REASONS TO BUY
Super warm
Roomy enough to layer under
Highly durable construction
DWR treatment without PFAs
Two-way zipper
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
The main zipper is sticky
Unisex sizing runs large
Feathered Friends Khumbu - Women's Review
This expedition parka is for ladies who are willing to forgo a little style for an outdoor layer that is designed to maximize warmth and last forever
The Khumbu was on number one during late season trips in the High Sierra. Although it's overkill for the everyday, it was hard to part with the design when it was time to start climbing.
Credit: Trish Matheny
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 9, 2026
RELATED: The Best Winter Jackets for Women
Our Verdict
The Feathered Friends Khumbu is one of our favorite designs in the lineup thanks to an outstanding combination of quality, warmth, comfort, and weather protection. It's not for everyone, but if you find yourself needing to stay warm in sub-zero temps and whipping winds, the Khumbu is irreplaceable. Wrapped in 900+ Goose Down within a durable water-repellent (DWR) treated shell, you're ready for the harshest conditions. We loved wearing this jacket everywhere from cold-weather cragging to late-season trips into the alpine or even camping trips during the shorter, colder days of the year. This jacket is really overkill for daily wear in most situations, but we loved how warm, comfortable, and protected we felt during the coldest conditions. We wish that main zipper wasn't so sticky and that the sizing was created specific to a woman's body, however, it's truly difficult to really complain about the Khumbu, it's the jacket we're reaching for to provide the most warmth and comfort during the worst forecast.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Feathered Friends Khumbu - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Winter Jacket |  Best Head-to-Toe Warmth for Daily Wear | Favorite Pick for Sleek Style during City Winters |  Best Value for Soggy Wet Winters | |
| Price | $789 List Check Price at Feathered Friends | $400 List Check Price at REI | $500 List Check Price at REI | $519 List Check Price at REI | $299 List Check Price at REI |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | We love this design for it superior warmth, excellent weather protection, and easy to layer style that you stay comfortable in the harshest conditions | A stylish and protective winter jacket that’s perfect for daily wear in almost any winter conditions | If you’re after a lightweight, warm, eco-friendly winter jacket design that doesn’t skimp when it comes to comfort and versatility, this is a good option for you to consider | A sleek and sophisticated design that doesn’t skimp on weather protection and is warm enough for most climates | An affordable winter jacket design that seeks to optimize weather resistance within an eco-friendly construction |
| Rating Categories | Feathered Friends Kh... | The North Face Arcti... | Outdoor Research Coz... | Patagonia Jackson Gl... | REI Co-op Stormhenge... |
| Warmth (30%) | |||||
| Weather Resistance (25%) | |||||
| Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Versatility and Style (10%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Feathered Friends Kh... | The North Face Arcti... | Outdoor Research Coz... | Patagonia Jackson Gl... | REI Co-op Stormhenge... |
| Insulation and Fill Power | 900+ Goose Down certified to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) | 600-fill Recycled Waterfowl Down | 700-fill down | 700-fill-power 100% Recycled Down (duck and goose down and waterfowl feathers reclaimed from down products) | 850-fill-power goose down |
| Fill Weight | 378 g | Not specified | 240 g | 170 g | 180 g (hem and cuffs) 80 g (hood and side panels) |
| Shell Material | Water and wind resistant Pertex Shield Laminate with PFC-free Durable Water Resistant (DWR) finish | Waterproof, breathable DRYVENT shell with a fluorine-free Durable Water Resistant (DWR)finish | Water and wind resistant. Not waterproof | Waterproof/breathable/windproof H2No recycled polyester | HydroWall 2-layer waterproof/windproof/breathable shell |
| Hood | Insulated, fixed | Adjustable, attached hood with zip-off, faux-fur trim | Cinchable, insulated, with a non-removable baffle | Insulated, fixed | Insulated, fixed |
| 2-Way Zipper | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Pockets | 2 zippered hand-warmer pockets, 1 external chest pocket, 2 (10” x 12”) interior mesh pockets |
2 zippered hand warmer, 1 drop-in interior | 2 zippered hand warmer, 1 interior zippered security, 1 interior pouch | 2 high-volume handwarmer pockets with hidden zippers, 1 media-compatible internal zippered pocket | 2 zippered, hipbelt-compatible hand pockets, 1 zippered chest pocket; 2 internal drop-in pockets |
| Measured Internal Temperature | 79.0 °F | 70.0 °F | 70.6 °F | 69.0 °F | 69.0 °F |
| Weight | 1.72 lbs (XS) | 2.6 lb (S) | 2.0 lb (S) | 2.44 lbs (S) | 1.76 lbs (S) |
| Sizes Available | XXS - 2XL (uni-sex) | XS - 2XL, Plus 1X - 3X | XS - 2XL | XS - XL | XS - 3XL |
| Social or Environmental Certifications | 98 g/m2 Made without perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs/PFAS). | 100% recycled down, 100% recycled polyester lining | Responsible Down Standard (RDS), Bluesign approved, 100% recycled nylon shell | (DWR) finish made without intentionally added PFAs | (DWR) made without PFAs, down treated with DWR made without PFAs, PFA-free waterproof membrane |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Likes
The Feathered Friends Khumbu is for those after maximum warmth and don't care what it takes (or looks like) to get there. We loved taking this design into the High Sierra during a late-season trip that promised high winds, harsh temperatures, and shorter days. Wrapped in 900+ Goose Down and a PFC-free DWR-treated outer, we felt sorry for our friends who didn't have such a high-quality layer to combat the cold.
The unisex sizing runs large, and the jacket is overkill for most daily conditions; however, it's extremely comfortable and easy to layer. The generous sizing also makes it easy to pass between you and your partner during long belays at the crag or during multi-pitch climbs in the mountains.
If you still to stay warm in harsh alpine conditions, the Khumbu does not disappoint. Credit: Trish Matheny
Dislikes
That zipper! While it's truly difficult for us to complain about this outstanding design, sometimes the main zipper would stick to the storm flap and require two hands to thread properly and zip tight. Considering the premium price, this was a difficult feature to deal with. It's also why we docked the quality score on a rather premium construction.
The Khumbu is also a pretty niche design. It lacks casual style for day-to-day wear and you'd definitely stand out in the crowd if you tried to wear it to the grocery store. Ultimately, the jacket lacks the versatility that we like to have in an everyday jacket, but still, when you need the insulation you really need it, and the Khumbu is perfect for the harshest conditions.
The construction quality and weather protection are all time, we just wish that main zipper wasn't so sticky. Credit: Trish Matheny
Should You Buy the Feathered Friends Khumbu?
If you live in a super cold climate, spend a ton of time outdoors during the winter, or are planning an upcoming expedition, you should definitely check out the Feathered Friends Khumbu. We love the outstanding warmth and weather protection, as well as the superior comfort and easy-to-layer fit. This is the jacket we're throwing on for late-season alpine missions, winter cragging, expeditions to cold climates, or superior warmth while living on the road. We can also support Feathered Friends' sustainable practices through their Responsible Down Standard certifications and PFC-free treatments, making it easy to support this high-quality brand with our dollars.
The Khumbu is our favorite design for late season trips into the alpine, cold weather cragging, or those who want to stay warm and layer easily on expedition. Credit: Trish Matheny
What Other Women's Winter Jackets Should You Consider?
If you want expedition-level warmth, but want a little stylish prestige, check out the Canada Goose Expedition Heritage Parka. It's an easily recognizable (and expensive) classic, but the warmth really lives up to the hype. If you're allergic to the price but still want something warm and durable enough for daily wear, we love the Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka. The Coze is a shin-length down parka that is very warm, but feels more appropriate to wear around town.
You'll be happy and comfortable in this expedition winter jacket that's somewhat overkill for everyday wear yet perfect for activity during harsh weather conditions. Credit: Trish Matheny
—Trish Matheny
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