Most people know that I receive many jackets to review. But not every jacket receives comment from other people. From the moment I wore the Jottnar Thorsen jacket out and about, people have been asking me about the brand and saying that they like the look of the jacket.
One thing that Jottnar does well is they make jackets that look very good quality. I think this is because they ARE very good quality, but you know what I mean? Some jackets can be great but they do not look stylish and made to last.
I have a couple of other Jottnar products and I have found them to be hardwearing and very fit for purpose.
I also like that Jottnar state their ethical approach to down sourcing by complying with the Responsible Down Standard. The water repellency treatment is also free of harmful fluorocarbons.
Jottnar Thorsen jacket
Jottnar describe the Thorsen Lightweight Down jacket as “midweight warmth for multiple scenarios”.
Features include:
- Standard fit to allow light layering underneath
- Scoop drop back hem
- Male and female designs
- 850 Fill Power goose down, in a 93/7 down/feather ratio for “excellent warmth to weight ratio”.
- Water-repellent down from DownTek™ “stays dry 10 times longer than untreated down” and does not wash out.
- A water-repellent rip-stop face fabric
- Moisture zones at the cuffs, hem and collar contain synthetic insulation
- Stretch technical cuffs, so you can put on the jacket over gloves
- Stuff sack
- Internal zipped pocket sized to take phones, keys and maps.
Anti-snag hem cord.
- Anti-snag hem cords to discourage tangling with gear
- Weight: Women’s medium: 230g; Men’s medium: 270g
- Price: £250
See Jottnar
Packs into a stuff sack this small.
My thoughts on the Jottnar Thorsen jacket
As I’ve said already, I like Jottnar clothing because it’s well made and good quality.
The Thorsen feels lightweight, despite the 850 down fill. It can remember, in the not too distant past, when a 850-fill was quite a bulky jacket.
While the Thorsen is not one of the new types of super lightweight insulated jackets, it’s still lightweight given its warmth rating.
The outer fabric fabric and fill makes it feel quite floaty, but this doesn’t compromise on warmth. The outer fabric also feels strong and nice against the skin, like parachute fabric.
The jacket is lovely and cosy. I wore it while standing about in the wind and cold interviewing skyrunning athletes in Kinlochleven for hours and I managed to stay warm. This is unusual for me!
I have used it when stopping for a bite to eat on a windy mountain summit. It kept me cosy. I will definitely use the jacket when I am skiing.
I have a size small women’s jacket and it fits very nicely. I am usually a UK10. There is enough room underneath for a few thing layers or even another lightly insulated jacket.
I can fit my waterproof jackets over the top, when the weather is very wet and windy.
I like the colour range, for both men and women, but especially for women.
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- Women’s colourways, as well as the blue in the main photo.
I particularly like the stretch cuff feature. I often have to risk very cold hands by taking off gloves to put on a jacket, but the stretch allows the jacket to fit over the gloves. What a great idea.
Stretch cuff to fit over gloves.
The synthetic insulation in areas that have the potential to become far wetter, such as cuffs, is another excellent idea. Although the down is water-repellent treated it won’t cope for long periods in torrential rain. However, the synthetic fill will work to keep you warm even when soaked.
I think this will be most useful if you wear the jacket beneath a waterproof jacket in heavy rain or when skiing. These areas such as cuff, hem and collar do end up wetter because they are at the edge of the waterproof jacket.
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- Two colours in the men’s range.
And a word about the 10x water-repellent DownTek. We’ll need to trust Jottnar on this fact, although I am not sure how many people will end up being so wet. Surely, most of us take a waterproof jacket with us to put on the top of a down jacket when it rains? I guess, in an emergency, it’s good to know the jacket will still keep me warm even when wet – and 10 times warmer than other jackets.
The jacket packs down surprisingly small. It’s amazing that an 850-fill jacket can be stuffed into a small bag.
I would prefer a hood but for this I’d need to spend an extra £45 to buy the Jottnar Fenrir, priced £295.
The windproof strip at the back of the zip is nice and wide so it doesn’t get caught in the zip itself. This is thoughtful because it is annoying to find the fabric getting caught in the zip on other jackets.
I am trying to think of anything I really do not like about the Thorsen. If I’m being picky I’d like a two-way front zip. I am wondering why many jackets do not have this anymore. Maybe it’s a cost thing.
The jacket costs £250 and that is not cheap but it’s great quality and I know from my previous experience with Jottnar, their products are made to last.
See Jottnar for more information. For the women’s Jottnar Thorsen.