That's why Roald Amundsen's expedition was first to The South Pole, and Robert Scott's expedition was a complete failure! http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/britain_wwone/south_approaches_01.shtmlExactly this, the classic design stems from the designers looking at what is the most effective materials to use for a person who is encumbered by the most inclement weather conditions. Naturally they looked to the indigenous people who have been surviving in arctic conditions for millennia. These are the folks who would know what is what, it is not an accident that they have survived in these harsh wildernesses for as long as they have, this is wisdom handed down from generation to generation. The classic fur hood is as practical as it is stylish. I admit regardless of all the hostility that it invites from the anti fur brigade, i am an admirer of real fur, it beats synthetic every time, do you think the Inuit peoples if they had a choice in the matter would use real fur or synthetic? I think i will follow their lead thank you very much.