The Norrona falketind GORE-TEX Jacket is an expensive but impressive waterproof shell jacket that can handle skiing, hiking, and any other outdoor activity.
Norrona falketind Gore-Tex Jacket
Price: $549
Sizing: True to size
What is the Norrona falketind?
According to Norrona’s product page:
“This 3-layer, 40D, ePE GORE-TEX shell is incredibly versatile, making it a great choice for hiking or other outdoor adventures. Underarm vents allow for heat dumping, while a storm hood adds protection in inclement weather.”
Norrona falketind Performance
Its Norwegian heritage means the Norrona falketind works well for taller people, as it has plenty of length in both the body and the sleeves. The “technical fit” designation means it does slim through the body but still provides wiggle room for insulating layers.
The falketind is adjustable in all the ways you’d expect from a jacket of this caliber, with single-hand toggles at the hem and hood (which allows for a helmet) and adjustable Velcro cuffs. It also has underarm vents, “mid-mounted” zippered hand pockets that are positioned to work with a backpack or waistpack, and a hidden inner pocket. Its wind blocking keeps you well-protected, but warmth will go to the next level with an insulated jacket or mid-layer underneath.
I’m right on the borderline of L/XL (tall but not as skinny as I want to be), so I went XL to ensure plenty of space to layer, especially given the Scandinavian fit. I’d recommend going with a size that leaves room for your favorite insulated jacket to get the best of both warmth and impermeability.
I found the waterproof and windproof claims to be accurate. Water beaded and ran off the falketind jacket during my hikes in snowy conditions. Owing to the GORE-TEX build, the wind couldn’t slice through the falketind jacket as it does with lesser “windproof” jackets.
The Norrona falketind jacket does exactly what it advertises to do. It’s a non-insulated outer layer that can be trusted for mountaineering, cross country skiing, and hiking. This jacket is meant for someone who’s constantly tackling outdoor adventures during the cold, wet winter months. That’s both because it’s built for expert-level winter trips and because its price point is only going to appeal to someone who will use it religiously. Anyone who rarely tackles big winter hikes, climbs, or trips just won’t get enough use out of it to justify the price.
You’ll certainly feel the price of this jacket in your wallet, but Norrona’s 7-year warranty and the build quality mean the Norrona falketind GORE-TEX jacket will last.
Pros
- Sleeve length
- Torso length
- 3-layer, 40D, ePE GORE-TEX (PFC Free DWR)
- Windproofing
- Waterproofing
Cons
- Breathability
- Insulation
Store Brand Alternative
The store brand (or less expensive) alternate version of the Norrona falketind is the REI First Chair GTX Jacket ($319). The pocket setup is more skiing oriented and the fit is a little more boxy, but overall the technology used matches up closely. You can expect similar performance in most environments but falketind will handle the longer, crazier mountaineering adventures better and last longer.
Norrona falketind Summary
How does the Author Train?
Drew Whitcomb (age 42, 6’6″ 195lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races. His location in Northern Colorado allows him to tackle winter adventures along Colorado’s front range.
Disclosure
While Norrona did provide the falketind GORE-TEX jacket to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
