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After a week of testing the Hornstrandir Gore‑Tex Pro Jacket (RRP £595) in everything from bluebird groomers to full‑blown blizzards in the French Alps, I can say without hesitation: this is one of the most capable, confidence‑boosting shells I’ve ever taken onto a mountain. It’s marketed as the long-established Icelandic company’s 66°North’s most premium shell jacket, and on the slopes it absolutely lives up to that billing.
From the first run, the Hornstrandir feels like a piece of gear built with zero shortcuts. The GORE‑TEX PRO 3‑layer membrane delivers the kind of storm proofing you normally only find on expedition kit. During one afternoon of sideways sleet and 50‑mph ridge gusts, the jacket behaved like armour, no moisture, no drafts, no cold spots. Yet despite that fortress‑like protection, breathability was excellent. Long traverses and uphill hikes never left me stewing inside the shell, thanks to the fabric’s airflow and the generous pit zips.
The new PFAS‑free GORE‑TEX PRO technology is a real highlight. The jacket feels lighter than many comparable shells, but without sacrificing durability. High‑wear zones are reinforced with abrasion‑resistant nylon, and after brushes with trees, icy chairlift edges and a couple of unplanned tumbles, the fabric still looked untouched.
Fit and articulation are where the Hornstrandir really shines. This is an athlete‑informed hybrid shell, and you feel that in every movement. The cut is technical but not restrictive, allowing full range of motion when poling, carving or scrambling across wind‑scoured ridges. The helmet‑compatible hood is one of the best I’ve used, stable in high wind, easy to adjust with gloves, and protective without blocking peripheral vision.
Storage is equally well thought out. The four oversized, weather‑resistant pockets swallow gloves, skins, snacks and a phone without bulging or compromising mobility. The internal pocket kept my electronics warm and dry even in sub‑zero windchill.
What sets the Hornstrandir apart is its sense of purpose. This isn’t a generalist shell; it’s a jacket built for the elements, and for everything you demand of your gear. For commuters, it represents the peak of shell innovation. For skiers, climbers and mountaineers, it’s simply one of the finest pieces of performance outerwear Iceland has ever produced.
If you ski in real weather the Hornstrandir feels like a trusted partner. It’s an investment, but one that pays off every time the wind picks up, the visibility drops and you’re still out there hunting for one more lap.
Founded a century ago in Iceland’s Westfjords, 66°North began by making protective clothing for fishermen and workers facing brutal North Atlantic conditions. Over the decades, the brand evolved into a technical outerwear specialist, outfitting Icelandic search‑and‑rescue teams and testing gear in some of the harshest weather on Earth. Today, they remain committed to durability, repairability and responsible production, operating their own factories and earning B Corp certification in 2021. Their philosophy is simple: weather should never be a barrier and the Hornstrandir is that philosophy in jacket form.