Marmot Fordham Review
Compare prices at 2 resellers Pros: Durable, warm, super comfortable
Cons: Limited wet weather protection due to non-sealed seams
Manufacturer: Marmot
Our Verdict
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Marmot Fordham | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Price | $324.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $649.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $849.00 at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $699.00 at Backcountry | $348.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Durable, warm, super comfortable | Durable, clean looking, warm, weather resistant | Warm, weather resistant, very stylish | Fashionable, warm, weatherproof | Warm, long hem |
Cons | Limited wet weather protection due to non-sealed seams | “Crinkly” shell fabric | Light on features | Expensive, controversial hood | Bulky, small hood |
Bottom Line | A quality option at a reasonable price for general winter coat needs | Crème de la crème of winter coats, this model outperformed the others overall | A stylish long-hemmed parka with excellent warmth and weather resistance | A good choice for staying warm and looking good, but you'll have to fork over a hefty chunk of cash | Extreme cold weather protection with a relatively affordable price tag |
Rating Categories | Marmot Fordham | Arc'teryx Camosun Parka | Arc'teryx Thorsen Parka | Patagonia Frozen Range | McMurdo Parka III |
Warmth (25%) | |||||
Weather Resistance (20%) | |||||
Comfort (20%) | |||||
Style (20%) | |||||
Features (10%) | |||||
Durability (5%) | |||||
Specs | Marmot Fordham | Arc'teryx Camosun... | Arc'teryx Thorsen... | Patagonia Frozen... | McMurdo Parka III |
Down Fill Power | 700 | 750 | 750 | 700 | 550 |
Total Weight (pounds) | 2.75 lb | 2.14 lb | 2.44 lb | 2.76 lb | 3.55 lb |
Pockets | 2 zippered handwarmer, 1 flap chest pocket, 1 zippered internal media | 2 zippered hand, 1 internal security | 2 hand zip, 1 internal zip | 2 zippered handwarmer, 1 external zippered chest, 1 interior drop-in | 2 chest height, zippered handwarmers, 2 exterior top-entry Velcro flap pockets, 1 sleeve, 1 interior media pocket, and 2 side-entry waist handwarmers |
Hood | Yes (removable) | Yes (removable) | Yes | Yes | Yes (removable) |
Hood Adjustments | Adjustable drawcords | 3 adjustable drawcords | 3 adjustable drawcords | One rear drawcord | Rear drawcord |
Baffle Type | Sewn-through | Sewn-through under an outer shell fabric | Interior baffles | Interior baffles | Sewn-through under an outer shell fabric |
Main Fabric | MemBrain 2L 100% polyester | N150p-x Gore-Tex 2L | 2L Gore-Tex | Shell: 4 oz 75-denier 100% recycled polyester Gore-Tex 2L, Lining: 100% recycled polyester ripstop with DWR finish | DryVent 2L 100% nylon |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Fordham jacket from Marmot has its pluses and minuses. As compared to the best of the best, there is no real comparison. The Fordham is a budget product in a field led by no-holds-barred products. In the end, however, the performance is more than acceptable, and the price is a great bargain for what you get. As a comprehensive, full-function, all-around winter jacket, this jacket provides great value.
Performance Comparison
Warmth
First, some background. Jackets, no matter how much insulation you put in them and no matter what that insulation is made of, are not warm on their own. It isn't until a living human being gets inside that the warmth begins. The jacket's job isn't to make you warm; it is to keep you warm. Get in a jacket cold, and you'll still be cold. Generate heat, and have a jacket that holds that heat in, and you will be warm. The Fordham keeps your heat in with high quality, 700 fill power down insulation.
The market describes down regarding how much space a given weight of down expands to. More volume per weight of down is better insulation value and is more packable due to compactness and lower mass. The scale of down that appears in modern jackets goes from 550 fill to about 1000. At 700 power, the insulation of the Fordham is near the middle. For a model that is less expensive than most, this is good down. It is not clear exactly how much down they put in, but anecdotal evidence suggests that it is plentiful. For winter conditions anywhere short of the most arctic environments, the Fordham is warm enough.
Weather Resistance
Weather resistance in a winter parka is a function of design and materials. We look for waterproof shell material, sewn together in a way that protects the seams, with wrist, waist, and hood interfaces securable.
The Marmot falls short of the best weather resistance. The fabric is tight and resistant, but the jacket is constructed with numerous unsecured seams. In extended wet snow or rain, the Marmot wets through. The Velcro cuffs and generous hood block the wind, but the stitching is the first vulnerability. The good news is that most users of a jacket like the Fordham will minimize the time they spend in genuinely abysmal wet and windy conditions. For sprinting to the car or walking to the bus stop, the Fordham is plenty protective.
Comfort
Every tester's first impression of any jacket is its level of comfort. In that regard, the Fordham had early universal appeal. The heavy, hugging feel, the soft fabric, and the soft down fill combine to make a very comfortable jacket. Especially nice, and unique in the field, are the fleece-lined cuffs. Beneath standard Velcro closed shell cuffs, are stretchy, "gasket" style cuffs that seal in heat and lend a very welcoming feel. The main drawback of the fleece cuffs is that gloves meant to be worn under the wrists of your jacket will not fit well.
Among the tested jackets, it is fair to say that the Fordham was the most comfortable of the fully-featured jackets.
Features
The Fordham has just the right selection of features. The fleece cuffs mentioned above are welcome, the pocket selection is nice, the hand warmers are effective and fleecy, the hood is tight and removable. All in all, this jacket has an average selection of features.
Style
Across this entire category, neutral styling is more common than any statement. The Fordham is also neutral. None of the products stand out in any ostentatious or obnoxious way. The styling is casual. The only thing about the Fordham worth commenting on is the shorter cut. Some like the shorter cut, while others prefer longer, as longer is typically warmer.
Durability
Down insulation and heavy shell fabrics on the Marmot product combine to make a relatively long-lasting product. Our test did not last long enough to truly tax the construction and durability, but we are confident that our intense use and wear and tear have given all the jackets a run for their money. In this intense testing period, we had no issues with any construction or material attributes of the Fordham. With down-filled jackets, a single tear can compromise the insulation.
With synthetically filled jackets, the puff power of the insulation degrades, sometimes alarmingly. The most durable jackets in our test use fleece insulation. For long-lasting warmth, the down insulation of the Fordham is just right.
Value
By this point, the value of the Fordham should be self-evident. It provides excellent all-around performance at a fraction of the price of most of the top contenders. The Fordham is a great choice with its excellent materials, intelligent design, and reasonable price.
Conclusion
Choose the Marmot Fordham for its durability, warmth, and low price. For the wettest of conditions, look elsewhere to something like the Patagonia Tres. For all other winter use, the Fordham is just right.
— Jediah Porter