The FORLOH Expedition Sequence Parka steps up because the 100% U.S.-sourced reply to the parkas of the north.
In terms of American-made out of doors merchandise, FORLOH goes all out. The Expedition Sequence Parka is not any exception. The corporate prides itself on being “All-American,” and to date, it appears to have stood as much as the problem. It isn’t simple to supply and produce the whole lot domestically — and it actually isn’t a budget solution to do it.
In case you’ve ever looked for a parka for excessive out of doors circumstances, up up to now, you’ve seemingly been directed towards a Canadian or Nordic-made product. Your choices have now come stateside.
However does this new excessive jacket dwell as much as the long-established competitors to the north?
In brief: I used to be initially skeptical of this parka, however my skepticism shortly shifted into reward. This hardcore jacket performs, and I used to be glad to eat some crow. I discovered myself grateful to have the Expedition Sequence Parka on my again when temps dropped and the world turned chilly.
FORLOH Expedition Sequence Parka Assessment
FORLOH Expedition Parka
- $1,195
- Totally Seam Sealed, Waterproof, and Breathable 3-Layer Outer Shell
- 800+ fill U.S. white duck down 90/10 baffle-lined inside
- “By way of-and-through” air flow zipper design for lively cooling
- RECCO Search & Rescue Expertise
- Zippered (detachable) inside powder skirt
- Micro-fit hood adjustment expandable for climbing/ski helmets or cosy for beanies
- Roomy exterior hand (2) and inside chest pockets (2)
- 800+ 90/10 Down Insulation sourced from U.S. farms in Indiana and Pennsylvania
- Utterly traceable U.S. provide chain and manufacturing
Expedition Sequence Parka Overview
The opening line on FORLOH’s web site description of the Expedition Sequence Parka just about sums it up: “Constructed for Greenland, designed for everybody.”
Basically, this parka is the 100% U.S.-sourced and made reply to the ever-popular Canada Goose parka. At $1,195, it’s no low-cost purchase, however it’s cheaper than lots of its rivals, which isn’t a straightforward feat.
It’s a water-resistant, seam-sealed, three-layer, 800+ fill white duck-down beast. It’s designed for the harshest environments. The down is sourced from Amish farms in Indiana and Pennsylvania. The remainder of the supplies are designed, sourced, manufactured, and put collectively domestically as properly.
Accessible in each males’s and girls’s sizes, these parkas are patterned to both mix in or stand out out of your environment. With colours starting from Snowfall (white camo sample) to FORLOH Crimson (a real cherry crimson), there’s a glance that may seemingly suit your model.
For individuals who take pleasure in an journey in hardcore environments, the Expedition Sequence Parkas are fitted with RECCO expertise, that means if there’s an avalanche, in case you get misplaced, if search and rescue come on the lookout for you — so long as you’re nonetheless in your parka, you’ll seemingly be heat and be discovered.
The FORLOH Expedition Sequence Parka Take a look at
Preliminary Impressions
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. After I first opened the package deal, I chuckled. The sample jogged my memory a little bit of one thing you would possibly see in a ’90s-era hip-hop video. It was clearly too cool for me, for I’m not hip. However — with the intent being snow camo, it really works.
The opposite factor I observed instantly comes from the standpoint of the hunter in me. It isn’t quiet. This parka has fairly a little bit of swish-swish, harking back to the parachute pants of my youth. Why am I caught within the ’80s and ’90s for this evaluation?
In terms of weight, this parka has some heft. It feels substantial. After I first put it on, I felt a bit marshmallow-man-ish.
That’s all to say that I used to be judging it harshly proper out of the gate. I really feel that’s solely honest if you begin taking a look at a bit of outerwear that is available in properly over the $1,000 worth level.
However my preliminary critiques shortly grew to become null and void once I took the parka into the sector.
That dang factor performs.
Within the Subject
What a 12 months to check chilly climate gear, am I proper? I used to be lucky sufficient to get my arms on this jacket earlier than it was out there to the general public, and it occurred to be throughout some record-breaking chilly and Montana’s mountain lion season.
With the mercury hovering at what I’ve come to lovingly check with as Chilly AF and my trip being a snowmobile within the pursuit of meat, I absolutely anticipated the Expedition Parka to let me down. Chilly turns into a complete lot colder if you combine motion, and we actually don’t like to maneuver slowly in our pursuit.
After loading canine on sleds and heading into the white, I shortly started to swallow the majority of my doubts concerning the parka.
Match and Operate
Pay attention — after having low expectations, I discovered myself in what most individuals would think about unbearably chilly temps feeling completely snug. The FORLOH Expedition Sequence Parka basically created its personal little setting of heat and luxury. I didn’t really feel the wind or the chilly — one dang iota. Even with bluebird skies, doing 20 mph on a snow machine in sub-0 Fahrenheit temps isn’t nice. This journey was shockingly cozy.
The bulkiness of my first impression felt far much less so in the true world. It truly matches comparatively slim and doesn’t limit in methods I assumed it will. Even with the lengthy lower, the aspect snaps enable for unrestricted motion on the waist if wanted and might be buttoned again as much as retain extra warmth across the bottom and hips.
After ripping round on a sled after which having the canine tree a cat, I did try and do some fairly vertical trekking via the snow within the parka — and deserted it just a few hundred yards into the hike. It’s an excessive amount of parka for intense mountaineering, no matter temp. It spent a part of the hunt adorning a tree marked by a pin for later retrieval. Sure, it may be opened up — however the insulation is simply too hardcore, and sweating in temps this low borders on harmful.
In terms of the noise of the fabric, I finished noticing as soon as I used to be surrounded by the brap of a snow machine and the crunch of ice. Certain, it’s too noisy to elk hunt in, however that isn’t what it’s designed to do.
RECCO
I typically discover myself in the course of nowhere, and I are likely to put myself in conditions that may not be thought of the most secure by the typical individual’s normal. Even with all the brand new tech that I usually have in my pocket, there’s critical peace of thoughts figuring out that I’m traceable if the unthinkable occurs.
If I dump my snowmobile (which I typically do) and may’t get it going or am simply caught within the wilderness for no matter cause, a flyover can discover me with out recognizing me visually. An avalanche is a continuing concern, and figuring out {that a} piece of attire I’m carrying drastically will increase my odds of survival is a kind of perks that sits at the back of my thoughts once I head into the chilly.
I hope I by no means want it — however dangit, I’m glad I’ve it.
Remaining Ideas
Every bit of substances has advantages and downsides. This parka is not any exception. The cons began out as critical doubts of mine after which waned. Except for the fee, the parka is precisely what the corporate says it’s.
Professionals
- Insanely heat
- Comfy, Nice match
- Does what it says it does
Cons
- Costly (although comprehensible when contemplating the home sourcing and higher-priced competitors)
- Noisy (which not feels all that intrusive)
- May simply be too heat for some actions, no matter out of doors temps
Is it value it?
I imply — the FORLOH Expedition Sequence Parka prices greater than my first two vehicles mixed, although it’s nonetheless extra fairly priced than its Canadian counterpart. This isn’t a purchase order you make on a whim.
In case you solely plan to put on it just a few instances a 12 months, it’s most likely not value your dime…
Nonetheless: In case you’re going to be out within the brutal chilly for a very good chunk of the winter; you’re a winter predator hunter or an ice fisherman; in case you’re a backcountry winter hiker/skier/wanderer/snowmobiler; you name your self an arctic adventurer; or in case you simply have the scratch and wish to not expertise an oz of chilly round you — this parka does the job, and it does it properly.
This isn’t an funding to take evenly, however in case you’re an individual that wants gear that may stand as much as brutal circumstances, that is an possibility I don’t assume you’ll remorse.
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