Softshell Jackets

Devold Trollkyrkja Jacket | Review

Fresh from Norwegian brand Devold, this innovative new wool softshell jacket is a merino marvel

Why We Chose The Devold Trollkyrkja Jacket: Sustainable, comfortable, innovative

Price: £468
Weight: 230g
More info: devold.com

It’s wonderful stuff, wool. It’s warm, breathable, regulates temperature well and is naturally anti-bacterial. In fact, humans have been wearing woollen garments for at least 3,500 years – so in many ways, it was the first performance fabric.

Merino wool, which comes from the merino sheep, has even better characteristics than other types of wool. It’s basically ‘super wool’, which is why it is commonly used in many pieces of high quality outdoor kit, particularly for performance baselayers.

Now, Norwegian brand Devold has taken things a step further by developing a merino outer layer. Their new Devold Trollkyrkja jacket is a softshell made from 100% merino wool. This has been achieved through the use of Optim technology to develop a woollen face fabric that is both water and wind resistant. It is woven from exceptionally fine merino fibres and treated with a process that results in an extremely tight, dense fabric to offer enhanced water and wind resistant properties, while retaining merino’s renowned breathability.

“…the craftsmanship and quality cannot be denied.”

As a result, the Trollkyrkja jacket regulates temperature very well, moving moisture away from the body and continuing to insulate even when wet. Taped seams further add to its weatherproof qualities. The fit is an active cut with articulated elbow construction, dropped rear hem, adjustable cuffs, twin hand pockets, a high collar with an adjustable hood and a zipped external chest pocket.

It’s everything you want in a softshell jacket, but it’s made from natural merino. It’s soft, comfortable and truly pleasurable to wear. It also has many environmental benefits over synthetic garments. As Devold Product and Business Director Vidar Thorvik puts it: “Wool is natural, it’s a miracle fibre. It won’t be destroying the earth, it’s renewable. So a 100% natural fibre is fantastic, as it’s important to have alternatives to synthetics.” We couldn’t have said it better. Also, Devold’s strict supply chain monitoring and transparency of production means that they can guarantee their merino is ethically produced from Australian sheep farms.

Whether you can actually afford a Trollkyrkja jacket is a different matter, as they are eye-wateringly expensive, but the jacket itself is a thing of truly natural beauty.

Made from natural merino wool. Photo: Chris Johnson

With a two-way main zip. Photo: Chris Johnson

Long zips under the arms for ventilation when needed. Photo: Chris Johnson.

Tester’s Verdict

Jules Ta, Outdoors Magic gear tester

“The first week of October in North West Spain was my testing lab for the Devold Trollkyrkja jacket, covering rainy coastal walks, windy forest explorations, and sunny hikes that turned into freezing summit marches.

“In your hand the Trollkyrkja feels amazing; exceptionally smooth and soft on your skin, you quickly notice this is a classy garment. The merino build offers a noticeable warmth over your layers, it felt distinctly more comfortable than a raincoat which can be often feel skin-grabbing and cold after a downpour. In addition, overheating and humidity is drastically reduced by the merino, making this a really versatile jacket suitable to a wide range of conditions. The spacious but tailored hood, high collar, under arm vent and adjustable wrist truly allowed for some mobile and seamless adapting.

“The jacket holds its shape in wet and windy conditions, and after long periods stuffed in a backpack. A small but noticeable detail is the inner lining of the coat pockets which is porous mesh fabric. It offers a lovely boost of warmth for my gloveless hands. A surprising cosy touch.

“The jacket is certainly water resistant. I got caught in several rainfalls, none lasting more than 20-30mins, and the Trollkyrka performed very well. My under layer was bone dry.

“Overall this is a beautiful jacket that hits both style and practicality better than anything I’ve seen before. It is very expensive but the craftsmanship and quality cannot be denied. This is a versatile jacket that is built to last.”