Fjallraven vs Canada Goose Jackets & Parkas

Here I am comparing Fjällräven vs Canada Goose. Both of these brands design and manufacture premium-quality jackets, and sell them at not-so-affordable prices. While it’s true that you’ll have to reach deep into your pocket for a Fjällräven or Canada Goose jacket, you’ll also end up with a garment you’ll be able to wear for years to come. (Much the same with Arcteryx and Canada Goose)

As you already know, I wrote a lot of “versus” articles, in which I have taken a closer look at many different outerwear brands. The goal of these articles is to determine the features Fjallraven and Canada Goose brands have in common as well as the characteristics that set them apart.

Fjallraven – A General Overview

The Background

A Swedish brand that designs, manufactures, and sells outerwear and various accessories, Fjällräven was founded more than 60 years ago by an entrepreneur called Åke Nordin. The first Fjällräven product was a simple backpack, which Åke made in his basement.

Over the years, the company’s production slowly but surely expanded to sleeping bags, jackets, pants, and even curtains. One thing I particularly like about Fjällräven is that the company really does care about environmental sustainability, with lots of its products using the so-called Eco-Shell, which is made out of recycled polyester.

The Manufacture

I have already mentioned Eco-Shell – it’s an environmentally friendly fabric invented by Fjällräven and used in many of their garments to make them both waterproof and breathable. Both the wool and the down used by this brand are produced in an ethical way and are fully traceable.

The G-1000 materials, which I’ll mention while describing some of Fjällräven’s popular designs, guarantee protection from foul weather – they are exceptionally sturdy and durable. These and other materials used by the company all make their jackets versatile, comfortable, and warm.

The Prices

Fjällräven is a luxury brand – there’s no way around it. Their garments start at about $150 on average, with the most durable and feature-packed models costing as much as $800 and more. This is particularly true for the company’s down jackets and heavily insulated parkas.

Fjällräven – Popular Products

Fjällräven Men’s Expedition Jacket

Available in 4 different colors, this Fjällräven jacket uses goose down to keep its wearer warm. In fact, over 40% of the model’s total weight is taken by this insulation – there are 730 grams of it and it’s guaranteed to keep you toasty during cold-weather expeditions.

The jacket’s exterior, on the other hand, is made out of DWR-treated polyamide. This translates to exceptional water resistance, which is highly important if we take into account the fact that the Men’s Expedition Jacket is a down-filled garment. Let me remind you – down is incapable of retaining warmth when it’s not dry.

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Fjällräven Men’s Raven Jacket

In my opinion, this lightweight Fjällräven jacket is a great choice for early winter and late autumn. It’s a padded version of the company’s popular Raven model from the 1970s and a jacket that sports a truly timeless design. One feature I particularly like is the hood that can be rolled into the model’s collar.

The main material used in its manufacture is Fjällräven’s proprietary G-1000 Eco fabric, which combines recycled polyester and organic cotton for ultimate comfort and warmth. The insulation, on the other hand, is synthetic and its name is Supreme Microloft. The model also sports a DWR finish.

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Fjällräven Men’s Keb Jacket

A breathable and lightweight jacket that’s suitable for long backcountry adventures, the company’s Keb model is a great option for all those looking for a non-insulated jacket. This garment is made out of extremely stretchy materials and, as such, it provides its wearer with high mobility and excellent freedom of movement.

The model is also water and wind-resistant and comes equipped with a large hood with a foldable visor. In terms of pockets, there’s a large mesh pocket on the inside and three external ones – one on the arm and two on the chest.

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Fjällräven Women’s Barents Parka

Equipped with Microloft Supreme padding, the company’s Barents parka for women provides an excellent amount of warmth in below-zero temperatures. The exterior of this coat combines G-1000 Heavy Duty Eco fabric with the original G-1000 fabric, with the addition of the water-resistant Hydratic membrane.

Other features worth mentioning are the large hood, which features the same Hydratic membrane I mentioned above, as well as the 2-way zipper with its own storm flap. The Women’s Barents Parka also has a hem drawcord and six pockets in total – two internal ones and four external ones.

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Fjällräven Women’s Nuuk Parka

A waterproof and windproof coat for the ladies, Fjällräven’s Nuuk Parka is one of the best women’s jackets this company has ever designed. The first thing I noticed about it is how surprisingly lightweight it is for a parka, with the main culprit behind this low weight being the Supreme Microloft insulation.

Of course, the low weight is not the only great thing about this parka. It is highly waterproof, it has a fixed storm hood, it comes equipped with a hem drawcord, and it has a total of 15 (!) pockets. It’s bound to keep you dry and warm even in a snowstorm.

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Fjällräven Women’s Stina Jacket

The last Fjällräven jacket I’ll be taking a look at is this women’s jacket, which combines the G-1000 Lite fabric with the G-1000 original fabric in its construction. Its name is Women’s Stina Jacket and it’s exceptionally lightweight – a perfect option for those chilly autumn hikes.

Both the hem and the sleeves of this garment can be adjusted, while its fixed hood fits snugly around the wearer’s face. Just as I expected, this women’s jacket also features an internal flap, a 2-way zipper, as well as two zippered pockets.

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Canada Goose – A General Overview

The Background

As the name suggests, this brand was founded in Canada, in Toronto, Ontario. Its roots go all the way back to the late 1950s when it was established under the name Metro Sportswear by the guy called Sam Tick, a Polish immigrant who got sick of working in factories and wanted to start his own business.

Over the years, the brand became well-known for its premium-quality garments, with Canada Goose jackets appearing in movies such as “National Treasure” and “The Day After Tomorrow”. Canada Goose is also known as the “Big Red”, which is a nickname it got during the 1980s.

The Manufacture

Canada Goose makes its jackets with great attention to detail, with each product being required to go through a meticulous quality control process that consists of 13 steps. Just like many other brands in the industry, CG uses nylon and polyester for the shells of their jackets.

However, it is the quality of the down used in its garments that separates Canada Goose from its competition. Not only is the goose and duck down they use some of the best you can find in a winter jacket, but it’s also traceable and certified, and that’s always a big plus in my book.

The Prices

Canada Goose jackets are very expensive – this is a luxury brand whose garments start at around $600 but can reach the price of $1000 and above. However, CG’s apparel costs so much for a good reason. The design and performance of their jackets are extraordinary, and it’s no wonder that this brand is a favorite of many outdoor enthusiasts all over the world.

Canada Goose – Popular Products

Canada Goose Men’s Carson Parka

The Men’s Carson Parka is one of the warmest jackets Canada Goose has ever made – there’s no doubt about that. This slim-fit, mid-thigh parka keeps its wearer toasty in genuinely freezing temperatures and is, therefore, quite restrictive. Keep in mind that freedom of movement is something you simply have to sacrifice if you want a truly warm jacket.

The Men’s Carson Parka is also a feature-rich garment, as it comes equipped with an adjustable hood, a fleece-lined chin guard, a 2-way zipper, and four pockets in total. It is completely water and wind-resistant.

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Canada Goose Men’s Wyndham Parka

This particular Canada Goose jacket is made out of the company’s proprietary Arctic-Tech fabric, which is well-known for its water resistance and durability. It’s a fairly restrictive slim-fit model with recessed rib cuffs and an insulated hood, and, as such, stands as a suitable option for nasty winters.

The model has six pockets in total – four external ones and two internal ones – as well as a 2-way zipper with its own storm flap. While it certainly isn’t a budget-friendly garment, this Canada Goose parka can and will keep you warm during your cold-winter backcountry escapades.

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Canada Goose Men’s HyBridge Hoody

The main material used in the manufacture of this Canada Goose jacket is Feather-Light 10D, which is an abrasion-resistant and lightweight material that is also capable of keeping moisture at bay. That is precisely why the Men’s HyBridge Hoody is actually a lot warmer than it may look at first.

In my opinion, this particular model is a phenomenal option for all those looking for something they’ll be able to combine with outer shells. It is insulated with 800-fill power down and packs into its own pocket – very convenient for traveling.

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Canada Goose Women’s Lorette Parka

Many consider the best CG jacket for women, the Lorette Parka is extremely stylish and highly functional. Just like some of Canada Goose’s men’s jackets I’ve described above, this one is also made out of Arctic-Tech textile and is therefore capable of keeping its wearer protected from cold winds and freezing temperatures.

As a Canada Goose product, this coat is packed with convenient features. The model has both internal and external cuffs, as well as internal backpack straps and a tricot-lined chin guard. There is also a snap-closure back vent and four pockets.

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Canada Goose Women’s Burnett Parka

Insulated with a 625-fill power duck down and sporting a military-inspired design, the Burnett Parka for the ladies is something special. It is entirely suitable for cold-weather escapades due to its temperature rating of -10°C / -20°C, while its numerous and convenient features only enhance its sheer practicality.

Some of these features include a fleece-lined and stretchy hood, an adjustable hem, and a number of zippered and hand-warming pockets. In my opinion, the model is a perfect choice for the ladies looking for a hip-length option that looks and works just as advertised.

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Canada Goose Women’s Chilliwack Bomber

The last Canada Goose jacket I’ll be taking a look at is a good choice for active women. This bomber provides its wearer with great freedom of movement due to its stretch ribbing at the waist and the cuffs. It is, however, insulated with 625-fill power down and therefore provides sufficient warmth, too.

Other features worth mentioning are the adjustable hood, a frontal zipper with a storm flap, and five external pockets. The Chilliwack bomber also has a single internal drop-in pocket, which you can use for your most precious belongings.

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Fjallraven vs Canada Goose – The Verdict

There’s not a lot of difference between these two brands when it comes to attention to detail and the overall quality of their products. The answer to the question “which brand is better?” mostly depends on what you, as a potential buyer, are looking for.

Are you looking for a luxury parka? Do you want it to come from a renowned brand and you’re not on a budget? If that’s the case, Canada Goose is probably a better choice. On the other hand, those who want to avoid natural down insulation and real fur and are looking for vegan jackets instead should definitely go with Fjällräven.

In addition, Fjällräven is a more suitable option for those on a budget. Yes, it’s an expensive brand, but some of its jackets are a lot more affordable than most models offered by Canada Goose.

If you’ve found this post useful, you might want to check out this comparison of Canada Goose and Nobis as well.