Frida Hooded Waterproof Insulated Parka Jacket

I purchased this coat to wear around town in my climate that is rainy and chilly most of the time during the winter months, and it is working well for that purpose. The insulation keeps me warm into the mid-30s, and so far the water repellency is working well and the rain is beading off and not soaking through with quick trips into work or the store (haven't tried it in a downpour). I ordered my larger size so that it would layer over thicker sweaters/sweatshirts and not be too tight at the hips, which was the right call for me and my pear-shape body. The pockets are double entry, which I love, and the side ones have a zipper and fleecy lining. There are also 2 chest pockets on the outside that have a snap that can fit my phone, although their placement is a little awkward. I'd prefer an inner chest pocket for security, but there isn't one. I also wish there was a double zipper that went down a little further toward the hem to keep the cold out instead of the normal zipper and a snap at the bottom hem. The string at the waist is nice to give some shape and has secure toggles inside, although the material gets a little bunchy near the zipper. The toggles by the hood are nicely made of a heavier metal that makes them easy to grasp and adjust. Wish there was a slight visor to help keep the rain off, but the hood itself works okay and covers my whole head without obscuring vision. The wrist has 2 snaps where you can make them loose or tight, but I find that on the looser setting the strap will get locked loose if my arm brushes against something, which is slightly annoying. Overall it's a good coat that is working well and is not too heavy or too puffy for normal daily use.

All of the features make this an almost perfect all weather parka (you'd be fine until you hit under 30 degrees) - it's cut VERY straight. Am a 4/6, and always take Medium in outerwear for layering, and it was way big around shoulders but too tight around hips & I'm quite symmetrical/hourglass. Almost men's cut? Odd, otherwise fantastic!

I read the description of this parka on the Helly Hansen website - "designed for an active urban winter day, the Frida women’s parka is stylish and warm" and it is just that. I was sick of wearing bulky, heavy parkas while shopping or running errands during the colder weather in Minnesota. I've worn this parka in as cold as 8 degrees F with just a light sweater underneath and it's kept me warm. My only regret is not sizing up (I'm usually a small but I wish I would have gotten a medium) because when I put keys and my phone in the front pockets, I feel like it gets snug around my bum. I agree that it's more of a straight cut. If you want to layer with a sweatshirt underneath, I'd size up.

The fit of this “trench” is terrific. The hood cinches comfortably and is not massive as if to accommodate a helmet. Adjustable cuffs too. I purposely sized up so I could opt to put an additional outerwear layer beneath the jacket in the event of extreme cold. I have yet to wear it out though. I am 5’6”, fairly athletic build, and generally wear a large. For the record, the large did fit; however for the reason stated above, I opted for an XL.