Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated Ski Jacket Review
February 28th, 2026
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Our Verdict
For many resort skiers, a ski jacket should above all be warm, and having an insulated jacket makes layering simple and staying warm a lot easier. We think the Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated hits the bullseye for this. The weather protection, warmth, and thoughtful feature set make this a standout jacket for resort skiing.
Our testers have spent dozens of days skiing in the lofoten Insulated jacket and even those who previously only skied in shells have come to love it for the layering simplicity it offers. We’ve tested this jacket in single digit temps with wind chill in the negatives, on gusty chairlift rides and snowy days in Colorado. It’s proven to be an excellent, warm, and weather protective option for all-around resort skiing.
Bottom line: Resort skiers and riders who want warmth and weather protection in a durable ski jacket with thoughtful features should consider the Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated. If you want a hardshell with no insulation for more layering options or use in the backcountry, look for something uninsulated instead.
Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated Ski Jacket
men's
Women's
Check out more of our favorite jackets in our Best Men’s Ski Jackets, Best Women’s Ski Jackets, and Best Snowboard Jackets guides.
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Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated Jacket Specifications
Price: $559
Weight: 29 oz
Waterproofing: 2L GORE-TEX ePE
Fabric: 75-denier recycled polyester
Insulation: Primaloft Silver
Hood: Helmet-compatible, fully adjustable
Venting: Pit zips, no mesh
Pockets: 5
Powder skirt: Yes
Hem & cuffs: Adjustable cuffs, adjustable hem
Zippers: YKK water-resistant
Fit: Ski-specific freeride fit
Sizes: XS-XL (women’s); S-XXL (men’s)
Sustainability: Bluesign fabric, Oeko-Tex certified fabric, and recycled materials
Best for
Resort skiing on cold days
Skiing in powder and in snowy and windy weather
Great for skiers who want warmth, weather protection, durability, and great features all in one jacket
Comparison Table
| SKI JACKET | MSRP* | SIZES | # POCKETS | WATERPROOFING | INSULATION | PIT ZIPS | POWDER SKIRT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norrona lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated Women's Men's |
$559 | XS-XL (women’s); S-XXL (men’s) | 5 | 2L GORE-TEX ePE | Primaloft Silver | Yes | Yes |
| Norrona lofoten GORE-TEX Women's Men's |
$599 | XS-XL (women’s); S-XXL (men’s) | 5 | 3L GORE-TEX ePE | None | Yes | Yes |
| Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 Women's Men's |
$499 | XXS-XL (women’s); XS-XXL (men’s) | 8 | H2No 2-layer | 60g Full Range insulation | Yes | Yes, connects to Patagonia snow pants |
| Arc'teryx Macai | $1,100 | XS-XXL | 6 | 28,000 N40p-X GORE-TEX, DWR coating | 750-fill down; 60g and 100g synthetic | Yes | Yes |
What we liked
This jacket is packed with features, including a goggle wipe that comes attached in one of the chest pockets.
Warm insulation ideal for most resort days
Excellent weatherproofing
Room for extra layers on frigid days
Thoughtful feature set
Durable
What could be better
Not a wide range of size offerings
Performance in the field
The Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated jacket has a comfortable collar and storm hood.
Fit and comfort
We found the lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated jacket to fit true to size, and it was among the most comfortable ski jackets we’ve tested. It fits with enough room for an extra layer underneath on very cold days and has plenty of room for mobility without being excessively baggy. The collar and storm hood also fit comfortably.
Warmth
The inside of the Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated jacket is stuffed with Primaloft Silver synthetic insulation.
Our testers found that the Primaloft insulation was sufficient for the vast majority of days at the resort, from temps in the teens up to right around freezing. Anything into the mid 30s or higher, and it was a little too warm. Anything below about 10 degrees and an extra mid layer was appreciated—and that’s not necessarily a downside, just worth noting. If this jacket were much warmer, it would not be as versatile. And of course, all of this is subjective to personal preferences and body temperatures.
But that’s all to say that the insulation in this jacket feels appropriate and sufficient for the vast majority of days at the resort, and is easily made warmer for super cold ones with an extra fleece layer added.
Weather protection
Since the outer shell of the lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated jacket is made with 2-layer GORE-TEX, the weatherproofing is reliable and durable. It stands up to harsh winds and sideways blowing snow without issue, and the DWR beads and sheds moisture well. On cold, windy, and snowy days skiing at Arapahoe Basin and Breckenridge Resort, our testers put the hood up and felt like they were wrapped in a cozy fortress.
Breathability
This jacket has pit zips for venting heat, but because it’s insulated it shines with its warmth and less so with its breathability.
While there are pit zips that help with airflow and venting when it warms up, this is an insulated jacket with a 2-layer shell that offers minimal breathability overall.
Durability
We’ve found the lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated jacket to be very durable overall for everyday resort use. It’s thoughtfully constructed and well built. If you are extra hard on your gear, you may want to consider a jacket with a higher denier face fabric than the lofoten’s 75-denier for more abrasion resistance.
Value
What might seem like a slightly high price tag here actually feels very reasonable to us. Norrøna can often run on the highest end of the price spectrum, but with the lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated, we actually think it’s a very good value. The weather protection, warmth, and thoughtful feature set, and versatility make this a standout jacket for resort skiing.
Features
The 75-denier face fabric with a DWR treatment beads water well and is durable yet comfortable and supple (not crinkly!).
Materials
The Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEXInsulated jacket starts with a 75-denier face fabric that’s treated with a PFAS-free DWR. Next is a waterproof-breathable GORE-TEX ePE membrane for top-notch weather protection.
And the final layer to this cozy sandwich is the Primaloft Silver insulation on the inside: 60 grams of it in the front and arms, and 40 grams in the back and collar.
Pockets
We love all of the thoughtful pockets on this jacket.
There are two hand pockets, two chest pockets, a pass pocket on the arm, and an internal drop pocket. There is also a goggle wipe integrated into one of the chest pockets.
Pit zips
There are pit zips without any mesh for easily venting heat.
Helmet-compatible hood
The jacket features a helmet compatible and adjustable storm hood.
Powder skirt
There is a fixed, full powder skirt on the lofoten Insulated jacket.
This jacket has a fixed full powder skirt that specifically integrates with Norrøna lofoten pants, but the powder skirt also works well with other brands, too.
Wrist gaiters
Wrist gaiters help keep snow out of the sleeves. They’re made of a smooth and stretchy fabric that’s comfortable and doesn’t add too much bulk under gloves.
Sustainability/ethics
This jacket uses bluesign and Oeko-Tex certified fabrics, and the factories in which it’s made are inspected by an independent third party for sustainability and ethics.
How we tested
We tested the Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated jacket across two seasons in Colorado, primarily at Breckenridge Resort and Arapahoe Basin—both places known for often being cold and windy. We encountered plenty of harsh wind and blowing snow on T-bar rides and while accessing high-alpine terrain. Some days, the high was barely in the single digits. And this jacket was a clear favorite for days like these.
We’ve also extensively tested the women’s model of the non-insulated hardshell version of the lofoten, and we think that’s an excellent, weatherproof, and durable choice for folks who want to choose or change up their layering system depending on the day.
Should you buy the Norrøna lofoten GTX Insulated Jacket?
Buy if you’re a skier or rider who wants both warmth and weather protection out of your ski jacket, and you don’t mind sacrificing a little versatility and breathability to get that. This is also for folks who seek out top quality and durability in their outerwear.
Skip if you’re a skier or rider who prefers to switch up layering, and instead consider a shell. Budget-conscious skiers who only get out a couple times a year will find less expensive options, but they’ll likely be less weather protective and less durable overall.
Where to buy
The Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated Jacket is popular, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
Evo
Pros: 365 day returns, store locations in ski towns for easy last-minute pick-up, may offer rentals if you want to try before you buy, earn 10% back in Rewards
Similar ski jackets
Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Jacket
Type: Hardshell
Insulation: None
Sizes: XS-XL (women’s); S-XXL (men’s)
Number of Pockets: 5
Waterproofing: 3L GORE-TEX ePE
Pit zips: Yes
Powder skirt: Yes
Best use: Resort, backcountry
If you like the looks of the lofoten Insulated but prefer your jacket without the stuffing, the shell version of the lofoten is another excellent option. It won’t be warm, of course, but it will offer the same GORE-TEX weatherproofing and the durability we’ve come to expect from Norrøna. This is a 3-layer shell that will be more breathable and versatile than the lofoten Insulated, useful for the resort, backcountry, and beyond.
This jacket is the Best Versatile pick in our Best Women’s Ski Jackets guide and the insulated version is the Best Insulated Resort in our Best Men’s Ski Jackets guide.
Norrøna lofoten GORE-TEX Jacket
men's
Women's
Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1
Type: 3-in-1
Insulation: 60g Full Range insulation
Sizes: XXS-XL (women’s); XS-XXL (men’s)
Number of Pockets: 5 in the shell, 3 in the liner
Waterproofing: H2No 2-layer
Pit zips: Yes
Powder skirt: Yes, connects to Patagonia snow pants
Best use: Resort
The Powder Town 3-in-1 gives you the option to zip the insulation out of the shell, giving you three jackets in one. It’s a little more affordable and versatile. But, the Norrona lofoten GORE-TEX insulated is a little more weatherproof and has a nicer fit and feature set overall. But skiers looking for versatility and value will certainly find it in the Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1.
This jacket won Best Value in our Best Men’s Ski Jackets guide and Best 3-in-1 in our Best Women’s Ski Jackets guide. Learn more in our in-depth review of the Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1 Jacket.
Patagonia Powder Town 3-in-1
men's
Women's
Arc’teryx Macai
Type: Insulated hardshell
Insulation: 750-fill down; 60g and 100g synthetic
Sizes: XS-XXL
Pockets: 6 (2 hand pockets, 1 chest pocket, left sleeve pocket for RFID ski pass, 1 internal chest pocket, 1 internal mesh dump pocket)
Waterproofing: 28,000 N40p-X GORE-TEX, DWR coating
Pit zips: Yes
Powder skirt: Yes
Best use: Resort
If the Norrona lofoten GORE-TEX Insulated jacket simply doesn’t seem warm enough and you can afford to double your jacket budget, then look to the Arc’teryx Macai for maximum warmth in a resort skiing jacket. This baby has both down and synthetic insulation packed into a GORE-TEX shell for maximum toastiness, and is our pick for Best Insulated Men’s Ski Jacket for Extreme Cold. But, all that insulation means it’s a little overkill for warmer days. And, of course, there’s the price tag…
Arc’teryx Macai
Why you should trust us / About the author
Stasia Stockwell has been a skier since she learned to walk. She has since spent every winter of her life on skis and gets out to the resort or the backcountry multiple times a week in the mountains around her home in Breckenridge, Colorado. She’s been an outdoor gear writer and tester for over a decade and has been covering ski apparel for Treeline Review for several years running.
Stasia is a true mountain dweller at heart. She’s worked as a backpacking guide in Southeast Alaska, has held WFR, AIARE 1, AIARE 2, and Avalanche Rescue Certifications, and is working to become an avalanche education instructor. She now calls Breckenridge, Colorado and the mountains that surround it her home. In the winters, she racks up as many ski days as possible; she loves long days in the backcountry, but nothing compares to hot laps on the T-bar at her home resort. In the summers, she’s an avid mountain biker. Sometimes you might even find her on a trail sans bike, running slowly or backpacking to an alpine lake. She’s now a full-time writer and editor in the outdoor space. Stasia is also the managing editor for the print publication for backpackers, TrailsMagazine.
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