66 North is an Icelandic brand with a long history that started in 1926 making protective clothing for fishermen and workers in the harsh arctic climate. Over the years, the brand has evolved from producing practical workwear to creating modern clothing that suits an active and style-conscious lifestyle in the city.

The choice between the different 66 North jackets depends primarily on what weather you need to protect yourself against and how active you are. Down jackets provide maximum insulation for sedentary activities in the cold, while fleece works best as a breathable layer during physical activity, and shell jackets protect against wind and rain without insulating. The brand uses advanced materials such as Polartec® fleece for breathability and warmth and GORE-TEX® Infinium for weather protection.

Here you will find everything from warm down jackets to light fleece jackets and functional shell jackets, each with their specific strengths for different weather conditions and activities. Understanding these differences will help you choose the jacket that matches both your daily needs and your style statement.

• The down jackets is made with recycled down, which provides good insulation and keeps you warm even when the temperature drops below freezing. They have 700 fill-power, which means that the down is of high quality and provides maximum warmth without the jacket feeling heavy. Some down jackets have a cropped fit that gives a modern and feminine look and goes well with jeans in everyday life and can be worn over a shirt for more formal occasions.
• The fleece jackets are made of Polartec® fleece, which is a soft and warm material that is also breathable and therefore suitable for active tours. You can use them as an intermediate layer under a shell jacket when it's really cold, or as an outer layer on cool spring days. Some fleece vests also have Polartec® Wind Pro® on the shoulders, which is four times more windproof than regular fleece.
• The Shell jackets have GORE-TEX® Infinium, which protects against wind and rain and keeps you dry in changeable weather. These jackets work well as an outer layer over fleece or down jackets in extreme weather, but can also be worn on their own on milder days where you primarily need protection from wind and light rain.

Choose a warm 66 North down jacket

Down jackets keep you warm through a combination of quilt pattern and filling material. As you move, the down compresses in some areas while expanding in others, creating a dynamic insulating layer. The different quilt patterns in the down jackets affect both heat dissipation and aesthetics - horizontal quilt tubes give a classic look, while diagonal or vertical patterns can create a slimmer silhouette. The length of the jacket determines how much of the body is protected: short models stop at the hip and allow freedom of movement for cycling or walking, while knee-length coats insulate the legs when you stand still in the cold. Down jackets - Men ranging from compact designs to more comprehensive models.

How does 66 North fleece work as a middle layer?

Fleece insulates through the structure of the texture rather than filling material such as down. The agitated surface of the Polartec® fleece consists of thousands of small polyester fibers that trap air and create warmth without blocking moisture transport. This makes fleece particularly suitable for activities where you sweat - morning cycling in 8 degree weather, brisk walks with the dog or skiing on milder winter days. The weight of the fleece varies between models: lighter versions work as thin mid-layers under a shell jacket for spring mountain hikes, while thicker versions can be worn as an outer layer for autumn hikes or as a cozy indoor layer. Zip-neck designs allow you to regulate ventilation by opening the zipper when you get warm, while full-zip models are easier to take on and off over headgear.

Protect yourself from the wind with a 66 North shell jacket

Shell jackets differ from down and fleece jackets by focusing on weather protection rather than insulation. The GORE-TEX® Infinium in these jackets consists of a microporous membrane, where the pores are too small for wind and water particles to penetrate, but large enough for water vapor from your body to escape. This balance makes the material ideal for dry, windy conditions - stormy coastal rides, wind-exposed mountain ridges or just the daily bike ride to work when the wind picks up. You can wear a shell jacket directly over a T-shirt on cool, windy summer days when the temperature is around 15 degrees, or as an outer layer over fleece and a down vest when the thermometer shows minus degrees and the wind blows.

Give the body extra warmth with a vest

Vests insulate the core of the body - chest and abdomen - while the arms remain free to move. The Polartec® fleece in the vests creates an insulating layer around the upper body, which is handy when you have to lift heavy, swing an ax at the woodpile or work with precise hand movements where thick sleeves would get in the way. You can wear a vest over a merino undershirt for morning walks in 5-10 degree weather or under a shell jacket along with a long-sleeve fleece when the temperature drops to freezing.

Keep your hands warm with 66 North mittens

Mittens keep the fingers together in one common pocket, reducing the total surface area exposed to cold compared to gloves. This design is particularly effective at temperatures below -5 degrees. Some of the mittens contain recycled down with 700 fill-power, which provides maximum warmth when you stand still in the cold. Other models are made of 100% merino wool, which naturally regulates the temperature and works better during activities such as cross-country skiing or snow feeding. Some models have a PU-coated palm that provides a secure grip on bicycle handlebars in rain or walking poles on damp morning hikes.

Protect your head from the cold with a 66 North hat

A knitted hat in merino wool works by trapping air pockets between the fibers, which insulates the head without causing overheating. The material continues to insulate even when wet from snow or rain. The classic beanie fit fits snugly around the head and covers the ears, which are particularly sensitive to the cold. The hats are suitable for both functional outdoor clothing and everyday wear, from the morning commute in sub-zero temperatures to weekend ski trips or winter hikes.