I love technical outdoor clothing. Here on the blog I've talked a lot about waxed cottons, Ventile and tweeds; traditional fabrics which offer a stylish and practical approach to country clothing. However, for extremes of weather, modern technical wear remains the best option. Jöttnar is a relatively new British (despite the Scandinavian name) company, founded by two Royal Marine commandoes whose military and mountaineering backgrounds have informed the designs of their products.
For this feature I was sent two Jötnarr Alfar mid and outer layer jackets for me and my son, who uses outdoor clothing professionally and to destruction, to try out during a stay in the fell country of Cumbria. The Alfar has a hybrid construction featuring a stretchy, warm Polartec fleece-type fabric and synthetic insulation that diffuse and evaporate vapour moisture in the outer layer. We used them as both outer and mid layers for casual wear, dog walks and mountain treks.
The water-resistant and insulated nylon central panel is windproof, providing protection for the body core, while the stretchy arms and hood allow freedom of movement. We both found the jackets lightweight, comfortable and warm, while their breathability and wicking characteristics kept them comfortable when movement made conditions a bit warmer. My son liked the fit of the hood but commented that he would have liked the pockets to be slightly larger, although this wasn't an issue for me. Their slim and stretchy shape enables them to fit comfortably under an outer shell layer.
We used the jacket for more casual uses than outdoor and feel walks and found it just as much up to the task - its stylish shape and design doesn't shout 'mountaineering' and it was ideal for wear in a slightly chilly pub.
For more information of the Jötthnar range, see their website here.
Note: the jackets were provided for this feature without charge, otherwise this piece is unsponsored.