REASONS TO BUY
Insulated with 750 fill down
Stylish
Simple
Light
REASONS TO AVOID
Hood doesn’t detach
No internal cuffs on sleeves
Not waterproof
Arc'teryx discontinued the Seyla in 2022.
Arc'teryx Seyla Review
A seriously lightweight and stylish looking parka that will keep you warm and looking good
Credit: Backcountry
Our Verdict
Arc'teryx delivered with the Seyla, an incredibly warm and lightweight winter jacket. We were impressed with how cozy we stayed when temperatures hit freezing thanks to the lofty and comfortable 750 fill European grey goose down. Besides being incredibly warm, the Seyla was also one of the lightest jackets we tested. One way to describe the Seyla Parka is stylish and straightforward with no bells and whistles; it's easy to dress this jacket up for a night out or wear it to the gym. The exterior material is water-resistant, not waterproof, and isn't intended for wet weather. While it's not the highest performing product in our review, we don't think you would be disappointed if you decide to add it to your collection of outerwear.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
This is one of the stylist parkas we tested. Simple and sweet, the cut of the jacket hides the plush 750 fill grey goose down. Reaching just above our knee we had no problems wearing this jacket on chilly morning walks or running errands.
Credit: Sierra Purcell
Warmth
This jacket is intended for frigid temperatures, insulated with 750 fill European grey goose down. We had no problems wearing this pleated-style parka with a light layer underneath during cold winter days.
Some features of this jacket helped keep us warm, but some things were also lacking. The oversized hood was great, but there is no way to adjust it for a tighter fit for better wind protection. We were able to fit a beanie underneath the hood, which allowed for a snugger fit. One feature that always helps with keeping us warm in the winter is the internal cuffs in the sleeves. The Seyla has elastic cuffs that make the fit around the opening a bit tighter.
The hood isn't detachable like some of the jackets we tested. We didn't find this to be a problem because of how light it was. It's insulated with an ample amount of down. There is enough room to wear a beanie underneath.
Credit: Sierra Purcell
One thing we noticed about the Arc'teryx Seyla is that it does run a bit big. We originally ordered a medium and had to return it for a small. When we tested the medium, we noticed that cold air got in at the bottom of the bell shape and loose fit. You may want to try this jacket on at the store if you are concerned about the sizing.
Weather Resistance
Water-resistant, but not waterproof, this jacket isn't intended for heavy wet weather. When tested in light snow and rain, it held up for a while but became saturated after an extended time outside. This jacket is warm, but we wouldn't recommend it for someone that lives in a very wet climate like Portland or Seattle.
Front view of the form-fitting Seyla. Simple and sweet is a great way to describe the jacket. There are three earth tone colors to choose from: whiskey jack (gray), flux (pictured above), and black.
Credit: Sierra Purcell
Style
Instant style points go to the Arc'teryx Seyla for simplicity while maintaining ample warmth on some below-freezing days this winter. We easily wore this jacket to the gym, out to dinner, or running errands around town. The pleated exterior with no bells and whistles makes this jacket highly versatile.
From all angles we found this model to be an attractive parka. Form-fitting, lightweight and highly flattering, we enjoyed wearing it out and about.
Credit: Sierra Purcell
Comfort
We would often forget to take off this jacket when coming inside from the cold. It is like wearing a lightweight sleeping bag because it is so light, warm, and very comfortable, but a bit more stylish.
There weren't too many issues with the Seyla parka but, we wish there would have been micro lined fleece in the pockets like the Marmot Montreaux. Having lined pockets makes all the difference.
Credit: Sierra Purcell
Features
The main feature of this jacket is its warmth-to-weight ratio. As one of the lightest, warmest jackets we tested, Arc'teryx nailed it with the Seyla. The exterior pocket doesn't have any fleece inside them, a common feature on the jackets we test. This minor feature is a game-changer on cold days. Slipping your hand into a cozy pocket makes all the difference, especially on chilly days, and we would have liked to see it included.
There are two exterior pockets and one interior pocket. The interior pocket has a zipper and is perfect for keys, phone or a wallet.
Credit: Sierra Purcell
A double-sided zipper allows access from both ends and is also nice to use on days that were a bit warmer or when we needed more airflow or mobility.
The double-sided zipper came in handy when we wanted better mobility or were too hot and need some cool air to enter the jacket.
Credit: Sierra Purcell
Durability
Over the two months that we tested this jacket, we didn't see many feathers escaping at the stitching. But the outer material is made of nylon and is quite thin, so it's essential to keep that in mind when wearing this jacket. We did get snagged while wearing this coat in a heavily treed area, and it caused a tear.
The outer material has a DWR water-resistant coating and isn't intended to be worn in heavy wet weather. When we tested it in light snow, it handled well.
Should You Buy the Arc'teryx Seyla?
The Seyla is light and keeps you warm in freezing temperatures. We wouldn't recommend this jacket if you live in a very wet climate, but it is an excellent option for someone living in an environment that experiences cold winters without much moisture. It may also be a good choice if you already have a collection of jackets and prefer to have the perfect piece for every weather condition, rather than an all-in-one product.
What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?
This jacket falls towards the more expensive side out of all the women's jackets we tested. Yes, it is incredibly warm and insulated with 750 fill grey goose down, it's lightweight and very comfortable, but you don't get a ton of features for the price. We did enjoy testing this jacket. Its simple style was easy to dress up or down depending on what we were doing but keep in mind that it's not waterproof and isn't intended to be worn in wet weather. If you are willing to spend in this price range and are in the market for a more durable coat to wear in all types of weather, we recommend the Fjallraven Nuuk. If lightweight comfort is important to you, the Outdoor Research Coze Down Parka is a good option to consider.
—
Liz Williamson
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