Buy the 66°North Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro Jacket: £595 at 66north.com
I’ll admit it: I’m not the sort of person who spends every weekend scrambling up ridges in horizontal sleet. I’m a mum of two daughters who just loves being outdoors, whether that’s walking the dog in the Cotswolds, heading up the Sugar Loaf in the Black Mountains for a lungful of fresh air, or grabbing a quick rainy stomp around Monmouthshire when the Welsh weather is doing its thing.
And honestly? That’s exactly why the 66°North Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro Jacket impressed me so much. Because if there’s one thing this jacket does exceptionally well, it’s keep the rain out.
First impressions of the Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro Jacket
The Hornstrandir feels substantial the moment you pick it up. This isn’t one of those whisper-thin shells that disappears into your pack. It has real structure to it, and a slightly rugged, almost old-school feel that immediately gave me confidence in bad weather.
The fit is generous enough to layer underneath without looking overly technical or boxy, which suited me perfectly. I wore it over everything from a lightweight fleece on spring walks to a thicker insulated layer during colder, wet days.
There’s also something quite Scandinavian about the styling, understated but premium, which makes it feel just as wearable on a windy café stop as it does halfway up a hill. I had the colour ‘grey sky’ which may have added to the Scandi vibe!
Waterproofing: Genuinely excellent
This is where the Hornstrandir really earns its keep. I tested it during one particularly grim walk around the Kymin in Monmouthshire where the rain seemed determined to come at me sideways. The kind of weather where hedges drip constantly, your trousers are soaked within minutes (true story), and most jackets eventually start feeling clammy. The Hornstrandir simply shrugged it off.
Even after a couple of hours in persistent Welsh rain, water continued beading beautifully on the surface and I never once felt damp through the fabric, thanks to the all-around GORE-TEX® PRO. That sense of reliable protection is what makes this jacket stand out. You stop thinking about the weather and just get on with the walk.
On a windy climb up Sugar Loaf, the jacket also handled exposure brilliantly. The fabric blocks wind exceptionally well, and once the hood is adjusted properly, you feel cocooned from the elements without being smothered.
The fabric: Protective but definitely crunchy
Now for the one thing that took some getting used to: The fabric is quite crunchy. Every time I moved my arms or walked at pace, there was a noticeable rustling noise, and the jacket has a stiffness that’s very different from softer modern waterproofs. It’s not uncomfortable, but it does remind you constantly that you’re wearing a serious shell.
Personally, I found that trade-off acceptable because the weather protection is so reassuring, but if you prefer quiet, supple jackets, this is worth knowing before buying.
That slightly rigid feel does ease a little with wear, but hasn’t disappeared.
Comfort and breathability
Despite the tougher feel, I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable the jacket remained over longer walks.
I never felt sweaty or swampy inside it, even on uphill sections of hikes, and the ventilation works well enough for the sort of walking most people actually do. I suspect dedicated mountain athletes might want something slightly lighter and more breathable for fast-paced days, but for steady hiking, dog walks and general outdoor life, it strikes a very sensible balance.
The hood is excellent too, it’s stiffened so doesn’t constantly flop in your face — and the pockets are large enough to be genuinely useful rather than decorative.
Is it worth it?
The Hornstrandir is undoubtedly an investment, but it feels built for years rather than seasons. What I liked most is that it doesn’t try too hard to be ultra-light, ultra-packable or ultra-anything. Instead, it focuses on dependable protection and durability, and for British weather, that’s probably the smarter choice.
It became the jacket I instinctively reached for whenever the forecast looked miserable, which is perhaps the biggest compliment I can give it.
If you spend a lot of time outdoors in wet, windy conditions and want a waterproof you can truly rely on, the 66°North Hornstrandir is seriously impressive, crunchy fabric and all.
Buy the 66°North Hornstrandir Gore-Tex Pro Jacket: £595 at 66north.com
