The Metropolis III is out now. Check out the details below!
August 2019The 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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 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.
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).
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.
