Women’s Fjallraven Nuuk Parka Review

Bottom Line

The Fjallraven Nuuk Parka is the ultimate waterproof cold-weather warrior. The Swedish company name means arctic fox, and it makes sense: they are no stranger to living and thriving in seriously tough conditions. 

Built for the harshest arctic environments, this jacket comes loaded with features that make it a top contender in our list of the best winter jackets. Whether you’re braving the Arctic or just want a jacket that won’t betray you when you’re braving extreme exposure, the Nuuk is sure to keep you safe and warm.

Synthetic insulation kept us warm even when it got wet, while the polyamide shell was tough and weather-resistant. The hood is a standout feature, with a removable faux fur ruff and a wire brim to block out wind and snow.

And, with 11 pockets (yes, you read that right!), everything you might have put in a backpack can stay warm against your body.

How We Tested

We tested the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka in the mountains and valleys of NW Montana and British Columbia. We relied on this coat to protect us in snowy walks, 40 MPH winds, jaunts in -27 degree wind chill, and -5 degree chairlift rides. We also lab-tested the waterproofing and insulation capabilities, which the Nuuk passed with flying colors.

Warmth

The Nuuk Parka is like a personal heater—it’s built for polar work, sled dog racing, and arctic exploration, so you know it means serious business. It’s designed for people who don’t have respite from the weather and must rely on it to keep them…alive and well!

The Microloft insulation is a game-changer, providing warmth without giving you that “puffy cloud” look that down jackets can sometimes have. Honestly, slipping into this parka feels like wrapping yourself in a cozy weighted blanket on a freezing winter day. 

Tests showed the Nuuk can give our warmest down parkas a run for their money. It took this jacket a commendable 102 minutes to drop 30 degrees and reach ambient temperature. We aren’t surprised, though; synthetic warmth is delivered by trapping heat in its fibers, and in this test, there is no warmth except for what it left the house with. So with a body’s warmth, this coat can keep you toasty infinitely long. 

That said, we did notice cold air sneaking in at the bottom of the jacket. The Nuuk is the shortest jacket we tested, and the hem opening is wider than other similar-length jackets. There’s a tensioner around the waist, but it didn’t do enough to keep the chilly air from creeping up, especially when sitting down on a chairlift. A nice, snug mid-layer and bibs did the trick. In extreme cold, this coat would need insulated snow pants/bibs to prevent warm air from escaping.

Weather Resistance

The Nuuk Parka’s shell is equipped with Polyamide, a common material used for the exterior of jackets. This provides a strong outer that is tear-resistant, waterproof, and windproof. We took this jacket snowboarding at a resort and bushwhacking through an alder forest. We wore it while carrying and stacking firewood, and it held up great. 

It doesn’t have wrist gaskets and instead has velcro adjustable cuffs, which might be a personal design preference. The Nuuk won’t keep snow from eventually making it to your wrists if you aren’t wearing gloves that have great cuffs or gauntlets. A few tomahawks let snow pack in at the wrists and had us wishing we had gauntlet-style mittens to go with this coat.

The waterproof claims of this coat hold up to our soak-through tests. It took about 20 minutes of sitting in water to saturate the shell, but after an hour, the inside of the coat was bone dry. The shell’s weaving beads moisture fine enough, but it doesn’t roll off the surface as well as others tested. However, even when the Polyamide shell absorbs the moisture, it doesn’t allow it to make it through to the insulation or inner lining. 

If things get soggy, the synthetic insulation will keep you toasty, which is great if you are heading into expedition-type weather where you don’t have a warm house/cabin to dry down coats. We did notice that it took much longer to dry than the polyester shell coats we tested.

Still, the Nuuk shields you from killer winds, especially if you have the fur hood up and cinched. Add some goggles and nose cover, and you can live with the empire penguins and polar bears. Weather resistance is the Nuuk’s superpower.

Comfort & Functionality

At 3 lb 13.1 oz, the Nuuk Parka is far from lightweight—it’s actually the heaviest jacket in our lineup. All that extra material might add weight, but it also makes this jacket feel like you could live in the Arctic. We were ditching the coat faster than lighter jackets but didn’t notice it except during side-by-side comparison walks. The jacket isn’t designed for mild winters, and wearing it in such weather will make you feel like a portable sauna.

We found the Nuuk to be the roomiest parka we tested, which offered great comfort and effectively trapped warm air, a real blessing during our latest arctic intrusion. That said, we would have sized down for a more tailored, comfortable fit.

The hood is no joke. It is massive and can fit over a helmet or your biggest beanie. We didn’t need to wear it except during testing, but it does limit your vision. Still, if we needed protection from high winds and snow, we would want this hood for the job. 

While it’s too bulky for a backcountry walk, this jacket is a total winner for front-country use and extremely cold expeditions. Plus, with its tough build and tons of pockets, it’s functional as workwear or rugged everyday use.

Features

The Nuuk parka takes the crown when it comes to features— it has 11 pockets! If we were on an expedition with sled dogs or snowmobiling across Minnesota, where we want a lot of things within reach and warm against our body, these pockets would be essential. On our winter hikes and restore riding, we only use some of the pockets, but boy are they nice! One thing, we kept forgetting which pocket we put certain things in, so that is a little annoying if you also have a goldfish brain.

With large, leather pull tabs on the zippers and pockets, it’s easy to grab everything – even with gloves on. The snap-closure drop-in pockets are super convenient, and the fleece-lined collar and hood add that cozy factor we all love. Plus, the faux fur ruff is removable, so you can switch up the look whenever you feel like it.

Now, here’s where we hit a little snag. The massive left-handed zipper—common with European brands—was a bit of a challenge. Thinking being a lefty would help, we still struggled to get the main zipper started. Plus, the top two snaps on the storm flap are really hard to secure (impossible with mittens on). The bottom snap pops open if you are bending over or crouching (strapping into a snowboard, for example). These small gripes felt like the price of entry into such a bomber jacket, and overall this coat is still super functional, stylish, and incredibly engineered.

Should You Buy the Fjallraven Nuuk Insulated Parka?

It really is an incredible coat. Sure it is spendy, but synthetic insulation won’t lose its warmth when it gets wet, unlike down. It also is constructed to last, so the investment feels worthwhile. If you want to have a coat that makes you feel like you can do a polar dog-sled race, this is it. 

Keep in mind that this jacket is bulky and heavy and will take up a lot of space in your closet and duffle bag. The trench coat style body of the jacket is great for layering, but you’ll need to size down if you’re between sizes or want a less bulky look. The tactical style might not be appealing to some, but those who need the included 11 pockets will love this jacket’s heavy engineering and rugged design.

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

Check out our other best winter jackets for women to see how the Fjallraven Nuuk stacks against our other favorites. Below are some comparable options you might like:

The North Face Triple C Review: Not planning on getting much done in your winter parka besides keeping warm? This is your coat.

REI Norseland Review: If a more classic down parka is what you’re after with the same insulating power as the Nuuk, the Norseland is worth a look.

The North Face Arctic Review: This option is also waterproof but has more insulation from down. The Arctic’s design is a little more refined and sleek, with a longer fit.