Hi guys, can you please help me pick between these two jackets?

Northface has 550 fill, 162grams/m^2, weighs 1.9kg
Jack has 700 fill, 407 grams, weighs 2.25kg

JW feels fluffier and does have more features, cuff around waist, more inner pockets. But is it worth the extra 200 euros?

My prime concern is warmth. Should 1995 Parka perform better than McMurdo? I’ll be wearing these in Finland, so possibly – 10-20°C, and lower with winds. If McMurdo would do fine in the weather than I’d just save 200euros and get it.

Thank you for reading through, I don’t have any experience with down jackets specs 😅 looking forward to your experiences and advice

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https://www.thenorthface.eu/shop/en-gb/tnf-fi/mens-mcmurdo-2-parka-cp07

https://www.jack-wolfskin.fi/1995-series-parka-m/1115161_6000_003.html

EDIT: I ordered McMurdo on cyber Monday for 318, and have a voucher for JW that’d bring the price down to 528. So I can return McMurdo (just received) and swap hence considering between these two.

EDIT 2: Thank you all so much. I will keep McMurdo and not spend further money on the parka.

12 comments

  1. If you are paying that much you can get something much nicer. Like Arcteryx or Fjallraven or something.

  2. For warmth I’d personally go for the McMurdo and get a set of thermal underwear. Key to the cold is layering up, that’ll do more for thermal insulation that the added down padding.

  3. Dont think u need to blow 600 euro on a jacket unless u plan to go naked under it to show to the ladies, check out rukka it’s a Scandinavian brand with good clothes with a more reasonable price. What I would invest in is high comfy boots and possibly removable studs on them.

    Unless u rly want one of those, either are good
    Im using a 300 euro riverwoods jacket wich is alrdy to hot at times

  5. 500€??? Jesus. I have only seen Canada Goose that id 1000€ but I guess people are willing to pay crazy amounts. Check Uniqlo and save a few hundred

  6. LOL I got my ski jacket used from a thrift shop for 20e and use devold merino layer. It feels fine in -25-30c. A good jacket is nice, but not really needed to feel warm.

  7. I’d say that unless you’re doing dog sledding, ice fishing or other extreme winter sports during the coldest days of winter, the McMurdo should be plenty good in all parts of Finland. The JW 1995 is a step or two above, and really needed by relatively few. (edit: neither of these brands have the over-the-top brand pricing related with Fjällräven or Arc’teryx)

  9. Just layer up and u be good with a 10€ windstopper/gore-tex if u have some woolen shirt on top of your t-shirt/underwear. If u wanna run naked beneath your jacket then invest in a good and warm one, like Joutsen/Marmot/JW..etc

  11. Those are both fashion parkas, they’re made to look cool but not be warm.

    Also both are overkill in terms of what you need. For most winter days I wear a cotton jacket with no insulation. Underneath I wear a wool zip sweater for cold days. With more layers wool if it’s more cold.

    This setup works in a temperature range from 20c down to -30c. And is less expensive that those street fashion jackets, even if you buy some premium stuff like Devold or Ruskavilla

  12. Really depends where you gonna go, but I haven’t needed down jacket in Helsinki for a few years, t-shirt, fleece, some “autumn” jacket with primaloft insulation (basically synthetic down, almost as good, easier to care) and I’m good for any weather as long as I’m not laying still for an hour. At -20 add second fleece. Extremities insulation is the key, warm shoes, gloves, hat, no down jacket will help if feet are cold.

    So you will be fine in whichever one you like more, just keep some choice of underlayers at hand.

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