The hunt was on for a jacket to take part in a winter adventure quadrathlon race in Norway. I would be using it for day-long ski touring, x-country skiing and fat biking stages, so needed something that would keep the cold weather and wind out, whilst allowing me to, at times, get very hot and sweaty! So on preparing for this event and finalising my kit list, I was seeking out an outer layer jacket which would fulfil the following:
- lightweight, so I could pack away and carry should I not need it;
- be windproof and waterproof;
- was highly breathable so I could get my “sweat on”; and
- afforded good freedom of movement.
I was looking far and wide across a number of top brands to fulfill this criteria, and it was only when I was in an outdoors equipment shop and trying on a number of jackets that I first got my hands on Lyngen Hybrid one from the Norwegian brand Norrona.
Norrona’s Lyngen range
‘Lyngen’ is Norrona’s ski touring line, and works across a full range, so jackets (shells and downs), pants, midlayers, backpack and beanies. The range is aimed and designed at ski-tourers who need technical lightweight gear which performs when they get super hot and sweaty on steep ascents, yet keep them warm and all good on speedy mountain descents. The Lyngen hybrid jacket in particular is their most lightweight, windproof, waterproof and breathable of the range, and freedom of movement is at the core of its design.
Comfort & Fit
As soon as I got my hands on the Lyngen Hybrid jacket, it was clear everything was of the best quality, and on putting it on to try, the fit was just sensational, in fact it was genuinely the best fitting jacket I had ever tried! Also, it wasn’t the usual ‘shell’ kind of Gore-Tex techy feel you associate with a waterproof jacket; it was a very tactile, stretchy and had a soft feel to it. That was it, from that moment I knew this was the jacket for the job and my decision was made! I normally go for a medium size in jackets (6’2″ and 68kg), but the small was a perfect fit, long enough in the arms and body, and the perfect snug fit around the body whilst still allowing for good movement. There is also still room for a base and mid-layer under it too, and it performed particularly well out in Norway on the comfort and fit front for the adventure race, so I was totally over the moon with on this front!
Breathability & Ventilation
The Lyngen Hybrid jacket in particular is their most lightweight, windproof, waterproof and breathable of the range, with freedom of movement at the core of its design. The brilliant X-open ventilation system under the arms means a huge uninterrupted airflow area which can be unzipped, when you start getting hot and sweaty for those longer uphill sections. This zip runs all the way from the side of your ribcage to your elbow, so you can get really great airflow to your body to cool down – this is such a neat feature.
Waterproof & Windproof
This jacket is perfectly specced to keep out the weather, using two different materials across different parts of the body: it has the highly waterproof and windproof Driflex3 fabric for the most exposed areas – hood, front section, shoulders and arms; and it also has the more flexible Flex1 fabric used on the lower front and back areas providing further breathability. The snow skirt around the waist is also detachable, as well as being modular to the matching Lyngen pants to make an ‘all-in-one’ suit where – the two zip together essentially making a onesie – so no snow can get in. It has integrated hand gaiters and neatly tailored fit. Really strong on all these fronts.
Summary
I can without doubt say this is the best shell jacket I have ever worn! Whilst using it on the recent IGO N60 Challenge, it was the envy of the other competitors, organisers and local experts saw this, and nearly everyone commented on it! I wore it for the ski touring and fat biking stages, and it was just brilliant. Now back in London, I am still totally smitten with it and use it every day, cycling around town, in the rain, walking to work in the morning – it really is so versatile. It is going to be getting a lot of use this Spring, and also Summer and I predict all year long ..!
It fits so well and is technically very capable, and I would highly recommend this jacket. I have it in the ‘Hot Chili’ colour which is great too. Coming in at £259, I think this is really fair price for all this jacket offers. As well as this, Norrona – with the unwavering confidence they have in their product – offer a 5 year warranty on all their gear, so any issues and they’ll replace or repair it for you.
One of my top recommends, this is a ‘BUY’ from me ..!
Product: Norrona Lyngen Hybrid Jacket
Uses: Ski touring, X-Country skiing, skiing, snow fat biking, hiking, general life use
Weight: 605grams
Price: £259.00
Adventure Ferg size recommend: I am 6’2”, weigh 68kg, so an ‘athletic build’ and small fits me absolutely perfectly. Medium would be too baggy.
Adventure Ferg 
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