Review: Arc’teryx Norvan Women’s Windshell Jacket

It’s instantly obvious what Arc’teryx are going for with this jacket – it’s extremely simple but very well made, with stitching and zips that feel durable despite its ‘tactical binbag’ weight. The colour is fun and it’s comfortable to move in.

I felt like this jacket was aimed at fell-racers or ultra-runners with a desire to save every gram, possibly those who are satisfying a minimum kit list for a race. My feeling was that it would be fantastic for this – it absolutely has cut out everything but the total essentials. However, I didn’t necessarily get the most out of it because I don’t fit that bill. If you’re looking for a windshell for running and you want all-round protection whilst still not lugging excessive weight, there are plenty of other options on the market that arguably do more (and cost less!)

This is a really high-quality piece of kit, punching well above its weight in terms of performance, durability and comfort. When I first picked it up, I was sceptical of how useful it would be out in the hills, but it definitely won me round. I enjoyed running in it and using it, and I felt like it is perfectly designed for its intended use. 

That being said, its intended use isn’t exactly what I run for, so there were some questions marks from me over its versatility. The lack of features (no hood, no drawstring elastic in the waistband) means it probably isn’t going to operate especially well outside a limited range of applications. When you combine that with the pricetag, you get a garment that is deliberately highly specialised. I like to have clothing that I can at least consider using elsewhere (eg packable windshells are great to carry on trad routes!) but I felt like this wouldn’t really be possible with the Norvan. 

I would absolutely recommend the jacket, but definitely more to my runner friends who are operating at a high level, and for whom weight-saving is everything. It’s light, it’s fast, it’s comfortable and it’s easy to use – all big bonuses. For those looking for a bit more ‘oomph’ from their lightweight jacket, I’d maybe encourage caution.