Fjallraven Nuuk Parka Review

Fjallraven is known for expertly blending style and functionality, and their Nuuk Parka is no exception. The Nuuk has been a staple in Fjallraven's winter lineup for many years and is ideal for work trips, urban strolls in frigid temperatures, or cozy cabin getaways. After a season of testing the women's version in the unpredictable weather patterns of British Columbia, where a long day can start with clear skies and end with a bomb cyclone (true story!), we've come away impressed with the Nuuk for a lot of use cases. Read on to learn about our experiences with the Nuuk Parka. And to see how it stacks up to the rest of the market, check our articles on the best winter jackets and best women's winter jackets.
 

Table of Contents

• Warmth
• Weather Protection
• Construction and Durability
• Key Features
• Weight and Packability
• Fit and Sizing
• Sustainability
• What We Like/What We Don't
• Comparison Table
• The Competition

Performance

Warmth

The Fjallraven Nuuk Parka is a seriously warm jacket. The 250-gram (g) Supreme Microloft synthetic insulation, along with the water- and windproof outer shell, kept me toasty warm, even in frigid conditions down into the lower teens Fahrenheit. For reference, I live on a peninsula in British Columbia and often will take a ferry, floatplane, or helijet over to the mainland for work. I recently wore the Nuuk for one of these commutes on a particularly cold and brutally windy day and was very thankful for the large, faux fur-lined hood and fleece-lined pockets. That said, while I remained mostly comfortable, the large fit of the Nuuk Parka did allow some drafts to infiltrate from the bottom (more on this below in "Fit and Sizing"). This could have been due to the angle of the wind, though, as I've not noticed the issue at other times. 
 

The Nuuk Parka is a great choice for wandering in the snow, and the long back length of 33.9 inches is ideal if you need to sit on snowy benches or seats. But it's the hood that really elevates this jacket. Initially, I thought the faux-fur rim was primarily aesthetic and assumed I would remove it, but I am a convert. The cozy warmth it provides is almost beyond belief. Zero heat escapes from the opening, which is typically only something I've experienced with hoods you can physically cinch tight. But with the Nuuk, I didn't even need to wear a beanie or hold the hood closed to keep warmth from escaping. Beyond that, the hood itself is well insulated and large for generous coverage (better than other jackets I've tested, such as the Patagonia Jackson Glacier Parka). 
 

Lastly, the Nuuk has a generous wind flap over the main zipper, which effectively kept all wind out, even on the torrential day I described above, and the cuffs can be cinched tight with Velcro tabs. The hand pockets are lined with cozy fleece—which I love—though there is insulation on the inner side between your body and the pocket. I would prefer if my hands could take advantage of my body heat while being protected from the outer air on the exterior, but this is more of a personal preference than a design flaw.
 

Weather Protection

On a personal note, I don't do umbrellas. I hate carrying and storing them and always seem to misplace them. I rely on my jacket and hood to do the heavy lifting required in the Pacific Northwest's often wet conditions. While testing the Nuuk Parka, I ended up walking to my helijet (a commuter helicopter that gives transport to Vancouver Island) during a bomb cyclone (great for testing!). I was absolutely pummeled by rain and heavy winds, and the outer layer of the Nuuk kept me totally dry—I was genuinely impressed by how the water beaded and rolled off of the exterior. The outer material has a slight canvas feel to it, which made me think that it would wet out, but that has not been my experience. Since then, I've held the jacket under running faucet water to try to push its limits, and it still has never wetted out. 
 

The Fjallraven Nuuk Parka falls to mid-thigh length, which also helps with its impressive protection. In rain and snow, this length is sufficient to keep the legs dry, with the exception of sideways wind, as I mentioned above. The hood can be easily adjusted with a Velcro tab at the back and two cinches in front to pull the opening tight and keep it secure—even in the gnarliest of wind. The hood is also deep enough to easily fend off rain and snow from above. The fur brim does get damp, but it's thankfully removable—a great feature for when you're heading out in particularly wet conditions. Lastly, a significant storm flap snaps over the main front zipper, which helps keep precipitation out even when it's pelting sideways.
 

Construction and Durability

When the Nuuk Parka arrived at my house, the fleece lining of the hand pocket had a small hole. I didn't ask for a replacement, and I have just been careful not to put small items like candy or earbuds in that particular pocket. Other than this little flaw (which is undoubtedly just a fluke), Fjallraven's gear is highly durable and well constructed, and the remainder of the Nuuk is no exception. All stitches, snaps, zippers, buttons, and Velcro fasteners are well constructed and holding up well. I own two other Fjallraven jackets (the Räven and Kiruna), both of which have had significant use and show no signs of wear, and I expect no different from the Nuuk over the years to come. 
 

Key Features

Hood

As discussed above, the hood on the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka is warm and cozy, fleece-lined, and generously sized. I love that the faux-fur brim is removable, making the jacket more versatile for different kinds of weather and styling preferences. The hood also has an internal metal wire to help keep its shape, and the Velcro tab at the back of the head can be adjusted to help pull the hood higher on the forehead. Two front cinches can be pulled to tighten the opening and secure everything in place, and the generous size allows for easily wearing a beanie underneath, though the hood is warm enough in most cases to not require additional insulation. The fur brim is attached via a series of buttons and is decently easy to remove, though it's pretty finicky to reattach. Finally, the collar is high enough that I can bury my chin into it even when the hood is down.
 

Storage: Pockets

If you like having lots of pocket options, you will definitely fall in love with the Nuuk, which has eleven (yes, eleven) pockets. Starting on the outside, there are two chest pockets secured with a single snap, two fleece-lined zippered hand pockets, and two lower pockets that are also nice for the hands and have an outer fleecy lining. On the interior, there is a zipped chest pocket and a snap-equipped pocket, both on the left side, along with two stretchy mesh dump pockets. Additionally, there is a secret pocket that runs parallel to the main zipper on the right side. I had the jacket for over a month before I noticed this pocket, and it's now my favorite place to keep my wallet and phone. 
 

The hand pockets are well placed: They are slightly higher than on some other jackets but still comfortable. The fleece lining is soft and cozy, but because these pockets are positioned outside of the jacket's main insulation, I find that my hands can still become chilly if I'm not wearing gloves. Thankfully, the sizing of these pockets is generous and provides plenty of room for gloved or mittened hands. That said, I'd prefer it there was insulation on the outside of these pockets. 
 

Weight and Packability 

I tested the Nuuk Parka in a size extra small, and it weighed 3 pounds 12 ounces on my scale, which is hardly light. Although Fjallraven claims this jacket is for trekking, I would never reach for it if I were heading out on a hike—this is not the jacket you'll enjoy packing or carrying. That said, despite the heft, the weight is well distributed, and the jacket does not feel heavy or bulky while on the move. There is also a lighter version, the Nuuk Lite Parka ($450, 2 lb. 15.3 oz.), which shaves some ounces but also reduces insulation. 
 

Fit and Sizing

If you've read everything above, it's probably pretty clear that I really like the Fjallraven Nuuk Parka. However, my biggest issue with this jacket has to do with the fit. Fjallraven claims it has a "regular" fit, and when I used their sizing guide, it suggested that I should order a size S. But based on others' feedback, I opted for the XS and am glad I did. Truthfully, the XS is still too large, and I'd be better off with an XXS. Even with the drawcord at the waist cinched (which is a great feature), the cut allows drafts to enter from the bottom. 
 

This complaint aside, the Nuuk is comfortable and easy to move in and, despite its weight, does not feel heavy or awkward, even when working on tasks like lifting and carrying firewood. I read some reviews that say the arms are too long, but they ended up being perfect for me, and I don't have particularly long arms. The hem is ideal and falls mid-thigh, and I love the double zipper, which allows me to open the jacket up from the bottom when sitting or stepping up into my van. Finally, the cuffs are a nice size and also have a Velcro cinch to tighten them down around gloves and keep the wind out. 
 

Sustainability

In 2025, it's thankfully becoming more of the norm than not for companies, particularly those geared toward the outdoors, to employ sustainable practices in their business model. Fjallraven does their part in quite a few meaningful ways, which they outline in detail in their Code of Conduct. From being a member of Cascale and the Fair Labor Association to pledging the humane treatment of animals (animal-based materials are only used when synthetics cannot offer the same functionality) to using sustainable materials and yearly grants for non-profit organizations, Fjallraven is a company you can feel good about supporting. As far as the Nuuk Parka in particular, the lining and outer shell are both made from 100%-recycled materials. And if and when the time comes to repair your Nuuk, Fjallraven offers some in-store repair services, as well as a plethora of helpful videos on their site to guide you through repairing things like zippers, buttons, and tears on your own.
 

Other Versions of the Fjallraven Nuuk

Fjallraven makes the Nuuk Parka in a men's version, and, as mentioned above, there is also a Lite variation for both men and women available for $50 less. The women's Lite is about 14 ounces lighter than the regular Nuuk Parka and is filled with 100 g/m² PrimaLoft Black Insulation instead of 250 g/m² Supreme Microloft. Interestingly, though, the Lite is almost 4 inches longer than the standard Parka. On the men's side, the Lite Parka has the same differences in insulation, will shave off 12.3 ounces from the heftier Nuuk Parka, and the back length stays the same between the two models.

What We Like

• Very cozy and warm with a luxurious hood.
• Well built with a hardwearing, canvas-like exterior and high-quality components.
• Nicely featured with an abundance of pockets, a double zipper, a drawcord at the waist, and a removable faux-fur brim on the hood.
• Excellent weather protection from wind, snow, and rain.
• Great mobility despite the overall heft.
• Classy styling with a keen attention to detail.
   

What We Don’t

• Pricey at $500.
• Fit runs noticeably large—we opted for an XS rather than our usual S and could have sized down even further.
• Even with the hem cinch, drafts were able to creep in from the bottom due to the roomy fit.
• Not very packable due to its heft and bulk, which decreases overall versatility.
   

Comparison Table​

The Competition

If you know you'd like a long parka as your main winter jacket but would prefer something lighter and more packable, the Patagonia Down With It Parka is the one we reach for more than any other. It's over a pound and a half lighter than the Nuuk, almost 5.5 inches longer, and a whopping $151 cheaper. Not only is the Down With It extremely comfortable, it also offers all the perks of a typical Patagonia product: great color choices, attractive styling, a two-way zipper, a removable hood, handwarmer pockets, and a generous amount of insulation (8.5 oz. of 600-fill down). However, the Down With It uses lower-quality down than many comparable options, and while it can fend off light moisture, it's not fully waterproof. All told, the Down With It is pretty different from the Nuuk, though either one would be a great addition to a winter wardrobe. If you live in a wet, cold, and unpredictably stormy place, the Nuuk is the better bet. But if you live somewhere with a bit milder temperatures or where snow is more the norm than rain, the Down With It is a classic for a reason.
 

The Marmot Montreal Down Coat is another great choice with similar looks to the Patagonia Down With It. For just $300 ($49 less than the Patagonia), you get higher-quality (700-fill) hydrophobic down, and you'll shed 5 more ounces on the scale. The Montreal is shorter at just 34 inches, making it a thigh-length option instead of knee-length, which means it's easier to move in but won't provide as much coverage and warmth. It has a fur-brimmed hood like the Nuuk, although instead of finicky buttons like the Fjallraven, the Montreal's hood zips off. But with no flap covering the front zipper and thinner, less durable fabrics, this is less of a performance piece and more of an urban lifestyle piece. Depending on your needs, the Marmot may not be enough jacket, but it's still a great addition to a winter quiver, especially if you can find it on sale. 

For a performance jacket that truly gives the Fjallraven Nuuk a run for its money, the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka is not to be missed. While it's very pricey at $699, the Tres (as its name suggests) gives you three jackets in one: a waterproof hooded shell, an insulated hoodless down jacket, or an insulated parka. The full parka is very warm (often too warm depending on the weather), but the ability to separate the layers based on what Mother Nature is doing makes the Tres a highly versatile option. The generous 38.1-inch length provides excellent coverage, and, as with most Patagonia pieces, the cut is classically stylish. For more details, check out our in-depth Tres Parka review.
 

Last but not least is the REI Stormhenge 850 Down Hybrid Parka. For just $299, the Stormhenge is a great option and impressively lightweight at just 1 pound 10.5 ounces. The hybrid design uses high-quality 850-fill-power goose down in the body and sleeves, 180-gram synthetic at the hem and cuffs, and 80-gram synthetic in the hood and side panels. The result is a very cozy and warm jacket, though it's got a noticeably "puffier" look to it than the streamlined look of the two Patagonia options discussed above. The proprietary 2-layer HydroWall shell is decently waterproof, and we appreciate touches like soft internal gaskets on the cuffs and a two-way zipper. Overall, the price is right on the Stormhenge, but we grab it when we want to feel wrapped in coziness, not when we want to look chic.