66°North Jacket Review

Premium Icelandic Outerwear Tested on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coast

The north coast of Ireland offers one of the best places to try out your outdoor clothes and while visiting the Causeway Coastal Route and its many trails, such as the Northern Coastal Path and Giant’s Causeway on my recent trip, the weather provided just the sort of experience that can be expected in this area, bright sunshines, fierce winds and heavy rains, one after another. Fierce cold winds blowing in from the Atlantic at full speed would come and go almost instantly (even in May!).

People living here often say that you may have all four seasons in a single day and it didn’t disappoint.  When you want to put your travel gear to test, you need no better scenario than this, long walking days, windy cliffs, sea mist, variable temperatures, long exposure outside, and more.

For this trip, I packed two women’s jackets by the Icelandic outdoor clothing brand, 66°North, Adalvik Packable Rain Coat and Keilir Down Women’s Jacket.

Both jackets proved themselves to be worth packing very early.
Both jackets were impressive, each for its own reasons.

66°North Adalvik Packable Rain Coat Review

The Adalvik quickly became the jacket I kept reaching for whenever the weather looked uncertain. It packs down small enough to disappear into a backpack or cabin bag, but still feels substantial once you put it on.  A lot of lightweight waterproof jackets feel crinkly and overly technical. The Adalvik doesn’t as the fabric feels softer and lighter, which makes a surprising difference during long days of wear.  I also liked the length as many summer rain jackets sit too short and leave you exposed once the wind picks up. This one gives better coverage without feeling bulky or heavy.

What Stands Out

The fit feels relaxed and easy without looking oversized. I wore it over T-shirts during warmer days weather and layered it over knitwear on colder evenings without any restriction.  Breathability also feels well judged. During long walks I never got that sticky overheated feeling common with lightweight waterproof shells.  The styling deserves mention too as this jacket works equally well on a mountain trail, walking around a resort town or heading through an airport. You do not feel like you are wearing hardcore hiking gear, which I loved.

Key Features

• Lightweight packable waterproof shell
• Wind-resistant outer fabric
• Longer cut for better rain coverage
• Adjustable hood
• Soft lightweight feel
• Easy layering fit
• Compact enough for hand luggage

Price and Value

66°North sits firmly in the premium category with this jacket retailing at £225 RRP, but the quality feels strong throughout. The stitching, fabric and overall finish all feel durable enough for years of use.  This is not a jacket you buy for one season, you bring this one out year after year.

66°North Keilir Down Women’s Jacket Review

The Keilir Down Jacket surprised me most during this test.  Lightweight insulated jackets often lean too technical or too fashion-led. The Keilir manages to balance both sides well and it feels functional outdoors but still smart enough for everyday travel.  The first thing I noticed was how comfortable it feels straight away. The fabric has a softer finish than many lightweight down jackets and the jacket sits naturally on the body without stiffness.  This became my go-to layer during colder evenings and early starts.

What I Liked

The warmth-to-weight balance works well and even during cooler coastal evenings the jacket held warmth without becoming too hot once temperatures warmed up a little.  It also packs down really easily, which matters so much to me during travel. (Bulky insulation takes up valuable luggage space). The fit works particularly well for layering and I wore it comfortably over lightweight base layers and under a waterproof shell when temperatures dropped further.  The softer colour palette also gives the jacket broader appeal beyond outdoor use. You can wear this around town, in restaurants or while travelling without looking dressed for technical hiking.

Price and Value

Priced at £320, the Women’s Keilir Down Collar Jacket feels built for serious travel use. Lightweight, warm and easy to wear, this became my go-to layer on the north coast of Ireland during cool evenings and windy coastal walks. The high collar adds extra protection once temperatures drop, while the low-bulk design packs easily into a travel bag

Key Features

• Lightweight down insulation
• Wind-resistant shell fabric
• Compact packable design
• Soft-touch outer material
• Comfortable everyday fit
• High collar for extra warmth
• Easy layering piece for travel

Final Thoughts

It is clear that both the jackets were made by designers who have understood the nature of uncertain weather.  While the Adalvik Packable Rain Coat is definitely the more technical of the two jackets that are ideal for travels, the Keilir Down Jacket offers warmth in comfort.  Both these jackets will be able to handle the majority of travel circumstances during summer in the UK, Iceland, Scandinavia and the Alps regions.  66° North certainly knows how to design travel wear for outdoor enthusiasts that can be worn daily as well.