Women’s Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka, Tested & Reviewed

Bottom Line

Outdoor Research stays true to its brand, serious adventures in high-stakes environments. While many of our favorite winter coats for women focus on front-country scenarios, the Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka is for the women who push the limits on winter conditions, mountaineering, and ice climbing. Exposure to extreme conditions is risky, and this coat can literally be the difference between life and death. 

Even if you’re not in remote areas with no rescue, this down jacket offers functional warmth for everyday winter activities like getting in the car, skiing, winter camping, ice skating, or teaching kids to ski. Weighing 1 pound 3.6 ounces with full seat coverage and 800-fill down, it provides high warmth without bulk. It packs into a baseball-sized ball, especially in a compression sack. Its design limits seams on the arms and hood for durability. Every wear makes us grateful—like chicken soup or a cozy blanket outside in -40 wind chill. 

How We Tested

Numerous CleverHiker gear analysts have tested the Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Jacket over the years, and it consistently performs well. We evaluated it locally in NW Montana, wearing it during backcountry hikes and snowy climbs. Additionally, we lab-tested its insulation and water-repellency, which explains why this jacket remains a best-seller for OR.

Warmth

The women’s Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka is another purpose-built jacket by OR. It’s designed to be worn over all your layers (including your shell) in the toughest winter conditions. It’s an excellent choice for serious adventurers who need warmth, durability, and weather resistance because their lives depend on it. 

We have friends who wear it while instructing avalanche courses where you’re outside all day, but not really exerting much energy aside from staying warm. It definitely helps conserve energy that would otherwise be devoted to staying warm.

The warmth comes from 800-fill-power down insulation beneath a durable Pertex Quantum Pro shell. This jacket retains heat in cold, windy conditions. We tested it at alpine belay stations in Glacier National Park, and user reviews confirm comfort in single-digit and subzero temperatures, especially during static activities like winter camping or ice climbing. 

The mid-thigh length adds extra coverage and warmth over the pelvis and backside, which noticeably helps boost morale in extreme weather. The helmet-compatible hood and the tall collar are perfect for trapping heat. Lastly, the fleece-lined pockets make us want to put our hands in them right now because they are so cozy.warmth department is the arms are less insulated than the body which makes it easier to move in, but we did notice it, especially at the transition from arms to shoulders.

Weather Resistance

Outdoor Research understands that if you need a down jacket this warm, it needs to be ready to keep the bad weather out and protect the down. The Pertex Quantum Pro shell blocks wind and sheds snow. Their athletes recommended a quilt-free design for the hood, sleeves, and side body to increase durability and weather resistance. So far, it’s working well for us.

While not fully waterproof, the jacket copes well with bouts of precipitation and dry snow. It would be tricky to put a rain shell over this bulky coat, and if it’s raining, this coat is already overkill. 

The Super Alpine down jacket is thoughtfully designed for serious alpine pursuits where you’re likely roping up, using sharps, or sleeping on the snow.

Comfort & Functionality

The fit is roomy, and we sized down. It’s ideal for athletic builds and layering over your system’s layers. It is intentionally oversized, which many reviews complain about, but for the jacket’s purpose, it’s just right. We usually opt for a medium, but we chose small, and so far, we have no regrets. They designed it this way because if you’re ice climbing and need to add a layer, it can accommodate multiple layers, including a shell. If you’re not ice climbing or on expeditions with this, we recommend sizing down. 

But this jacket fits better on taller women. Women with a pear-shaped side of the hip spectrum might be annoyed with the hip/waist cut. It works just fine, it just isn’t getting any fashion awards. This down jacket edges on the side of a sleeping bag, but again, this layer prioritizes function over fashion. We appreciate that it has no fluff or flair, as that would only add weight. 

While this is a floofy puffer, OR did a great job keeping it lightweight. It’s 19.36 oz, and this compares well to other 800-fill down jackets, but you get full-seat coverage.

Features

Features on the Super Alpine slap. This is where OR shines above the rest and delivers on its intent to keep people alive and well in the midst of the planet’s most extreme climates. Whether you’re cold mountaineering, high-altitude exploring, ice climbing, or tackling extreme alpine starts, this jacket is your go-to. 

The adjustable drawcord hem customizes the fit and seals in warmth. An exterior chest pocket offers quick access to valuables. Interior stash pockets are large compartments that can hold gloves, electronics, and anything else you want to stash (like you could fit four squirrels in there). 

The helmet-compatible, adjustable hood keeps winter worries at bay, ensuring your head stays warm and cozy with hot cocoa cozy in the midst of harsh weather. 

The chinguard and hand pockets are lined with brushed tricot, which is oh so soft and delightful. The jacket’s five spacious pockets, a two-way zipper for belaying, and reinforced, non-quilted arms for durability make this jacket a top choice.

Should You Buy the Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka?

The Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down Parka is a powerhouse jacket. It’s designed for women who need maximum warmth and protection from the elements when there’s no relief in severe winter conditions. 

Mountaineers, alpine guides, ice climbers, winter campers, or anyone facing brutally cold, windy conditions will appreciate this top-tier insulation and durability, at a price lower than Arc’teryx. It’s also ideal as a belay or emergency parka for those venturing far from help, where staying warm can be a matter of life or death.

If you don’t need expedition-level performance, dropping in on this jacket comes with trade-offs: high cost, significant weight and bulk, and limited urban appeal. It’s a lot of jacket, if you know what we mean.

Otherwise, for serious winter athletes or those living in places where hypothermia is just a mistake away, this is a buy-it-for-life and save-a-life investment for winter’s worst. 

What Other Winter Jackets Should You Consider?

The Outdoor Research Super Alpine Down is a high-performance, technical piece of gear designed for life-saving situations. If that’s not quite what you’re looking for, best winter jackets for women include a variety of options for every type of winter.

Rab Neutrino Pro: Maybe you’re not summiting 4000-meter peaks just yet. Cool, cool, neither are we. If you don’t need extreme coverage and durability, the Neutrino Pro is shorter but offers 800-fill warmth like the super alpine. 

REI Stormhenge Review: The Stormhenge is an excellent choice for front-country wear, offering waterproofing and cuff gaiters for wetter conditions. 

CleverHiker’s Top Picks for Down Jackets: If you’re looking for a technical jacket but don’t need it to be suitable for winter mountaineering conditions, check out our reviews of the best down jackets.