The FORLOH Expedition Series Hoodie steps up as the 100% Made in the USA answer to the North Parker.
For outdoor products made in America, FORLOH. The Expedition Series Parka is no exception. The company prides itself on being “All-American,” and so far it seems to have risen to the challenge.
If you’ve ever searched for a hoodie for extreme outdoor conditions, chances are you’ve been directed to Canadian or Nordic products so far.
But will this new extreme jacket hold up to the long-established Northern competition?
in short: I was skeptical of this hoodie at first, but my skepticism quickly turned into admiration. I Expedition Series Hoodie On my back when the temperature drops and the world gets cold.
FORLOH EXPEDITION SERIES HOODIE REVIEW
FORLOH Expedition Parka
- $1,195
- Fully seam-sealed, waterproof, breathable 3-layer outer shell
- 800+ fill US white duck down 90/10 baffle lined interior
- “Through-and-thru” ventilation zipper design for active cooling
- RECCO search and rescue technology
- Detachable inner powder skirt with zipper
- Microfit hood adjustment extendable for Climbing/ski helmet or snug for beanie
- Spacious outer hand (2) and inner chest pocket (2)
- 800+ 90/10 down insulation sourced from US farms in Indiana and Pennsylvania
- Fully traceable US supply chain and manufacturing
Expedition Series Hoodie Overview
First line of FORLOH website description Expedition Series Hoodie “Built for Greenland, designed for everyone.”
Essentially, this parka is 100% made in the USA and is the answer to the popular Canadian goose parka. At $1,195, it’s not a cheap buy, but it’s cheaper than many of its competitors, which is a no-brainer.
It’s a waterproof seam-sealed, 3-ply, 800+ fill white duckdown beast. Designed for the harshest environments. Down is sourced from Amish farms in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Other materials are also designed, sourced, manufactured and assembled locally.
Available in both men’s and women’s sizes, these hoodies are patterned to blend in or stand out. Available in a variety of colors, from Snowfall (white camo) to his FORLOH Red (a true cherry red), you’ll find a look that’s perfect for your style.
For those who enjoy adventures in hardcore environments, the Expedition Series Parka is equipped with: Lecco So, if an avalanche hits, you get lost, or search and rescue teams come looking for you, as long as you’re wearing a hoodie, you’ll be warm and likely to be found.
FORLOH EXPEDITION SERIES PARKA TEST
First impression
I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I laughed when I first opened the package. The pattern reminded me a little of what you see in 90’s hip hop videos. I’m not hip so it was obviously too cool. But it’s intended for snow camo, so it works.
Another thing I quickly realized comes from the position of the hunter within me. This hoodie has a good amount of scrunchiness, reminiscent of the parachute pants of my youth. Why is he sticking to the 80’s and his 90’s in this review?
As for weight, this hoodie has some weight to it. It feels great.I felt a little sick when I first put it on like a marshmallow man.
That’s the only thing that I strictly evaluated without leaving the door. I think that’s only fair when you start seeing outerwear priced well over $1,000.
However, my initial critique was quickly overruled when I took the Parker to the field.
That dancing is performed.
on site
How many years do you test cold weather gear? I was lucky enough to get my hands on this jacket before it was released to the public. It just so happened to be record-breaking cold and mountain lion season in Montana.
that mercury floats in what I’ve come to affectionately call Cold AF My vehicle is a meat-seeking snowmobile, and I fully expected the Expedition Parka to disappoint me.
After sledding the dogs and heading to White, I quickly began swallowing most of my doubts about Parker.
fit and function
Listen — after lowering my expectations, I found myself feeling perfectly comfortable in temperatures that most people would consider unbearably cold.of FORLOH EXPEDITION SERIES HOODIE Essentially, you’ve created your own little environment of warmth and comfort. I felt no wind or cold at all. Even in Bluebird skies, 20 mph on a snow machine in sub-zero Fahrenheit temperatures is never fun.
My first impression of bulkiness didn’t feel so great in the real world. It actually fits relatively slim and doesn’t restrict in the way I thought it would. The area around the can be kept hotter.
After running around in a sled and having my dogs plant cat trees, I attempted a fairly vertical trek through Parker’s snow, but gave up after a few hundred yards of hiking. Parkas are too much for strenuous hiking, regardless of the temperature. Part of the hunt was spent decorating trees marked with pins for later retrieval. Yes, you can open it, but the insulation is too hardcore and dangerous to sweat in this low temperature.
Material noise is no longer noticeable when surrounded. Blap The sound of snow machines and ice crunches. Sure, it’s too noisy for a moose to hunt, but that’s not what it was designed for.
Lecco
I often find myself in off-the-beaten-path places and tend to put myself in situations that aren’t considered the safest by the average person’s standards. There is a great sense of security in knowing that if something happens that cannot be traced, it can be traced.
If I ditch my snowmobile (which I often do) and it gets stuck or gets stuck in the wilderness for some reason, the flyover can find me without visually locating me. Avalanches are always a concern, and knowing that the apparel I’m wearing greatly increases my chances of survival is one of my innermost perks when heading into the cold. .
I hope I never need it—but Dangit, I’m glad I have it.
final thoughts
All gear has advantages and disadvantages. This parka is no exception. The cons started out as a serious suspicion of mine and then waned. Cost aside, Parker is exactly what the company says it is.
Strong Points
- insanely warm
- Comfortable, perfect fit
- does what it says
Cons
- Expensive (which is understandable considering domestic procurement and high price competition)
- Noisy (no longer disturbing)
- May be too hot for some activities, regardless of outdoor temperature
Is it worth it?
in short- FORLOH EXPEDITION SERIES HOODIE More expensive than my first two cars combined, but still more affordable than their Canadian counterparts. This is not a purchase on a whim.
If you only wear it a few times a year, you may not be spending a lot of money…
However, if you go out in the bitter cold for a good part of the winter. You are a winter predator hunter or an ice fisherman. If you are a backcountry winter hiker/skier/wanderer/snowmobile; you call yourself an arctic adventurer. Or if you just have scratches and don’t want to feel the cold around you, this hoodie can help.
This is not an investment to take lightly, but if you want gear that can withstand the rigors of extreme conditions, I think this is an option you won’t regret.
Check prices on FORLOH
