Arc’teryx Thorsen Parka
I’ve worn an Arc’teryx Camosun parka for most of my twenties. It’s an amazing jacket, but I often wished for more coverage and more warmth. Arc’teryx answered the call when they introduced the Thorsen in 2017 and it’s been on my radar ever since (the Therme, which sits between the Camosun and the Thorsen in the brand’s lineup, never caught my eye, for the record).
The fact that my Camosun worked well enough, combined with the (relatively) high asking price of the Thorsen, kept me at bay. But I decided I couldn’t wait any longer, and picked up the Thorsen this year, just in time to not leave my house for an entire winter.
It’s fair to wonder if the Thorsen is overkill for Toronto. But I run cold, so I’d rather have the extra warmth and not need it as opposed to the reverse. Performance is excellent - the entire interior of the jacket, from the hood to the thighs, is baffled, giving it a soft and lofty feeling. There’s loads of 750-fill-power goose down in those baffles which translates to the warmest jacket I'll (probably) ever own or need. The face fabric is a fairly burly 90d DWR-treated Gore-Tex shell that repels water and wind, and it’s nowhere near as crinkly-loud as the Camosun (the tradeoff is that the Camosun’s 150d face fabric is tough - whether that’s worth sounding like a jet engine taking off every time your arm rubs against your torso is up to you).
Design and styling are, for the most part, outstanding. This is a good-looking parka, minimalist in its design and function. Clean lines and discreet pockets result in a sleek silhouette, or at least as sleek as one can be whilst wearing a big winter coat. I like that in a sea of black parkas, this black parka somehow stands out. Arc’teryx labels this as a Regular Fit jacket, and I have to agree - a size small gives me enough room to comfortably layer a chunky knit sweater underneath. It’s maybe a touch too big for my frame overall (5’8”, 145 lbs) - I’d prefer a smidge more tailoring in the body and a little more tapering in the arms. And the hood is ginormous - it’s adjustable, but why Arc’teryx would put a hood that’s basically helmet-compatible in an urban parka is beyond me.
Some other details worth mentioning:
The cuffs use the “cuff-within-a-cuff” gasket system seen on other jackets (including the Camosun). That interior cuff helps seal out the cold but it may interfere with an item like a watch on your wrist.
The outer cuff openings adjust with two sets of snap button closures - elegant, for sure, but that means adjustability is limited to only those two size options. I find the sleeves just a tad too long, so I would have appreciated a little more cinch-ability here.
There are four pockets in total: two fleece-lined hand warmer pockets and two chest pockets, one exterior and one interior. The chest pockets overlap each other - they’re both on the left side.
The neck is covered by standalone baffles, which is lovely.
Arc’teryx has thoughtfully placed mesh fabric in the armpits and wrist areas of the interior - this allows for a little more breathability in those key areas.
The logo on the left arm is dark grey on the black colourway.
I’ve found it kinda tough to write about the Thorsen, actually - it’s just really quite good, and that’s it. And relative to similar offerings from luxury brands, there’s an argument to be made that the Thorsen is actually a bargain, especially once it hits its annual sale price.
It’s not my perfect parka, but it’s pretty darn close.
Verdict: Sleek and beautiful warmth.
