Kühl Crossfire Parka Review

Kühl is known for their no-nonsense, stylish outerwear that toes the line between casual and performance. Their women's-specific Crossfire Parka follows this trend in a knee-length, high-coverage design that leaves plenty of room for layering. I have broad shoulders and often have a hard time finding parka-length jackets that allow me to walk and sit without restriction, but the Crossifre fits perfectly without looking like a giant sack of fabric and down. I've reached for it almost every day this winter in Montana and am continually impressed with the level of protection, cozy warmth, and excellent fit. Below are my thoughts on the Crossfire Parka. To see how it stacks up to the competition, check out our articles on the best women's winter jackets and best women's down jackets.
 

Table of Contents

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

Performance

Warmth

Kühl's Crossfire Parka scores high on warmth with a healthy dose of down and synthetic fill (the insulation is comprised of 56% duck down, 40% polyester fibers, and 4% duck feathers), along with a generous 40-inch center back length to maximize coverage. For reference, I'm 5'5", and the jacket extends all the way down to my knees, which helps seal in body heat while keeping out drafts. In my size medium, Kühl claims that the jacket uses 10.1 ounces of 650-fill-power down, which I found comparable to Patagonia's Down With It Parka (which uses 8.5 oz. of 600-fill down) in terms of warmth. In testing, the Crossfire kept me cozy during even the coldest days we've had in Montana this winter, but wind protection is a little lacking. This is largely due to the sewn-through baffles that allow air to permeate through the stitches, along with the relatively thin 20-denier (D) shell fabric that doesn't provide a very stalwart barrier.
 

Parka-length jackets get their warmth from a combination of materials and length, and the Crossfire is among the longer models available. Again, windproofing was the only area where I felt the Crossfire was noticeably lacking. While the jacket's 20D face fabric isn't excessively thin (it's on par with many lightweight down jackets), the sewn-through baffles leave a lot of uninsulated gaps where cold air can enter, which I've been able to counter by wearing a thicker midlayer (thankfully, the Crossfire is roomy enough to accommodate this). The good news is that the plush hood and tall collar add extra warmth, with the latter extending up past my chin when fully zipped. Finally, the Crossfire features 2-inch elastic wrist gaiters that extend past the cuffs to help seal out drafts and snow flurries.
 

Weather Protection

The Kühl Crossfire Parka offers decent protection in cold, snowy conditions but won't be mistaken for a fully waterproof design. As I touched on above, the parka uses a mix of down and synthetic fill, with synthetic offering better wet-weather assurance (it will continue to insulate when wet, unlike down, which tends to clump up and lose its insulating properties.) The nylon shell is also protected by a durable water-repellent (DWR) coating, which effectively repels dry snow and light moisture, and the internal storm flap backing the main zipper helps mitigate drafts. However, make no mistake: This is not a fully waterproof winter jacket like Fjallraven's Nuuk Parka or The North Face's Arctic Parka. Personally, I would often rather have a lightweight jacket like the Crossfire than a heavier-duty design like the Nuuk or Arctic, but it's largely a matter of personal preference and the conditions you typically face.
 

In addition to the synthetic insulation and DWR treatment mentioned above, the Crossfire uses a water-repellent coating on the down to help protect it from moisture. In testing, I've found the combination to be effective at keeping light precipitation from saturating the fabric. There are also overlays along the shoulders and upper back for added protection and abrasion resistance. I've worn the jacket in serious flurries and never had an issue with it wetting out, although I'd certainly leave it home in driving sleet or rain. It's also worth noting that the DWR coating will require re-application after awhile to continue repelling moisture, but it's a fairly easy process (I like to use Nikwax's TX.Direct Spray-On treatment).
 

Construction and Durability

Kühl apparel is often well priced for the level of quality and performance, and the Crossfire Parka is no exception. Though lightweight, the parka has a fairly substantial feel and uses high-quality components throughout. In addition, the 20D shell is made with Mikrotex, a tightly woven nylon fabric that's highly resistant to tears and abrasion. To be clear, it's noticeably less robust than what you get with alternatives like Rab's Deep Cover Parka, which features a thicker 50D shell, but the Crossfire has held up well throughout a full winter of testing. There are a few loose threads along the upper arms, but I haven't noticed any feathers poking out, and all of the smaller components (e.g., zippers and drawcords) are holding up flawlessly.
 

Key Features

Hood

The Kühl Crossfire Parka features a medium-coverage, down-insulated hood. The hood is shaped nicely with a snug-but-not-sloppy fit, stays on my head over a beanie, and has a small brim that's mostly effective at deflecting precipitation away from my face. It also doesn't interfere with peripheral vision when cinched tight. For tweaking the fit, there are two drawcords (one at each side) that are easy to use even with gloves on. Unlike some parkas, the Crossfire's hood isn't removable, which I'm fine with—I find detachable hoods to be somewhat cumbersome and have accidentally ripped off snap-attached designs on several occasions.
 

Storage: Pockets

The Crossfire Parka features two generously sized handwarmer pockets that are insulated with the same 650-fill down as the rest of the jacket. They're also lined with a textured, waffle-knit material that absorbs moisture without growing soggy. Both pockets feature a zippered opening and can swallow a smartphone, snacks, and keys, which effectively eliminates the need to carry a purse or small bag. I'd prefer the zipper pulls to be a little longer, as I have to take off thicker winter gloves to get them open and closed, but the zippers are durable and operate smoothly. My only complaint is that the Crossfire is missing internal pockets—I'd love to see a small internal chest pocket in a future update for safeguarding valuables. 
 

Cuffs

I love the cuffs on this jacket. They feature a stretchy gasket that measures 2 inches long and extends past the sleeves, which helps eliminate bunching when paired with a midlayer. Due to the generous stretch in the fabric, the gaskets also do an excellent job sealing out snow and wind without feeling overly tight. They sit over thin gloves and underneath thicker mittens without feeling bulky, and I like that you can see them peeking out from the sleeves. For a more streamlined look, Arc'teryx's Thorium XLong Parka features internal gaskets that don't extend past the cuffs, or you can opt for jacket with Velcro closures at the wrists.
 

Length

The Crossfire is a knee-length parka that measures 40 inches down the center back. This is fairly long for a women's winter jacket (most competitors are at least a few inches shorter), but Kühl did a good job maintaining mobility by ending the front zipper five inches above the bottom hem. This has allowed me to chase my dog whenever he takes off without being impeded mid-stride. The gap does seem to impact warmth, but I like the design overall. And if you need even more freedom of movement, the Crossfire's two-way main zipper makes it possible to open the zipper from the bottom up (it's not always easy to line up or smooth to operate, however). Longer parkas have historically felt quite binding to me, but the Crossfire's excellent balance of mobility and coverage is one of my favorite elements of the design.
 

Weight and Packability

The Crossfire's low weight (1 lb. 8 oz. in a size medium) is one of its most impressive attributes, in my opinion. For comparison, Patagonia's comparably warm Down With It Parka checks is nearly a pound heavier at 2 pounds 5 ounces, while burly waterproof models like the Fjallraven Nuuk mentioned above can handily exceed 3 pounds (the Nuuk is 3 lb. 13.1 oz.). There are certainly closer comparisons—like REI's Stormhenge 850 Down Parka, which weighs 1 pound 6.9 ounces—but the Crossfire is nevertheless highly competitive, especially considering it uses mid-range down fill (the Stormhenge's 850-fill down is loftier, thus providing more warmth for less weight). The Crossfire is also highly packable, compressing down to the size of a basketball—great for stuffing in a suitcase or duffel bag for travel.
 

Fit and Sizing

Along with its knee-length protection and low weight, the Crossfire won me over with its fit. I have fairly broad shoulders for my size and often have trouble zipping long parkas over a midlayer—and forget about sitting and driving in them. The Crossfire has an accommodating fit that's not overly baggy, with enough flare at the waist that I don't need to unzip it when walking (though it does have a two-way zipper if you need it). It's even comfortable enough to drive in when fully zipped, unlike my Fjallraven Nuuk Parka, which doesn't allow me to even sit in the driver's seat without unzipping. In terms of sizing, Kühl offers the Crossfire in sizes XS to XL, and my usual women's medium fit true.
 

The Crossfire's excellent fit is partially due to its body-mapped baffles: The 5.25-inch baffles along the front, back, and upper arms help maximize warmth around your core, while 3-inch baffles under the arms and down the sides help maintain range of motion. The hood is similarly articulated, with wide panels on the sides and top and smaller sections for flexibility at the back of the neck. 
 

Sustainability

We appreciate when brands go the extra mile in creating sustainably built products, and in this case, Kühl outfitted the Crossfire Parka with recycled polyester insulation. They don't specify how much of the insulation is recycled, nor do they include information about how the down fill was sourced. We'd love to see this employed in a future update, along with a PFAS-free DWR coating that's free from harmful "forever chemicals" (traditional water-repellent coatings are under scrutiny for this, with many outdoor brands transitioning to more environmentally friendly alternatives).
 

Men's Kuhl Crossfire Hooded Jacket

The Crossfire Parka that I tested is a women's-specific design, but Kühl does offer a shorter Crossfire Hooded Jacket for men. Like the women's parka, the men's jacket uses a mix of down and synthetic insulation, has body-mapped baffles to balance warmth and mobility, and features strategically placed overlays for added protection and abrasion resistance. Despite having a shorter cut than the women's model (it extends to just below the waist), the Crossfire Hooded Jacket costs more than the parka at $350 but does come with upgraded storage in the form of two zippered chest pockets, two handwarmer pockets, and an interior drop-in pocket.
 

What We Like

• Healthy dose of down and synthetic fill offers cozy warmth with a modest dose of weather protection.
• 40-inch center back length provides excellent coverage, and the fact that the front zipper ends 5 inches higher makes the jacket very easy to move in.
• Body-mapped baffles maximize warmth where you need it while minimizing bulk and restriction to movement elsewhere.
• Extended wrist gaskets are great at sealing out wind and snow.
• Impressively lightweight and packable.
• Flattering, well-tailored fit offers great mobility, accommodates layers underneath, and doesn't look or feel overly baggy.

What We Don’t

• Sewn-through baffles allow gusts to creep through the exterior.
• No interior storage—I'd love to see an internal chest pocket for stashing valuables in a future update.
• Two-way zipper can be finicky to line up.
• 20D shell is on the thinner end and has a more delicate feel than some competitors.
   

Comparison Table​

The Competition

The Crossfire Parka is a sleek women's winter jacket with excellent coverage, but there are a lot of options that fit that bill. Our favorite design this year is the Patagonia Down With It Parka, which offers comparable warmth and style in a more durable and wind-resistant package. Patagonia doesn't list the denier specification for the Down With It, but we'd estimate its outer shell fabric to be closer to 40 or 50D, resulting in a noticeably more hardwearing feel. It also translates to better wind resistance, although weight goes up to a fairly hefty 2 pounds 5 ounces. Neither jacket is fully waterproof, but the Crossfire is slightly more wet weather-ready with the use of water-resistant down and synthetic fill (the Patagonia uses only untreated down). Finally, the Crossfire uses slightly higher-quality down that's warmer for the weight. In the end, we think the Patagonia's upgrades in durability and wind resistance are worth the trade-offs, but the Kühl isn't far behind and gets the clear edge in weight.

The Marmot Montreal Down Coat is another great choice that's similar to the Crossfire in terms of design and fit. While much shorter than the Crossfire at 34 inches, we think the Montreal hits a nice middle ground between coverage and mobility. It also uses loftier down (700-fill) that's treated for water resistance, scores high in comfort with a cozy lining and microfleece backing the hand pockets, and offers more storage, including two internal pockets (one zippered and one drop-in). The Marmot also features a removable, faux fur-lined hood, which we think adds a nice dose of flair (although it's largely a matter of personal preference). All that said, the Montreal is heavier than the Crossfire at 2 pounds even, doesn't provide as much coverage, and lags a bit behind in warmth.
 

Rab's Deep Cover Parka is another competitive option to have on your radar. Packing in 12 ounces of 700-fill down, the Rab is warmer than the Crossfire (and all of the other alternatives we’ve listed) but still manages to clock in under 2 pounds, which is quite impressive. The Crossfire is lighter by over 5 ounces while offering an additional 4.6 inches of coverage, but both jackets are competitive in terms of warmth for the weight. The Deep Cover also tacks on a removable hood with a detachable faux-fur brim, a windproof and highly water-resistant Pertex Quantum fabric, and an internal zippered chest pocket for valuables—all of which the Crossfire lacks. In the end, it’s up to you how much warmth you need, but both jackets are well made and have their respective strong suits.

For climates where wet and cold weather go hand in hand, it may be worth upgrading to a fully waterproof winter jacket like The North Face’s Arctic Parka. For $19 less than the Kühl, the Arctic boasts a 2-layer DryVent shell that’s seam-sealed for reliable protection against even sustained moisture. The Arctic is shorter than the Crossfire at 35.3 inches down the back, but as we mentioned above, this length is often perfect for maximizing coverage without impeding range of motion. The Arctic also features a thicker (50D) shell fabric, comes with a zip-off faux-fur brim on the hood, and has a brushed tricot lining for improved next-to-skin comfort. The waterproof shell and added features do translate to added heft and bulk, and we prefer the Crossfire’s more tailored fit, but the Arctic is a solid option for those who need the waterproofing.