By Ruby Goodman
Have you ever found yourself conflicted about which coat will be the most suitable for the upcoming winter? Picking out a coat is a tedious and time-consuming process — especially for those who are new to the cold. The adjustment to this weather is intimidating and not one I tend to look forward to, but something I do enjoy is seeing all the different colors and styles of puffer jackets. The one thing I can’t ignore during this time is the plethora of The North Face and Aritzia Super Puff logos. When the sun goes down and snow starts to fall, these two brands written in white fabric pop up everywhere. I’ve found myself wondering about the differences between these two brand names and why people end up choosing one over the other. They both come in multiple colors, are stuffed with goose feathers and are every teenager's go-to coat. What makes them so special? I’ve decided the only way to settle this debate — and the screeching question I keep asking myself — is to ask two people experiencing the cold for the first time how they feel about their coats.
Ava Parekh ’29, grew up in Hong Kong and then lived in California, never having the need for a good winter coat until coming to Ithaca this fall. Parekh explained that her dad is a big researcher and made sure to do his research on which jacket would be the warmest before sending his daughter off to school. He went down the rabbit hole of Reddit, trying to find a coat that would be the most beneficial for his daughter during the winter months. After hours of research, he concluded that the Artizia Super Puff is the best option. Parekh’s decision was never between the North Face or Super Puff, but rather between the Super Puff and the Canada Goose. She said that, “apparently the Super Puff is better than a Canada Goose,” due to its warmth and quality. She added that, “Canada Goose is not using real animal fur anymore,” and has declining ratings. So, after a trip to Woodbury Commons — the “ultimate luxury outlet” — Parekh found a black Aritzia puffer that fit her perfectly and came at a discounted price (truly no better feeling than that!).
After a few weeks of wearing the jacket, Parekh evaluated it by giving it a solid 9/10 rating. She appreciates the design — simple and all black with a comfortable and protected hood — and enjoys the tight fit on the inside of the coat, keeping her snug during the cold and windy months. She removes one point because she feels as though the Super Puff is good for early November and December, but will not do the job as winter proceeds. Although Parekh enjoys the coat, she cannot compare it to anything because it is her first purchase.
Like Parekh, Khady Fall ’29 has never lived in cold climates. “My parents avoid the cold,” Fall stated. Having grown up in the Middle East — in multiple countries — and finishing off high school in the Ivory Coast, Fall is just as new to the cold as Parekh is. Fall has avoided the cold her entire life — even when on vacation. While the goal to avoid the cold is definitely impressive, Fall has to now adapt to the weather in Ithaca, and is faced with the same challenge of finding a good winter coat on her own.
Fall’s adjustment to the cold was not easy due to the new way of dressing. “The idea of having to layer and find coats was really overwhelming,” Fall explained, while making her case for why she chose a North Face Jacket. Through friend recommendations, Fall gathered a wide range of coat options such as the North Face puffer, the Aritzia Super Puff and the Canada Goose. Still conflicted, Fall decided to consult her go-to source, TikTok, to see what people are wearing. She eventually reached the conclusion that the North Face seems like the most “quintessential” option.
Fall speaks highly of her North Face, saying she enjoyed getting to pick a color from the large variety. She acknowledges that the jacket is warm but can also feel small, making it difficult to wear thick clothing underneath it. She wants to explore other brands, including Aritzia’s Super Puff, and is considering getting a longer jacket for better neck and leg coverage.
The only conclusion I have reached with these two coats is that they are similar in every way — even in their ratings. At the end of the day, picking a coat can be stressful and clearly time consuming, but worth it. Both options will keep you sufficiently warm during an Ithaca winter, and the choice comes down to what people have seen or heard more of depending on their sources. So, if you are conflicted about which coat to wear, go with the style you prefer, because there really is no objective significant difference between them.
Ruby Goodman is a first-year in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She can be reached at rrg86@cornell.edu.
