I will need to put my Helly Hansen Longyear Parka in my will because it just might last forever.
I loved this jacket straight out of the package. It reminded me of a jacket that a grizzled pioneer in the wilds of Alaska would wear. Made out of a waterproof, windproof, seam-sealed shell, and insulated with 600-fill duck down, the Longyear Park is a no frills, real deal work horse. In testing it stood up very well to Minnesota winter weather, leaving me feeling impervious to cold, wet, and rain.
My first outing in Helly Hansen’s Longyear Parka took place on a brutally cold -9 degree F Minnesota day, with a -24 F wind chill factor. A little weather wasn’t going to stop me from walking my dog or from walking to our favorite trail along the Mississippi River. I was surprised to walk outside and actually feel warm enough. No shivering, no dread. I was completely warm. I’ve never had a coat this warm. The temperature wasn’t an issue; the wind wasn’t an issue. The Longyear Parka literally had me covered.
Because the hood is so comfortable and warm, I didn’t need to wear a hat that day. The hood is adjustable, so I was able to find a nice fit, and the fur ring around the hood did a great job of keeping my face protected from the wind. The interior cuffs of the sleeves were also quite effective at keeping out the wind.
I was so focused on the warmth and wind protection the down-filled Longyear Parka provided that I only noticed how tough the outer shell of the jacket was when my dog jumped up on me. He’s a big dog, and has ripped the nylon of some of my lighter jackets. He was no match for the Longyear Parka, though, which has remained rip- and abrasion-free after more than a dozen walks and dog park visits.
The parka has two big front pockets, each with a button closure, big enough to hold a dog leash, pick-up bags, my phone, and my wallet. There are also side pockets that I use for warming my hands. (There is an additional set of hand warmer pockets located higher up on the jacket, but I can’t picture using them unless I was standing around which just might be what they are there for). There is also a large interior pocket on the right side, which I like to use for snacks or other items I want to kept warm.
The Longyear Parka also performed well in a blizzard. There were high winds and tons of snow blowing around in all
directions. I knew I’d stay warm, but was surprised by how well the jacket shielded me; everything just slid off of the surface thanks to the DRW finish. I hadn’t given much thought to the “waterproof” claim because I was thinking of rain…but snow is wet, too! On this day the temperatures were not so severe so I also got to experience the breathability of the jacket, which was impressive. The last thing I want is to be wet and clammy underneath my coat. I need a jacket that keeps the heat in but also lets my sweat escape.
I got the chance to consider all the ways the Longyear Parka was making my outings much more comfortable (and safer!) when a man at the dog park approached me to ask about it. That’s never happened before, and he paid me (well, my parka) the ultimate compliment w
hen he said, “it looks like it will last forever.” As a frugal Midwestern gal who knows how important it is to dress for the weather, that is quite a compliment.
If there is one thing that strikes me every time I put it on the Longyear Parka, it is the weight. This parka has a heft to it. I kind of like that; it adds to the “bad***” feeling I get when I wear it. Like I can handle anything.
The women’s Longyear Parka comes in black, in sizes XS-XL. The men’s Longyear Parka, which is similarly styled but has a different price point, is available in Black, Army Green, and Graphite, in sizes S-XXL.
Bottom Line: It’s tough and utilitarian yet sensibly stylish. A rugged, durable, warm parka that has everything I need to survive a Minnesota winter.
Manufacturer’s Site: hellyhansen.com
$400, women’s jacket. Men’s jacket available at Amazon.
