Reviews You Can Rely On

The North Face Metropolis Parka II Review

Reaching all the way past the knee, the extra length made all the difference in cold temperatures
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The North Face Metropolis Parka II Review
Credit: The North Face
Price:  $300 List
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Manufacturer:   The North Face
By Liz Williamson ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 29, 2019
75
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Warmth - 30% 8.0
  • Weather Resistance - 25% 6.0
  • Comfort - 20% 8.0
  • Style - 20% 8.0
  • Durability - 5% 7.0

Our Verdict

Reaching all the way to our knees and insulated with 550-fill-goose down, The North Face Metropolis Parka II kept us warm and cozy when temperatures started to hit freezing. Lightweight and not loaded with tons of plush down, we had no issues running errands in this jacket, despite the length. Coated with a DWR (durable water repellent) layer, the exterior fabric isn't water-resistant, but not waterproof.
REASONS TO BUY
Stylish
Form-fitting
Knee-length
Contoured baffling at the waist
REASONS TO AVOID
Feathers escaping
No cuffs
Tight shoulders
Short sleeves
Cold shoulders
New Version Available

The Metropolis III is out now. Check out the details below!

August 2019

Our Analysis and Test Results

Metropolis III vs. Metropolis II


The North Face released the latest version of this jacket, the Metropolis III. The most notable change is the length: it appears that this newer version is a bit shorter, perhaps only hitting mid-thigh instead of knee-length like the Metropolis II. Other revisions include an updated baffle design, a rounded drop-tail hem in the back, and the addition of adjustable cuffs with Velcro, addressing a previous “con” we lamented regarding the lack of adjustable wrist cuffs which allowed warm air to escape from the arms of the jacket. The Metropolis III still uses 550 fill power down and retails for the same price as its predecessor.

Compare the Metropolis III (first photo) to the II we tested (second photo).


We're linking to the newest jacket above, but take note that the rest of this review refers to the Metropolis II that we tested.

Hands-On Review of the Metropolis II


Insulated with 550-fill-goose down and eight colors to choose from, The North Face Metropolis Parka II has something to offer everyone. Weighing in at about 1.8 lbs this jacket isn't heavy, despite its cozy insulation. It's water-resistant, but not waterproof, and it's intended for very wet weather.

the north face metropolis parka ii - stay warm and look super cute in this long-length parka. reaching...
Stay warm and look super cute in this long-length parka. Reaching all the way past our knees and insulated with cozy 550-fill down, you won't be complaining about cold temperatures with this jacket on.
Credit: Bevan Waite

Warmth


The Metropolis Parka II isn't the warmest in the fleet, but it certainly made an impression on us, landing in the middle of the pack when it came to warmth. For those in milder temperatures, this model may be just what you're looking for. It's insulated with an okay amount of 550-fill-goose down, This isn't a model that we would want to be outside in below freezing weather for an extended period.

The shoulders of this jacket let cold air in, and it was almost distractingly noticeable, as there was little to no down insulation on top of our shoulders. By adding just a touch more down to the shoulders, we would have been able to face colder temperatures for a tad longer. Keep in mind we did notice some feathers escaping at the seams of the jacket, which can potentially jeopardize the warmth. The knee-length made all the difference when we were outside in cold weather, especially compared to some of the jackets that we tested that only went mid-thigh.

the north face metropolis parka ii - the back of the jacket has a dart-shaped pattern, which we think...
The back of the jacket has a dart-shaped pattern, which we think adds a bit more style and character. The satin finish gives the coat an elegant look, but don't be deceived: this jacket can handle itself in cold weather.
Credit: Bevan Waite

Unfortunately, there are no interior cuffs on the sleeves of the jacket. There is an elastic band, but it is so loose that it does nothing; cuffs would also add extra warmth by trapping warm air in. The hood kept us warm, and it has a relatively fair amount of down inside, though it was a little too big.

Weather Resistance


The exterior nylon fabric has a DWR (durable water repellent) coating, making it water-resistant, but not waterproof. We tested the Metropolis outside in the elements, ranging from rain and snow to wind. In wet weather, water beaded up and rolled off, but after an extended period outside, it became saturated. The Metropolis doesn't have a thick layer, and there is a lot of exterior stitching; when the wind picked up, we could feel it.

the north face metropolis parka ii - for being insulated with a decent amount of 550-fill down, this coat...
For being insulated with a decent amount of 550-fill down, this coat still maintains a stylish and form-fitting look. We loved the simple look of the sewn baffles paired with the satin finish of the nylon/polyester fabric.
Credit: Bevan Waite

Style


The Metropolis is super chic; it's form-fitting, flattering, and isn't overloaded with down. The satin finish look of the exterior nylon fabric dresses it up, even though we had no problem wearing it to run errands or go to the gym. The back has a dart shape, which adds a little more flare and it reaches just above our knee.

the north face metropolis parka ii - the hood is a bit large, but comfortable. we had no issue fitting a...
The hood is a bit large, but comfortable. We had no issue fitting a beanie underneath it, and it is detachable and also adjustable for a tighter fit in stormy weather.
Credit: Bevan Waite

Comfort


The Metropolis Parka II is insulated with just the right amount of down, which makes it quite comfy. There's not too much, or too little down - except in the shoulders. We noticed ourselves reaching for often, whether we were walking the dog or running errands.

The shoulders and the arms of the Metropolis are a bit tight and restricting. We recommend using the size chart when ordering or going to an actual store to try it on. Keep in mind that the shoulders of this jacket lack down; if you want to wear extra layers underneath, consider ordering a size up.

Both sides of the exterior pockets are lined with microfleece and are very deep, as well as warm and comfortable. There is also microfleece at the chin of the collar which allowed for optimal comfort when the jacket is zipped up and the hood on. We noticed a difference when we didn't have anything soft on our chin on the collar, and let's just say we prefer microfleece over cold, rubbing polyester or nylon.

the north face metropolis parka ii - a comfy feature that we always enjoy seeing on a winter jacket:...
A comfy feature that we always enjoy seeing on a winter jacket: microfleece-lined pockets. We'd always rather put our hands into a soft warm pocket than a nylon one. Warm pockets help maintain our body heat, allowing us to stay outside for longer.
Credit: Bevan Waite

Features


No bells or whistles here, this is your basic winter jacket. It's not intended for wearing in super cold temperatures or stormy weather, as it lacks the features to protect you. The small, but noticeable features we do like are the deep exterior pockets, which are lined with microfleece on each side. The interior media pocket is perfect for a cell phone or keys.

the north face metropolis parka ii - this jacket doesn't have many features, but there is an interior...
This jacket doesn't have many features, but there is an interior media pocket with a zipper. We found this pocket useful for keys or a wallet. It was almost a bit too small for a smartphone, but this will depend on how large your phone is.
Credit: Bevan Waite

The 550-fill-goose down is incredibly light and not bulky, especially for reaching all the way to above our knees. The hood is cozy, warm, and detachable via snaps. There is also an adjustable cord around the brim of the hood, which comes in handy in windy weather. The main front zipper on the jacket is double-sided for access from both ends and allows for better mobility.

the north face metropolis parka ii - this jacket has some serious length to it! reaching all the way past...
This jacket has some serious length to it! Reaching all the way past our knee, we felt like we were wearing a sleeping bag. Despite the long length, we never felt constricted in this jacket. The full zipper is double-sided, allowing for more mobility if needed.
Credit: Bevan Waite

Durability


Over the two months that we tested this jacket, we didn't have any issues with the nylon snagging or the stitching coming undone; that doesn't mean that it can't happen. We did notice a minimal amount of feathers escaping at the seams and stitching, which in the long run, could jeopardize the overall warmth and loftiness (but we did not experience any issues with this).

Value


It wasn't the cheapest or the most expensive jacket we tested, it landed right about in the middle; the price is fitting for what the jacket offers. It's warm, stylish, and delivers a flattering look.

Conclusion


The North Face Metropolis Parka II delivers a good amount of warmth and a style. We wouldn't recommend wearing this contender in wet weather. But, for commuting to work or running errands, we had no problems staying toasty.

Liz Williamson