As I scrambled up a steep gully and negotiated rugged terrain towards the summit of Barden, another breathtaking Senja mountain, I tramped through thick cloud and lashing rain. I was struck by how durable and protective the Odin 9 Worlds Jacket was. It kept me bone dry and it felt heavy duty, ready for whatever the Arctic weather would throw at me. That sensation came from the tough, 70-denier fabric used throughout, as well as the reinforced elbow and hem sections. Other features I liked included the smooth, two-way zips (no annoying stuck zips here); the underarm vents for improved breathability when required; and the secret, inner pocket (housed within the main larger pocket) for my phone. I was less impressed with the hood, which I felt could’ve had a sturdier visor with more structure; I found the pockets way to cavernous for my liking; and I disliked the fact the jacket was pretty heavy for carrying in a pack, (550g) if you never have to use it. But that’s being a little over-critical. All in all, the Odin 9 Worlds Jacket was a top-performing, extremely durable jacket that coped with the most extreme, wettest conditions going. I wasn’t sure whether a deity like Odin, the one-eyed god of gods, would’ve worn it travelling across the nine worlds – but, for exploring this one, it felt like a top-notch choice.

Helly Hansen Odin Stretch Hooded Insulator

Price: £180

The second product I put through its paces, deep within the Arctic Circle, was the Odin Stretch Hooded Insulator, a super-lightweight, warm jacket made from Primaloft Gold Active+ insulation. I wore it pretty much constantly, whether I was climbing gnarly mountains, kayaking on an open fjord, or relaxing around Senja post-adventure – and it was always very comfortable, no matter what I was doing. Perhaps that was because the jacket has been designed to be light, breathable and – as its name suggests – stretchy for any active pursuits. I, for one, found the jacket moved with me, as if moulding to my body, and the feel and mobility were great. I never once felt bulky or restrained, unlike other jackets which have almost transformed me into a bloated, constricted Michelin man.

But, despite this excellent flexibility and lightness, the Odin Stretch Hooded Insulator still felt toasty warm when the Arctic chill kicked in. I didn’t test it in any ridiculously low temperatures, but it always had a thick, warm, cosy feel at night and during cold winds – courtesy of its 80g fill of Primaloft’s Gold Active+ insulation, which serves up superb warmth-to-weight thermal efficiency. Similarly, adding to the jacket’s top notch balancing act, it was also extremely breathable despite being so warm. When I really started working hard out in the wild places of northern Norway, I didn’t overheat massively nor suffer from sweat build-ups. The thin DWR coating and soft, non-plastic interior (it felt more fleece like) seemed to aid this breathability, while the jacket, courtesy of being synthetic, also remained warm during light showers.

Were there any negatives? Well, the jacket didn’t repel water as well as other insulated jackets I’ve tried (although that’s not a major problem if you wear it under a hardshell); and I found myself thinking the warmth might be over-bearing for some during intense activity (I tend to feel colder than most people outdoors so, whilst I loved the toasty sensation, others might find it too hot and sweaty). However, again, I’m stretching (see what I did there) to find something negative to say for balance. Overall, I was very impressed with the Odin Stretch Hooded Insulator: it was warm enough, breathable enough and flexible enough for a series of active, epic adventures in the Arctic Circle. And if it’s good enough for there, it’s certainly good enough for any and all expeditions in the wild places of Britain.