Canada Goose jackets are known for their distinctive outer shells that help protect against extreme cold weather. The outer shell material is a key factor that determines the warmth, durability, and performance of these winter coats. Canada Goose uses advanced fabrics and technologies to create outer shells that can withstand freezing temperatures and harsh conditions.
Down Filled Jackets
The majority of Canada Goose jackets feature a nylon outer shell filled with duck down insulation. Down insulation provides excellent warmth for its lightweight, compressible properties. The outer shell helps contain the down fill and prevent feathers from escaping while also protecting against snow, wind, rain, and cold. Here are some of the main materials Canada Goose uses for outer shells on their down insulated jackets:
- Nylon: Most Canada Goose down jackets feature a durable, lightweight nylon outer shell that is windproof and water resistant. They often use ripstop nylon which has reinforced interwoven ripstop fibers to enhance durability and prevent tearing.
- Polyester: Some designs may use polyester instead of nylon as a shell fabric. Polyester provides similar properties to nylon such as windproofing, water resistance, and durability.
- Cotton/Polyester Blends: A few styles incorporate cotton for part of the outer shell. The cotton is blended with polyester to improve weather resistance while providing a quieter, more canvas-like feel.
These materials balance sturdiness, weather protection, and packable lightness. While not completely waterproof, they offer good water resistance to keep the down dry in light precipitation or snow. Multiple layered shell constructions are often used with different materials to enhance weatherproofing.
Technical Shells
Canada Goose also makes jackets designed for extreme conditions using advanced technical outer shells. These shells provide greater waterproofing, wind resistance, and breathability compared to the standard nylon or polyester shells. Key technical fabrics used by Canada Goose include:
- Gore-Tex: Some designs use a Gore-Tex outer shell, which is a microporous, waterproof but breathable fabric. It keeps wind and water out while allowing interior perspiration vapor to escape.
- DWR Coatings: Durable water repellent (DWR) chemical coatings are applied to the outer shell to make them more resistant to snow, rain, and moisture. This causes water to bead up and roll off the surface.
- Laminates: Fused or bonded laminates integrate a DWR treated external fabric with an internal fabric liner for improved weatherproofing. Examples are Thermal Experience and Tri-Durance laminates.
- Cordura: Durable Cordura nylon is used on some technical shells when abrasion resistance is needed in high-wear areas.
Technical fabric shells enable Canada Goose jackets to provide weather protection in wet snow, heavy rain, and gusty winds while still allowing great freedom of movement.
Fur Trim
Genuine coyote fur ruff around the hood is another signature feature of Canada Goose jackets. The fur trim helps block wind from entering around the face and prevents frostbite on exposed skin. Coyote fur specifically is used as it can withstand freezing temperatures down to -40°C/-40°F without freezing up.
Windproof Design
In areas without fur trim, Canada Goose optimizes the outer shell to prevent cold drafts from cutting through the jacket. This includes:
- Rib-knit cuffs at sleeves to hug the wrists.
- Elastic or adjustable drawcords at hood openings.
- Zipper wind flaps behind front zippers.
- Elasticized waistband to seal out cold from below.
- Insulated storm placket behind zippered front.
These features minimize air gaps around openings where heat loss can occur. The outer shell works together with the down or synthetic insulation to retain body heat and maintain a warm microclimate inside the jacket.
Canada Goose Temperature Ratings
Canada Goose assigns temperature ratings to their jackets to indicate the minimum air temperatures they are designed to withstand:
| Temperature Rating | Usage Conditions |
|---|---|
| -10°C / 14°F | Daily use in cold weather. |
| -20°C / -4°F | Very cold days with light activity. |
| -30°C / -22°F | Occasional use in extreme cold such as skiing. |
| -40°C / -40°F | Short periods of exposure in bitter cold. |
The outer shell plays a major role in achieving these temperature ratings, using fabrics engineered to be windproof, water resistant, and breathable. Technical innovations in shell materials and coat construction allow their parkas to provide warmth in frigid environments.
Popular Canada Goose Outer Shell Fabrics
Here are some details on key proprietary outer shell fabrics frequently used by Canada Goose:
Feather-Light Fabric
- Ultralight 10D ripstop nylon shell with DWR finish.
- Provides a minimum waterproof rating of 5,000mm.
- Highly packable and lightweight for easy transport.
- Good breathability and air permeability.
- Designed for use in active pursuits in milder weather from 0°C to 15°C / 32°F to 59°F.
- Used on lightweight down jackets like the Crofton and Mawson.
Nylonde Fabric
- Very lightweight 20D nylon mini ripstop shell.
- DWR treated with a minimum waterproof rating of 1,500mm.
- Windproof to block cold gusts.
- Highly tear-resistant and durable.
- Used on minimalist ultra-packable designs like the Storm Field Parka.
Thermal Experience
- Bi-component laminate made using nylon, polyester, and nylon taffeta.
- Breathable while providing minimum 1,500mm waterproofness.
- Seam sealed construction prevents moisture intrusion.
- Provides extra warmth by trapping heat inside.
- Used on core jackets like the Expedition Parka and Chateau Parka.
Tri-Durance
- 3-layer bonded laminate made using polyester, nylon, and polyurethane.
- Minimum waterproof rating of 10,000mm.
- Added abrasion resistance for durability.
- Breathable while cutting wind penetration.
- Used on technical shells on coats like Fire & Ice Parka.
Dura-Force
- Mechanical stretch fabric made using nylon and elastane.
- Provides flexibility for active mobility.
- DWR treatment resists light moisture.
- Used on flexible shell parkas like the Langford.
Responsible Down Standard
All Canada Goose down jackets comply with the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) to ensure ethical sourcing of insulation. This involves auditing and certification of the supply chain to trace materials back to birds that were never force-fed or live-plucked. Using RDS down aligns with sustainable and humane practices.
Conclusion
Canada Goose outer shells are carefully engineered using innovative fabrics to be lightweight yet durable, windproof, and water resistant while allowing breathability. Polyester, nylon, and advanced technical laminates provide the ideal balance of properties. High performance shells work in conjunction with premium down or synthetic insulations to help Canada Goose parkas perform in frigid climates and extreme cold.
