Fjallraven Nuuk - Women's Review

The Nuuk is comfortable and works in a broad range of conditions — partially because it's both exceptionally warm and water resistant. Even after years of testing, we have yet to find the lower temperature limit of this jacket's 250 grams of synthetic insulation. We've worn it out in temps dropping into the negative double digits (Fahrenheit) with bitter wind chills and stayed toasty. The adjustable hood, ruff, and collar provide ample coverage for the face and neck, while the thick and sturdy outer shell resists wind and moderate precipitation. The jacket features fleece-lined hand warmer pockets, along with several internal pockets to keep your valuables warm and close at hand. Although we have continuously struggled with a tricky zipper over the years, the Nuuk still topped our list when it comes to stylish weather protection.

Warmth

Our team has tested many iterations of the Nuuk in every condition, from the coldest temperatures on record in New England to the winter storms of the High Sierra. Over the years, our team has consistently found plenty of weather protection within the 100% Polyester Supreme Microloft insulation and the durable recycled polyamide outer shell provides ample water resistance and wind protection.

The Nuuk Parka's collar zips up to the nose, which is crucial for keeping you safe from frostbite in truly cold temperatures, especially when there's a wind chill. The most up-to-date version of this jacket also has a roomier cut in the collar and a fleece liner for the chin to increase comfort and allow room for a turtleneck sweater or a scarf underneath. The insulated hood is lined with soft microfleece and ringed with a faux-fur ruff that you can roll back out of your way or flip down to form a fur-lined tunnel to protect your face. The hood is oversized and very deep. A wire rim helps it to hold its shape so it doesn't flop down into your eyes, and a velcro tab in the back helps with this as well. You can also cinch the hood down around your face for the best performance in biting winds, although this will narrow your field of view.

While the hood itself isn't removable, the ruff can be removed. It attaches via a set of buttons; however, putting it back on the jacket is a bit of a pain. The generous cut of the jacket has plenty of room in the shoulders for easy layering, while the internal cinch cord at the waist helps trap precious body heat. There are no internal wrist cuffs, but you can tighten the cuffs using the large velcro straps on the outside. There are two fleece-lined hand-warming pockets that are strategically placed higher near the ribs to keep your hands even warmer and closer to your core, although this positioning may feel awkward for some. Overall, this design is built for some of the toughest winter conditions and will keep you warm as you brave cold weather conditions.

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Weather Resistance

The Nuuk's fabric has no problem cutting the wind. The design features an incredibly protective hood with an extendable fur ruff, along with a high collar that allows you to fully zip the jacket up to your nose, protecting your face during high winds. There is also a storm flap along the outside of the zipper to keep wind and wet weather out, secured by seven sturdy snaps. From light drizzles in the fall to nuking winter snowstorms, our testing team stayed warm and dry.

While Fjallraven advertises the Nuuk as a waterproof design, we couldn't help but notice how much the face fabric of the outer shell absorbed water during both our outdoor testing and objective shower tests. While water never penetrated the 100% polyurethane Hydratic membrane, the wet fabric increases the weight of this already heavy design and takes a long time to dry completely. After the shower and washing machine tests, the Nuuk was still damp a full day later. So, if you're hanging out in wet weather around the freezing point, the jacket may stiffen due to ice formation. Luckily, our under layers never got wet, so this is more of an annoyance than a real risk.

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Comfort

The Nuuk is reasonably comfortable, but can't compete with the lighterweight down options we tested. The relaxed fit that never feels restrictive or difficult to layer, bu this is one of the heaviest designs that we tested, weighing in at 4.2 pounds (for a US Women's size medium). However, the material moves so well that it doesn't feel too heavy, and our team loves the roomy collar that leaves plenty of space to breathe, even with the parka fully zipped. To be fair, some other jackets we tested basically felt like a sleeping bag with sleeves; they were that comfy. The Nuuk doesn't feel like that, but it does have more to offer when it comes to weather resistance without sacrificing too much comfort.

We also found the sleeve length to be quite long, and we often ended up tightening the opening on the wrist to keep it out of the way. And while we love the high collar, the fleece liner wasn't quite as comfortable as other parkas in our review due to the stiff nature of the outer shell fabric and zipper. Ultimately, the Nuuk provides a relaxed fit that's easy to layer thanks to the slippery internal lining, and offers as much comfort as you can expect from a jacket this burly. It kept our team cozy and comfortable during the gnarliest cold weather conditions.

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Versatility and Style

The loose-fitting cut that keeps the Nuuk so comfortable also defines its style, which is laid-back and classic. While it is not trim or figure-flattering, the cinch in the waist provides a bit more shape while also functioning as a mechanism to trap more body heat generated. Ultimately, the exceptional quality of the Nuuk does the most to define its style. From the lofty faux fur ruff to the leather zipper pull tab, this jacket feels intentional and thoughtful. The elbows are articulated, but the other fabric panels are quite simple. It has many, many pockets, but they are still impressively streamlined, tucking away nicely to keep the jacket from looking cluttered.

While the Nuuk provides enough unique style to be considered a classic silhouette, the overall weight of the design makes it only suitable for truly cold conditions. During our most recent testing period in late fall at Yosemite Valley, we found the construction perfect for the cold nights and even colder mornings. However, when daytime temperatures rose, the jacket was too warm and caused our testers to overheat. The heavyweight design is difficult to carry once you no longer need the insulation, and this isn't what we would consider a 3-season jacket; it is truly made for the depths of winter.

Construction Quality

The Nuuk is a heavyweight design that's built to last. The sturdy and supple fabric, sophisticated color palettes, consistent and tightly stitched seams, and flawlessly executed construction combine to look pretty great. Even after three seasons of consistent use, the exterior fabric is showing no signs of wear and tear. While the internal lining is thinner than that of other parkas we've tested, it remains unscathed and functions well when layering.

While there are many details on the Nuuk that inspire confidence in the longevity of the design, our testers docked some points due to the performance of the main zipper. The two-way zipper is difficult to engage, and sometimes gets stuck halfway up. Our men's team experienced the same issue with the men's version of the Nuuk. We always got the zipper to function (even if it took a few tries), but we're concerned about the long-term functionality of the zipper, as it was notoriously one of the worst offenders in this category. That said, every other feature, such as the snaps, zippers, and pockets, appears to be built to last, and Fjallraven offers a lifetime of repairs.

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The face fabric and liner are made of 100% recycled polyamide, and Fjallraven has a general sustainability statement as well.

Should You Buy the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka?

There's no doubt about it, the Fjallraven Nuuk is one of our favorite winter parkas when it comes to stylish, warm, and weather protection. It's a reliable adventure partner that will keep you covered from cold drizzles to temperatures well below zero. The relaxed fit is easy to layer and never restricts your full range of motion, while the oversized and adjustable hood will protect you from blustery winds. The fleece-lined hand pockets are very functional, keeping your hands near your core, while the impeccably designed pockets will keep your valuables safe and secure. The only hesitation we have with this incredible design is the difficulty we experienced with the main zipper; otherwise, it is our top choice when it comes to function and style during the coldest conditions.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

The Fjallraven Nuuk has a water-resistant, windproof, warm, and protective design, but, for those willing to invest in a parka that provides even more weather resistance and style, check out the Canada Goose Shelburne, although it is also more expensive. If you're after a more affordable winter parka that still offers solid weather protection, check out the REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka. The Stormhenge stands out thanks to its HydroWall nylon shell, DWR treatment, and waterproof zipper to keep you warm and cozy during inclement weather. If you are more concerned with comfort over weather resistance, the Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka or Patagonia Down With It Parka both earn high scores for comfort, warmth, and weather resistance. All of these these options cost many, many pretty pennies. If you are pinching yours, we recommend the Orolay Thickened Down parka. It's super warm and comfy but is a bit of a style statement.

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