An undeniably well-built ultralight pick for weight- and space-conscious hikers and backpackers — impressively warm for its weight, with real trade-offs in hood, weather protection, and durability.
Tested across demanding terrain in Norway and Switzerland, the senja trail running kit — hydration vest, shorts, and waterproof jacket — held up impressively. The ergonomic front of the hydration vest makes soft flasks and storage easy to reach; the one real gripe is that the bungee cables meant to secure the flasks aren't very effective.
The most refined Polartec Alpha midlayer we've tested — warm yet highly breathable, fast-drying, and packed with more features than most comparable pieces dare to include. For high-output alpine pursuits in cool to cold weather it's hard to beat, though you'll want a wind layer once the breeze picks up.
A featherweight UPF 30+ sun hoody that's anti-odor, quick-drying, and cotton-soft against the skin. The femund Tech Hoody is made for hot, high-output days when you want sun coverage without the swelter.
A hybrid shell that plays equally well inside and outside the resort, with excellent weather protection, outstanding mobility, and a refined feature set. Breathability and durability aren't top of the heap, but they'll suffice for skiers who split time between chairlift laps and backcountry sidequests.
One of the most breathable fleeces going — superb for high-pulse pursuits like trail running, ski touring, and mountaineering. The catch is that the fabric is so air-permeable a breeze blows right through it, so pair the falketind Warm1 Active with a windproof shell to keep that warm air trapped against you.
The standout aspect of the falketind Warm1 Active is its warmth-to-weight ratio, with heat retention that's absolutely unbelievable for a jacket weighing under 10 ounces. The brushed Polartec Micro fabric traps body heat remarkably well, though a windproof shell is needed as the open-knit construction offers zero wind resistance.
The trollveggen Gore-Tex Pro Light is a serious alpine shell that offers excellent protection and good mobility. With top-of-the-line 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro ePE waterproofing and a trim, technical fit, it's a strong choice for alpine climbers, mountaineers, and ski tourers who regularly face harsh weather above tree line.
The falketind Dri1 is a light, highly breathable 2.5-layer shell built for fast-moving days in the mountains. It prioritizes mobility and packability over bomber protection — a strong choice for hikers and climbers who move quickly and pack light, though it falls short of heavier Gore-Tex shells in sustained bad weather.
The trollveggen Warm3 is one of the coziest and warmest fleeces Better Trail has tested — a fleece that blends mountain-ready features with the plush comfort of a lifestyle layer. It excels for cold-weather hikes, ski resort days, and everyday winter use, though it runs too hot and too bulky for high-output pursuits.
Outdoor Magazin testet die fünf besten Damen-Regenjacken von leicht bis robust. Die überarbeitete Norrøna Falketind Dri1 holt sich den Sieg in der Kategorie Leichtjacken: kein anderes Modell schützt laut Test so perfekt vor Wind und Wetter. Gewicht: 250 g.
A thoughtfully built, highly durable lightweight hardshell that's a stalwart in rough weather — the newest model adds thicker reinforcements in high-wear areas and all features are well executed, from water-resistant zippers to the large hood.
A highly versatile performance down jacket that nicely balances warmth, protection, and durability. Tested on a 16-day trek through Nepal's Everest region, it stood out in a competitive field thanks to its mix of 750-fill down at the core and synthetic insulation in moisture-prone areas.
A plush, comfortable down jacket built for everyday winter wear, cold-weather hiking, and travel. The 700-fill insulation, soft matte fabric, and relaxed fit prioritise comfort and clean looks over technical performance — perfect for cold days when you want to feel wrapped up without reaching for a technical belay parka.
The lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated hits the bullseye for resort skiers: exceptional weather protection, reliable warmth from Primaloft Silver insulation, and a thoughtful feature set that simplifies layering for a full day on the mountain.
A seriously capable barrier in inclement weather — Switchback Travel found the trollveggen's Gore-Tex Pro ePE build and reinforced high-wear areas hold up impressively from Patagonian winds to the wet British Columbia coast, making it a standout technical hardshell for demanding conditions.
A standout insulated ski jacket for resort skiing — warmth, weather protection, and a thoughtful feature set all in one package. Tested across two seasons in Colorado in single-digit temps with wind chill in the negatives, it consistently proved to be a clear favourite on the coldest, windiest days.
A lightweight, packable down jacket with an exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, purpose-built for ski touring and alpine use. The 850-fill power down, recycled 10D nylon shell, and helmet-compatible hood make it an ideal insulation layer for high-output mountain days.
A highly versatile insulated midlayer that adapts across multiple layering positions in a single day — breathable and stretchy enough for steep climbs, yet warm enough under a shell when conditions turn hostile. The zip-off sleeves take versatility a step further, converting it to a vest in seconds.
The 2026 version sees the big switch to Gore-Tex Pro ePE, a more sustainable version that doesn’t use PFAS chemicals. We’ve noticed it has a sturdier-feeling face fabric than the 2025 version, resulting in a noticeably more abrasion-resistant shell.
The lofoten flex1 is a softshell ski kit breathable enough for a steep skin track but burly enough for harsh winter gusts — a rare combination that makes it a standout solution for backcountry and sidecountry skiing.
They move and stretch well and there’s no restriction at any point of a stride or squat. It has great pockets, one zippered and several pouch-style, including thigh pockets, which fit a large iPhone.
Breathability is the Falketind Alpha120's defining quality. It’s an ideal midlayer for heart-pumping activities; I tested it on several hikes and backpacking trips and not once did I overheat.
You can reduce the volume in your backpack by converting the jacket into a vest. This means you get two products in one purchase: a full-fledged jacket for cold winter days – or a vest for spring skiing when you need it.
With durability you can count on, the femund Flex1 is a high-performing pair of pants for the dedicated trail user — flexible, comfortable for moving quickly in the mountains, and built with the quality attention to detail Norrøna is known for.
Ultralight, packable, and breathable, the falketind dri1 is built for fast and light adventures in the alpine. At under 9 ounces it's barely noticeable in a pack, yet holds up to the demands of alpine climbs, backpacking trips, and trail running.
Among the stiffest and loudest pants tested, and the missing beacon pocket and RECCO reflector are surprising at this premium level — but the durability is real.
Updated for 2025-2026 with a PFAS-free Gore-Tex Pro ePE membrane, the lofoten ski pant is effectively impenetrable against the elements — moisture beads off instantly and the feature-rich design makes it an unfailing workhorse for deep powder days.
Its premium 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro construction delivers top-tier weather protection at an impressively low weight. For those tackling big backcountry missions in unpredictable conditions, the Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro is about as good as it gets.
Outdoors Magic tested a full field of winter gloves and placed the lofoten Gore-Tex thermo100 short gloves as close second overall — singling them out as the best choice for mountaineering. Goatskin leather, a Gore-Tex liner, and recycled insulation deliver a glove that's tough and waterproof without sacrificing feel.
Norrøna's most packable waterproof insulation jacket, the lyngen dri2 thermo60 is the ideal hybrid between an insulating midlayer and a breathable shell — developed for ski touring and perfect for layering when the backcountry weather turns rough.
Bikerumor's tester found the fjora Equaliser Lightweight T-shirt airy and comfortable even on hot summer rides, with a soft recycled polyester fabric that doesn't feel synthetic against the skin. The athletic cut, drop tail, and articulated shoulders make it an easy grab for trail days.
Bikerumor tested the fjora flex1 Tech Shorts for over a month and a half of trail riding and came away impressed — comfortable, secure, and quick-drying, with a fit that stays put on the descents. They quickly earned a spot at the top of the tester's regular rotation.
With thick 295-weight Polartec Thermal Pro fleece, the trollveggen Thermal Pro is one of the warmest fleece jackets on the market — rivalling insulated jackets for warmth, with impressive durability and thoughtful details like reinforced shoulder panels.
Norrøna nailed it on their first trail running collection. The Senja GORE-TEX Active jacket is the most breathable shell I've ever used, and it absolutely doesn't compromise on waterproofing in heavy Norwegian mountain rain.
After a full day skiing in relentless rain, the lofoten GTX Pro proved its worth with bone-dry performance top to bottom. Updated for 2025-2026 with a PFAS-free ePE membrane and thicker face fabric, it remains the gold standard for big-mountain ski shells.
WearTesters rates the falketind GORE-TEX 9/10 — an expensive but impressive 3-layer ePE shell that delivers accurate waterproofing and wind protection for skiing, hiking, and mountaineering, with standout sleeve and torso length suited for taller adventurers.
The Falketind Flex1 is a single-ply softshell that you'll want to wear for all your cool-weather activities. The hip-to-knee mesh side vents are a standout feature, allowing for incredible temperature regulation during high-exertion climbs.
Norrøna's lightest and most packable waterproof jacket impresses with its minimalist approach and genuine alpine credentials — weighing just 258g while remaining suitable for mountaineering and ice climbing use.
The Tamok became my go-to ski jacket this season. Its sturdy construction made it a no-brainer on nasty weather days when I knew I needed full coverage and protection from the wildest of winter.
WildSnow's Bergen Tjossem finds the Lyngen GORE-TEX Active delivers genuine breathability gains via Shakedry and packs down to the size of a large potato, but the exposed membrane's vulnerability to abrasion means it's best suited for careful skiers on open terrain rather than tree-skiing or mountaineering.
A barely-there, quick-drying fleece that has become my go-to layer for trail running, hiking, and mountain biking when the temperature keeps swinging. It is breathable enough to keep on while working hard, though the thumb loops run tight and you will want a wind layer when the gusts pick up.
Together, the jacket and bib form an impenetrable, storm-proof kit for resort and side-country freeriding in the worst conditions, now built with Gore-Tex's more sustainable ePE membrane. It is burly, superbly constructed, and endlessly ventable, though the bib runs warm for longer backcountry tours.
GearJunkie tested the unstad hooded wetsuit in near-freezing Lake Tahoe surf and called it one of the warmest suits they'd ever worn — toasty enough that they could have handled even colder water. The 8mm booties and 5mm gloves complete an arctic surf system that's purpose-built for the sessions most wetsuits have no business attempting.
This jacket is effectively impenetrable to winter weather. It stands apart for its excellent fit that seems perfectly tailored for active users, allowing a full range of motion while ice climbing. (verified for 2026 model)
