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The North Face Gotham Parka - Women's Review

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The North Face Gotham Parka - Women's Review (The North Face Gotham Parka)
The North Face Gotham Parka
Credit: The North Face
Price:  $249 List
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Manufacturer:   The North Face
By Liz Williamson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 14, 2016
65
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth - 30% 6.0
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 6.0
  • Style - 20% 7.0
  • Comfort - 15% 8.0
  • Features - 5% 6.0
  • Durability - 5% 6.0

Our Verdict

This model of the Gotham Parka is no longer in production.
REASONS TO BUY
Warm
Sleek
Stylish
Practical
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Non-detachable hood
Not waterproof
Finicky zippers
The North Face Gotham Parka offers sleek simplicity in a lightweight, stylish parka. This jacket wasn't as warm as the Patagonia Downtown Loft Parka, or our Best Buy award winner, the Marmot Montreaux, but it still managed to keep us warm on mild to moderate days. Its mid-thigh length is easier to move in than a knee-length parka, but you'll notice that lack of coverage on a really cold day. The nylon shell is treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating, which helps keep the down protected in a light snow or rain, but is not fully waterproof. If you're looking for a waterproof and seriously warm winter jacket, check out our Editors' Choice award winner, the Canada Goose Kensington Parka or our Top Pick for Wet Climates, the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka - Women's.

Our Analysis and Test Results

Hands-On Review


The North Face Gotham Parka has a quilted look and cinched elastic waist for a feminine and stylish look. It's insulated with 550-fill-power down and weighs 1.8 pounds.

It comes in five colors: Urban Navy, Graphite Grey Heather, Forest Night Green, Juniper Teal, and TNF Black.

Performance Comparison


the north face gotham parka for women - form-fitting and stylish, this mid-thigh length parka offers great...
Form-fitting and stylish, this mid-thigh length parka offers great mobility and warmth. The hood is not detachable, but offers added comfort and stays on perfectly in windy conditions, with or without a beanie.
Credit: Chris Whatford

Warmth


This form-fitting jacket does a great job at keeping heat in and cold air out. The mid-thigh length makes the jacket more functional, but decreases its warmth compared to a knee-length parka like the Marmot Chelsea Down or the Arc'teryx Patera Parka. While our core stayed warm in this model, when out in high winds or stormy conditions we could feel the difference from the lack of coverage. The 550-fill-power goose down is evenly distributed throughout the jacket, but is not as lofty or warm as the Marmot Montreaux with its 700-fill-power down. The hood on the Gotham is filled with down though, which helped keep our heads warmer than the un-insulated hood that is on the Patagonia Tres Down Parka.

Weather Resistance


The shell is made of 100% nylon that is coated with a DWR (durable water repellent) finish. While water initially beads up and rolls off the shell, it is not fully waterproof like the Patagonia Tres Down Parka or Arc'teryx Patera Parka. The elastic cuffs on the sleeves helped keep precipitation out and heat in, and the adjustable cord around the hood lets you get a tighter fit in bad weather. This jacket doesn't have a weather flap across the main zipper which allows cold air to leak through in windy conditions; the Mountain Hardwear ZeroGrand Metro Coat and The North Face Arctic Down Parka both did a better job of blocking the wind than this model.

the north face gotham parka for women - the exterior nylon fabric is treated with a dwr (durable water...
The exterior nylon fabric is treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating, but it's not fully waterproof. Initially precipitation beads up and rolls off, but it didn't take much time for saturation to occur.
Credit: Chris Whatford

Style


We liked the style of this jacket. It is form-fitting and not bulky, and the nylon fabric has a satin look to it that works well with the five color options. It's classy enough to wear in the city, but functional enough for the mountains.

the north face gotham parka for women - the nylon water-resistant fabric has a satin look to it, making this...
The nylon water-resistant fabric has a satin look to it, making this jacket versatile enough to wear to a nice dinner, or perfect for a winter walk.
Credit: Sierra Purcell

Comfort


This jacket fits like a glove and scored high in the comfort category. The down insulation is comfortable and not overly bulky, which allowed us to be active in the jacket without feeling weighed down. It has cozy fleece-lined pockets and the insulated hood kept us warm and protected.

the north face gotham parka for women - this form-fitting jacket has minimal bulk to it, making it...
This form-fitting jacket has minimal bulk to it, making it comfortable even when sitting down.
Credit: Sierra Purcell

Features


The stand-out feature on this jacket is the elastic waist, which makes it form-fitting and feminine looking. This is something that other models, like the Columbia Snow Eclipse Mid Jacket - Women's lacked, leaving them boxy-looking and not as flattering. The exterior fleece-lined pockets with zippers are a nice feature, as is the interior fleece-lined media pocket. A full two-way zipper allows access and ventilation from either end, which is a nice feature for better mobility. Though the hood isn't detachable there is an adjustable cord, which came in handy in stormy conditions.

the north face gotham parka for women - elastic webbing at the sides helps create the tailored, feminine...
Elastic webbing at the sides helps create the tailored, feminine look of this parka.
Credit: Chris Whatford

Durability


We had a few issues with the zippers on this jacket. While it is hard to find a zipper that works perfectly, the ones on this model were particularly finicky. The full length two-way zipper has to be lined up perfectly or it won't zip up properly. The exterior pockets have a curved shape and the zippers are small, which makes them snag frequently. Snags can rip the material and also put the teeth out of the zipper, so be careful when using these pockets and open and close them slowly.

Best Applications


This parka is a good choice for someone living in a milder climate where winters are cold but not freezing, and not very wet either. It's lightweight and functional, and it is perfect for an active lifestyle, from commuting to work, running errands or walking the dog.

Value


With a price tag of $249, this jacket is one of the least expensive models we tested. While it isn't waterproof, it's a good choice for a basic all-around winter jacket that delivers warmth, style and simplicity.

Conclusion


Even though The North Face Gotham Parka wasn't a top contender, we still recognize it as a great choice for a winter jacket. With its sleek fit and comfy down, it kept us warm and looking great on milder days.

Liz Williamson