Patagonia DAS Parka - Men's Review |
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Overall avg rating 4.4 of 5 based on 6 reviews. Most recent review: March 2, 2012
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Street Price:
Varies from $230 - $299 | Compare prices at 3 resellers
Pros: One of the warmest insulated jackets.
Cons: Doesn't fit smaller people well, doesn't layer well, bulky.
Best Uses: Alpine climbing, ice climbing, ski touring.
Recommendations: 100% of reviewers (5/5) recommend Patagonia DAS Parka - Men's
Manufacturer:
Patagonia
| Review by: Ian Nicholson ⋅ Review Editor, OutdoorGearLab ⋅ April 13, 2010 |
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Overview
The DAS is heavy, bulky, and expensive, but it really keeps you warm. We generally prefer lighter insulated jackets that can be better layered with other jackets. But if you are just looking for the warmest synthetic jacket, this is it. The DAS Parka or "Dead Air Space" parka has been a cornerstone of climbing parkas for over 20 years. It's a classic parka with no extra frills and a boxy cut. For older DAS users, the new DAS feels more spacious because the new material achieves the same warmth as old material with less bulk. Tester Ian Nicholson has owned three DAS parkas, all of different generations, and offered excellent input into this review.
If you prefer something less expensive, the Montbell UL Thermawrap Jacket - Men's and the REI Revelcloud Jacket - Men's are both excellent jackets. They are much thinner but also layer better and are more versatile.
Check out our complete Men's Insulated Jacket Review to see how this jacket compared to others.
OutdoorGearLab Editors' Hands-on Review
Likes
The Patagonia DAS Parka is relatively light for its warmth. It comes with a stuff sack that clips to your harness nicely. The hood is copious and fits over a helmet well. The DAS could be zipped open from the bottom when the jacket was zipped to give easier access to a harness. Its "hand warmer" pockets are big and will accomodate even larger mitts nicely. The DAS also features two internal water bottle pockets, great for keeping bottles, gloves or candy bars from freezing. Its Nepolane pocket is big enough for a camera and doesn't get in the way of a waist belt during unpleasant rappels. We liked the draw cord at the bottom of the jacket. While it wasn't the most weather resistant parka tested, it was fine for snow and was one of the least bulky, especially considering how warm it is.
A big part of Patagonia is the history, manufacturing process, and philosophy behind their gear that is told in Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard. Highly recommended reading.
Dislikes
This parka is ideal if you are standing around in cold weather. But if you are active at all, it won't breathe well. It is not as convenient to layer under a shell or other layers. It is also really expensive. Also, even size extra small doesn't fit smaller people well.
Best Application
Alpine Climbing, ice climbing, ski touring anytime it's cold and you don't want to be. Not as good a choice for more moderate temps, like summer alpine rock climbing in the Sierra or the Cascades.
Value
This is one of the most expensive insulated jackets. It will last forever and has a great warranty. However, because it is so heavy, it is not as versatile as thinner layers. It does not layer that well and so is best for the winter and sub zero temps.
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Ian Nicholson and Chris McNamara
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OutdoorGearLab Member Reviews of Patagonia DAS Parka - Men's
Most recent review: March 2, 2012
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
I have spent comfortable mild Sierra nights with fleece pants, a bivi bag and this jacket. It is warm and the large hood scrunched up makes an adequate pillow.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
Almost works as well as the Arcteryx dually.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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Migas · River Rafter · Boden, Sweden
It feels like walking around wrapt into a downblanket. Very soft and very warm. The collar is very high. It breeths well.
I have all 3 of Patagonias stuffed jackets. The Nano Puff Hoody, the Puff Hoody and the DAS Parka. They all rock!
I use the Nano in the autumn, until the snow comes. Then I use the Puff Hoody pretty much all winter. Only when it is really cold I can wear the DAS Parka. It is so warm. It is my extreme winter jacket.
I should mention a funny thing with Patagonia stuffed jackets.
You have to wear something with long sleeves under them, then they are superwarm.
But with only a T-shirt under, they are cold. Even the thick DAS Parka.
So it is important to know, how you want to dress under it.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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WML · Climber · Biggest Little City, NV
Do you enjoy suffering? Do your friends, even the climbing ones, ask you why the hell you are going to (insert locale) to go climbing at this time of year? Do you enjoy falling ice, rock, and temperatures?
If your answer to these is a resounding 'yes' and you tend to be a bit of a masochist, no reason to be cold at belays no mo'!
The DAS is probably my favorite piece of gear from Tahoe to Lone Pine above 6,000 feet from November-March. Warmth and happiness in a jacket. It really is that simple. Sometimes.
If you are considering buying it, go ahead and do it. Not the most packable thing ever, but you are really paying for a portable campfire (note: no actual campfire included) level of warmth. Water resistant and since it is synthetic, no need to worry if it gets wet. Win-win.
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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Great coat. As a Wyoming resident, I Live in this coat more than 6 months a year. It climbs with me, chops wood with me and does chores with me.This is my 3rd year in the SAME COAT; No wear spots, No zipper problems, No shifting of fill or cold spots evolving. Those "inside waterbottle pockets" that Chris Mc. refers to, we call "shoplifter pockets" and are roomy enough to accommodate about anything; most especially hats, gloves, sandwiches and headlamps. The zippered, front breast pocket is VERY cool and useful for the "finer things" in a rough&tumble Life. The adjustments on the hood are perhaps the coolest. They make it totally functional with or without a hat, helmet, headlamp or howling wind. THIS IS TRULY ONE OF THE VERY BEST PIECES OF CLOTHING THAT I'VE EVER BOUGHT. (Its right up there with Grammici Shorts, Thurlo Sox, 5.10 Annisazis (pink) & Patagonia Synchilla !!)Looks like they are currently ON SALE at Patagonia, too !!
Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this product to a friend.
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 Patagonia DAS Parka Credit: Patagonia.com
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