Norrona Falketind Dri1 Rain Jacket Evaluation

Backside Line

The Norrona Falketind Dri1 (males’s / girls’s) is among the lightest jackets in our lineup of the finest rain jackets of the yr. Weighing in beneath 9 ounces, it’s the right jacket for light-weight adventures, doubling as a windbreaker. Whereas most ultralight jackets sacrifice climate resistance for minimal weight, the Falketind Dri1 balances each. 

With its helmet-compatible hood, the Falketind Dri1 is nice for technical alpine adventures. Worn on a climb of California’s Cathedral Peak, we beloved the technical match for transferring throughout technical rock with out feeling restricted. Extraordinarily light-weight and breathable, we like to make use of this jacket as a windbreaker on days with out precipitation. Though it has just one chest vent, the fabric nonetheless breathes nicely whereas mountain climbing uphill.

Falketind Dri1 is the lightest jacket in Norrona’s lineup. For us, it’s excellent after we desire a gentle, but protecting jacket for alpine adventures. Whereas paper-thin, it nonetheless supplies glorious climate resistance and sturdiness whereas packing down into a decent bundle.

How We Examined

Testing was performed by Alaskan Gear Analyst, Miles Knotek. Primarily examined in his dwelling of the coastal Chugach and Kenai ranges, the Falketind Dri1 was uncovered to heavy fall rains and even some gentle snow. On a climbing and backpacking journey in California’s Sierra Mountains, he examined its talents in windy and chilly environments of late fall within the excessive alpine.

Consolation & Mobility

The Norrona Falketind Dri1 is constructed with extremely comfortable and quiet materials. It eschews the loud crinkling present in different high-end jackets and as a substitute is whisper-quiet. It feels comfortable in opposition to the pores and skin and is even comfy to put on with only a t-shirt beneath.

The technical match is trim but nonetheless roomy sufficient to layer beneath. With both a base layer or a mid layer beneath, it doesn’t really feel restrictive. Whereas scrambling excessive peaks within the Sierra, it by no means felt restrictive, even on lengthy reaches up technical rock.

The one a part of this jacket that feels awkward is the cuffs. They’re oddly giant, and we now have to cinch in a variety of materials to make them extra weather-tight. Plus, the velcro adjustment tabs on the cuff are puzzlingly brief, measuring simply an inch. Whereas the system nonetheless works to soak up the surplus materials, it’s a stretch with the brief velcro tabs. For those who’re a big-wristed particular person, this shall be a dream jacket.

Climate Resistance

With a 2.5-layer development, the Falketind Dri1 supplies strong climate resistance for many wet-weather adventures. Whereas not as rugged as different 3-layer choices, it nonetheless supplies sufficient climate resistance for many circumstances.

The one instances we felt it wasn’t fairly sufficient have been throughout the torrential downpours widespread within the Coastal Alaskan rainforest. Solely then was it wetting by way of (nevertheless it took a number of hours of publicity). However for extended publicity to much less heavy rain, it supplies greater than sufficient safety. It is usually utterly windproof, making it a viable possibility for windy days even with out precipitation.

Air flow

The Falketind Dri1 is exclusive in our lineup as a result of it’s the solely jacket with a single vent. The vertical zipper on the chest is the one air flow zip on the jacket. This placement, immediately subsequent to the primary zipper, is a bit redundant and never as environment friendly as pit vents. Whereas the vent is ideal for opening and letting slightly airflow in, we often simply unzip the primary zipper if we have to settle down shortly. We usually choose pit vents, however this chest zip is much better than having none.

The two.5-layer development balances climate resistance and breathability, leaning barely towards breathability. We discovered that the Dri1 materials didn’t accumulate perspiration as shortly as different materials. It shortly turned a favourite for high-output actions whereas nonetheless needing climate resistance.

Sturdiness

The Norrona Falketind Dri1 is noticeably paper-thin. Nevertheless, this doesn’t translate over to low sturdiness. We’re pleasantly shocked by this jacket’s sturdiness. Sporting this jacket bushwhacking in Alaska’s notoriously thick alders, or scratching by way of scraggly alpine pines in California, it’s nonetheless holding up with out exhibiting any weaknesses or scratches.

For those who’re somebody who prefers the peace of thoughts of a beefier jacket, there are different choices on the market. However for those who’re devoted to the quick and lightweight and keen to belief an ultra-thin jacket, the Falketind Dri1 is a superb alternative.

Weight

At 8.74 ounces, the Falketind Dri1 is the third lightest jacket in our lineup. We used this on ultralight backpacking journeys, alpine climbs, and even path runs. It’s hardly noticeable in a pack and is gentle and ethereal on the physique. Whereas it suits within the chest pocket, it kinds a quite giant bundle. 

It may be crunched down additional if wanted, however a barely smaller chest pocket would assist or not it’s much more packable. It nonetheless packs down into a decent bundle and suits simply in a backpack or perhaps a operating vest.

Ought to You Purchase the Norrona Falketind Dri1 Rain Jacket?

The Norrona Falketind Dri1 is a high-performance and premium-quality piece of kit. As such, its worth level isn’t as attainable as others, making it a much less viable possibility for entry-level fanatics. However for these keen to spend the additional cash, this jacket is the right mix of light-weight and climate resistance. 

Whereas not as burly or thick as different jackets, that is excellent for anybody transferring shortly in alpine terrain. For those who depend each ounce in your pack, however nonetheless anticipate probably the most out of your gear, try the Falketind Dri1.

What Different Rain Jackets Ought to You Contemplate?

See how Norrona’s progressive design stacks up in opposition to our different favorites in our finest rain jackets gear information.

Montbell Versalite Evaluation: Even lighter than the Falketind Dri1, the Versalite is ideal for operating or ultra-light backpacking.

Mountain Hardwear Stretch Ozonic Evaluation: One other jacket with comfortable and supple supplies, the Stretch Ozonic comes at a cheaper price level.

Arc’teryx Beta SL Evaluation: With among the finest climate resistance in our lineup, the Beta SL is constructed for excessive circumstances within the moist and chilly.