Jöttnar Hymir Hardshell Smock review

Since British start-up Jöttnar launched a couple of years ago, we’ve tried out a number of their products, including the Bergelmir mountain shell, the Fjorm and Fenrir down jackets and the Alfar midlayer – and without exception, they have all impressed with their use of fabrics, quality of construction and attention to detail. The company’s small but ever-expanding range now has a new addition in the form of the Hymir – a lightweight technical smock aimed primarily at climbers and mountaineers but eminently suitable for other users too.

FEATURES
Like their full-on mountaineering shell, the Bergelmir, the Hymir uses Polartec Neoshell as the main fabric, only this time the face fabric is much more lightweight (96g/m2 as opposed to the 167g/m2 used on the Bergelmir) which Jöttnar say is the ‘world’s lightest grade of Neoshell’. This helps keep the overall weight of the jacket down to a very respectable 330g, as does the minimalist feature set that befits a climbing shell. So what do you get? Well, the smock has a half-length, water-resistant front zip backed by an internal storm flap. A single napoleon-style chest pocket is the only pocket on the jacket and there’s a single adjustor at the hem. When it comes to the hood, there’s all the adjustability you would expect. A toggle at the back reduces the volume of the hood, while a drawcord on each side adjusts the hood around the face. As on the Bergelmir, pull cords are sited on the inside so that gusts of wind don’t whip them against the face. The downside of this is that you have to unzip the top of the jacket to make adjustments. The peak has a semi-stiff insert which can be moulded to shape, while the general usability of the hood arrangement is completed by a chinguard made of a soft, fleecey fabric. That’s it in terms of features, other than to mention that the arms are articulated and have tapered cuffs that can be tightened by velcro tabs.

IN USE
One of the things I particularly liked about the Bergelmir was its fit – athletic, with no excess fabric, yet roomy enough in the chest area and long enough in the arms to aid freedom of movement when stretching and bending on climbs or scrambles. This is also one of the strong points of the Hymir, and for my money this smock fits as well as any shell I’ve ever tried. Add to this the dropped hem at the back, which keeps you covered even if the jacket rides up when stretching, and you have a garment that is just a pleasure to wear. The hood works brilliantly in practice too; there’s plenty of room for your helmet, yet with the range of adjustment provided you can get a great fit around your face when not wearing a lid. Your chin and lower face are protected well by the collar and there’s enough room through the neck area not to restrict movement when turning the head.

The use of Neoshell also contributes to making wearing the Hymir a pleasurable experience. Not only does it give you the breathability that we’ve come to expect from this membrane, it also gives a nice amount of stretch, which again makes movement and stretching that much easier. If you do find yourself overheating then you can vent through the deep front zip. We absolutely loved using the Hymir; in fact, it’s probably our favourite Jöttnar product yet. The thought that goes into designing and making these products is obvious, as demonstrated by the excellent half-mesh, half-Neoshell stuff sack that it comes with (complete with loop to hang off your harness or pack). What’s most surprising is the price; while the Hymir is not what you would call ‘cheap’, it does represent excellent value-for-money.
Verdict: Beautifully designed lightweight technical shell with outstanding fit