REASONS TO BUY
Longer length is very warm
Baffled neck
Wrist cuffs with thumb loops
Lightweight and comfortable
Windproof
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Limited water resistance
Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka Review
This parka is as warm and comfy as it looks, thanks to responsibly sourced down, longer length, and a large hood that traps body heat
Credit: Trish Matheny
By Trish Matheny ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ November 4, 2025
RELATED: The Best Winter Jackets for Women
Our Verdict
Aptly named, the Outdoor Research's Coze design is just that: one of the softest and coziest winter jackets that we've tested. It has 240 grams of 700-fill down insulation, an extra-long hemline, and snug wrist cuffs that provide exceptional warmth and comfort during the coldest months of the year. Reaching mid-calf on our 5'6" tester, the Coze feels just like wearing a giant sleeping bag along with an overstuffed hood and baffled neck that shield your face and neck from blustery winds and precipitation.
The lightweight construction increases versatility, while the responsibly sourced design and recycled materials maintain a high standard of quality. Although the Coze isn't the most flattering of winter jackets we tested, our testers happily trade a little bit of style in exchange for the longer hemline and cozy warmth.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Outdoor Research Coze jacket features one of the longest hemlines in our winter jacket lineup, providing a game-changing level of warmth that will make it difficult to ever go back to a waist-length puffy jacket. The oversized hood, along with baffled ruff and neck, increases weather resistance without sacrificing comfort, while the fleece-lined and zippered hand pockets take the edge off if you forget your gloves. While not the most stylish nor water-resistant design, the Coze quickly became our go-to parka when temperatures plummeted, thanks to its unparalleled warmth and comfort.
The Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka lives up to its name, providing a soft and cozy protective outer shell to combat the coldest months of the year.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Warmth
The Outdoor Research Coze is one of the warmest winter jackets that we tested, mostly thanks to an extra-long cut, oversized hood, baffled neck, and internal wrist cuffs with thumb loops that provide ample coverage and protection from the elements. The 700-fill power down kept our core warm and cozy, even when temperatures fell below freezing. When fully zipped, the overstuffed hood extends beyond the nose, and the large neck baffle works to keep strong winds from creeping down your back. Internal wrist gaiters can be pulled over the hand for more coverage or bunched up at the wrist, a detail our testers appreciated during cold bike commutes on late fall mornings.
Two zippered and fleece-lined hand pockets keep your hands warm and dry, and the internal zippered chest pocket is large enough to store your phone and keep the battery from draining in cold conditions. The Coze also features an internal mesh pouch that's perfect for storing gloves or a hat if you start to get too warm, which might happen in this jacket.
The hood includes what Outdoor Research refers to as a baffle ruff rather than faux fur. It is meant to provide similar protection for the face and neck. In our experience, it's hard to compete with the insulative properties of faux fur, but this baffle does a pretty good job. It is adjustable, although not removable. The 700 down fill insulation found throughout the jacket provides great protection from the cold, but when seated, you inevitably compress the down, leaving little to insulate you from cold surfaces such as metal bleachers or concrete picnic benches.
The oversized hood, high collar, wrist gaiters, and long hemline make this one of the coziest and warmest designs that we tested.
Weather Resistance
Although it doesn't offer complete water protection, the Coze performed reasonably well in our objective shower tests as well as during rainstorms within our late fall testing period. The DWR (Durable water repellent) treated outer shell is water-resistant, allowing water to easily bead away from the fabric, while the oversized hood extends beyond the nose to keep water from hitting the face and neck. However, DWR treatments wear off over time, and you will need to reapply each season to keep the waterproofing up to snuff.
The brushed tricot-lined draft collar is similar to your favorite sleeping bag, not only keeping your protected from the wind but also providing a soft and cozy lining to support your neck. The main zipper is a YKK Vision model and has an internal storm flap to keep wind and precipitation out. Wrist gaiters with thumb loops provide ample coverage for the hands, should you forget your gloves.
Although OR included an adjustable baffled ruff around the hood, it simply doesn't perform as well as the real or faux fur ruffs that we tested for this review. Fur ruffs can be a divisive fashion statement, but they are undeniably superior when it comes to keeping snow and wind away from the face and neck. The good news is that the deep, oversized, and adjustable hood does impressively well during high winds, and the outer shell itself performs like a fortress, trapping body heat during cold weather conditions. While not our top choice when it comes to optimal weather resistance, the Coze certainly stands out as one of the best down parkas in our review.
The adjustable hood, along with baffled ruff and high collar, protects the face and neck from drafts during windy conditions, while fleece-lined pockets keep your hands warm and toasty.
Comfort
We can't emphasize this enough: the Coze is the most comfortable winter jacket that we've tested. It was our go-to when braving cold weather camping during the end of our season on Yosemite's Search and Rescue team. The Coze has a relaxed fit that's true to size, easy to layer, and never restrictive. The baffled 700 fill down and 240 grams of insulation feel like wrapping yourself in your favorite sleeping bag, and somehow, with all this insulation, it remains relatively stylish. The nylon outer shell is pleasant to the touch, while the soft down baffles surround your body with comfort even in the most uncomfortable winter conditions.
While the generous cut is easy to layer and leaves ample space in the shoulders, waist, and bum, the full-length design that extends beyond the knee makes it difficult to hike inclines or climb steps. Whenever we encountered this type of terrain, we had to unzip one of the 9-inch zippers on either side of the hem or the main two-way zipper for easier movement. That said, for those who haven't tried a full-length down parka before, this type of protection can be an absolute game changer when it comes to withstanding the cold. Overall, the Coze features a lightweight, cozy, and comfortable design that feels similar to wearing a down sleeping bag, if it had sleeves.
While our testers love the warmth and style provided by the longer hemline, we recommend unzipping the two-way main zipper or zippers along the sides for easier movement uphill.
Versatility and Style
While the Coze prioritizes warmth, weather protection, and comfort, it isn't the highest performer when it comes to overall style. For being a glorified sleeping bag, it is more flattering than we expected. It's difficult to argue with the high-quality materials and streamlined outer shell that just look stylish and put together, whether unzipped during warmer daily temperatures or fully zipped to maintain warmth.
The lightweight construction of the Coze design makes it much more packable, and zippers on each side of the hemline increase the versatility of this long jacket. However, we would love to see a storm flap or snaps that run along the zipper to provide additional venting options during use in warmer temperatures. We also love the baffled ruff for its cozy weather resistance; it is easy to tighten, but it can be somewhat difficult to find the internal release button to loosen it up again. Caveats aside, our team would easily sacrifice a few flattering and stylish details in exchange for warmth and coziness during the coldest months of the year.
The two-way main zipper, along with zippers running along each hemline, increases the versatility of this lightweight construction.
Construction Quality
Our testing team is pleased to report that we found no notable issues with the high-quality Coze design during our comprehensive testing period. We particularly appreciate it when a lower-cost option outperforms its more expensive competitors, and the Coze does just that. The double-separating main zipper, along with anti-snag webbing technology, never let us down. The 100% recycled ripstop polyester shell and lining resisted the abuse endured during cold-weather camping, hiking, and approaches to rock climbs. All of the zippers along the hand pockets and internal chest pocket also functioned well, and the thin nylon strings to adjust the hood remained durable and functional throughout our testing process.
While our team never experienced any issues with the 100% nylon 30D plain weave lining, it is thinner than other linings and may require some extra care in order to maintain performance over the years. The outer shell appears durable, high quality, and built to last; it isn't as burly as other designs that feature multiple layers in their shell constructions. Additionally, DWR coatings wear off over time, and will need to be periodically reapplied. That said, this is an easy thing to do at home at the beginning of each season.
While not as durable as other more burly outer shells featured in this review, all of the Coze details are highly functional and constructed from quality materials.
Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka?
The Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka topped our list as the best of the best winter jacket when it comes to overall warmth, comfort, and construction quality. It's not the most flattering nor does it provide the highest level of weather resistance, but the Coze features cozy and warm construction that we think most people will love. The lightweight design is versatile enough to quickly become a go-to winter jacket for daily protection during the coldest months of the year.
This jacket is also certified to meet the responsible down standard, which indicates that the birds that grew its feathers didn't suffer more than necessary. Outdoor Research provides a tracking number through its down supplier, Allied Feather. The shell is also 100% recycled nylon. If these steps to prevent animal cruelty and increase environmental responsibility align with your values, that adds to your purchase.
If you're after a high quality design that features ample warmth, supreme coziness, and protection from the elements, look no further than the Outdoor Research Coze jacket.
Credit: Trish Matheny
What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?
The Outdoor Research Coze is among the most luxurious and comfortable designs that we tested, but if you're after a little more structure and wet weather protection, we highly recommend the Fjallraven Nuuk or the Canada Goose Shelburne. Both feature a stylish ruff along with thicker, heavier outer shells to further protect you from harsh conditions and high winds. The L.L. Bean Mountain Classic Sherpa-Lined jacket is a perfect budget comparison to the Coze, due to the cozy sherpa-lined hood, and longer length. Although the 650-fill DownTek insulation is not quite as warm. Another great affordable option is the REI Co-op Stormhenge Down Hybrid Parka that easily topped our list as a highly functional design that provided ample weather resistance for those on a budget.
The soft and cozy 700 fill down insulation feels just like wearing your favorite sleeping bag, incredibly warm while also providing all day comfort in cold weather conditions.
Credit: Trish Matheny
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka versus top competing products:
—Trish Matheny
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