Falketind is Norrøna’s highly versatile, year-round technical apparel collection, built for everything from mountaineering to trekking and hiking. The lineup covers all the essentials—waterproof jackets, durable pants, midlayers, base layers, down insulation, and both short- and long-sleeve tops—designed to perform across a wide range of conditions.
Originally introduced in 2006, the Falketind line has been continuously refined, with each new iteration becoming lighter, more packable, and higher performing. The collection takes its name from Falketind, a 2,068-meter (6,785-foot) peak in Norway’s Jotunheimen range, notable as the site of the country’s first alpine ascent in 1820.
For winter, Falketind shifts into the Lyngen Ski Touring Collection, which we reviewed last season. But enough about winter—let’s dive into this Falketind review, where we’ll take a closer look at the Dri1 Jacket, Thermo40 Zip Hood, and Flex1 Pants
Like Norrøna’s Falketind Dri1 Jacket, the Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood is their lightest synthetic insulated jacket. It achieves this through the use of an aeroDownproof face fabric made from 20D ripstop recycled nylon, which offers excellent wind resistance, a soft feel, and impressive durability at a low weight. The thermo40 insulation, made from 100% recycled polyester, provides an outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio, excellent packability, and reliable performance even when wet.
Despite its minimalist design, the Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood is packed with functional features. It includes a helmet-compatible hood with one-hand adjustment, a zippered chest pocket, two zippered hand pockets, and elastic cuffs—delivering essential functionality while maintaining a sleek, packable profile.
The jacket features a technical fit with articulated arms and a slightly extended back hem for added coverage and protection.There are no shoulder seams, so when wearing a backpack, there are no pressure points or chafing, significantly enhancing overall comfort.
Designed to pair seamlessly with the Falketind Dri1 Jacket, the Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood serves as an ideal insulation layer when temperatures drop or winds pick up. It performs well as a standalone piece and excels when layered under a shell for mountaineering, hiking, camping, or ski touring in colder conditions.
Like Norrøna’s Falketind Dri1 Jacket, the Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood is their lightest synthetic insulated jacket. It achieves this by using an aeroDownproof face fabric made from 20D ripstop recycled nylon, which provides superior windproof protection, a soft feel, and excellent durability at a low weight. Along with this, the thermo40 synthetic insulation is made from 100% recycled polyester and boasts an impressive warmth-to-weight ratio, great packability, and the ability to keep you warm even when wet.
Loaded with features, the Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood includes a helmet-compatible hood with a one-hand adjustment, a zippered chest pocket, two hand pockets, and elastic cuffs. It delivers everything you want and nothing you don’t, ensuring the jacket remains sleek and packable.
The Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood jacket has a technical fit with articulated arms and a longer cut in the back for extra protection.
Pairing perfectly with the Falketind Dri1 Jacket, the Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood is the ideal insulation layer to throw on when the temperature drops or the wind picks up. It works well as a standalone layer, and even better layered under the Falketind Dri1 Jacket when mountaineering, hiking, camping, and ski touring in the winter.
Given that the Flex1 Pants are part of Norrøna’s Falketind line, they are designed to be the brand’s lightest and most breathable option for mountaineering and hiking.
Despite their lightweight design, the Falketind Flex1 Pants are feature-rich. They include a Custom-Fit waist system and mesh-lined, zippered ventilation panels along each leg, extending from the hips to the knees for efficient temperature regulation. A hidden gaiter hook is integrated into the inner lower hem, along with a zippered gusset that allows you to expand the cuff for easy use over hiking boots or lightweight ski touring boots. Storage includes two zippered hand pockets, one zippered back pocket, and a zippered thigh pocket.
The Flex1 softshell fabric delivers excellent mobility, durability, wind resistance, and breathability, while effectively wicking moisture during high-output activity. This double-woven fabric weighs 200 g/m² (90 denier) and is composed of 69% recycled polyamide, 19% recycled polyester, and 12% elastane. A PFC-free DWR treatment adds water repellency for light precipitation.
The pants feature a regular fit with articulated knees, which, combined with the softshell fabric, provides exceptional freedom of movement for technical terrain.
Although designed for three-season hiking and mountaineering, the mid-weight softshell fabric is light and breathable enough to perform well in any warm-weather activity that demands mobility. When paired with a base layer, they can also be used for ski touring on milder winter days.
Like Norrøna’s Lyngen Ski Touring Collection, the updated Falketind line is built around a philosophy of lightweight, functional quality. Each of the three pieces I tested lived up to this ethos and worked seamlessly together as an integrated kit, providing excellent versatility on a recent hiking trip where the weather was less than ideal for this time of year. I’m especially looking forward to winter, when I can put the Falketind Dri1 Jacket and Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood to the test while ski touring, as they appear to be an ideal lightweight setup—both individually and combined.
The Falketind Dri1 Jacket proved to be reliably waterproof and breathable, while remaining impressively lightweight and highly packable. This is a major advantage, considering shells often spend most of their time in a pack until conditions demand them (which, with proper trip planning, is hopefully infrequent). I understand the decision to omit pit zips and hand pockets in favour of weight and bulk savings; however, on cold, wet days, those features are missed. For those who prioritize them, the Norrøna Lyngen Gore-Tex Jacket is a step up—offering similar packability with added features, though at a higher price point. The Dri1’s cut and fit are exceptional and highly protective, consistent with Norrøna’s reputation for well-designed shells. Given its lightweight construction, I do have some long-term durability concerns, particularly around potential fabric delamination, which can affect non-Gore-Tex shells. That said, the overall quality is impressive for the price, and Norrøna has a strong track record.
The Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood is a highly versatile insulation piece, suitable as a standalone layer for cutting wind on exposed ridgelines or maintaining warmth during periods of low activity. Paired with the Dri1 Jacket, it creates a highly effective waterproof and breathable layering system. Its warmth-to-weight ratio stands out—it delivers impressive insulation while maintaining a low profile and packing down exceptionally small. My only suggestion would be the addition of low-profile interior stash pockets for small items like gloves or a toque. That said, the existing pocket layout is already generous, so this may come down to personal preference.
The Falketind Flex1 Pants have quickly become a favourite for hiking and mountaineering thanks to their combination of comfort and performance. They offer a streamlined, form-fitting cut that holds its shape well. Despite their lightweight softshell construction, they provide excellent structure and breathability—two qualities that are rarely achieved together, as lighter softshells often sacrifice structure for weight savings. Norrøna has struck an excellent balance here.
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Norrona Falketind Dri1 Jacket
Price: $420CAN / $349
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colours: Pesto/Golden Lime, Indigo Night, Limoges, Gold Flame
Weight: 248g / 8.75oz
Norrona Falketind Thermo40 Zip Hood
Price: $340CAN / $249US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colours: Indigo Night, Skydiver, Caviar Black, Exuberance, Calendula, Golden Lime, Deep Lichen Green
Weight: 320g / 11.3oz
Norrona Falketind Flex1 Pants
Price: $290CAN / $239US
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Colours: Indigo Night, Caviar Black, Tapestry, Winter Twig
Weight: 426g / 15oz
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