The Gear Spotter: 66° North Snaefell Jacket Review

Introduction
66° North is an Icelandic company, founded in 1926 to design and build clothing to protect Icelanders from the extremely harsh condition of their home. In 2014 it is a major player in modern technical outdoor apparel, with close connections to companies such as Polartec, YKK and eVent. All of their products are borne out of necessity and are designed for the Icelandic climate - so they are very demanding on the materials they use and many of the designs they come up with are innovative and well-thought through.

The Review

Around a year ago I managed to get myself one of the new Snaefell jackets (not to be confused with the down-filled, longer cut Snaefell Parka) through work - after reading up on the new fabric it used and several positive reviews (although from 66 staff...) I decided that i needed a new shell, and it was worth a punt. I mean, the Icelandic Mountain Rescue teams use the Snaefell jacket and they know a thing or two about existing in extreme climates. The jacket and its membrane also won an ISPO and Scandinavian Outdoor awards in 2011.

I've now had it for almost a year, and can safely say it was most definitely a wise investment. I've used many jackets over my time including softshells, hardshells, GoreTex, eVent, Windstopper and I can't quite place the Snaefell into any one category. One one hand it's fully waterproof (10,000mm hydrostatic head) over and above most of what the casual walker and climber would need, but it's also a semi-stretch membrane and extremely breathable, which are normally reserved for softshell. With the advent of these new high-breathable waterproof membranes I'd almost suggest a new term, between hard and softshell of 'firmshell'. It doesn't quite have the waterproofing of the solid hardshells or the breathability of a softshell but a bit of both to make it a great all rounder.

The cut is short, much like a softshell, with a good wide chest and shoulders for someone of my build (although the cut seems to narrow slightly in the smaller sizes, so you thinner ladies and gents won't feel like you're wearing a tent). The arms are pre-curved to give good movement, but a standout point must be the hood; it's got a solid peak to keep rain and snow out of the eyes, is fully 3-point adjustable for use with and without a helmet, has a high zip to keep stuff out of your neck and is also semi-mobile thanks to the stretch in the membrane, making looking around a far easier experience. It's got a good, heavy rubberised waterproof zip to keep bulk down and clean, velcro-adjusted cuffs. It's worked fantastically in both summer showers and around town in winter; the face fabric is hard-wearing and I haven't had any problems with it just yet, except for people thinking it's odd to see someone in a bright yellow jacket on the tube in the morning rush hour.

There are, however a couple of negative points; when using it climbing the jacket is cut very slightly too short and doesn't quite have the stretch to compensate; as a result it has a tendancy to rise up and out of the harness, which can be an awkward thing to correct halfway up a face. This could possibly be sorted by tightening the waist cinches, but I don't like that. It's all individual, after all. The pockets, although very well sited on the jacket have, I've found, been a tad too small to use with thick winter gloves; the massive pockets on my North Face Point Five jacket are I better and more useful for storing easy-to-reach spares when on the mountain. The pockets are mesh, so they don't affect breathability very much at all. 

All of these negative points are relatively minor, however, and I still believe this is an excellent jacket.

Conclusions

Overall, I'd definitely recommend the Snaefell jacket. Whilst being more on the pricey end of the scale, you get a very solid all-rounder of a jacket which can be used for pretty much everything from running in the rain to winter mountaineering. The cut is good and fitted without being tight (for me) but I would definitely recommend trying on for size before you buy.

They are available in both mens and womens in a range of colours. Check them out on the 66° website.

Pros

+ Very breathable with semi-stretch to aid movement

+ Pocket positioning is excellent

+ Fantastic, semi-mobile, 3-point adjustable hood

Cons

- Cut is slightly too short - tends to rise when wearing a harness

- Pockets are a little too small to get gloved hands into

For more in the Gear Spotter range of reviews, check them out here