Parkas Vs. Puffer Jackets: What's The Difference?

Introduction to Parkas and Puffer Jackets

Parkas and puffer jackets are two of the most popular outerwear jacket styles and their instantly recognizable silhouettes make them perennial favourites that are always worth having in stock. Some sources credit Eddie Bauer ?with inventing the puffer jacket in the 1930s, but others say that Australian chemist and mountaineer George Finch ?came up with the first one in 1922 for Britain’s first Everest expedition. It was reportedly bright green, so must’ve caused quite a stir amongst all the usual tweed.

Here’s one of our modern women’s puffer coats . Perhaps the main feature that makes them stand out is the quilted look, which is there with every design, whether it’s straightforward ribs, or something more adventurous like this look. The sections are filled with insulating materials like real or artificial down for maximum insulation in harsh conditions.

Parka jackets come from various tribes like the Caribou Innuit living above the Arctic Circle in extreme cold conditions. They are long, well-insulated coats that extend below the waist and typically feature a hood which is often lined with fur. Modern versions were popularised by Eddie Bauer who supplied Parkas to the US military during World War II. They became a fashion item during the 1950s. Here’s one of our ladies’ parkas .

Insulation and Warmth

The main job of both these jackets is to keep the wearer warm and dry in biting winds during the snowy months. Our versions of these classic coats achieve high levels of thermal protection and water resistance because we use modern materials and manufacturing techniques. For instance, the puffer coat shown above features a 100% polyester shell that’s PC-free. It’s lined with 94% polyester (you can specify normal or recycled) and 6% elastane, to make the cuffs fit the wrists tightly and improve insulation. We’ve filled it with fake down insulation, to provide a good deal of warmth in challenging conditions, and thanks to the addition of breathable fabric, when the wearer gets sweaty as they push on through inhospitable weather, their evaporated perspiration is allowed to pass out of the garment, ensuring that they remain cool and comfortable.?

Fabric and Water Resistance

The woman’s puffer has received DWR (durable water repellent) consisting of a dipped or sprayed-on fluoropolymer to waterproof it to a rating of 5000mm, although it’s suitable for heavy rain even up to 10,000mm, which means it can keep the wearer dry even in sustained heavy downpours.

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The red park is also waterproof to 8,000mm, so again it’s suitable for heavy rain. It’s also breathable, with a rating of 3000g/m2/24h (although it’s good to 5,000g/m2/24h).

Silhouette and Design

The distinguishing feature about parkas is that they only really have one ‘look’ which our men’s parka illustrates perfectly:

This is the classic parka look, instantly recognisable, but perhaps a little limited because of it, because you can’t really change much on a parka jacket before it starts looking like something else. This look became the go to for Mods in the 60s and Oasis fans in the 90s. You couldn’t even change the colour because it had to be the original green.

Now consider the fact that these three designs are all classed as puffer jackets because the defining factor of a puffer is those inflated-looking ribs that can be straight, angled, different colors, different shapes, whatever. Whether the coat is long, short, sleeved, or sleeveless, if it has those characteristic ribs, then it’s still a puffer.

Weatherproofing Capabilities

Parkas are renowned for their exceptional weatherproofing abilities, making them a popular choice for customers looking for reliable bad-weather protection. They typically use durable fabrics such as wool, nylon, or cotton, for protection against biting winds, and many parkas also feature adjustable hoods, cuffs, and waistbands that can be tightened to seal out prying gusts and keep the heat locked inside.

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As we noted, we typically treat our parkas with water-resistant or waterproof coatings, so they keep out the rain and snow, and the long, extended silhouette of a parka helps shield the customer’s whole upper body from moisture, ensuring they stay dry and comfortable even in heavy downpours.

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We give our parkas a generous hood for rain and snow protection. This weatherproofing capability is a key reason why parkas are a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts and workers who need to brave the elements as part of their job.

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As puffer jackets can come in all shapes and sizes as we noted, that naturally means that they don’t always offer the same level of waterproofing as parkas. Even if we apply the same level of water-repellent capabilities, common sense dictates that if the puffer doesn’t have any arms, the customer's arms are going to get wet! But people choose them knowing this. They wouldn’t typically go out in a huge downpour wearing a vest-type puffer jacket. More likely they’re going for a brisk walk with the dog, the weather forecast says it may or may not rain but they want some lightweight protection against a cold wind.

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Our tightly woven, wind-resistant fabrics such as nylon or polyester do the job perfectly, and the quilted structure and baffled design help block the winds from penetrating through to the body. Many puffer jackets also have adjustable hoods, cuffs, and hems that can be cinched to seal out blustery conditions.

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But although puffer jackets will give decent protection in milder wet conditions, parkas are probably better suited to prolonged exposure to heavy rain. The puffy, insulated structure of puffer jackets does provide a degree of snow protection. The down-filled quilted baffles are great at trapping body heat, but the shorter length of most puffer jackets leaves more of the wearer's body exposed to snow compared to the extended coverage customers get with a parka.

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So, while puffer jackets may not be as robustly weatherproof as parkas, they still offer a good level of protection against wind, rain, and moderate snow conditions. Their lighter weight and more streamlined silhouette make them a practical choice for those seeking warmth and some weather resistance without the bulkier profile of a parka.

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Of course, it is possible to have the best of both worlds. Enter…the long puffer jacket !

This is a great way for stockists to meet the needs of customers looking for a jacket with the length of a parka and the look of a puffer. This one ticks all the right boxes to keep your customers happy.

Durability and Longevity

At Lotogarment we’ve been creating products to last a long time as well as look good for over two decades. Our parkas and puffer jackets are both made from hard-wearing polyester, a tough and versatile man-made material that works well in a variety of settings and applications. It’s well suited to being used as an outer shell, as it can be adapted to resemble a cotton-like material (which is exactly what we did with the long women’s puffer jacket). It's lightweight, durable, and resistant to wrinkles and shrinkage.

For inner linings, we often use nylon, which was the original artificial fabric, because it’s a strong and durable choice that can cope with stresses from all directions and will last for years.

Versatility and Styling

We’ve already discussed the versatility of puffer jackets. They work at almost any length, with arms, and without arms, with hoods and without hoods. They really are a jack-of-all-trades compared to parkas, but we wouldn’t want you to think that parka jackets can’t be versatile too. ?

This women's parka jacket ?retains something of the classic style, but departs from the norm with a very vibrant yellow finish that sets it apart nicely. Take a look at the details:

This shorter parka proves that you can cut the classic design down a little to create a fresh look, and that lush lining is almost like a puffer on the inside!

Target Audience and Demographics

The typical target audience and demographics for parkas are mixed. The parka has been associated with music trends like Mods and Britpop, but it’s typically worn by people looking for protection in extreme outdoor weather conditions. Puffer jackets are definitely more of a fashion statement, tending to be worn by a younger demographic, or those who are young at heart. They are seen as less functional and more fashionable, sitting firmly in the athleisure trend, but they can still offer great protection against the elements as we’ve already seen.

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Choosing the Right Jacket for Your Business

As a clothing retailer or wholesaler, we would advise you to select parka coats if you’re catering to customers who are the outdoor enthusiast type. If you’re focusing more on supplying the urban fashion end of the market, then puffer jackets are the way to go, but there is some crossover between both these jacket designs. At Lotogarment we have a wealth of experience in designing and manufacturing both types of jackets in a variety of styles so get in touch today, and we will be happy to exceed your expectations!