Mountain Hardwear Absolute Zero Parka

First let me say that this parka is ridiculous in a good way. I have never in my life had such a warm jacket. I have yet to test it on any mountains worth noting however, I have used it extensively this winter while outside. I live in Michigan so I'll let you in on the average weather we've been having when I busted this jacket out. It was snowing at least a foot a day as well as peek daily temperatures being below zero with the wind chill added in. Now on to the part you're probably reading for... despite the cold weather all I would wear is a t-shirt and the Absolute Zero Parka and that would be more than enough to stay perfectly warm. This jacket is intense. I once made the mistake of shoveling snow in this Bad Jackson and that was a terrible mistake, by the time I was finished I had the jacket all the way unzipped with sweat collecting on my forehead. I'll say it once again, this jacket is intense. If your looking for the ultimate parka to combat intense cold and wind this is it. Zipper is huge and easy to use when wearing mittens as well as the draw cords at the bottom for blocking out the wind does its job very well.

I took the Absolute Zero jacket to Alaska for a recent trip on Denali. It is a great jacket to stay warm around camp while cooking. Most of the time, this jacket is too warm for wearing while moving. On days where I climbed in it, it has some nice features. There are two internal water bottle pockets, which kept my bottles from freezing (they would have froze in water bottle insulators). When it gets really cold, you can zip the jacket completely and use the cinch straps to protect most of your face. Excellent jacket, even in -20F temps.

Five star rating for the Absolute Zero Parka. For comparison purposes, this year I purchased, from Backcountry.com, the North North Face Blackhawk Down Jacket, the North Face Agaency Jacket, Canada Goose Expedition Arctic-Tech Parka, and the North Face McMurdo Down Parka. The Absolute Zero Parka was definitely the warmest, with minimal layering, in Northern Michigan sub-zero weather.
I have to admit that I will not be wearing the Absolute Zero as ofter as some of the other jackets; however, when it is needed, it is nice to have it in my arsenal.

Took a backpacking trip in northern Michigan in December. It was about 15F, somewhat windy with a dusting of snow. As soon as I dropped my pack and put this parka on, I knew I had made the right choice. Unbelievably light weight, it packed well, and felt like being in a walking sleeping bag. Zippers were good, handwarmer pockets worked, the hood was exceptionally warm. I could not find a fault. I just wish I could have found some worse weather to really test it.

OK, this jacket is for serious mountaineering and sub zero temperatures or extreme conditions. If the temperature gets above 15 degrees, it probably will be more jacket than you need. It is extremely large and puffy. I am 6 feet tall, 160 pounds and usually wear a medium, but in this jacket the small was plenty big. Get this jacket only if you plan to be in extreme conditions. If not, it may just get left on the hanger, and that would be a shame.

...is now renamed and goes by the title The Apartment. This due to it's roomy comfort, warmth and overall ability to protect the inhabitant from the cold air in the Spanish mtns.

In other words: Ten thumbs up!

Except for problems with the filling material in the arms ending up underneath the arms when you move around a bit, this jacket is perfect for extreme conditions. Tested with good result during extreme conditions in Norwegian mountains.