After Action Review: 3-in-1 Hardshell Parka

Guest post by Joe Houser

We are in the depths of winter. I live in the north. Many call us Midwestern. But if you are from here or have spent much time here, you know what I’m talking about. It’s the north. It’s really cold and we get a good amount of snow. It’s not snow amounts like they get in the mountains. But did I mention that it gets really cold?

Oh, and then there is duration. Anyone can handle cold for a day or a few days. However, when the cold comes in October and stays until March, you’d better be prepared. If you’ve recently been thinking that your current coat isn’t cutting it, I’m here with a suggestion. Check out the Propper® 3-in-1 Hardshell Parka.

I picked up the 3-in-1 Hardshell Parka a little over a year ago and wore it through last winter and so far into this one. It has been great in cold, rain, snow, and wind.

The primary goal for a parka is to keep you warm and dry. I can tell that the folks at Propper spent a lot of time in the design of the 3-in-1 Hardshell Parka. They included many features that, when added together, have kept me comfortable.

First up is waterproof and windproof. The nylon shell receives a durable water repellant (DWR) coating with sealed seams to keep the water out. The parka length keeps more of you covered. The zip front has double sliders and a storm flap.  Cuffs are elastic with hook and loop adjusters. A removable hood keeps your head dry.

Now I need to stay warm and that’s where the 3-in-1 comes from. You get a parka shell and a removable fleece liner. The fleece provides insulation when worn with the shell. Plus the fleece liner and parka may be worn separately.

Warm and dry is great but I need pockets for all of my stuff. There are lower inside pockets on both sides with hook and loop closure. An internal zippered pocket on left chest has a headphone pass-through. An internal pocket on the right chest features a magnetic closure for quick and quiet access. Accessible from the outside are zippered front soft-touch, tricot-lined hand warmer pockets and a left chest document pocket with magnetic closure.

For law enforcement and concealed carriers, zip up sides allow access to a duty belt and/or weapon. Opening is smooth and easy with a little practice. The fleece liner works in tandem with the parka. So this feature works with or without the added insulation.

Dual pull-out removable ID panels on the chest and a large pull-out removable ID panel on the back are perfect for law enforcement identification. They can be tucked away when not in use.

Last but certainly not least is the look. The design is sharp and athletic. It’s available in black or LAPD navy. It’s a straight forward look which I prefer over a parka that doubles as a Power Rangers costume on Halloween.

Propper did a really nice job with the 3-in-1 Hardshell Parka. It’s a solid coat that’s loaded with features. It’s great for outdoor activities whether at work or play.

Check out the 3-in-1 Parka HERE