Ms Stormshadow Parka

It’s an incredible parka — the Stormshadow really impressed me. I don’t usually write reviews, but felt compelled this time. I have no idea who handles Patagonia’s design and sizing, but it’s genuinely frustrating. I wanted to buy the jacket version, yet the Small was too restrictive while the Medium felt like I was swimming in it. Oddly, the Small Parka fit perfectly — almost like it sits between the Small and Medium jacket. The shoulders were spot on, chest not tight, and the arm length was great. I could add an extra layer if I wanted to, but wouldn’t need to. For reference, I’m 177 cm and 76 kg. Great parka. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? I’d say so — though definitely better if you can grab it on sale.

I truly love this coat unfortunately it is not made in a 3X. Currently I have the 3 in one and love it most days. The challenge is when I travel to harsher climate where temperatures drop to wind chill of -25 degrees I have a problem. 10 years or so I purchased the prior model and it was perfect in a 2X. Unfortunately I now have to wear suit jackets more and this doesn’t fit. Wish they could make a 3x

Is it just me? Straight to the point, My main gripe was cold spots. The entire front of my arms would lose down: shifting to the rear of the arms (elbows). I had to shake and shift the down back to the front of the arm multiple times a week. Very annoying AND NOT EASY TO DO considering seam/down pocket location, turning arms inside out to aid in the procedure. Also a cold spot center of my back as I sit in a cold car seat or chair. I assumed I had a defecting item but by chance needed one size larger, true to size, this was my fault. The same thing with the cold spots happened with a medium as with a small. I’m still very tempted to say that the problem would be remedied with more down per pocket. I spoke with customer service and suggested this, even requesting a special exception for me, add more down to trouble areas, but to no avail, they don’t do “repairs” on down. Overall they were extremely helpful, tips on how to redistribute the down, but it’s just too much maintenance. The default is cold arms in front but toasty in the rear from all the down shifting. I honestly can’t believe it’s just me. I get the physics of the problem, front of arms are above and the back/elbow below, so gravity kicks in. Why wouldn’t that be same for everyone? A mystery. OTHERWISE I loved the coat. It was with great sadness after much deliberation that I am returning it. The style and fit and details and overall design are great. I would have just loved more down to eliminate down shifting so easily. Too bad I can’t customise the fill AMOUNT. One of my biggest gripes for any coat insulation, the quality of the insulation can be listed but not the amount OF INSULATION?? The amount can mean everything when it becomes a matter of cold spots. I will say yes to recommending this to a friend because apparently it’s just me! if it doesn’t work for you also, just return it, Patagonia is great for that. Considering their environmental commitment and material sourcing I will get something else from them but I am definitely settling. Happy with next purchase because it’s Patagonia , but settling.

Tough! This thing is built well. Solid construction. Definitely will last a few years. Coming from a warn out ripped leaking feathers grade 7 that lasted 2 years.

love the sizing (accurate) and cut of this parka. it is warm and feature rich. love the left chest zipper pocket in the flap (no need to zip down to open the parka to find the pocket) and the gore-tex treatment (although I have not used it under the rain). Unfortunately, there are a few shortcomings. - it is incredibly expensive compared with competing brands - external pocket are not well positionned and way too big. Also, they are not properly fleeced and don't warm up the hands. other downside, the hands do not fall in the right position (too high) and the pockets are so big that cold air comes in easily. very odd design choices. - The parka is a bit on the short side, comes at the hip but the leg is mostly exposed - last: good luck finding the New Navy color which is featured in the video on the Patagonia page. . .