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Canada Goose Expedition Heritage Parka - Women's Review

This jacket keeps you alive in killer weather but is too much for most conditions
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Canada Goose Expedition Heritage Parka - Women's Review (An authentic coyote-fur ruff can be polarizing.)
An authentic coyote-fur ruff can be polarizing.
Credit: Clark Tate
Price:  $1,950 List
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Manufacturer:   Canada Goose
By Clark Tate ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Feb 26, 2024
83
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 15
  • Warmth - 30% 10.0
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 10.0
  • Comfort - 25% 6.0
  • Versatility and Style - 10% 4.0
  • Construction Quality - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

It is hard to find environments challenging enough to put the Canada Goose Expedition Parka Heritage to good use. A -20°F (with wind chill) walk near the Canadian border in Vermont did the trick. With its bombproof shell, 625-fill duck down, and periscope of a hood lined in real coyote fur, cold weather and sideways snow didn't have a chance. It's our top-pick winter jacket for extreme conditions. Since Canada Goose developed this parka for scientists at the McMurdo Station in Antarctica, that makes sense. They rate it for -22°F and below. If you're in extreme weather often enough to need this jacket, it's a revelation. If you're not legitimately risking frostbite when heading outside, you could go with a less intense jacket. Our women's winter jacket review compares all the parkas we tested side-by-side.
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely warm
Waterproof
Lots of pockets
Soft collar
REASONS TO AVOID
Too warm for most conditions
Heavy
Crazy expensive
Editor's Note: We updated the Canada Goose Expedition Parka review February 26, 2024, with comparisons to other jackets we've tested.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best for Extreme Conditions
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Women's Winter Jacket
Top Pick Award
Best for Passive Cold Weather Activities
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
Best Buy Award
Best Winter Jacket on a Tight Budget
Price $1,950 List$424.96 at Amazon
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$298.21 at Amazon
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$174.83 at REI
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$150 List
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Bottom Line For the few people who need fail-proof protection in temperatures of -22 and below, this is the one for youDurable and nearly weatherproof, this jacket is a great option for frigid winter weatherThis soft down jacket is the next best thing to staying in your sleeping bag, wrapping you up from your head to your mid-calvesA highly protective winter jacket that won't break the bankAn excellent option as long as you can handle flashy silver zippers and ribbons
Rating Categories Canada Goose Expedi... Fjallraven Nuuk - W... Outdoor Research Co... The North Face Arct... Orolay Thickened Down
Warmth (30%)
10.0
9.0
9.5
8.0
8.0
Weather Resistance (25%)
10.0
8.0
7.0
8.5
5.0
Comfort (25%)
6.0
8.0
10.0
7.0
8.0
Versatility and Style (10%)
4.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
4.0
Construction Quality (10%)
9.0
9.0
6.0
8.0
6.0
Specs Canada Goose Expedi... Fjallraven Nuuk - W... Outdoor Research Co... The North Face Arct... Orolay Thickened Down
Measured Internal Temperature 74.5 °F 76.0 °F 70.6 °F 68.7 °F 68.8 °F
Insulation and Fill Power 625-fill duck down Supreme Microloft (100% polyester) 700-fill down 600-fill recycled down 700-fill power (90% white duck down, 10% feathers)
Fill Weight Not specified 250 g 240 g Not specified Not specified
Hood Insulated with detachable coyote fur trim Insulated with detachable faux fur trim Adjustable Adjustable, insulated with removable faux fur trim Insulated
Pockets 2 zippered large hand warmer, 4 exterior velcro, 1 sleeve utility, 1 flap-closure sleeve, 2 internal pockets - 1 zippered security, 1 drop-in 6 external - 2 chest, 2 hand warmer, 2 catchall. 5 internal - 2 zippered, 1 button, 2 mesh catchall. 2 zippered hand warmer, 1 internal zippered security, 1 internal pouch 2 zippered hand warmer, 1 drop-in interior 2 hand warmer, 2 zippered straight pockets, 2 zippered chest external, 1 zippered chest internal
Weight (size small) 4.6 lb 3.7 lb 2.0 lb 2.6 lb 2.9 lb
2-Way Zipper Yes Yes Yes Yes N0
Weather Resistant Features Waterproof, windproof Waterproof, windproof Water and wind resistant Waterproof, windproof, breathable (DryVent), non-PFC DWR Wind resistant fabric
Sizes Available XXS - XL XXS - 2XL XS - 2XL XS - 2XL XXS - 5XL
Social or Environmental Certifications Ethically sourced real wild fur and down monitored via The Canada Goose Fur Transparency Standard and 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). Fluorocarbon-free impregnation Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Bluesign approved, 100% recycled nylon shell 100% recycled down, 100% recycled polyester lining Certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS)

Our Analysis and Test Results

Excellent in its element, the Expedition Jacket is a fortress against frigid temps and biting winds. Since it was designed for scientists and all the gear they carry, Canada Goose gives you pockets galore — four hand-warming side pockets underneath four drop-in pockets, two on your sleeve, two internal options. Ample 625-fill duck down is held around you by durable Arctic-tech fabric. It weighs a startling 4.6 pounds and earns every bit of it in the right conditions.

Performance Comparison


canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - slap on a pair of goggles, and you'll have little to no skin exposed.
Slap on a pair of goggles, and you'll have little to no skin exposed.
Credit: Clark Tate

Warmth


This jacket is nothing if not warm. As we mentioned, the Expedition shrugged off -20°F wind chills on a stroll. The only real challenge is finding pants warm enough to keep up. This extreme heat retention does limit the jacket's versatility. For example, a moderate snowshoe jaunt in sunny, 5-degree weather had us sweating. That said, it was comfortable for a slow walk on a 32°F day with biting winds. We had the hood up, the zipper undone, and the Velcro storm flap partially latched. When we sped up the tempo in any temperature above zero, we got hot in a hurry. The Expedition is one of the highest-scoring jackets in our review, and it's hard to imagine any jacket being warmer. While the interior temperature of this jacket didn't quite measure the highest, the incredible features that hold in heat make it a cut above when it comes to warmth.


Aside from the bomber, wind-stopping, waterproof fabric, and fluffy 625-fill duck down, the jacket includes several Arctic-smart features. There are two storm flaps, one above and one beneath the zipper. The hood is lined with genuine coyote fur, a removable ruff that works wonders to cut the wind and hold heat around your face. You can roll the ruff back to frame your face or flip it out on a wire-rimmed brim that blocks wind or harsh reflective sunlight while still giving you a reasonable field of view.


Real Coyote Fur — Most winter jackets force us to consider whether we're okay with using goose or duck feathers to keep us warm and, if so, what type of animal treatment we can live with. Few jackets require us to address whether or not we're okay with hunting wild coyotes in the US and Canada.

There are two main factors to consider. One is the environmental impact, and the other is each animal's right to life and respectful death. Predators have a much more significant impact on ecological health than prey species since they control prey numbers and, thus, the number of plants those animals eat. So it's essential to know how the coyote population is doing. According to the International Union of Conservation Species (IUCS), the North American coyote is a species of least concern, and its numbers are growing, a promising sign.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - we often kept the expedition parka unzipped to regulate its extreme...
We often kept the Expedition Parka unzipped to regulate its extreme warmth.
Credit: Clark Tate

The jacket color also zips up to your eyeballs, meaning you only need to add goggles to block out cold air. The collar is tight in size small, though, jamming against our mouth and nose, making it hard to breathe. If you need this feature often, consider sizing up. Rib-knit cuff gaskets hold heat and are soft on your wrists, tucking away in your sleeves to stay dry. A nylon snow skirt and drawcord waist keep cold air from infiltrating your core. The four hand-warming pockets aren't insulated, but they add wind and weather protection.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - the soft rib cuffs are pleasant and tuck into the sleeve enough to...
The soft rib cuffs are pleasant and tuck into the sleeve enough to stay out of the snow, usually.
Credit: Clark Tate

Weather Resistance


The weather protection that the Expedition Parka offers is arguably more impressive than its warmth. When we tested the jacket in the shower with the hood flap extended, we could barely even hear the water. With most of these jackets, we had to be careful not to let the water come right in at our faces. In this coat, it didn't matter. The water couldn't dodge that hood. We tried.


You're not supposed to get the ruff wet (after all, water should be frozen at the temps you'll need this jacket), but we did. It smells like a wet coyote, and it hits home that lives were taken to keep you warm. The Arctic-tech fabric shrugs off water like few materials we've tested and is similarly effective at blocking wind.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - while this coat is heavy, integrated straps make it a breeze to...
While this coat is heavy, integrated straps make it a breeze to carry around.
Credit: Clark Tate

Comfort


This jacket can keep you wildly comfortable in inhospitable conditions but is not an easy-wearing coat, and it earned a 6 out of 10 for comfort. At 4.6 pounds, it's heavy. We don't notice it while wearing it continuously, but it can feel like a lot if you're commuting or moving in and out of doors often. The internal shoulder straps that let you tote it around like a backpack help a lot.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - the internal pockets are disappointingly small. the powder skirt and...
The internal pockets are disappointingly small. The powder skirt and drawcord help keep the jacket sealed and fitted.
Credit: Clark Tate

Burly enough to block out Arctic conditions, the fabric is somewhat stiff. When you're all zipped up and you sit down, the jacket raises above your shoulders and into your face. When you walk, the bottom strip of Velcro always rips apart. The coat has a generous cut in the shoulders but is straight through the body and can feel restrictive. It worked much better when we tightened the waist strap, forming a bell shape around our hips. Still, you may want to consider sizing up to give you more room for thick layers and more space in the collar, which is tight when zipped.


The collar is lined with the most luxurious high-pile fleece we've ever experienced. You want that collar to fit so your chin can snuggle it. The cuffs are soft as well, offering small comforts in harsh conditions.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - we consider this parka to be arctic scientist chic. its form is...
We consider this parka to be Arctic scientist chic. Its form is completely driven by function.
Credit: Clark Tate

Versatility and Style


If your style is super-hardcore Arctic explorer or scientist chic, you'll be nailing it with this one. Most of our testers don't fall into this demographic. Function is fully guiding form here. You don't feel cute in this jacket. You feel ready.


Due to its extreme winter-readiness, this jacket is not a versatile one. It's so easy to overheat, you need to manage how much you sweat. The jacket doesn't breathe particularly well, and when we were working hard, the moisture has nowhere to go and clung to even our techy wool base layers. Being wet is uncomfortable and can give you a chill, so you have to pay attention to your activity level in warmer temps.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - the only part of this parka that seems vulnerable are the velcro...
The only part of this parka that seems vulnerable are the Velcro patches. They already have loose strands and can wear down over time.
Credit: Clark Tate

Construction Quality


Again, the Arctic-tech fabric seems indestructible, and even the softer lining fabric feels sturdy and tightly woven. The zippers appear to be high quality, and the hood isn't removable, so there is little to fail there. All told, we don't expect any significant durability issues with this jacket.


However, some sloppy details are annoying in a jacket at this price point. The storm flap uses Velcro to hold it closed over the zipper. That's great if you need to slap it shut while wearing mittens, but Velcro can wear out over time. Some of the strips on our test jacket are already losing threads. It's not likely to cause catastrophic failure, but we wish the stripes were more robust.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - it may be overkill for runs to the market, but if you're heading to...
It may be overkill for runs to the market, but if you're heading to the Arctic, you'll get use out of it for years.
Credit: Clark Tate

Should You Buy the Canada Goose Expedition Parka?


Canada Goose has a reputation for durability, and we'd expect this jacket to last long enough to earn its keep if you need it, outlasting most other jackets. If you're likely to find yourself in biting winds and bitter temps on a featureless polar plain with shades of white stretching to the horizon, it's an easy decision. But it could also be a great companion for snowmobilers sitting still in negative temps or anyone in extreme latitudes who refuses to let the weather keep them inside.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - this parka is comforting when heading out for a walk as temperatures...
This parka is comforting when heading out for a walk as temperatures dive past -10 degrees.
Credit: Clark Tate

You'll also have to consider your own environmental and ethical values. Coyote populations are doing well, but you'll have to be okay with trapping one to buy this jacket. Most of their jacket production occurs in Canada, and they claim a zero-tolerance policy against human rights abuses.

canada goose expedition heritage parka for women - not gonna lie, we feel like the real deal in this jacket.
Not gonna lie, we feel like the real deal in this jacket.
Credit: Clark Tate

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?


It is likely worth the cost for anyone who truly needs this jacket, and there is no better option. If you rarely, if ever, expect to be outside for extended periods in temperatures dropping into the negative double digits, it's a lot of money and more jacket than you would realistically need. Similar but less aggressively warm winter jackets include the Fjallraven Nuuk and The North Face Arctic Parka.

Clark Tate