Fjallraven Singi Down - Women's Review
Our Verdict
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
Warmth
The Singi Parka fits like a glove, as in it's very snug, and almost runs a bit small. We did stay warm when temperatures hit the freezing mark. The down insulation was extremely lofty.
The deep hood did a great job at keeping us warm when it was snowing or chilly out, but the hood is so cavernous it was hard to see. There's micro-fleece lining the pockets, a nice warm feature that we always love to see on winter jackets. There are no internal cuffs in the sleeves, but there are Velcro straps that allowed for a tighter fit, and it helped keep cold air out.
Weather Resistance
Water-resistant, but not waterproof, but there is an option to apply Fjallraven Wax to the exterior of the jacket. Made from high-quality paraffin and beeswax, Fjallraven wax is more gentle towards both people and the environment than chemical-based impregnation. A wax block of 100 grams will be enough to wax about ten garments. One practical and potentially necessary feature on the Singi is being able to add a wax coating to the exterior that allows more of a buffer if you live somewhere that experiences wet winters. We didn't test this option, but we read other reviews that it seems to work well.
When we tested this jacket in snow and rain, water beaded up and rolled off, but after an extended period of time, the jacket began to get saturated.
Style
The Singi Parka was one of the most stylish parkas we tested this winter. Its short and sweet style worked well for going out for walks around Lake Tahoe or grocery shopping. We received many compliments about how it looked. There are five different colors to choose from - Black, Dark Garnet, Dark Navy, Deep Forest, and Red Oak. There is a plush faux fur ruff around the hood that is detachable.
There are bungee drawstrings in the inside of the jacket that allows for a more tailored fit, and it really helps with obtaining a more feminine look.
The exterior of the jacket has four pockets that blend in well and are hardly noticeable. There are two on the chest and two on the bottom of the jacket. The hood has adjustable drawstrings on each side with leather tabs you pull. Besides being a practical feature, it also adds a nice look to the jacket and the leather tabs complement the colors of the faux fur ruff.
Comfort
We noticed that Singi ran a bit small, especially in the shoulders and the sleeves. We would have been more comfortable if we had more room. Because of the small fit of the jacket, it was hard to wear a thicker layer underneath. Consider ordering a larger size if you are worried about the limited mobility or if you are someone who likes to wear thicker layers underneath your jacket.
The hood was almost too snug and was a bit uncomfortable. We felt like we were trapped in it because of how deep it is. We had limited visibility when looking to the left and right, and it was honestly hard to hear when wearing the hood because of how deep it was. There was also not much room to wear a beanie underneath, but we doubt you would need to wear one since the hood feels so warm.
Features
The main feature on the Singi Parka would have to be the attention to detail, as well as its stylish look. The internal adjustable bungee waist allows for an even snugger and tailored appearance.
The detachable faux fur ruff is beautiful and adds a classic parka look. There are four exterior pockets. Two of them are zippered “hand warmer” pockets and are located on the chest. This feature allowed us to keep our core warm. There are two oversized pockets with flaps secured with buttons. They are deep and are perfect for a cell phone. There are three interior pockets. The two mesh pockets worked great for holding gloves or a beanie. The third pocket is a media pocket secured with a zipper.
Being able to add a wax coating to the outside of the jacket is an unusual, but practical feature that is a good idea for jackets that aren't considered waterproof.
Durability
Over the two months that we tested the Singi, our only real concern with durability was the zipper. It was incredibly finicky and we had to have it lined up perfectly if we wanted to zip it up.
Despite not being waterproof, the Singi is a durable jacket. The exterior of the jacket is made up of polyester and cotton. It's thick and feels almost impenetrable.
Value
This jacket is not on the cheap side of the lineup. That being said, this jacket is durable, warm, and will last for multiple winters. If you look at it as an investment for years to come, then this may be a good choice for you.
Conclusion
Overall a bomber winter jacket that looks like a classic winter parka you would see being warn in Lake Tahoe, CA or Switzerland. Fjallraven really nailed it with attention to details, as well as being functional and practical. We love the placement of the exterior pockets, as well as the internal pockets that were great for storing beanies or gloves.