Our commitment is to create high quality products for versatile usage, which last through the most challenging conditions.

One is better than four. We believe a garment should be suitable for a lot of things and we design our clothes so you can. You shouldn’t need to buy a different garment just because you are going running instead of cycling. ​

Multi-purpose products, designed for a variety of uses, enable a wide-range of activity while reducing long-term consumption. We don’t want you to have a closet filled with single-purpose shells, insulation layers, or jackets. Whether it’s 3-in-1 jackets like Tvioddi, or multi-sport shells like Snaefell which are suitable for cycling, skiing, or hiking, kayaking or other outdoor activity.

We make garments that last and our commitment is to never compromise on fabrics that are not durable.​

Gudrun in Súgandafjörður with her Kria Jacket purchased two decades ago

​For nearly 100 years 66˚North’s products have been Designed and Proven in Iceland, worn by everyday people and outdoor professionals in some of the world’s most challenging conditions. Nothing makes us prouder than when we see someone in a 20 year-old-plus 66˚North jacket, whether that’s in the Icelandic highlands, around town in Reykjavik, or in our offices. We mean it when we say our products are “Made for Life!” 

The creation of new styles and everything that goes with it — from design, technical specification development, sampling, preproduction, and production-- is one of the most wasteful parts of manufacturing. 

Because we design products which have timeless aesthetics and enduring purpose, many of the styles in our catalog have been around for more than a decade. While each year we might make subtle performance or sustainability improvements, we are able to reduce the environmental impact of our collection by relying on improvement rather and overhaul. 

To reduce waste and live up to our standards of multi-purpose, versatile design, we are always looking for opportunities to shrink the product assortment. We believe we can do better for our customers, our business and the earth by improving, reducing, combining, and reinventing what we have rather than to make more and more things to chase less-efficient growth. Since 2018, 66˚North has reduced its style count (the number of products we produce) by 52%. 

When possible, we use recycled, upcycled, biodegradable, or organic natural fibers. However, function, necessity, and longevity come first. We would rather make a garment that lasts for a decade rather than one which is slightly more “sustainable” in the short term but has material which will break down and lead to waste after two or three years. ​

​Production:
Responsible Growth Planning

For most clothing brands and retailers, overproduction is a business strategy that fuels Black Friday events, holiday markdowns, outlet sales, and a whole ecosystem of overstock and discount chains: all of it multiplying the carbon footprint and perceived disposability of products. It creates the slightest financial gain at a steep environmental cost. Most companies plan to sell less than half of their products at full price. The incredible waste which results is intentional, expected, and profitable. ​

We see things differently at 66˚North. We don’t produce more than what our customer needs, we don't participate in Black Friday or other over-consumption-driven holidays, and we plan to sell over 90% of our product at full-price. What’s left over fills our Icelandic outlet store, and that’s it. We don’t want to produce more than is needed. Therefore responsible planning and purchasing is very important. If we have an extra stock we can‘t sell (outlet or other channels), we donate it in a sustainable way (in cooperation with Red Cross or similar). ​Nothing is ever destroyed or wasted. 

66˚North does not send raw materials or excess finished goods to landfill. Instead, we up-cycle what we have, just as Icelanders have been doing for generations. This is by design. Our Vik gloves come from leftover cuttings of PowerStrech fabric, Kria jackets are sewn from leftover Neoshell from last season’s Snaefell, our backpacks come from fabric used for fishermens’ bibs, and so on. We also produce small capsules seasonally such as with our Logn sweatshirt project or the Sölvhóll bum bags, made from leftover shearling. 

66°North was founded in 1926 by Hans Kristjánsson with the purpose of making protective clothing for Icelandic fishermen and workers braving the North Atlantic elements. Hans Kristjansson lived in Suðureyri in Súgandafjörður in Westfjords of Iceland where weather conditions were very harsh and suitable clothing was simply a matter of life and death for Icelandic fishermen.


Hans was passionate about creating garments that would hold up to the harsh conditions fishermen faced while trawling the Icelandic seas, so he moved to Norway to learn how to tailor and sew fishermen‘s clothing. When Hans moved back to Suðureyri he founded Sjóklæðagerð Íslands (Fishermen‘s clothing factory of Iceland) now better known as 66°North. 66°North derives its name from the latitudinal line of the Arctic Circle which touches Súgandafjörður where the company was founded in 1926.

From oil-borne canvas anoraks to award winning jackets

Today the company makes functional clothing without compromise for all kinds of outdoor activity. Fishermen‘s and workwear clothing is still a fundamental element in the operation but now there is much wider selection of protective clothing for all occasions than in the beginning of the company.

66°North has provided the Icelandic search and rescue team with protective clothing since 1928. This successful collaboration traces the evolution of outdoor clothing; from anoraks made from oil-borne canvas to the award winning Snæfell Jacket, made with revolutionary synthetic materials.

Winter is never very far away at 66°North. The Icelandic weather is infamous for being extremely unpredictable, offering different combinations of rain, wind, snow and sun every day. We’ve been challenging it for over nine decades; so we know a thing or two about versatility. 

Our philosophy has always been that weather shouldn’t be an obstacle when it comes to going places. Our clothing is designed to be comfortable in everyday life but at the same time keep you prepared for the worst.

Since 1926, 66°North has operated their own factories. Today, majority of the production takes place in We work closely with high quality fabric manufacturers to offer the most innovative and versatile materials available. Trained mountaineers, outdoor professionals and rescue team members test our products before they are manufactured in our own factories under close supervision.

This is how we know that clothing from 66°North will keep you sheltered and comfortable during the cold and wet winter days in the city and serve as a valuable ally when you decide to push your own limits in the great outdoors.

Get to know our collections in detail, from design concepts to real-world applications.

The latest news and views from 66°North headquarters.

All NORÐUR Journal announcement articles

Meet the people living at the edge of world.

Snæfell shell jacket is 66˚North's most versatile shell jacket. 

You can take this jacket hiking, skiing, cycling, kayaking, or just walking the dog and its combination of waterproofness, ease of movement, and extremely high breathability makes it the one shell you'll need

When it comes to challenging the Icelandic outdoors, the Snæfell Neoshell® jacket is my favorite piece of protective wear. It's my most preferred and used jacket for both challenging hikes in the highlands and glacier expeditions during winter, where breathability is key. The fabric in the Snæfell has a comfortable stretch, it is light and the overall design of the jacket is simple. For those reasons, I'm also able to wear it during my everyday commute.

Polartec Neoshell® has a hydrostatic head of around 10.000 mm

According to the common outdoor industry it is estimated to put its breathability at around 30.000g/m2/24h.

In Iceland, you'll see this shell jacket on hikers, kayakers, bicycle commuters, skiers, festival goers, and people just going for a walk on a rainy day. Its unique multipurpose design, highly breathable yet waterproof engineering, and soft flexible fabric is why Snæfell has won the prestigious ISPO Outdoor Award and the Scandinavian Outdoor Award.  

Made from Polartec NeoShell®, the Snæfell shell jacket is waterproof to 10,000 mm and has an unrivaled ability to stop water and wind without restricting the release of excess body heat and vapor; and its dual adjustable swivel hood follows your movement, keeping your peripheral vision clear as you turn your head. 

Designed and proven in Iceland since 1926

The Snæfell shell jacket is cut from Polartec NeoShell®, a fabric that is made using the world's most breathable waterproof fabric technology.

For years the outerwear industry has prioritized excessively high waterproof ratings that sacrifice the breathable performance needed during physical activity. NeoShell® provides the strength and durability of a weather protective fabric, while still allowing dynamic air exchange and comfortable full range of motion.

Integrated dual adjustable swivel hood that follows movements and won’t block peripheral vision.

Visor on hood for additional comfort and protection and drawstring adjustment.

Handy card pocket towards the front of the left sleeve. Perfect for ski-cards.

One zipped inside pocket and drawstring in hem.

Polartec® NeoShell® material: 53% Nylon, 47% Polyester.

The design of the jacket features a reduced amount of seams. This decreases the risk of water breaking through, improves the fit, and minimizes waste of fabric.

Snæfell has a classic fit, with enough room for a mid-layer or light insulated jacket underneath and has an elongated back. Those between sizes should, therefore, order a size down.

Care for your Snæfell and it will last a lifetime

The breathability performance of the jacket is attributed to the millions of open pores engineered into the fabric’s membrane. To keep it optimal it needs to be maintained.

It is strongly recommended to wash the Snæfell NeoShell® jacket regularly in order to maintain the jacket's qualities as regular washing helps to remove body oils and other chemicals that can harm the jacket's Durable Water Repellency (DWR). The same goes for all other shell garments made from Polartec® NeoShell®.

Machine wash at 30°C on a delicate program. Use liquid detergent, not powder detergent. Do not use fabric softener, bleach, or dry clean. Close all zippers before washing. Hang dry or tumble dry on low temperature.

For casual use, washing once a month is recommended, but for heavy-duty use, every two weeks is recommended.

"Snæfell is both very comfortable and aesthetically appealing. I feel like it's different from the traditional outdoor jacket because the fit and the design is very plain, yet the jacket remains stylish. I wear it both while running errands in the city and while I'm out hiking or running."

"The Snæfell jacket is one of my favorite garments from 66°North and probably the most used one too. It offers a great deal of variety and is perfect for all year round. I love that the Neoshell fabric is stretchable, which is not so common for waterproof jackets. Therefore it is easy to layer up underneath.

The fit is also excellent, and everyone looks good in it. The jacket does not rustle like many technical and waterproof jackets and folds easily in your backpack.

I always recommend the Snæfell jacket for people who are taking their first steps in outdoor activities and don‘t know where to start regarding what gear or technical clothes to have. Snæfell gets you far and simply is a must-have!"

"Having been out running in almost any weather conditions that Iceland has to offer, the Snæfell shell jacket has been the piece of outerwear that suits my needs in the best way. The fact that the fabric breathes extremely well and its ability to handle the stress I put it under during my exercises is all I can ask for. Also, the fit allows me to move unrestricted, which is very important to me."

66˚North combines the longstanding Icelandic virtues of resilience, making things that last, never wasting anything, and harmony with nature, alongside modern best practices in design, production, and supply chain management to create a brand which is carbon neutral, circular-- the more it grows the more good it does—and an example of a new (yet also very old) kind of sustainable company.  

66˚North was founded in 1926 as a matter of survival for Icelandic fisherman and soon thereafter Icelandic search and rescue teams. Quality, durability, performance, and necessity are our enduring virtues due to both near-mythical challenges from the unpredictable Icelandic climate, and because in a small nation our customers have always been our friends, family, and neighbors. Our clothes reflect the sometimes-hostile nature around us and our promise of protection for our community.  

We want the world to experience the power and beauty of the North. This means clothes which make life and activity possible where there would otherwise be none, and business practices which conserve and protect the North at a time when our glaciers, weather, and natural landscape are under dramatic threat from climate change. This is what we mean when we say our products are “Made for Life.” 

All manufacturing and distribution causes harm to the earth. How then can a company be “sustainable,” and does that word still have meaning? As it comes to clothing, we believe that over-consumerism, disposable products, and waste (which restarts the vicious cycle) cause the greatest harm to the earth. It doesn’t matter if you buy a biodegradable jacket if—due to function, quality, or aesthetics—you buy a new one every year. Through longevity of design, function, construction, care, and desirability, 66˚North expects our products to reduce the need for long-term consumption whether bought new or second-hand.   

Through a mix of green energy use, a fleet of electric cars, and responsible practices through our supply chain, 66˚North is a fully carbon neutral company 

We know that great employees are companies most valuable resource. We believe in giving talented people of all ages career opportunities and we recognize the importance of providing them with desirable working environment that they can be proud of and enables them to develop and be healthy.

Our employees active participation in shaping the company’s future is extremely valuable. The company holds an annual event where all employees come together, brainstorm and discuss as a team about how we can succeed further as a workplace and as a company. The results from these meetings have then been utilized in formulating some of our most important strategies, including our sustainability strategy.

We know that great employees are companies most valuable resource. We believe in giving talented people of all ages career opportunities and we recognize the importance of providing them with desirable working environment that they can be proud of and enables them to develop and be healthy.


We conduct an annual employee satisfaction survey, provided by the largest union in Iceland, with the aim to improve our employee satisfaction from year to year. Since August 2018 we have implement an additional monthly survey for all employees that will enable us to react even faster and in a more focused manner to the survey results. We offer employees tracking of health conditions once a year.

HR Monitor is like a heart rate monitor that measures how healthy the company is in real time, every month.​

We conduct a monthly employee satisfaction survey via HR Monitor for both in Iceland and Denmark​

We listen and measure what our employees have to say. ​

We do it to improve our working environment and working engagement. Every month we view with our staff and managers the result and celebrate on the good and we react on the things we need to improve.​

In 2014, we established an equal rights program to ensure equality between women and men at 66°North and to make sure that employees are valued and demonstrate respect for one another in their communications. Our equal rights program aims to equalize the conditions of men and women in terms of wages and other remuneration and opportunities for growth in employment.​

In January 2020 the company received a certification for Equal Pay Certification.​

Our commitment is to create an enjoyable, healthy, developmental and fairly rewarded working environment for our employees. ​

We run our own production facility in Saldus, Aizpute and Kuldiga, Latvia where we have around 200 employees producing 59% of the styles we sell and 48% of the production value. Operating our own production facility gives us the advantage of knowing each step of our production processes; what goes into the product, how the product is being handled as well as it facilities traceability and overall overview. Our facility is run by EU regulations about labor laws and workplace health and safety. All our employees in Latvia have labor insurance.

Seam sealed garments (e.g. shell jackets), fleece garments, rainwear / fisherman garments, workwear, trousers, gloves, mittens and leg gaiters and special production.

We have established trusted and close relationships with our production partners for over a decade. We only work with partners that ensure employees well-being and follow regulations about labor, health and safety of their country. To ensure this we conduct our own audits during the production of our product line. 

Our production partners are based in the following cities:

In our closest surroundings, where we can have the most impact, we try to make choices that have as minimal environmental impact as possible.

From 2015, we have been sorting waste in our headquarters and in our stores in up to five different recycling categories. At the same time, we stopped purchasing disposable cups for our coffee and built a policy of only purchasing biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products and led light bulbs.​

We are fortunate that we come from a country that is almost solely driven by renewable energy and therefore our headquarters and majority of our stores are driven by renewable energy. In countries outside of Iceland, we use renewable energy whenever available which amounts to 78.9% of our energy being renewable.

Suitable for Iceland,
perfect for Everest.

The jacket shape and its baffle construction creates a pocket of air around you which accelerates the warmth generated from movement in the coldest conditions

Tindur down jacket is 66˚North's most advanced insulated jacket.

Insulated with 800 fill power white duck down, 90% down and 10% feathers.

With its rounded shape and baffle construction, the Tindur down jacket takes two days to sew, and creates the feeling of a warm bubble of air around you, heating quickly as you move. Originally made for the first Icelander to climb the north side of Mount Everest, this highly technical garment stands up to the coldest Arctic conditions, has a surprisingly high range of movement, and combines its advanced engineering with stylish everyday looks. 

Insulated with 800 fill power white duck down, 90% down and 10% feathers, Tindur's construction includes interior squares with vertical interior walls that keep the down from shifting and stitching which does not go through the fabric, contributing further to its warmth. 

100% lightweight nylon with water-repellent qualities. The fabric reflects light in a unique way and shifts hues in different light 

A detachable hood with visor and draw cord for adjustment.

Tindur has 5 large pockets, two zipped front pockets, two zipped inside pockets and one open inside chest pocket.

Dual slider front zipper for added comfortability and snapped down wind flap with ribbed inner cuffs in sleeves. Snow gaiter at the waist to further block instream of cold air and snow.

Filling: 90% white duck down/10% feathers /800 fill power.

Tindur down is designed to be worn with a base-layer and mid-layer during outdoor activity. 

The jacket is therefore designed as slightly oversized, meaning it will fit true to size, but those who are in-between sizes should size down. 
Women should order two sizes down in order to get the expected fit of this jacket.

In 2013, Leifur Örn Svavarsson was the first Icelander to summit the north side of Mt. Everest. Leifur was equipped in 66°North clothing and among the items he wore was an extremely warm down-overall that was customized for his needs. This down overall was built on the same technology and has the same function as Tindur Down Jacket.

The name of the jacket, "Tindur" can be directly translated to peak/summit in English and is, therefore, a reference to Leifur's journey on top of Everest.

The style of the Tindur Down Jacket is based on a puffer jacket that we started producing in 1992. The down jacket was called Vatnajokull and was a popular style among Icelanders in the '90s

Care for your Tindur and it will last a lifetime

When washing, wash separately in a washing machine at 30°C with liquid soap specifically intended for down. Make sure all the zippers and snaps are closed. Do not use fabric softener or detergents that contain bleach or stain remover. After washing, the jacket should be dried in a low setting with a tennis ball (or something that beats the down).

After about an hour in the dryer, it is recommended to turn the garment over. The total drying process can take up to approx. two to four hours, depending on the garment size.

Join us on northern exposures and arctic adventures.

arctic-glow-land-rover-loop.mp4

Similarly, when it comes to animal by-products such as fur, we do not take this choice lightly. A jacket like Jökla is designed for outdoor professionals in Arctic conditions. Unlike faux-fur, a fur collar will prevent frostbite in subzero conditions, last longer, won’t shed microfibers, and will make the parka more useful for a longer time—improving longevity through function and protection, thereby reducing waste in the long-run. ​
​
We work with respected fabric and accessories suppliers. Our goal is to source and use as much we can of materials that are certified and traceable to the highest standard.

Our commitment is to only work with suppliers that deliver outstanding quality.​

We are always trying to lower our environmental footprint without compromising on durability and quality.​

Recycled and biodegradeble materials are exciting possibility that we are already using and want to use more.​

For our premium clothing line, it is our goal to source material locally such as Icelandic eiderdown and Icelandic shearling.

Our ambition is to be fully transparent with all our raw materials, and provide clear information on the industry standard they meet as well as the origins of those materials. As of autumn 2020, this page is a work in progress as we are currently engaged in a comprehensive review and audit of our supply chain to ensure that our standards and expectations are fully aligned to what we are delivering. 

In cases where there is not further information it is because we are in the midst of verification and don't want to share information we cannot 100% stand behind, or because we are a very small team and are in the process of writing a proper report!

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From early access to product launches to stories how everyday people use our products: from farmers to DJs

From our repair shop in Iceland, 66˚North will repair any product we’ve ever made, whether it’s from a few seasons ago or anytime last century. This has been our promise to customers since Hans Kristjansson launched the company in 1926 from Suðureyri in the Westfjords of Iceland. When your customers are your friends, family, and neighbors, and their lives are at stake, it’s only natural. ​

66˚North also guarantees that it will take back any product at any time and ensure its recycling, or donation—whether done by ourselves or with the help of partners such as Red Cross. ​

66˚North guarantees that it will take back any product at any time and ensure its recycling, or donation—whether done by ourselves or with the help of partners such as Red Cross. ​

Nearly 5% of the Icelandic population takes part in the purchase of second (or third, or fourth) hand 66˚North clothing. You can buy used 66˚North products on this Facebook Group or from the Red Cross


Early 2016 we launched our “Indestructible” program and we asked our customers to bring in their worn-out 66°North products - or products in good shape but they no longer wanted to use it - in exchange for a discount of their next purchase. We evaluated the state of the product, repaired it if needed and gave it to the Icelandic Red Cross. We realized right away that product recycling was something we wanted - and needed - to make permanent at 66°North.

You can bring your old 66°North product to any of our stores and receive your discount. If we do not have stores in your country please contact us and we will give you detailed instructions of how you can ship us your product to our headquarters and receive your discount.

If for any reason you are not satisfied with the items purchased you can return your purchase within 30 days for a full refund. Shipping costs will not be refunded. 

You can use any postal service for the return.

Recommended to ask for proof of postage as the parcel remains the costumers responsibility until it arrives at the 66°Norths warehouse.

Please note that we do not provide pre-paid label. Costumer needs to cover the postage and any relevant duty costs.

Recommended to mark the parcel as 'returned goods' to avoid being charged any duties.

When returning goods please ensure that you fill in and enclose the return form. The return form will be enclosed in your delivery. If you have not received one, please contact us. You will find the address for returns on the return form.

All items must be returned unused. All original packaging, price labels etc shall be returned with the product, without having been tampered with. All tags must still be attached to the item.

When we receive the package we will refund the value of the goods returned. This only applies to web orders.

After receiving your return, it generally takes between 5-10 days for you to receive your refund. After processing the refund you will receive a confirmation email. 

We are unable to offer an exchange facility.

If you receive a damaged or defective item, please contact our Customer Service Department by phone (+354) 535 6600 or by e-mail below.

We want to hear from you.  Send us an email or stop by in one our stores.

Requests for donations to individuals, non-profit organizations or sponsorship can be accessed here.

You can also reach out to us via Facebook and Instagram.

Try the collection on in person and get expert advice

Visiting us for the first time or have been shopping with us for 20 years, our stores offer a chance to experience the garments first hand, get expert advice. Alternatively you can re-cycle items you no longer need, get a garment repaired, or collect your online orders 

We want your clothing to live as long and healthy life as possible. We run our own repair service at our 66°North headquarters in Iceland, operated by long-term specialists in our clothing. 

If for some reason your clothing gets damaged you are always welcome to drop by at one of our stores and our repair specialists will try their absolute best to repair it for you. 

If we do not have stores in your country, please contact us and we will give you country specific instruction on how to correctly ship products to Iceland and not incur import duties. 

Please note this is not the same as returning a defective product, but rather a product that has gotten damaged when in use.

Please note that you will be responsible for:

Having your shipping operator, such as DHL, file the correct paperwork for the Icelandic Customs.

To contact us click the button below and please include the country you will be shipping from.

We believe it is our responsibility to actively seek to make positive impact and contribute to prosperity in our local communities. We do this through several channels.

66°North offers internships to business students, art students and technical students at university level. We know that internship programs are a great way of providing students with real industry knowledge.

We hold events for a good cause. Our last event, Mountain night with Stefan Glowacz, Elísabet Margeirs and Tómas Guðbjarts, was held in Harpa on February 21st 2017 where the entrance fee was donated to the Icelandic Rescue Team.

We sponsor young athletes and artists to support them on their journey to reach their goals.


Grants
We are always looking for new opportunities to support our community. Here you can apply for donations to individuals, non-profit organizations or sponsorship.

Every year we donate clothing to those in need. Among donations we have made over the last years are to a Latvian orphanage, homeless and refugees in Iceland and to Syria.

Each year in October we produce and sell hats in limited volume and give 500 ISK of every sold hat to the Icelandic Cancer Association.

66˚North's approach to protecting the Earth

Carbon neutrality is only the beginning​

All manufacturing and distribution causes harm to the earth. How then can a company be “sustainable,” and does that word still have meaning? As it comes to clothing, we believe that over-consumerism, disposable products, and waste (which restarts the vicious cycle) cause the greatest harm to the earth. It doesn’t matter if you buy a biodegradable jacket if—due to function, quality, or aesthetics—you buy a new one every year. Through longevity of design, function, construction, care, and desirability, 66˚North expects our products to reduce the need for long-term consumption whether bought new or second-hand.  ​

While 66˚North is a carbon neutral business, it is only through our holistic approach to circularity that we can minimize harm, mitigate our impact, and make a net positive impact on the world.​

We also accept that there is no perfect solution. In all decisions to do with impact, there are trade-offs. We believe we have opted for the most responsible choices but acknowledge differing views and welcome your comments and criticisms.  

We released 274,1 tCO2e in 2019. We offset this with our combined business practices and by planting 2,741 tress


At 66˚North we believe these offsets should be at a human scale. That means we will always ensure our need for offsets is so low that we can offset our annual carbon footprint in a single day, with trees planted by our own staff. If our need for carbon offsets has grown beyond that scale, we have become too big. 

In order to maintain our certification as a carbon neutral company, we are required to buy carbon offset credits through a certified marketplace. This is done in addition to our staff planting days, meaning that the combination of offsets purchased and offsets planted makes 66˚North one of the world's only carbon negative companies. 

We have offset our total emissions for the year 2019 through Kolviður by investing in the planting of 2,741 trees

66°North operates its own custom embroidery and silk print department for companies and organizations. You can have almost any of our garments custom branded.   We recommend embroidery for fleece, down jackets and other soft materials.  Other products such as soft and hard shells, non-textured jackets and midlayers and most baselayers can be silk printed.  

Embroidery is generally better than silk printing as it will last longer and has a premium look and feel.  We have at our disposal five multi head embroidery machines with 15 needle heads and one with 30 needle heads.  All patterns and designs are done by trained professionals and meet the highest quality requirements. 

Our silk printing operation has multiple silk printing machines and plotters and is able to manage high throughput. 

So if you have a custom branding requirement then we can accommodate it.  

To be connected with our custom branding experts just contact us and tell us a little bit about your project.

Skiing in Iceland: Chaotic wind and dark skies

When the weather breaks, Icelanders rush to the slopes.

Skiing in Iceland | Arnaldur & Olafia

Iceland‘s dark winter season brings the inevitable return of chaotic wind and numbing snowstorms. In a matter of minutes, clear skies can transform into a world of ice and road closures. Yet, when the weather breaks, Icelanders rush to the slopes.

We headed to the Bláfjöll ski resort with the face of our recent winter campaign model Arnaldur Karl Einarsson and his sister Ólafía Elísabet Einarsdóttir, both Icelandic ski champions from a young age.

The siblings have been skiing the mountain since they first learned to walk. They reminisced on the days of battling relentless weather extremes just to carry on with their training, and how to thrive while skiing amidst the winter elements of the North.

Just 25 minutes outside of Reykjavik, Bláfjöll or the ´Blue Mountains´ is one of just a handful of locations with functioning ski lifts around the country. Though tiny in size compared to its European counterparts, Bláfjöll makes it‘s presence known by the challenging conditions it throws at skiers and lift workers. The wind up there can be so relentless that it pushes you backwards up the slope, though that does give you more time to enjoy the short ride down.

As far back as their memory serves, Arnaldur and Ólafía recall the countless training sessions under the guidance of their parents, both experienced ski instructors at Bláfjöll.

No matter the weather, their close family bond and dedication to the sport has seen them make the trip up to the mountain at every possible chance. This quickly developed into a competitive drive that led both siblings to begin competing at a young age.

”I’ve been ski racing as far back as I remember. I’ve probably spent more time up on Bláfjöll than at my own house”

Skiing in Iceland is full of quirks. With just a few hours of daylight and plaguing storms, ski days are dark and few and far between. Most skiing at Bláfjöll is done under artificial lighting to combat the lack of sun, it really is a matter of making the most fun out of the difficult conditions. Having the right clothing is essential.

Iceland is by nature very unpredictable when it comes to the weather.

Arnaldur and Ólafía have both achieved the champion position several times on the Icelandic ski circuit. Often they‘d have to travel to Akureyri to get access to more snow, a five-hour drive north. With an intensive training schedule, Arnaldur reminisced on a year where they made the trip almost every week for a whole season. With the constant concern of dark icy mountain passes and blowing snow on the way, this can quickly become a stressful commute, but as most things go in Iceland, things usually always work out in the end.

”In the mountains you learn quick that there´s nothing worse than being poorly dressed. There can be bright sun one minute and a snowstorm the next. This is why it’s so important to have good clothing and even some extra layers packed just in case things take a sudden turn.”

See our ski layering guide for inspiration on what to wear.

The onset of Iceland‘s dark winter season brings the inevitable return of chaotic wind, countless snowstorms and unpredictable weather. One single day can completely transform the landscape into a world of ice and road closures, it is a true spectacle to witness. Despite the chaos unfolding outside, Icelanders begin to dust off their skis with the excitement that the snow may signal the local ski resorts to finally open.

We recently met up with one of our campaign models Arnaldur Karl Einarsson and his sister Ólafía Elísabet Einarsdóttir, both former Icelandic ski champions, to gain some insight into the world of skiing in Iceland‘s extreme northern climate.

The onset of Iceland‘s dark winter season brings the inevitable return of chaotic wind, countless snowstorms and unpredictable weather. One single day can completely transform the landscape into a world of ice and road closures, it is a true spectacle to witness. Despite the chaos unfolding outside, Icelanders begin to dust off their skis with the excitement that the snow may signal the local ski resorts to finally open.

We recently met up with one of our campaign models Arnaldur Karl Einarsson and his sister Ólafía Elísabet Einarsdóttir, both former Icelandic ski champions, to gain some insight into the world of skiing in Iceland‘s extreme northern climate. | 66°North

Skiing in Iceland: chaotic wind and dark skies

With ever-present threat of the unstable weather closing down Iceland’s ski resorts, Icelanders have to be ready as soon as they get the green light to heads to the mountains.

Staying warm means effective layering of your outdoor clothing, so ahead of your next snow day, we‘ve put together a guide on how to layer for skiing conditions.

The aim for layering your clothing is to utilise different materials and insulation to provide warmth and adaptability for all conditions.

Simply blocking out the wind and rain will largely increase the effectiveness of your layering. The outer-layer shell jacket will act as an excellent barrier, protecting you from the often unforgiving elements outdoors. Shell fabrics range from rain-resistant to fully waterproof and focus on maintaining breathability while not letting outside moisture in. Gore-Tex® Pro™ and Neo Shell® are thicker durable outer-layer fabrics that will ensure that you can stay warm and dry no matter the conditions.

Arnaldur wearing Hornstrandir bibs and Katla parka layered with Hrannar fleece mid-layer, ideal for skiing in colder conditions during winter.

Ólafía wearing Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro bibs and Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro jacket layered with Hrannar fleece mid-layer.This combination is ideal for skiing during autumn or spring, in conditions where the snow can be wet.

Arnaldur wearing Snaefell Neoshell Jacket and Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro bibs layered with Ok Down Collar Jacket mid-layer.With a down mid-layer underneath the Snæfell shell jacket, this combination is ideal for skiing in dynamic weather conditions.The combination can withstand cold conditions but by having the possibility of losing either the mid or shell layer, it allows for adjustments during the day.

The mid-layer utilizes lightweight fill and fleece materials to retain warm air around your core. The Ok down jacket and Öxi Power Fill™ jacket combine fleece and stretch fabrics on the sleeves for comfort and flexibility in a variety of colder situations. Standalone fleece jackets such as Hrannar will also provide great insulation in milder temperatures, offering a similar wicking function to the base layer if things heat up.

Left: Ólafía wearing Vatnajökull Powerfill vest with Hrannar fleece mid-layer. An ideal combination for a mild day in the mountains where the snow is dry.

Right: Ólafía wearing Snæfell NeoShell jacket with Mosfell hoodie. An ideal combination for a mild day in the mountains where the snow can be wet.

Arnaldur wearing Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro jacket with Öxi Primaloft jacket as mid-layer.With a down mid-layer underneath the Gore-Tex shell jacket, this combination is ideal for skiing in dynamic weather conditions. The combination can withstand cold conditions but by having the possibility of losing either the mid- or shell layer, it allows for adjustments during the day.

The base layer is an essential first round of warmth. Whether warm temperatures or plummeting into the negatives, our Básar Merino Wool and Grettir Polartec Power Dry work extremely well for temperature regulation through whats known as sweat wicking. Ultra-fine and soft fibres help to pass moisture from the body and out into the air, allowing for breathability and moisture control alongwith the added bonus of remaining odor-free for long periods of time.

A good pair of gloves can go a long way in keeping you warm when out skiing.  Our langjökull winter gloves are Primaloft lined and rain-resistant, giving you comfort in any extremes. The Básar Merino Wool buff and Dyngja wool blend beanie will allow you to create a nice seal for the heat rising up from your core, and provide a soft wind barrier over your ears. When out skiing, the long length Primaloft ski socks will keep your feet insulated and ready to take on any mountain.

For decades skiing has been a big part of the winter culture all around Iceland.  Though with the ever-present threat of the unstable Icelandic weather, it’s all too common that the lifts at the local ski resorts will be closed due to stormy or wet conditions. This is why we have to be ready as soon as we get the green light to hit the slopes. Staying warm requires preparation and effective layering of your outdoor clothing, so ahead of your next big ski day, we thought we‘d share some insights on how to layer with 66°North.

For decades skiing has been a big part of the winter culture all around Iceland.  Though with the ever-present threat of the unstable Icelandic weather, it’s all too common that the lifts at the local ski resorts will be closed due to stormy or wet conditions. This is why we have to be ready as soon as we get the green light to hit the slopes. Staying warm requires preparation and effective layering of your outdoor clothing, so ahead of your next big ski day, we thought we‘d share some insights on how to layer with 66°North. | 66°North

Whether it’s winter time in North America or Europe, or a cold Icelandic May morning, training through cold weather will help you progress far better for when spring and summer come, and there’s no one better to learn from than Icelandic ultra-marathoners. 

The weather always looks worse through the window than it actually feels. 

Elísabet Margeirsdóttir became the first woman to ever finish the invitation-only Ultra Gobi, a grueling 400k (250 mile) desert run in sub-zero temperatures. But even for an Icelandic running champion, the cold was an acquired taste.  

“It took me quite a while to actually enjoy running in any weather,” says Elísabet. “With time, though, it actually becomes part of the appeal: challenging your body and bracing the elements simultaneously. Adding onto your outfit becomes a pastime, you have to learn that you can fully dress the chill and wind off.” 

Prepare for the conditions but embrace the cold (at least at first.)

“Winter holds many different weathers,” says Þorbergur Ingi Jónsson, an Icelandic ultra-marathon record-holder and engineer by training. “A wet day, a windy day, and a freezing day don’t call for the same gear.” 

“If you’re already warm when you start running, you know you’ll be sweating like crazy before long,” says Þorbergur. “Dress well, but don’t overdress. I also always run with a hat and gloves since they make it easy to moderate temperature on the fly.” 

Staðarfell is made from Polartec NeoShell, the world’s most breathable, waterproof fabric. If it’s a little above 0˚C/32˚F we recommend Grettir zip neck, made from Polartec Power Dry fabric underneath. If a bit below 0˚C/32˚F we recommend Básar merino wool base layer.

"I've used Staðarfell a lot in challenging conditions. It is great for colder climates where the weather can change suddenly,” says Elísabet. “It works well in any season, for long exercises in freezing conditions, wind and rain. It's comfortable to wear as there's no moisture build-up on the inside. I can also wear it for less aerobic activities when the weather is nice yet a bit cold".

Aðalvík hoodie is a one-piece base layer with a balaclava which can be pulled up to cover the face- protecting from wind and cold- but is lightweight enough that it’s no bother if worn down as a hood.  

Elísabet recommends the following trails around the Reykjavik

Winter running programs from Elísabet and Þorbergur 

Steinn

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