We often hear the words jacket and parka thrown about willy-nilly and it seems that somewhere along the way the true definition of each has been lost. So we wondered, what are the parka and jacket differences people look for? Or…
Is There Even a Difference?
The answer is yes! Whatever the other parka and jacket differences, the biggest difference between a jacket and a parka is the length.
Women’s parkas and men’s parkas are generally a longer fitting coat and in most cases, due to their length, they offer more warmth. A longer coat covers more of your body and can trap more heat easily.
Women’s jackets and men’s jackets have a shorter fit that usually ends at the waist or just below. The shorter fit doesn’t necessarily affect the quality of warmth, as many jackets still pack an exceptional amount of insulation-retaining heat. It may, however, leave areas the jacket is not covering (such as the back of the thighs or the rear) more vulnerable to the cold.
Analyzing the Differences
Think of a parka and a jacket insulated with the exact same amount and type of insulation, worn by the same person, with the only difference between the two is the length. Let’s say the parka has the same fit as the Vallier Arlington Short Down Parka, with a length that comes down to cover your hips. For our jacket, imagine it has the same style as the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody Jacket, with a fit that ends at the waist. The wearer may feel warmer in the Arlington Parka as opposed to the Down Sweater Hoody Jacket solely because more of their body is covered—and therefore being insulated—by the jacket.
Parka & Jacket Speculations
In the past, when parkas were almost only used in the Arctic, they were thought of as the go-to coat for extreme cold weather conditions. They often had fur-lined hoods, heavier, warmer materials were being used and they were made with a long fit to keep as much of the body protected from the cold as possible. Jackets were thought of as lighter garments worn to keep your upper body warm and increase mobility in the legs, but more of an autumn thing. Nowadays, these jacket and parka perceptions aren’t as accurate due to the fact that innovative designs have made parkas lighter and jackets warmer. You can see more of this ‘crossover’ in our guide to the Best Winter Jackets for Extreme Canadian Winters—even we will lump both in to ‘jackets’.
It is easy to misinterpret whether a jacket is, in fact, a jacket or a parka due to the product name itself. This often happens in catalogues, on websites and in ads when a longer fitting coat is labelled as a jacket when it is, in fact, a parka and vice versa. Parka and jacket differences are so minimal that not everyone or every brand is aware they are different. For this reason, you’ll often see both words used to describe the same product.
They’re Both Coats
In the end, they are both coats that will keep you warm. It all comes down to preference. Some people prefer the longer fit of a parka and others prefer jackets for slightly more mobility thanks to the shorter fit. Whether it’s called a parka or a jacket doesn’t influence the quality of the product. If you like a jacket, get the jacket you like. There are plenty of guides to consult, from lightweight down winter jackets to choosing the right jacket for yourself to kids winter jackets. Now you can find jackets that are just as warm as parkas, and parkas with the same freedom of movement jackets previously laid claim to.
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