Our shell jacket guide
Choosing the right shell jacket depends on weather, activity, and level of protection. Use this guide to find the right one just for you.
Designed in Iceland.
Built for everywhere.
For a century, we have been making clothing that enables life and activity possible where it would otherwise be none. In Iceland, everyone has an úlpa—a single jacket ready for any weather. Our shell jackets are the modern evolution of that necessity: multi-purpose, high-performance tools designed to perform across multiple environments.
From the waterproof protection of the Hornstrandir GORE-TEX Pro to the breathable versatility of the Snæfell, each piece is designed and proven in Iceland. Worn by rescue teams and outdoor professionals in some of the world’s most challenging conditions, our shells are engineered to keep you moving in the most unpredictable weather or simply while you walk your dog or wait for the bus.
Which shell jacket should I choose?
Choosing the right outer layer depends on balancing waterproofness, breathability, and weight to match your specific environment. To find your ideal match, start with these two questions:
- Where are you going? From glacier crossings, to just taking a bike in the city or spring travels, your environment dictates the level of protection you need.
- How are you moving? High-intensity movement outdoors requires maximum breathability, while simple walk in a down pour rainy day needs a more rigid shield against the elements.
Technical & Extreme
For skiers, climbers, and mountaineers, our technical shells like the Tindur GORE‑TEX® Pro and Hornstrandir GORE‑TEX® Pro jackets represent the peak of shell technology— 100% PFAS-free and lighter than ever without compromising durability.
Versatile & Multi-functional
If you need a jacket that transitions from hiking a mountain to walking the dog, our Snæfell series is the most adaptable form—waterproof, windproof, and exceptionally soft. For the every-day life in the city, Dyngja shell jacket and Kjalarnes windbreaker provides the protection and clean look.
Lightweight & Packable
For the traveler or the daily commuter, our Aðalvík and packable rainwear offer durable protection that packs light into your bag when the sun comes out.
GORE-TEX PRO®
GORE-TEX PRO® is a specialized 3-layer laminate engineered for maximum durability and extreme weather protection. This most advanced fabric by GORE is specifically reinforced to withstand the mechanical stress of prolonged exposure to harsh elements like, strong rainfall, ice and heavy equipment. It features a three-layer construction: a tough outer fabric treated with a PFAS-free* durable water repellent (DWR), the trusted waterproof and windproof membrane, and a robust backer on the inside.
The solution-dyed MICRO-GRID® backer textile is made from lightweight nylon that slides easily over your base layers, making it comfortable to move and simple to layer. Both the inner and outer fabrics are engineered to resist snags and abrasion, offering maximum protection in rugged conditions.
Built to last season over season.
Men's shell & light jackets
Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro
Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro is an expedition-grade waterproof technology made for the wet outdoors. Engineered for mountain conditions, its highly durable, highly breathable, non-PFAS monolithic membrane provides 20/20 breathable and waterproof protection that stands up to the harshest environments.
It provides 20.000 mm water resistance and 20.000 g/m2/24hrs breathability, ensuring that rain and snow stay out, and that moisture vapor escapes to prevent overheating.
Polartec® Power Shield™ Pro fabric is soft and comfortable while providing plenty of stretch, making it an excellent softshell alternative for active use in wet and windy conditions.
Women's shell & light jackets
Technical features
Taped seams
The seams are traditionally the most vulnerable point of any waterproof garment. To ensure total integrity, we apply a specialized waterproof tape over every stitch. This creates an impenetrable barrier, ensuring moisture stays out exactly where the fabric meets.
DWR
Durable water repellent
DWR is a coating applied to the exterior of the products to make the material water resistant.
PFAS free
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) are a family of synthetic "forever chemicals" historically used for waterproofing that persist in the environment for generations. Through our close partnership with GORE, our products are now produced with the innovative ePE membrane and FC0 DWR (durable water repellent) treatments—solutions engineered without intentionally added PFAS.
Windproof
What does it mean to be windproof?
The wind does not penetrate the garment and therefore reduces wind chill. If a product is waterproof, it is windproof.
Breathability
Our breathable membranes allow moisture vapor to escape through the fabric before it condenses into sweat. By facilitating this constant exchange, our shells prevent overheating and keep your internal microclimate dry, even during high-output movement in the mountains.
Layer like an Icelander
As any Icelander will tell you, staying warm and dry in ever changing conditions is all about layering. The standard layering system consists of three parts: a weatherproof outer layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a comfort-focused base layer.
Pack light. Stay ready.
The pieces for those on the move and in-between-seasons when the weather can change in a matter of hours. That’s why we have designed our packable collection—ultra-light, technical layers designed to disappear into your bag. These are the "just in case" essentials: high-performance tools that provide an immediate barrier against the elements without the weight whether you are on-the-go in the city or going for a hike.
