Norrøna has teamed up with PrimaLoft to create its lightest and most breathable vest. I’d call it an insulated gilet.
What’s important is that the Falketind PrimaLoft100 Vest is made with PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Active, which offers a combination of insulation and breathability.
The construction of PrimaLoft Silver Insulation Active enables excess heat and moisture to escape and regulates body temperature to keep the wearer warm and dry.
The Falketind PrimaLoft100 Vest is a great product for a variety of activities, such as walking, climbing, trail running and cycling.
When not in use, it compresses into an internal pocket so you can stuff it into your rucksack.
Additional features include hand-warmer pockets, a weather protective collar and one-handed hem elastic adjustment.
The gilet-style jacket is priced £139 and is sold in male and female fit.
See Prima Loft and Norrona
On test: Norrøna Falketind PrimaLoft100 Vest
Like so many lightweight insulated jackets and gilets these days the Norrona Falketind is far warm that it looks. If feels really lightweight and there are no arms, plus the sides are made of fleece, yet it is really quite toasty.
I have been sent the medium size to try. It’s a bit big for me and I think that with a neater fitting small I would have benefitted even more from the layer of synthetic insulated warmth. The side panels are made of a stretchy fleece style fabric so you can have a neat fit but without feeling constrained if you want one.
Men’s version of the Norröna Falketind PrimaLoft100 Vest
I would probably not wear the jacket for anything other than walking and generally hanging about. I have lots of other specific kit for cycling and trail running so I have tested this while walking.
It offers a good level of warmth – not too much and not too little – for such a lightweight product. It fits over or under other layers and so it’s versatile.
I didn’t find myself getting overly sweaty, even when working hard walking uphill, so that means the breathability is good.
The jacket feels easy to wear. It’s really light and because it’s a gilet design you hardly notice it being there.
Size of the jacket in its stuff pocket.
I am not too keen on the front zip height. It zips up a bit too high to be comfortable. The top of the zip rubs annoyingly on my chin. I’d prefer a collar that is lower but that’s just my preference.
The collar is higher than normal to offer extra protection from the elements. The solution is to not zip up the front of the collar to full height.
The hand pockets are useful, especially when hanging around on chilly hillsides. The internal stuff pocket is fitted with a two sided zip, which makes it easy to zip up the pocket when the jacket is stuffed inside.
I have seen full jackets (with sleeves) stuff down to half (and even a third) of the size of the Norrona vest, however. The pocket-bag seems pretty large given that it’s meant to be a lightweight vest. It’s not a big problem because you can stuff the bag into a corner of the rucksack – and it’s not heavy – but I like products that end up super small when you’re carrying them.
Conclusion: The jacket does as it says on the label. It keeps you warm and non-sweaty. I am not that excited by the design and fit. It is expensive, too.