The Ultimate Arc'teryx, Patagonia, and North Face Guide.

Buy the Filson jacket here: carrot.link/r/cart-item/bf8df...
Buy everything I mentioned in this video/wore here: carrot.link/theironsnail/pata...
Today we are looking at some of the best down jacket brands in the world. Are you wondering what the difference between The North Face, Patagonia, and Arc'teryx are? What about Filson? What about a secret brand that I love very much...Manifattura Ceccarelli. Well anyways today we are looking at the best down jacket brands in the world, the most trendy big boy names of 2023 and BEYOND!
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Jackets Mentioned:
1. Filson Down Cruiser Jacket
2. The North Face McMurdo Parka
3. Patagonia Tres 3-1 Parka
4. The Arc'teryx Therme Parka
5. Manifattura Ceccarelli
The Iron Snail is a men’s fashion vlog starring a young man named Michael and featuring a snail no bigger than a quarter. The two are set on taking over the world of fashion by creating a clothing line to end all clothing lines. Until then, we’re here to tell you EVERYTHING you need to know about the best clothing out there, from the highest quality raw denim jeans to the warmest jacket to the sturdiest boots…the Iron Snail has got you covered. (written by Taylor, though Michael is sometimes known to talk about himself in the third person… xoxo)

[@TheIronSnail]

DEAR EVERYONE: i don’t know how but it seems like I’ve missed some amazing jackets from TNF and Patagonia Let me know if there are other jackets I missed!

[@elliotklein6331]

Take a look at the Patagonia Downdrift Jacket, I feel like it's right up your alley.

[@YouTubeAIbot]

Michael, what was the grey sweater you were wearing at the start of the video? looks really nice!

[@Jager3699]

i heard good things about Fjällräven Greenland No.1 Down Jacket but never owned one so can't personally speak for it 🤷‍♂

[@MasterCheif211]

Crescent Down Works would be really good to see, not much content out there on their jackets.

[@jls1337]

Arcteryx does have an even more 'high end' level and it's called Veilance. Check the Veilance Monitor coat.

[@gamerdude362]

Mother father really dropped the video just in time for 60 degree early spring weather.

[@TheIronSnail]

I have a tough time accepting winter is dead and gone

[@alexsherel3344]

It’s actually genius as end of season prices save you money. So there’s that.😲

[@dBsdecibels]

I've had a million jackets as I used to snowboard competitively, and these days I hike for landscape photography. I will say that if you want jackets with the most versatility, then get snowboard/ski jackets. You'll get all the technical features described here (gore tex [or alternatives], taped seams, variable baffling, etc), but you'll also get powder skirts, wrist gussets, and most importantly, zippered ventilation. The powder skirts are really only necessary for snow sports, but they can be removed otherwise. The wrist gussets are basically baffles that go over your hand like a partial glove, but then are worn beneath your actual gloves. They keep all cold air and snow out from around your wrists. If you don't need them, you can just slip your hands through them like a shirt sleeve. Finally, those zippered vents are a life saver if you're any kind of active. As soon as you start getting too hot, just pop open the vents and dump the heat quickly. One of the best jacket features. I generally refuse to buy a jacket without them. Also, digging the Speedy sapphire sandwich! Considering that or the Apollo 8 for my next watch. Enjoy Copenhagen! Had a 2 day layover there coming back from the Faroe Islands for photography. Picked up a great Japan Blue selvedge denim jacket from Brund while I was there!

[@stedye]

Man if you had to name 3-5 of your favorite brands for warmth , which brands and models would you say do it best ? Thanks in advance for your time .

[@dBsdecibels]

@@stedye There's not exactly brands for a single purpose. No company limits themselves like that. Brands generally try to span a gamut. The trick is really the purpose. If you want MAX warmth, then look into the jackets they use for arctic science trips. If you also need it to be light and un-bulky, then you'd want something used for mountain climbing. Snowboarding/skiing jackets are all about hot-cold-hot-cold, hence the priority on ventilation. Shop based on what you plan to do with the jacket, rather than brand.

[@RLSteffler]

@@dBsdecibels yeen name a single brand

[@dBsdecibels]

​@@RLSteffler Why do I feel like you're trying to test me? Well, if you're going snowboarding or skiing, then I'd recommend Burton's AK line or Norrona. Ski brands tend to hit a higher price point and go the extra mile in technical features, but snowboard brands are great bang-for-buck. The Burton AK Expedition Down has a good feature set, including zippered vents. Lib Tech doesn't make outerwear any longer, but I was really impressed with their higher end offerings back when they were. Pretty impressed with Dakine as well. They'd didn't used to do outerwear, but they make good stuff these days. North Face Summit series are genuinely good for technical applications. They aren't designed for street wear so much as actual hiking or backcountry riding. They're designed more for layering, and aren't typically insulated, so not as relevant to this video. Same with Norrona. More technically focussed. Mountain Hardware has a good very high end line intended for actual mountaineering. Their lower price point stuff is decent, but their high end is truly good. That's a start. Hopefully something in there will be useful!

[@htht856]

Wronggggg snowboarding jackets are good for snowboarding, not for everyday use. If you wore a snowboarding jacket in mild weather, you'd sweat like a pig. If you wore a snowboarding jacket hunting, you'd make a noise with every movement you make. Snowboarding jackets are good for snow recreation and snow environments.

[@bradfrench8762]

I live in Houston and have zero need for any of these jackets but watched and enjoyed every sec

[@CookiePosion]

Weston from Rose Anvil recommended your channel a few weeks ago and I am obsessed. The quality of video to subscriber ratio is criminal but great video as always Michael. Please make another drop of your jackets thanks

[@WeatherWool]

THANKS for a fun tour, Mike! Great vid and LOVE the South Mountain Reservation!

[@TheIronSnail]

Of course Ralph!!

[@kinslowrainer3982]

I'm glad you included Filson in there. I'm angling for one of their Tin Cloth or Cover Cloth jackets one day, possibly with their wool liner jacket, so it's nice to get reviews on their products every now and then.

[@NathanVilliger]

Love the brands and love the video! Pretty much all of my tecnical stuff these days is from Patagonia, but a lot of my casual gear is LL Bean. Also wondering if you have checked out Fjallraven? Their waxed G1000 jackets are pretty cool and could make an interesting video, though they may not fit in with your style as they are a bit more "gorpy" if that makes sense. Love the content as always and excited to see what's next for the Iron Snail!

[@stedye]

Enjoyed your video 🙏🏽Keep up the great content ! You earned a new subscription.

[@ryanscottmurphy86]

This was hilarious and high quality, loved every minute of it!

[@stevesmith8155]

I have purchased Patagonia, Arcteryx and North Face jackets and coats. I have lived in Minnesota most of my life (63 yo). I bought a Patagonia parka about 5-6 years back H2No(?), nice down and below my waist. Insulated hood. I can be outside shoveling snow for hours. No problem even with -20F and wind. I bought it on sale from REI for $300, and was $400 retail. Fantastic result. Even just a light walk and I stay toasty. NUFF SAID.

[@DMorgan77]

How are there no comments (that I saw) about your air circulation test? Brilliant as always Mikey boy!

[@elliotklein6331]

While I love both Patagonia and Arc'teryx, I see the two companies as specializing in different niches of the outdoor clothing market. For my more technical outdoor clothing like hiking gear - I lean towards Arc'teryx. For my more everyday/casual outdoor clothing I lean towards Patagonia. But that being said L. L. Bean is slowly creeping up on me in the same niche as Patagonia - got some flannels from them recently and they're great.

[@jdlackey88]

Plus one to Bean flannel (chamois). I just got one of their signature archive ones and basically haven't taken it off in weeks lol. Plus it has a patch sewn on the inside, so I know Michael would appreciate that haha

[@elliotklein6331]

@@jdlackey88 Oh yeah I got one of those for like 50% off in an end-of-season sale with a super cool red plaid pattern. Unfortunately the patch sewn on the inside had stitching coming loose so I'm getting that fixed but it feels great. I like the slim fit especially, as a skinny dude a lot of flannels end up baggy on me.

[@willsanders2921]

Your video style is so dope. keep it up dude!

[@GabobStrulli]

Got my The north face McMurdo parka yesterday, cant wait to wear it. Might wear it with a Bordeaux red turtle neck.

[@salemite]

It pretty rarely hits that level of cold here in Oregon, but when it dips below freezing I bust out my dad's nam-era N-3b. The downside is it is so thick and heavy, it is basically unwearable above 32F. I really recommend you check out some surplus or civilian ones, they are great and I can only imagine that after the late 60s they got better materials if anything.

[@ricatiman]

Arc'Teryx has their new ultra high end Veilance line that features incredible special wool exterior materials. Some run well past $1K. Also, of course, Canada Goose, from my hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba is a top choice by all the Hollywood North crowd here in Canada. In the past 5 years, Arc'teryx has replaced 2 jackets that had gore-tex delamination issues. Recently, my Beta SV had a delamination inside the pocket. They need to put pocket bags into these jackets to protect the delicate gore tex seam inside.

[@Rebeccarebecca.princess]

great review helped me choose the right jacket for me

[@highendtrends3508]

Great video, still very useful and up to date

[@WillMarcial]

Some of my favorites: Crescent Down Works Down Sweater 60/40. Great price for what you get. very comparable to luxury down jackets. ie. Canada goose, moose knuckles, etc. Only negative is the zipper is mid... Montbell Plasma 1000 & Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisper ( 2 or UL). Amazing for winter actives, highly recommend pairing with a shell. Only negative is durability. For more budget friendly option, Decathlon or REI. If you run hot, consider a down vest, with a waterproof shell.

[@LawrencePilgrim]

Hey Michael, great video man. Hope youre doing well

[@VivekSingh-hy1dk]

Wow! I watched a couple of your videos and I love the fact that you shoot outdoors and do the regular movements what a normal person would do. You are funny and smart, keeps the video very lively. I am happy to discover you. And now I need your recommendation on something😃 i am a 27 year old motorcyclist. I ride a triumph Bonneville, can you please recommend some outfit ideas? I am not looking into the safety suits, i am more of style over safety🐒 Thank you✌🏾

[@chrismollard5474]

The amount of information you can cram into fourteen minutes and ten seconds is amazing. Then the humour puts it over the top.

[@julianklopez]

i love your energy so much

[@Errcyco]

That was a great review.

[@videogamesare1]

Exactly what I needed.

[@DarkDeviations]

You should make a video on those denim pants. They look so good on you, in comparison to all the other pants you’ve worn. Def a great fit.

[@davidmothersole9422]

Hey Michael, love your vids. Be interested to know your thoughts on Fjalraven (one of my fave labels). Nuuk and Greenland jackets are both great. But most of their products are worthwhile and they are pretty earth conscious too.

[@edibletarget]

What do you think about the fjallraven Greenland? Had my eyes on that one as my next jacket (for many of the reasons you list in this video).

[@ryanand154]

Nice review of jackets. I have an old Sears parka and it’s alright. But technology has made these things so much warmer.

[@user-vj1tu5vp1h]

My favorite is fjallraven expedition down jacket ❤ it’s amazing and extremely warm

[@kindion]

Love your vids! The Russell Boots are on my list and now so is that sweet Manifattura Ceccarelli parka! It just means I’m not gonna be able to buy any other clothes for 2 years 🤣🤣🤣

[@Leo-gl4lb]

Awesome video

[@TomYourmombadil]

If you can try the Fjallraven Nuuk I’d recommend it, it looks great imo and so comfy

[@benklein6299]

Hey there, great video! May I ask what size you have that filson jacket in ? Im 6‘1 and 75kg which should be 150 pounds if im correct. I heard you say their sizes are HUGE and you always wear XS. So on this one aswell I assume ?

[@GabobStrulli]

I pulled the Trigger and bought a Vintage Carhartt Jacket. It might be from the 2000s or the 90s. I dont know it for sure. But it does have the Carhartt Patch Made from leather. Cant wait to wear it, i hope it gets warmer so i can wear it

[@cstpa1]

I own Vans MTE Gore-tex winter boots and they do not disappoint

[@DrAvory]

great video! what is that grey swaeter you are wearing in this video?

[@gavinjarman2787]

Cool review . Be interesting to see a review of the buffalo parka . Obvs not down but how it stacks up against these

[@IGmeanwell]

When it comes to the cold up here in the ADK I don’t really screw around. Base Layers will just give you more choices for your outer layer if you are concerned about style. That being said, when the wind chills hit -25F last weekend I’m immediately layering merino wool base layers, with an R1 fleece or Nano air mid layer, a lined hiking pant (I use Eddie Bauer First Ascent Guide pants, and lined guide pants.) and finally my hyper puff Belay jacket on top to keep my toasty for hours if I need. Sweating is your enemy so making sure moisture has a place to go is key. If I am out doing manual labor or plowing the driveway during a cold storm or laying down ice melt I have insulated Patagonia work bibs and a Carhartt Montana jacket that is also extremely warm for a synthetic insulation.

[@GabobStrulli]

Your manifattura ceccarelli Jacket Looks crazy. I would buy the more normal Green or Brown waxed Jacket. But they are a Bit pricey and i got a decent Jack Wolfskin jacket. The Go-to Jacket Brand in gemany. And for spring i bought a Vintage Carhartt jacket from the 2000s. I Love your Video about carhartt. I hope you do another one, because there are still other Jacket Models and a deep Dive / rabbit hole to explore.

[@jagdeshbirdi]

Love these jacket reviews! Would you ever consider doing luxury jacket reviews like Moose Knuckles, Moncler, and Mackage?

[@user-ul4wy2lx2m]

Eddie Bauer is my favorite they have so many great jackets 🧥 they don’t even advertise like they used to and I still see many people wearing them 😊

[@thanGacao]

I got that Manifattura, but the Filson version, best jacket ever. Style, design, pocket layout, warmth.

[@MyDogSteppedOnaBeee]

The L.L. Bean Baxter State Parka is hands-down, one of the warmest jackets, and so underrated! it’s waterproof, windproof, and it’s a really great jacket. You should review it on your channel if you haven’t.

[@BBlearning397]

Do you guys have any thoughts about fjallraven övik wool padded jacket? I’m on the fence about buying it. It’s has all the pro things like wax outer layer, wool for insulated but what worried me is how warm is it. I live in the rocks MTS where the temperature ranges from 10 degrees to 60 degrees in the winter but mostly I want it has a winter jacket. I would greatly appreciate any opinions.

[@AC-vt4uk]

Hey, where did you do the filming; it looks like a good place for a day hike?

[@Fumwum]

Long time listener long time commenter, I like your content kid. You got Moxy and spunk and stuff.

[@westuchiha15]

does pilsner still sell that jacket (the first in the video) as a solid color or are we limited to the atrocity that your link provides. As always, great video, very informative, never stop showing us the gravitational pull of the new england woodlands.

[@hubbiemid6209]

Could you make a video on gloves? Mittens are to bike with. Also if that filson didnt have those big pockets 😍

[@conan900]

Like the Filson the most, but living in Seattle area makes it hard to wear with all this rain. Goretex retro 94 from TNF is what I end up using most. Didn't realize they don't use Goretex anymore and only use their own patent now.

[@TheFutureisSteampunk]

Most city people are only going to go outdoors in the winter to shovel snow.

[@danielmaia3559]

Do some “luxury” stuff comparison like Moncler v Prada v Canada Goose

[@xCELESTIALNEONBLASTx]

was this filmed in NJ? I think i recognize that trail and parking lot lol. Was there a portion of the trail lined with small fairy houses?

[@plusgood15]

I can't believe you actually got the fisherman jacket. I thought it was lost in the ether

[@TheIronSnail]

I never forget

[@joshuaslosser6988]

I’ve had north face, Patagonia, Canada goose, and Eddie Bauer parkas. Eddie Bauer is the original parka and it’s going to be the one that’s here to stay for me. The b-9 parka is the one I have and it’s great

[@captdave-vh3xp]

Thank you for highlighting Eddie Bauer. No one ever mentions them anymore. Sadly, I get the impression that a lot of (younger) people consider Eddie Bauer to be "dad / grandad" gear. Cheers!

[@joshuaslosser6988]

@@captdave-vh3xp Eddie Bauer is really slept on and it’s a nice jacket!

[@matthewoconnor1621]

Dude.. you know your jackets 👌

[@knifenutsdave]

Curious what you think about Fjällräven, they're sort of like a Filson/Patagonia hybrid. Heritage/vintage inspired designs, durable, and a strong focus on environmental responsibility. They do neat things that I haven't seen other outdoor companies do, like use shredded wool as an insulator for coats.

[@skandahooligan88]

I have the Fjallraven Vardag Lite jacket and I love it. The fact you can wax their G1000 fabric to suit your individual use case is great.

[@WeGetWildTV]

Fjällräven is much better quality. WIsh he would of mentioned Colombia jackets for the low end to mid end jackets too.

[@groberti]

@@WeGetWildTV Columbia is actually more of a mid-range, great at price/quality ratio.. if you want low end he should look at Decathlon's stuff

[@valkimura1053]

I was looking for a NorthFace coat in January. Did not find what I wanted, so decided to wait till fall. Nope. Miss Patty Gonads can have it!

[@ejcandrin]

5:41 Fur creates turbulent air around the face which is more spaced than unimpeded laminar air. The vortex is called the boundary layer (I hardly know er!)

[@AStewart-jd8ep]

Have you reviewed Paramo jackets? (Last a long time as don't used shells, no PFCs...)

[@xWhiteRice]

I for one like the fisherman’s jacket. also trying to stick to natural waterproofing and avoid the environmental impact of PFAs but that might just mean I end up wet in an expensive waxed jacket

[@TheIronSnail]

Waxed jackets do amazing in the rain and wet! Maybe not PERFECT but really really well!

[@xWhiteRice]

@@TheIronSnail I agree! I saw your video testing them out. and no complaints of my own so far. Got the Taylor Stitch Navigator and I’m looking forward to testing it out

[@AngelofNever]

I read all the OutdoorGearLab reviews for these jackets and agonized over the choice (because they're so damned expensive) and settled on the Patagonia. Yeah you could probably go warmer than the Patagonia but the x-factor of being able to easily take that shell off is hard to quantify in reviews and turns the jacket in to a great all-rounder.

[@tnan123]

Manifattura Ceccarelli with the wool panels and down baffles makes me want to see if others can combine wool and down and still make a good looking jacket 🤔🤔

[@thegoldenpleb9885]

I would love for you to look into crockett and jones boots heard some very good things about them

[@felixh5852]

Where is the fleece quarter zip from very nice?

[@BenAnkobiah]

As a TNF fan boy, i feel like you could have used a better jacket for this, namely the Himalayan Down Jacket or the RMST version. Check it out! also I prefer Futurelight as the chemicals for the waterproof coating are biodegradable and gortex isnt.

[@TheIronSnail]

Okay these are amazing how did i miss them

[@jaxmanf]

There’s a whole other component to down jacket warmth that is very important: the baffle type. All of the jackets here are a sewn-through baffle, which means the stitching is on both sides and meets to form lines where no insulation can sit. A box baffle has a piece of fabric that functions as a wall between each baffle, meaning you can sew the jacket together and not have any spots where no down sits. For high-fill jackets, this makes an enormous difference in warmth, as you don’t have cold spots in between each baffle. To visualize the difference better, a sewn-through baffle looks kinda like a DNA strand, where it alternates between a down cell and sewn portion. A box baffle looks like a brick wall, with no points where the insulation tapers off. Edit: See the Nunatak Skaha, Malachowski Icon Tourist, Patagonia AlpLoft Parka, or Montbell Mirage for examples

[@TheIronSnail]

I cut out the part where I spoke about baffles but SO true and FASCINATING!

[@jaxmanf]

@@TheIronSnail Probably a good call, baffles aren’t super important unless you want to save grams worth of weight and don’t have a jacket under a shell. Also small other note, the Arc’teryx uses synthetic insulation in those spots not just because it dries faster, but because it stays warm when it’s wet. Synthetic insulation can hold up to 90% of its warmth when soaked, depending on the fype. Down loses all of it.

[@enricoantonioli7]

Another Italian brand you should try is "Fortela" by Alessandro Squarzi

[@andrewc9790]

Try to get your hands on a Phlippe Monet down leather jacket.

[@kevinjenkins6986]

Mammut is my go-to for jackets

[@shatzd]

Crashed my bike wearing the McMurdo, went over the handlebars and skidded along concrete pavement. Face and hands were very obviously damaged, jacket was still pristine. Was extremely impressed!

[@alanc6468]

Update on the wool jacket?

[@snakensfuck]

11:43 "Cause you be sweatin' ". jeanyus geneyis genius

[@lonevoyager6026]

What size do u wear?

[@Westlake72]

Nice vid - but it is a little like comparing what is best? Apples, oranges, combine harvesters, or feelings.

[@bmt65]

You should have the Seinfeld ep with George's puffer jacket on in the background.

[@sourbluecowdog]

Lmfao!!!!! That jacket with all the different patterns, the regular ones look awesome

[@jdlackey88]

I love the idea of down, but I am very allergic. I would rather freeze to death than wear down all day. Also, I live in the South so we only get like 2 weeks of 'actual' cold weather which is still pretty mild in the grand scheme of things.

[@ferryvantichelen6521]

Since I learned about all the chemical waste coming from Dupont (or whatever they changed their name to nowadays) I do prefer "old fashioned" materials. One question I have though: how is down sourced?

[@WinafredAnderson]

amazing

[@ICYMIKE]

Layering. Wear. Layers.

[@1dmarr]

The Patagonia wanaka jacket was amazing. Waterproof, warm and tough as nails. Can get a deal on them used. Also old Pendleton hunting coats rival Filson in quality for a fraction.

[@RLSteffler]

The McMurdo hood is also made with synthetic insulation!

[@jasonkrasowski4673]

Man! Sorry you didn’t like the Patagonia jacket. I got my 3n1 about 10 years ago, and damn, that thing has held up like a champ. Got me thru all the snow, rain and cold Chicago can dish out and kept me super warm and dry. I’ve thought about selling it just to have a different winter go-to, but it just works so well, I can’t part with it. Well worth the 500$ (at the time) and have recommended it over and over. But hey, to each their own. Cheers!

[@jonathanr.5968]

Completely agree, it is perfect for cold city weather

[@christianjmyhre]

I’m glad I know which jackets will not let me get spanked by the wind

[@Lonespark]

Ok. But what about that TV? What is that magnificent beast?

[@captdave-vh3xp]

Do you (or anyone) have an opinion on the Houdini Parka?

[@DaveAngilella]

Brand of that fleece at 11:11? 👀

[@TylerOath]

I totally would’ve taken that scoop home… lol

[@rafikhan4346]

I am surprised that the creator chose Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka instead of the Frozen Range 3-in-1. I own the latter and usually only use the shell because I find shell pretty warm in itself. Given that I live in Alberta, I would say it is more than most people need.

[@TheIronSnail]

Didn’t see that one! I’ll need to make a part 2!

[@WaelAKamel]

I always enjoy your videos, man! Kind of leaning against Patagonia, it feels like their jackets do not fit my style anymore, Ralph Lauren has an amazing collection for down/feather, got myself one Bomber Jacket that is sublime!

[@SquirrelMasterT1]

Kanuck makes the most amazing down jackets IMO. I can go out in -40 with just a t-shirt on underneath. They're also way more expensive than Arc'teryx.

[@vicosku]

"Lower fill power dries faster." Can you please provide a source for this? I can't find any information about it. It would change my opinion about some products that use lower fill power. All I can find through Google or AI is information stating that higher fill power is better in every way, including dry times. Thanks!

[@michaelshearer3559]

I hate the wool on the neck on my Down Cruiser Vest, otherwise love it. Why Filson?

[@mdc3227]

I wouldn't touch TNF with a barge pole where I am. It is considered a "chav" brand here and Arc'teryx is becoming the same. You see far more Arc'teryx jackets being worn on a rainy day in Edinburgh then out in the Cullins or in Assynt. Patagonia you see everywhere, but by-far the most popular jackets in Scotland for actual outdoor enthusiasts is Paramo.

[@tuckshop]

Is it just me? I can’t seem to get this “Carrot link” thing to work.

[@Shithappenswhenu]

That looks like north face's version of canada goose. That patagonia looks really good, shame I think that brand is overhyped now.

[@juancampos1164]

Nice reviews, too bad Abercrombie lost its ruggedness the last 30 years (+/-), which I have one of their last down bomber jacket, named “the furnace”. It had great history a long time ago and probably will never recover

[@gratengelsker7614]

You need to check out the norwegan brand, Norrøna!