Review: Kifaru's Lost Park Parka, by Brock Akers

[robby denning]

Rokslide Moderator Brock Akers loves Kifaru gear and uses a bunch of it. Combine that with his over-the-top fetish for backcountry hunting, and he's the perfect guy to put Kifaru gear through the ringer.

Here he is, after a spring and fall of use, with his thoughts on Kifaru's Lost Park Parka.

Show us the money Brock...
Kifaru Lost Park Parka Review

 

[sr80]

how does this compare in warmth to the uncomphagre?

 

[Brock A]

how does this compare in warmth to the uncomphagre?

Its a good bit warmer for sure. I still run the FL when its a little warmer out.

 

[dotman]

Its a good bit warmer for sure. I still run the FL when its a little warmer out.

X2....

 

[snowcamoman]

Yeah, it's one of the warmest synthetic's I've seen for hunting, including some of my mountaineering jackets. Very well made and durable.

 

[CrzyTrekker]

That looks like a sweet puffy. Kifaru quality too.

 

[Brock A]

That looks like a sweet puffy. Kifaru quality too.

Its pretty bullet proof!

 

[justinspicher]

I picked one of these up but didn't like how it was sized. It seemed really bulky to me, compared to my other puffy jackets. It was definitely warmer, but I need to try it in a medium instead of a large. At 5'10" and 180lbs, the large was way too big on me.

 

[Brock A]

I picked one of these up but didn't like how it was sized. It seemed really bulky to me, compared to my other puffy jackets. It was definitely warmer, but I need to try it in a medium instead of a large. At 5'10" and 180lbs, the large was way too big on me.

Yeah Justin it is a little more bulky than some other puffys. However its significantly warmer, IMO. A Medium just might be the ticket for ya!

Shoot me a text man, haven't heard from you in awhile. Would love to catch up!

 

[welpro222]

I'm 5'11" and 190, the medium fit well. A little snug with 2-3 layers underneath. I figured it would be warm enough without layers.

 

[slick]

Reviving an old thread. Why doesn't Kifaru add zippers to the pocket of the parka?

Has anyone done this? @pods8 could you/would you be willing to add a zipper to each side of the pocket?

This is a cold weather jacket- I'd prefer if my pocket doesn't fill up with blowing, drifting snow or that falls off of trees as you walk through them.

Anyone else share this criticism?

 

[mattyhealy34]

Reviving an old thread. Why doesn't Kifaru add zippers to the pocket of the parka?

Has anyone done this? @pods8 could you/would you be willing to add a zipper to each side of the pocket?

This is a cold weather jacket- I'd prefer if my pocket doesn't fill up with blowing, drifting snow or that falls off of trees as you walk through them.

Anyone else share this criticism?

I also wouldn't mind having a zipper on my LPP. Fortunately, I get way too hot walking for more than a few minutes so I'm only wearing it when I'm glassing or during long periods of low activity. I mainly wish it had zippers so I don't have to worry about losing things I store in there while glassing.

 

[Fritz D]

Got one of these for Christmas, so haven’t had a chance to test it out, but seems well made and sturdy?
Insulation not nearly as thick as I thought it would be , but I come from a mountaineering background and my standard of comparison is the Mountain Equipment Citadel (Primaloft 1) and K7 (800 fp down) jackets which are tough acts to follow warmth-wise?
We'll see how the Kifaru works out…

 

[robby denning]

Got one of these for Christmas, so haven’t had a chance to test it out, but seems well made and sturdy?
Insulation not nearly as thick as I thought it would be , but I come from a mountaineering background and my standard of comparison is the Mountain Equipment Citadel (Primaloft 1) and K7 (800 fp down) jackets which are tough acts to follow warmth-wise?
We'll see how the Kifaru works out…

Do let us know. Be great to have those comparisons

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

Got one of these for Christmas, so haven’t had a chance to test it out, but seems well made and sturdy?
Insulation not nearly as thick as I thought it would be , but I come from a mountaineering background and my standard of comparison is the Mountain Equipment Citadel (Primaloft 1) and K7 (800 fp down) jackets which are tough acts to follow warmth-wise?
We'll see how the Kifaru works out…

The LPP is a great option for a puffy that is well sewn, has the tougher fabric in wear areas, and uses good quality synthetic insulation. It still suffers from insulation breakdown after roughly 60 full field days of use unfortunately; this drops its effective temp rating.

Its only downfall for me is overall warmth. It’s not warm enough to replace a good down puffy for truly cold static sits.

Here’s a very helpful comment from a thread I started comparing the Stone Glacier Grumann to the Kifaru LPP…


“With more than 40 different people wearing them for true comfort rating, and absolutely static use- no standing, no walking, no smacking hands together- static: approx 35-40°. This is the Grumman combined with a lightweight base layer- wool or synthetic (think T shirt weight), and a medium fleece or mid layer- think Patagonia R1, Sitka Kelvin Active, etc., and not in direct sunlight or wind. Head, neck, hands, and lower body are all taken care of- just straight jacket.

For reference those same people for absolute comfort with the Kifaru LPP get around 37-40° when new, and about 45° after around 60 days of use.”

 

[Fritz D]

The LPP is a great option for a puffy that is well sewn, has the tougher fabric in wear areas, and uses good quality synthetic insulation. It still suffers from insulation breakdown after roughly 60 full field days of use unfortunately; this drops its effective temp rating.

Its only downfall for me is overall warmth. It’s not warm enough to replace a good down puffy for truly cold static sits.

Here’s a very helpful comment from a thread I started comparing the Stone Glacier Grumann to the Kifaru LPP…


“With more than 40 different people wearing them for true comfort rating, and absolutely static use- no standing, no walking, no smacking hands together- static: approx 35-40°. This is the Grumman combined with a lightweight base layer- wool or synthetic (think T shirt weight), and a medium fleece or mid layer- think Patagonia R1, Sitka Kelvin Active, etc., and not in direct sunlight or wind. Head, neck, hands, and lower body are all taken care of- just straight jacket.

For reference those same people for absolute comfort with the Kifaru LPP get around 37-40° when new, and about 45° after around 60 days of use.”

Very helpful. Thank you.

Robby, I’ll sure share my findings this winter with the LPP?