Walking Boots

66° North Snaefell Jacket with Polartec Power Shield Pro | Review

This new iteration of the Snaefell boasts the latest new bio-based waterproof membrane from Polartec

Long-running Icelandic brand 66° North has been an exhibitor of Polartec’s top fabrics for many years now. It was one of the first adopters of Polartec Alpha and was also one of the main brands people could turn to be able to enjoy the highly breathable qualities of Polartec’s Neoshell waterproof fabric. More recently, it’s been the first brand to adopt the innovative new Polartec Power Shield Pro, a fully waterproof, windproof, and highly breathable fabric technology that, unlike most conventional waterproof membranes, is monolithic in its structure. This means it doesn’t rely on micropores to breathe – as a Gore-tex rain jacket would – but instead, it allows moisture to escape through diffusion on a molecular level, while blocking out wind and rain completely. This makes it ideal for high-energy outdoor activities where you need full weather protection along with breathability.

Will wearing a men’s size M out in the Lake District. Photos: Dave Macfarlane

The Power Shield Pro PFAS-free membrane is also made from 48% plant-based content. More specifically, it uses Biolon, a renewable, non genetically modified plant-based nylon with a 50% lower carbon footprint than standard virgin nylon.

Performance

I once tested the previous version of this jacket, the one that had Polartec Neoshell, and this version actually seems totally identical, in fit, in feel and in features.

It has a waterproof rating of 20,000 and a breathability rating of 20,000 too. Those are not industry leading numbers but they are still high, especially for a jacket with such strong eco credentials too.

The Polartec Power Shield Pro fabric has a remarkable amount of stretch to it – so much that it doesn’t even feel like it’s actually waterproof. Fortunately it is! I used the Snaefell on a very wet trip to the Lake District and found that it provided the protection I needed. The jacket has beaded away moisture well on the six or so hikes I’ve worn this on. I expect I’ll need to top up the DWR with a Nikwax wash at some point though.

I don’t think this is quite as breathable as the previous Snaefell jacket, but it’s not clammy either. In fact, on hikes that haven’t been overly strenuous, I’ve found I’ve been able to wear the jacket without the internal climate getting too clammy – even on fairly mild to warm autumn days. I think the internal liner fabric really helps there as it wicks moisture away and has also got a very soft and smooth touch to it, making it very comfortable against bare skin.

Fit

This fits in the same way that the previous Snaefell jacket did. By that I mean that it has quite a narrow, close shape to it and it’s cropped fairly high at the waist – at least compared to most other jackets. I’m 5 foot 10, have an average build and I had this in a medium, which is my normal size and I think I might’ve benefitted from having this in a size L, just so that the hem comes down a little lower to provide that bit of extra wind and rain coverage. Still, the arms are nicely articulated and I found I could wear this comfortably over a thick fleece and over my Artc’teryx Atom Hoody – it’s a bit of a squeeze over anything really bulky though.

Features

The Snaefell has a two-way zip to make it harness-friendly, while the handwarmer pockets are also slightly raised to make them usable when you’re wearing a harness or a backpack hipbelt. Said handwarmers are roomy and are in fact large enough to swallow an OS map or big pair of winter gloves. Inside the jacket, there’s one small pocket which is the perfect size for a smartphone. There’s also a small zipped pocket on the sleeve that’s only big enough for a lift pass or a small every day carry.

The hood has three-point adjustment, making it totally stormproof. It has quite a small peak and, as such, I’ve found it beneficial to wear a baseball cap underneath it.

Verdict

The fabric is the main highlight here. It’s protective, very comfortable to wear, it’s less rustly than most waterproof jackets and the eco efforts are also very impressive. I also think that the feature set is good, with the Snaefell bringing both a reliable hood and handy pockets to the table.

I think many people will appreciate its alpine cut, but I do a lot of hiking in very wet and windy places, so I personally would size up if I were given the choice, mainly to ensure any insulation I’m wearing is kept covered down at the hem.