 2 exterior top-loading chest, 2 exterior top-loading waist, 1 zippered chest, 2 zippered waist, | 2 zippered hand, 1 interior zippered chest, 1 interior mesh stash drop-in pocket |
| Measured Internal Temperature | 79.0 °F | 80.2 °F | 73.0 °F | 75 °F | 73.2 °F |
| Weight | 3.5 lb (XL) | 4.6 lb (2XL) | 2.1 lb (XL) | 3.2 lb (XLT) | 2.9 lb (2XL) |
| Available Sizes | XS - 3XL | XS - 3XL | S - 3XL | S - 3XL | S - 3XL |
| Social or Environmental Certifications | 100% recycled shell, lining and down, non-PFC DWR. | Shell, lining, and filling made from 100% recycled polyester | Fair Trade Certified Factory, Contains recycled materials, Contains materials that meet the bluesign criteria, from a Climate Label Certified brand | None specified | None specified |
Our Analysis and Test Results
This is a legitimate winter parka. We don't think it's built for extremely frigid temps (the kind you'd find in the Arctic) but we liked that it handled nearly everything else Utah's winter could throw at us. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Likes
As a classic parka, we think the McMurdo Down definitely has style. Sure, this massive jacket wasn't our go-to for every occasion, but for the times we did wear it, it made us feel like a professional bobsledder. We liked this vibe a lot. This jacket is weighty, well-insulated with 600-fill down, and it has a synthetic fur-lined hood that looks pretty cool. All combined, we think the McMurdo just has a certain look and feel that most guys will like — a perfect mix of Arctic explorer and urban warrior. The North Face doesn't mess around with their clothing designs, and we feel they knocked this one out of the park.
All style points aside, the McMurdo is a serious cold-weather instrument that really packs a punch when it comes to keeping you warm and protecting you from rain and snow, but we do think it could up its game when it comes to blocking wind. This jacket's parka-length shell is composed of a dense nylon weave that is reinforced with a waterproof DryVent membrane (the manufacturer's equivalent to Gore-Tex). We usually test our jackets in the shower, but a conveniently timed autumn storm allowed us to test the McMurdo against Mother Nature herself. We were happy that it kept us dry and warm, even after 20 minutes of solid rain. However, during heavy rain or snow, the hood fur quickly saturated, grew increasingly heavy, and resembled a dripping wet rat. The fur ruff is removable, and if rain is in your forecast, we'd definitely recommend taking it off.
Circling back on this jacket's wind protection: We were certainly pleased with its overall defense, but we feel it needs both a drawstring waist and hem to really compete with the big boys. Having the ability to cinch these two areas blocks cold winds from entering the jacket from the bottom opening and zapping your warmth. On the positive side, its longer parka length does hang below the waist, giving it a bit more wind protection when compared to standard-length coats.
Showing how the hem of the McMurdo doesn't cinch close to the body. We really think having the ability to close the bottom of this jacket could be a game changer in wind protection and overall body-heat retention,. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Showing the McMurdo's longer coattail. It gives the jacket a stylish look, but it also protects better than standard-length coats. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Disikes
The fake fur around the hood is pretty sweet, but there was a lot that we didn't like about it. It's removable (a real plus), but it is held in place by five small, plastic snaps. We don't feel this is adequate, and even worse, there is a five-inch opening between each snap, making the fur less effective at blocking wind and making the hood system more prone to heat loss. We would have preferred a zippered attachment here.
A close up of one of the plastic snaps that hold the faux fure trim in place. We feel they're weak. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Showing the gaps between each snap. We think it kind of defeats the purpose of the fur trim. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Additionally, in breezier conditions, we didn't like that the synthetic fur would blow around and tickle our face. We know this makes us sound like crybabies, but the struggle was real.
We loved the look of the faux fur, but even the slightest breeze blew the fibers into our face. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Another notable annoyance centered on the shock cords that tighten the hood. We did not like that the plastic locking toggles sit on the inside of the jacket. When the jacket and hood are fully zipped and cinched, the toggles ride directly against the chin and face. We grew tired of this.
We don't like this design. Simply put, we feel these toggle locks should be placed somewhere else -- away from the face. Credit: Jason Wanlass
Should You Buy the The North Face McMurdo Down Parka?
Absolutely! We think the McMurdo Down Parka is a solid choice for cold weather. It's warm, blocks the wind well enough, and it certainly holds its own against rain and snow. We all love this jacket, but unfortunately, not everyone gets a trophy — we don't play that way here at GearLab. However, trust us when we say we definitely wanted to give an award to the McMurdo. Its design is too similar to some of the other winners in our lineup, so we just couldn't find a place for it. But if a stylish, well-made parka from a reputable company is what you're looking for, swipe your card and don't look back. We don't think you'll be disappointed.
Even though it tickles a bit, we liked the look of the fur trim. It looks like the real thing, and if you don't like it, it can be easily removed. Credit: Jason Wanlass
What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?
The McMurdo has two big brothers that bested it in most of our metrics. Both of them will cost you more, but we also feel that they're warmer and better-made. So, if money isn't a concern and performance is a must, we think you'll love the Canada Goose Expedition Parka and the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka. We also love the warmth of the Feathered Friends Khumbu Parka. It doesn't have the same design features as the McMurdo, but it's a bona fide expedition puffy that is ethically built and sure to keep you warm.
—Jason Wanlass
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