Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parka - Women's Review

The Jackson Glacier is the perfect option for ladies who are after a sleek and sophisticated winter jacket that doesn't skimp on weather protection. We love how committed Patagonia is to using recycled materials in Fair Trade Certified factories, making it easier to invest some serious bucks into this sleek, stylish, and high-quality construction.

Warmth

The Jackson Glacier features cozy, 700-fill power (FP) waterfowl down that is 100% recycled. While not the highest fill power rating, it still provides great warmth in a light and fluffy package, and the insulation is distributed from head to knee to help keep you warm for longer. The storm cuffs or extra insulation near the wrists really helped up the warmth through the torso and upper body, while the ample insulation was perfect for the core. The hood is insulated as well and fits close to the head. The hand pockets are fleece-lined, providing a refuge for cold hands when you've forgotten your gloves. The internal cuffs provide excellent weather protection, as does the high neckline.

The stylish hemline unfortunately limits the warmth of this construction. While the A-line cut is stylish, it sure lets a ton of cold air in through the extra spacing near the knees. The center front measures around 38 1/2, making it one of the longer designs that we've tested; however, it lacks a cinch cord to take advantage of that extra length by trapping warm air around the legs as a straighter cut would. While not the warmest design that we tested, it's plenty warm for those who want to combine warmth, style, and weather protection for cold city winters.

Weather Resistance

The Jackson Glacier goes above and beyond in weather resistance. The recycled polyester shell combines with Patagonia's H2No standard two-layer to help precipitation bead away from the sleek exterior, rather than absorbing into the recycled down fabric. We even poured some water from a cup on the front of the jacket and let it sit for about 10 minutes. When we came back to look, nothing had been absorbed. The main zipper is watertight and has a storm flap behind it to catch any wind that breaks through.

The design is quite windproof, that is except for the wide opening at the bottom, which can let in a chilly updraft when the wind hits just right. A small sacrifice for such a flattering hemline, but definitely a drain on body heat in cold temperatures. The hood is sufficient, but since it doesn't have a large baffle or fur ruff, we wish it were a little bigger, so as to better protect the face. Overall, the Jackson Glacier doesn't top our list for weather resistance, but it comes pretty darn close. And it is among the most stylish jackets that also provides ample weather protection.

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Comfort

The Jackson Glacier features a regular fit that's relatively easy to layer underneath. We say relative because if you find yourself between sizes or have more athletic shoulders like our lead tester, you'll find ample space in the hips and bums that combines with a snug fit at the shoulders. Sizing up is a great remedy but that also leaves even more space in the hips.

If the sizing works for you, you'll probably find the Jackson parka to be uber comfortable. The soft plumage from the waterfowl insulation is lightweight and easy to wear, even for a longer jacket, and the lining feels cozy next to your skin. The collar is insulated all the way up to the neck and chin, and has a fleece backing that feels comfortable against the skin. When zipping up the design and throwing the hood on, it doesn't block your peripheral vision too much, although cinching it down makes for an even more custom fit. The neckline covers the mouth and sits at the base of the nose without causing discomfort, even after extended wear throughout a cold day.

The Jackson has a smooth two-way zipper that lets you open up your stride a bit more, or release some heat on warm (ish) days, which we especially appreciate when going up and down stairs, or sitting on the subway. However, even when sitting in this jacket fully zipped up while watching a hockey game, the fit never bunched up around our torso or shoulders. The fleece-lined pockets are definitely spacious and cozy for cold hands, however, we preferred to stash our phone in the chest pocket to keep it from slapping against our leg with each step.

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Versatility and Style

Style is one of the first details we noticed about the Jackson Glacier. We love the flattering slight A-line silhouette and knee-length hemline that is wrapped up in a sleek and minimal outer shell. No nostalgic styling here; the Jackson is all about beautifully pared-down refinement. No snaps or Velcro attachments to clutter the look, just a sleek and functional look during cold weather days. If earth tones are you're thing, you're in luck because the jacket offers several to choose from, we also think the jacket has a versatile range of use from casual to dressy, deepening on how you style it.

The shorter hemline and A-line cut do sacrifice some warmth, especially at the legs, and there isn't a great way to retain more body heat, especially without a cinch cord on the hemline itself. The jacket isn't the warmest we tested, which, in our opinion, increases its versatility since we were able to wear it more days of the year, and layer up for the week or two when we needed more warmth. However, it may be a deterrent for those who live in extremely cold climates and need the warmest coat they can find to wear on top of already warm layers.

Despite a sleek exterior, the jacket also features a ton of storage, whether you're utilizing the fleece-lined hand pockets for gloves or car keys, or you want to stash your phone in the chest pocket to keep it dry. The Jackson Glacier offers versatile style, ample storage, and features the right amount of insulation for cooler winter weather, along with enough room to layer up when the temperature really drops.

Construction Quality

The Jackson Glacier features high-quality details such as a smooth-running, water-resistant, two-way center zipper that allows you to customize the level of warmth you prefer as well as optimize weather protection. We never struggled to get this zipper started despite the longer length of the jacket. Unlike more affordable designs that we tested, the interior is lined with a premium liner to help protect the internal stitching and aid in further weather protection.

We love that Patagonia is an environmentally responsible company that constructs its clothing in Fair Trade Certified factories and uses recycled materials creatively without sacrificing quality. From the extra-warm waterfowl insulation to the PFA-free DWR treatment, to the functional water-resistant zippers, literally every detail is thoughtfully designed and combines to provide a durable yet put-together look for those who want understated city style that will outlast trends.

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Should You Buy the Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parka?

If you're after a sleek and sophisticated look that's perfect for cold winters in the city, the Patagonia Jackson Glacier is one of our favorite designs in the lineup. The jacket combines 700 fill power waterfowl down that's nestled underneath an effective two-layer H2No outer shell for 100% waterproofing and pretty darn good wind resistance. It's a great jacket for cold-weather commutes thanks to its sufficient hood, insulative cuffs, longer hemline, and ample storage beneath a put-together exterior. While not the warmest in the lineup, we think this jacket is a great investment for those wanting to combine warmth, comfort, and weather resistance within a sleek and sophisticated design that's perfect for winter trips or staying warm around town during cold city winters.

What Other Women's Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

We love the Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parka when it comes to sleek city style and sophisticated warmth during harsh weather windows, but we'll admit it's a little on the expensive side. If you'd like some more budget-friendly options, check out the REI Co-op Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Parka, which is our favorite for wet weather conditions, but is not as warm. If you don't mind the price and want something even warmer, we also love wrapping ourselves in the Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka. The longer hemline makes us feel like we're stolling around town in a cozy sleeping bag, however, the outer shell is only water resistant, so it's better for super cold climates where precipitation falls almost exclusively as snow.