In the realm of ski touring outerwear, finding the perfect balance between breathability and protection is a constant pursuit. Norrøna, a Norwegian company renowned for its waterproof outerwear, steps into this arena with its Lyngen Active Jacket. This review delves into the features, performance, and overall value of Norrøna's ski suits, to help you determine if they are the right choice for your backcountry adventures.
Norrøna's Heritage and Innovation
Norrøna has a long-standing reputation for producing high-quality, waterproof outerwear capable of withstanding harsh conditions. The brand was one of the first to begin working with GORE-TEX back in 1977. With various GORE-TEX membranes integrated into their lines, such as GORE-TEX Pro in the Lofoten line and GORE-TEX Active in the Senja collection, Norrøna continues to innovate in the outerwear market.
Lyngen Active Jacket: A Leap in Breathability?
The Lyngen Active Jacket, featuring GORE-TEX Shakedry, represents Norrøna's foray into ultra-breathable backcountry skiing outerwear. GORE-TEX Shakedry isn’t new, but it has typically been incorporated into lighter duty garments designed for running and cycling. The fabric eliminates the protective face fabric found in typical three-layer GORE-TEX constructions, aiming to enhance breathability, reduce weight, and improve water resistance.
Norrøna advertises the Shakedry fabric with the following:
“The new GORE-TEX® Shake Dry fabric durably protect against the weather and reduce sweat accumulation in high aerobic activities. Uniquely designed, the technology eliminates the face fabric, preventing absorption of water in order to maintain comfort in high aerobic activities. Garments will retain these attributes during use, wearers will not experience the chilling effect that can result from a wetted out face fabric, and the garment drys out fast. Resistance to Evaporative Heat Loss (RET) is a standardized measure of breathability. RET’s between 0 and 6 are considered very good for aerobic activities, and the lower the number, the better the breathability.
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Key Features of the Lyngen Active Jacket:
- Lightweight Design: Verified weight of 297g (size medium), making it exceptionally light.
- Packability: Compresses to the size of a large potato.
- Pocket Configuration: Two large Napoleon pockets.
- GORE-TEX Shakedry Fabric: Enhances breathability and water resistance by eliminating the face fabric.
- GORE-TEX Active: Used on arms, shoulders, hood, and hem for breathability and durability.
Fit and Comfort
The Lyngen Active Jacket is built on Norrøna’s technical fit layout, known for its relatively narrow and long cut. This design ensures a good fit under backpacks and harnesses, making it suitable for ski touring. At 6’1” and 185lbs, a size medium fits well, aligning with Norrøna's reputation for tailored fits.
Breathability and Performance
While the Shakedry fabric offers a slight breathability advantage over GORE-TEX Active, the difference may not be significant in real-world conditions. During testing, the jacket performed well on moderate uphills at a moderate aerobic pace, but users may still sweat through it during more intense activities. The absence of pit zips is a notable drawback, though the unique front zipper vent provides some airflow.
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From my experience touring in this jacket, the Shakedry fabric provides a very small breathability advantage over GORE-TEX Active, but you’d need laboratory-like conditions to flesh out the magnitude. I tested it back to back with another Norrøna shell I’ve been using for trail running and ski touring, the Senja GORE-TEX Active, and it was really tough to tell the difference in breathability on the skin track.
Durability Considerations
The durability of the Lyngen Active Jacket is a concern, particularly with the Shakedry fabric. While the red Active fabric is lightweight yet resilient, the black Shakedry fabric is more vulnerable to abrasion. Thicker branches have scratched it deeply, and one punctured it near the hip. The absence of a tightly woven, durable face fabric makes the Shakedry less suitable for abrasive conditions like tree skiing, ice climbing, or rock scrambling. The Norrona lyngen jacket doesn’t have peak durability for abrasion-heavy activities.
Lofoten Flex1 Jacket and Pants: A Softshell Alternative
For those seeking a more breathable option, the Lofoten Flex1 Jacket and Pants offer a softshell alternative. These items are designed to balance breathability, protection, and stretch, making them suitable for various weather conditions. Norrøna finally gave the backcountry skiing softshell diehards what they’ve been requesting for years: a more breathable version of their iconic Lofoten outerwear.
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Key Features of the Lofoten Flex1 Kit:
- Breathability: Flex1 fabric enhances breathability for skin tracks and long days under the sun.
- Fit and Cut: Long, slender, and tailored fit.
- Minimalist Design: Streamlined feature set with essential options for weather protection.
- Stretch Fabric: Improves mobility compared to hardshell competitors.
- Waterproof Panels: Strategically placed in knees, seat, and shoulders.
Performance in Mixed Conditions
The Lofoten Flex1 kit performs well in mixed weather conditions, offering a balance of breathability and protection. While not fully waterproof like GORE-TEX, the kit effectively deflects cold, dry snow. The waterproof panels in key areas provide additional protection against wetness. The Lofoten Flex1 Jacket and Pants are a stellar companion on all but the wettest days in-bounds or outside the resort gates with the right layering strategy.
Still, though, it routinely feels like overkill on sunny days in Colorado’s backcountry. It’s easy to get hot fast when you’re hammering up the skin track.
Lofoten Gore-Tex Pants: Weather Resistance and Fit
The Norrøna Lofoten Gore-Tex pants provide superb weather resistance and a comfortable fit. These three-layer hardshells are waterproof, have a roomy but comfortable and stylish fit, and come with great features. With a thick hardshell fabric and waterproof zippers, the Norrona Lofoten is a weatherproof machine.
Key Features of the Lofoten Gore-Tex Pants:
- Weather Resistance: Three-layer GORE-TEX construction for waterproof and windproof performance.
- Comfortable Fit: Roomy yet tailored fit allows a full range of motion.
- Functional Pockets: Large zippered thigh pockets and a zippered waist pocket.
- Durable Construction: Burly kick patches and elastic powder cuffs.
- Modular Design: Zipper around the waist for attaching a bib or powder skirt.
Sustainability Efforts
Norrøna is committed to sustainability, incorporating various eco-friendly practices into their product design and manufacturing processes. These efforts include:
- PFAS-Free DWR: Durable Water Repellent finish made without harmful PFAS chemicals.
- Recycled Materials: Use of recycled nylon, polyester, wool, and down.
- Bluesign Approved: Materials manufactured to strict environmental, chemical, and worker safety standards.
- Responsible Manufacturing: Commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact.
- Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging: Use of recycled packaging and efforts to reduce packaging waste.
- Repair Services: Offering repair services to extend product lifespan.
- Resale and/or Recycling Services: Programs to keep gear in circulation and out of landfills.
- Carbon Footprint Tracking: Measuring greenhouse gas emissions and committing to reduction.
- Annual Impact Report: Publishing an annual report to track environmental footprint and sustainability efforts.
Choosing durable outdoor gear is perhaps the most effective way to reduce environmental impact-the longer it lasts, the less it needs to be produced.
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Final Thoughts
Norrøna's ski suits offer a range of options for backcountry enthusiasts, from the ultra-breathable Lyngen Active Jacket to the versatile Lofoten Flex1 kit and the weather-resistant Lofoten Gore-Tex pants. While each product has its strengths and weaknesses, Norrøna's commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability makes them a brand worth considering for your next ski adventure.
| Product | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyngen Active Jacket | GORE-TEX Shakedry, Lightweight, Packable | Excellent breathability, Lightweight design | Durability concerns, No pit zips |
| Lofoten Flex1 Kit | Softshell fabric, Stretchy, Waterproof panels | High breathability, Good mobility | Not fully waterproof |
| Lofoten Gore-Tex Pants | GORE-TEX, Durable, Comfortable fit | Excellent weather resistance, Comfortable and stylish fit | Expensive |