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Arc'teryx Seyla Review

A seriously lightweight and stylish looking parka that will keep you warm and looking good
Arc'teryx Seyla
Photo: Backcountry
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Price:  $425 List | $276.25 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros:  Insulated with 750 fill down, stylish, simple, light
Cons:  Hood doesn’t detach, no internal cuffs on sleeves, not waterproof
Manufacturer:   Arc'teryx
By Liz Williamson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jan 21, 2020
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65
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#13 of 15
  • Warmth - 30% 8
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 3
  • Comfort - 25% 8
  • Style - 10% 8
  • Durability - 10% 5

Our Verdict

Arc'teryx delivered with the Seyla, an incredibly warm and lightweight winter jacket. We were impressed with how warm we stayed when temperatures hit freezing thanks to the lofty and comfortable 750 fill European grey goose down. Besides being incredibly warm, the Seyla was also one of the lightest jackets we tested. One way to describe the Seyla Parka is simple and stylish with no bells and whistles, it's easy to dress this jacket up for a night out or simply wear it to the gym. The exterior material is water-resistant, not waterproof, and isn't intended for wet weather.

Compare to Similar Products

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Arc'teryx Seyla
This Product
Arc'teryx Seyla
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award  
Price $276.25 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$350.00 at Amazon$389.40 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers		$329.45 at Backcountry$625.00 at Backcountry
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Pros Insulated with 750 fill down, stylish, simple, lightComfortable, durable fabric, awesome pockets, weather-proof and breathableAthletic fit, comfortable, stylish, temperature regulating, waterproofFlattering, waterproof, durable, three jackets in one, recycled down and polyesterWindproof, warm, super comfortable, lightweight, packs into a pillow
Cons Hood doesn’t detach, no internal cuffs on sleeves, not waterproofOn the bulky side, face fabric holds onto waterSleeves and hem are less insulated, tricky hood tightened, expensiveUninsulated hood, tight shoulders, no two-way zipper on down jacket, tricky pocketsNot waterproof, hood doesn’t detach, finicky zipper
Bottom Line We stayed warm while looking good when temperatures dropped down to freezingDurable and waterproof, this jacket is a great option for cold or wet weatherStylish and functional, this jacket will keep you dry and warm when moving around in the winter monthsThis parka is a versatile option that shines in wet winter conditionsThis parka is windproof and warm
Rating Categories Arc'teryx Seyla Fjallraven Nuuk - Women's Arc'teryx Patera Parka Tres 3-in-1 Parka Canada Goose Camp Hooded
Warmth (30%)
8
9
6
7
8
Weather Resistance (25%)
3
7
9
9
6
Comfort (25%)
8
9
9
7
9
Style (10%)
8
7
8
9
8
Durability (10%)
5
9
9
7
7
Specs Arc'teryx Seyla Fjallraven Nuuk -... Arc'teryx Patera... Tres 3-in-1 Parka Canada Goose Camp...
Insulation and Fill Power 750 fill European grey goose down Supreme microloft (100% polyester) 750 fill down 700 fill recycled duck and goose down 750 fill hutterite white duck down
Fill Weight 206 g 250 g 59 g Down, 100 g Coreloft 150 g Unavailable
Hood Insulated hood Insulated with detachable faux fur trim Insulated hood Uninsulated, removable 2-way adjustable tunnel hood
Pockets 2 zippered hand, 1 internal zippered security 2 internal, 2 bellows, 2 hand, 1 sleeve, 2 chest 2 handwarmer, 1 internal chest pocket 2 zippered handwarmer in shell, 2 zippered handwarmer and 1 internal chest in down liner jacket 2 external, 1 internal, 1 internal stretch mesh pocket
Weight (size small) 1.1 lbs 3.7 lbs 2.0 lbs 2.9 lbs 1.3 lbs
2-way zipper Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Weather Resistant Features Water repellant face fabric Waterproof, windproof Waterproof, windproof, and breathable barrier, DWR finish Waterproof, windproof, and breathable barrier, DWR finish Windproof, DWR treatment
Sizes Available XS to XL XXS to XXL XS to XXL XS to XXL 2XS to 2XL
Social or Environmental Certifications Fluorocarbon-free impregnation Some materials meet bluesign criteria
Responsible Down Standard 		100% recycled down, 50% recycled polyester shell, 100% recycled polyester jacket, Fair Trade Certified sewn

Our Analysis and Test Results

Performance Comparison


This is one of the stylist parkas we tested. Simple and sweet, the...
This is one of the stylist parkas we tested. Simple and sweet, the cut of the jacket hides the plush 750 fill grey goose down. Reaching just above our knee we had no problems wearing this jacket on chilly morning walks or running errands.
Photo: Sierra Purcell

Warmth


Insulated with 750 fill European grey goose down, this jacket is intended for some seriously cold temperatures. We had no problems wearing this pleated style parka with a light layer underneath during cold winter days.

There were some features to this jacket that helped keep us warm, and there were also some things lacking. The oversized hood was great, but there is no way to adjust it for a tighter fit on windy days. We were able to fit a beanie underneath the hood, which allowed for a snugger fit. One feature that always helps with keeping us warm in the winter is the internal cuffs in the sleeves. The Seyla has elastic cuffs that make the fit around the opening a bit tighter.

The hood isn't detachable like some of the jackets we tested. We...
The hood isn't detachable like some of the jackets we tested. We didn't find this to be a problem because of how light it was. It's insulated with an ample amount of down. There is enough room to wear a beanie underneath.
Photo: Sierra Purcell

One thing we noticed about the Arc'teryx Seyla is that it does run a bit big. We originally ordered a medium and had to return it for a small. When we tested the medium, we noticed that cold air got in at the bottom of the bell shape and loose fit. You may want to try this jacket on at the store if you are concerned about the sizing.

Weather Resistance


Water-resistant, but not waterproof, this jacket isn't intended for heavy wet weather. When tested in light snow and rain, it held up, but then became saturated after an extended time outside. This jacket is warm, but we wouldn't recommend it for someone that doesn't live in a very wet climate like Portland or Seattle.

Style


Instant style points go to the Arc'teryx Seyla for its simplicity, while still maintaining ample warmth on some below-freezing days this winter. We easily wore this jacket to the gym, out to dinner, or running errands around town. The pleated exterior with no bells and whistles makes this jacket highly versatile.

Front view of the form-fitting Seyla. Simple and sweet is a great...
Front view of the form-fitting Seyla. Simple and sweet is a great way to describe the jacket. There are three earth tone colors to choose from: whiskey jack (gray), flux (pictured above), and black.
Photo: Sierra Purcell

From all angles we found this model to be an attractive parka...
From all angles we found this model to be an attractive parka. Form-fitting, lightweight and highly flattering, we enjoyed wearing it out and about.
Photo: Sierra Purcell

Comfort


More often than none we forgot to take of this jacket when coming inside the cold. Comparable to a lightweight sleeping bag, this jacket is lightweight, warm, stylish, and very comfortable.

There weren't too many issues with the Seyla parka but, we wish...
There weren't too many issues with the Seyla parka but, we wish there would have been micro lined fleece in the pockets like the Marmot Montreaux. Having lined pockets makes all the difference.
Photo: Sierra Purcell

Features


The main feature of this jacket is its warmth to weight ratio. Being one of the lightest, wet warmest jackets we tested, Arc'teryx nailed it with the Seyla. The exterior pocket doesn't have any fleece inside them, which is a common feature on the jackets we test. This small feature is a game-changer on cold days. Slipping your hand into a cozy pocket makes all the difference, especially on chilly days.

There are two exterior pockets and one interior pocket. The interior...
There are two exterior pockets and one interior pocket. The interior pocket has a zipper and is perfect for keys, phone or a wallet.
Photo: Sierra Purcell

There is a double-sided zipper that allows access from both ends and is also nice to use on days that were a bit warmer, and we needed more airflow or even more mobility.

There is a double-sided zipper that offers access from both ends of...
There is a double-sided zipper that offers access from both ends of the jacket. This came in handy when we wanted better mobility or were too hot and need some cool air to enter the jacket.
Photo: Sierra Purcell

Durability


Over the two months that we tested this jacket, we didn't see many feathers escaping at the stitching. The outer material is made of nylon and is quite thin. It's important when wearing this jacket to keep that in mind. We did get snagged while wearing this coat in a heavily treed area and it caused a tear.

The outer material has a DWR water-resistant coating and isn't intended to be worn in heavy wet weather. When we tested it in light snow, it handled well.

Value


This jacket falls towards the more expensive side out of all the jackets we tested. Yes, it is incredibly warm and insulated with 750 fill grey goose down, it's lightweight and very comfortable, but for the price, you don't get a ton of features. We did enjoy testing this jacket, its simple style was easy to dress up or down depending on what we were doing, but keep in mind, it's not waterproof and isn't intended to be worn in wet weather.

Conclusion


The Seyla is light and keeps you warm in freezing temperatures. We wouldn't recommend this jacket if you live in a very wet climate, but it is a great option for someone living in an environment that experiences cold winters.

— Liz Williamson