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Home / Blog / Clothing and Style

4 Winter Parkas for Short Men (Hands-On Review)

Published on November 12, 2020 by Brock McGoff · Clothing and Style May contain affiliate links (what's this?)

It’s not easy to find a properly-fitted, high quality parka for short men, but we do have some options.

Peter Manning Winter Parka size 1
Note: I’m wearing the Season Three Ansel Boot in the pictures throughout this post (my new favorite fall/winter boot).

While most of us can get through winter by layering up under medium weight jackets, some climates call for an actual winter parka.

If you’re a shorter guy, you’ve probably found that most parkas are simply too long in the sleeves and body.

If you’re also thin (like me), most parkas are probably too big and baggy for you too.

9 out of 10 parkas I’ve tried on made me look and feel like Randy from A Christmas Story.

Randy from A Christmas Story
Me wearing a typical size S men’s parka…

But I’ve found a couple of great options that actually look good on my smaller frame, and I want to share them with you.

My Build

For reference, I’m 5’6” in shoes and about 123 lbs after dinner. I have a 34” chest, and I usually wear XS tops.

My off-the-rack suit jacket size would be 34S, and my ideal pant size is 28×27.

Quick Note

The point of this article is to show you how these parkas fit. I’m not going to get into the technical features and performance of each coat.

You can check the product pages for more details about product features, weather ratings, materials, country of origin, etc.

Canada Goose Fusion Fit Langford Parka

First up, we have the mac daddy of all parka brands, Canada Goose.

Canada Goose Fusion Fit XS

I don’t think I’d ever spend $1,000+ on a winter coat unless I lived somewhere that experiences freezing temps for 3-4 months each year.

Canada Goose Fusion Fit front open
Cananda Goose Langford Parka, Fusion Fit XS, Atlantic Navy

But I wanted to try a Canada Goose Fusion Fit parka because it was designed to fit “people with smaller body frames”.

According to their website:

Fusion Fit sizing was created by analyzing 26 key body measurements and more than 16,000 scans of individuals.

I was skeptical. Here’s how the Langford in XS Fusion Fit looks on me:

Canada Goose Langford Parka Fusion Fit front zipped 2
Better than usual, but it still feels a bit oversized on me.
Canada Goose Fusion Fit side
Pretty sure they add $300 to the price just for the logo patch 😏
Canada Goose Fusion Fit back
Looks good from the back, but the sleeves could be a bit shorter.
Canada Goose Fusion Fit hood up
To be honest, I could live without the real fur hood. I think wool or fleece is just as effective, less cruel and less flashy.
Canada Goose Fusion Fit inside jacket
This parka has all the bells and whistles that you’d expect for over $1k (inside pocket, drawstring, detachable riff, soft chin guard, ribbed cuffs, etc.).

Is it overpriced? Yeah, probably. You’re paying for the brand.

But it IS an amazingly well-designed and well-constructed coat. It feels ultra premium and will probably last forever if you treat it right.

The fit isn’t perfect, and considering the price, I would need it to be just right.

Should You Buy It?

If you like luxury goods and have the money to spend, Canada Goose could be a great choice for you, especially if you’re smaller than the average guy.

It’s not great for extra short and slim guys, though, so you’ll want to try this on in a store or be ready to return it for a refund.

It’s also not great for anyone who cares about animal cruelty, as Canada Goose uses real fur on their jackets.

Finally, this coat will be overkill unless you live somewhere that gets really cold for at least a few months each year.

Ash & Erie Winter Parka

This is a hip length synthetic parka from Detroit-based shorter guy clothing brand, Ash & Erie. At the time of writing, it’s only available in black.

Ash and Erie Winter Parka
Ash & Erie Winter Parka (XS)

This parka has front hand warmer pockets, a water resistant shell, a removable hood, inside pocket and a velcro flap over the zipper.

Ash and Erie Winter Parka hood up
Ash and Erie Winter Parka w/ hood up

It’s plush and comfortable. It’s also very affordable for a heavy winter coat, due to its synthetic make up (no down or fur on this one).

Ash and Erie Winter Parka fit
Ash and Erie Winter Parka fit

This is not a super slim fit coat, and there aren’t any drawstring inside, so you can’t make it slimmer.

On my svelte frame, it’s a little boxy, but not to the point where I wouldn’t wear it. You could wear a thick sweater under this jacket and still have plenty of room to zip it up.

Should You buy It?

I think this parka is the best choice on this list for anyone who wants something affordable, assuming you like the black colorway.

It’s also the best choice if you prefer hip length coats instead of longer ones, as most parkas are a bit longer.

If you don’t wear a lot of black, this parka isn’t for you, as it won’t go with the other colors in your wardrobe.

Additionally, if you want something higher end with natural materials like real goose down, you’ll need to spend a bit more on another brand.

Peter Manning NYC Winter Parka

Here’s another parka made specifically for shorter guys. It cost less than Canada Goose, but it’s not cheap.

Peter Manning NYC winter parka size 1

It doesn’t have the draw string, fur riff, ribbed cuffs or brand cachet of Canada Goose. It doesn’t feel like a very high quality garment for the price.

Peter Manning Winter Parka front open
Peter Manning NYC Winter Parka

I’m wearing size 1, and the sleeve length is fine, if not 1-2 inches too long. Overall, it’s slightly shorter than the Canada Goose Langford.

With no visible logos or fur, it’s also a more basic garment. It lacks the “cool factor” that you get with brands like Canada Goose or Alpha Industries.

Peter Manning Winter Parka front zipped
This parka has a zipper and front buttons (hidden behind placket).
Peter Manning Winter Parka side zipped
Peter Manning Winter Parka back zipped

Like many PMNYC items, the fit is somewhat “classic” (or boxy).

I’d like to see an internal drawstring that allows for a slimmer fit, or just a more modern cut through the torso.

This parka doesn’t work well for slim/athletic builds.

Peter Manning Winter Parka hood up
Like other PMNYC outerwear, this jacket features a somewhat classic cut (i.e., not very slim).

While you need some room for layers under your parka, I’d prefer a slimmer fit, or at least the option to adjust via drawstrings.

Should You Buy It?

If shorter sleeve length is your #1 priority, I’d probably go with the Ash & Erie parka because it looks better than the Peter Manning parka.

If you’re looking for a slim fit parka, this PMNYC parka isn’t the best choice for you, unless you’re up for getting it tailored (which can be tricky with insulated outerwear).

Patagonia Boys Tres 3-in-1 Parka

My experience with buying clothes from the kids section has been hit or miss (mostly miss), so I was pleasantly surprised when I tried on this Patagonia Boys Tres 3-in-1 Parka for the first time.

Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka boys XL

I tried the XL and XXL size and decided that the XL was large enough for my build.

Patagonia Boys Tres 3-in-1 Parka
Patagonia Boys Tres 3-in-1 Parka

First off, this coat fits me really well. Plus, it costs about $300 less than the men’s version.

Patagonia Tres Boys 3-in-1 Parka hood up front
Patagonia Boys Tres 3-in-1 Parka hood up side
Patagonia Boys Tres 3-in-1 Parka hood up back
The slightly curved hem is a nice detail.

Here’s the cherry on top: this “parka” is really just a raincoat shell attached to a down puffer jacket, and each layer can be worn on its own (hence the name):

Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka down jacket
Excellent fit, but I’m not crazy about the large quilted pattern. I prefer a smaller pattern on my puffer jackets.
Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka shell hood up
I’ve actually gotten a decent amount of use out of this shell. On its own, it’s a high quality and lightweight raincoat.

I have two very small gripes with the Patagonia Tres 3-in-1 Parka:

First, the sleeves are almost too short. They’re okay for me, but I have shorter arms for my height, so your mileage may vary.

Second, it’s slightly tight around the hips when zipped up (a common problem with boys’ tops).

Patagnonia Parka with Boots - featured
This parka got me through an NYC winter, no problem.

I really wish it had a double zipper to add room in the hips, especially when sitting down.

Alternatively, I could probably size up to the XXL size for a bit more room and length, but I do like the snug fit of the XL.

Should You Buy It?

Yes, this is a great choice!

Keep in mind, it’s not really a parka. It’s a down puffer jacket with a removable weather resistant shell on the outside.

I think this is a bonus, but if you already have a down jacket and raincoat, you might prefer a traditional parka instead.

Also, even the XXL might not fit bigger guys, so this parka is best suited for svelte gents under 5’9″ or so.

Alpha Industries Slim Fit N-3B Parka

I don’t own this one anymore, but I wanted to include it because it’s affordable, slim fit and surprisingly flattering on shorter guys.

Alpha Industries Slim Fit N-3B Parka
Alpha Industries Slim Fit N-3B Parka (Replica Gray, XS)

The Alpha Industries Slim Fit N-3B Parka can regularly be found on sale on Amazon, so try not to pay full price.

I ended up getting rid of this parka because of the way it looked. My style is pretty subdued, and this parka always felt too flashy.

Alpha Industries Slim Fit N-3B Parka
Love the slim fit; don’t love the flashy details (just my opinion)

Between the shiny finish, bright orange liner, faux fur hood and arm pocket, it just didn’t really fit my somewhat basic aesthetic.

If you do buy this one, I recommend the navy color, as it’s a bit more subtle than the green or grey versions.

Should You Buy It?

I think the Slim Fit N-3B Parka is a great choice for certain guys:

  • If you want a more youthful look
  • If you need a truly slim fit parka
  • If you’re on a tight budget

Most older guys in their 30s, 40s and beyond will probably find this parka to be a bit too flashy.

The Choice is Yours…

The good news is, us shorter guys finally have some choices when it comes to real winter outerwear.

Just a few years ago, there were no parkas for short men on the market. Now, finally, we have a few solid options.

Would you add any parka to this list? Let me know in the comments below!

Clothing and Style Canada Goose, outerwear, Patagonia, Peter Manning, Short Men's Fashion

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About Brock McGoff

The Modest Man founder, Brock is an aspiring minimalist who enjoys working out, spending time with his family, discovering new brands and creating great content.

Background: Brock McGoff has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a professional background in digital marketing. He believes that men's fashion is just one facet of self-improvement, and he started The Modest Man to help regular guys feel more confident by improving their appearance.

An east coast native, Brock currently lives in Arizona with his wife and daughter. When he's not working, he spends time with family, training BJJ, reading/listening to books and podcasts, and unsuccessfully trying to decide which movie to stream.

Expertise: Brock has built a men's lifestyle YouTube channel with over 400k subscribers. He's also worked as the creative marketing manager in a men's apparel startup. Brock has been quoted in, mentioned by or featured in publications like Esquire, Huff Post, Men's Health, WWD and Forbes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    Ask Me Anything Cancel reply

    Got questions? Want to share your opinion? Comment below!

  1. Jose Gutierrez says

    January 14, 2023 at 2:16 pm

    Hello, I am a big fan of your YouTube channel and I have been looking for your video on the parkas styles and reviews but I cannot find it. Did you removed that video from the channel?

    Jose G.

    Reply
    • Brock McGoff says

      January 14, 2023 at 6:32 pm

      Thanks! I only have one video about parkas: it’s a review of the Alpha Industries parka. Is that the one you’re looking for?

      Reply
  2. thomas alderson says

    November 3, 2021 at 4:23 pm

    alpha industries for the win bro!

    Reply
  3. George says

    October 19, 2021 at 5:48 pm

    I thought the Alpha Industries jacket looked the best on you and don’t find it flashy at all.

    Reply
  4. Abbas says

    November 16, 2020 at 6:34 am

    Any of these brands available in Europe?

    Reply
  5. Almas says

    November 12, 2020 at 12:42 pm

    I think the only winter parks on this list are Canada Goose and Alpha Industries. The rest are more like parks for fall because of their length. Each park has its own drawbacks, our selection is rather scarce. I own a parka from Alpha Industries the same color as yours. Next time I’ll take blue, but while I’m young, I’ll be content with that

    Reply

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