This Norwegian Hunting Jacket Is Overkill in All the Right Ways

A hands-on review of the Kvinnherad Gore-Tex Parka from Norrøna, a shell anorak loaded with useful features.

Published April 9, 2025

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The Kvinnherad Gore-Tex Parka from Norrøna is packed with an unusual arrangement of features that make it the best weather-proof shell jacket I’ve ever worn.

Landing somewhere between a military surplus fishtail parka and a sporty water-resistant anorak, the Kvinnherad is positioned as a hunting jacket by Norrøna. But I’ve found it ideal for everything from snowboarding to unpredictable spring rain.

a man wearing a green parka — The Kvinherad parka is a pull-over, like an anorak.

At first glance, the design seems a bit off, but it all works when field-tested. The pocket arrangement is unconventional but intuitively placed for easy access and secure storage. The body is long for an anorak, but the full-length side zippers make it easy to get on and off.

The olive-drab color has a military vibe and can be styled like an M-65 jacket or Cold War-era parka. It looks good with everything in my closet and has become my new go-to spring rain jacket because of its extended coverage and array of convenient features.

Not your typical Gore-Tex

The particular Gore-Tex fabric used for the Kvinnherad doesn’t translate from the product page, but it is the first thing I noticed when I got my hands on it. Rather than the slick or rigid examples that I’m used to, this Gore-Tex is soft and textured like wool.

a chest pocket on a green parka — The Gore-Tex used on the Kvinnherad has a wool-like texture.

The exterior fabric has a Gore-Tex membrane that is not a PCP, or PFAS, based chemical. Norrøna claims to minimize the use of chemicals and materials that are harmful to the environment, and this form of Gore-Tex will not shed residue.

The only issue I’ve come across with the material is that Kvinherad is just a shell jacket, and it provides no insulation. The Gore-Tex layer is marketed for its breathability and feels like it retains less body heat than a cotton jacket.

a green jacket laying in the grass — The side seams on this pull-over parka zip up to the armpit for easy wear.

This makes it ideal for rainy days in the spring and fall, but it has required bolstering with some layers underneath in the snow.

Everything in its right place

I was drawn to the Kvinnherad Gore-Tex Parka, named after a town in Norway with beautiful natural terrain, because it loosely resembles an M-59 fishtail parka but with many technical updates. After wearing the jacket several times, I was impressed with the intuitive placement of all the little features.

a jacket sleeve with a goggle wipe attached — The left wrist pocket has a built-in goggle wipe on an elastic leash.

The product description shows that the pocket arrangement is optimized for hunting. I found that it is convenient for everyday use and snowboarding.

The kangaroo pouch is more comfortable than traditional hand warmer pockets, and the shoulder pockets are great for stashing small items with easy access.

the back of a man wearing a green parka — The back has a locker loop for easy hanging when the jacket needs to dry.

The three primary use pockets are located on the upper chest, minimizing bounce and damage risk during a fall on the slopes. The flap pocket, described as a “radio pocket,” is my most used because it feels like the chest pocket on my favorite Barbour jacket.

a man's wrist with a green jacket sleeve — The sleeves have thumb-hole wrist cuffs to provide a layer between the jacket and gloves.

For snowboarding and other winter sports, the two pockets at the ends of the sleeves come in handy. A microfiber goggle wipe is included on a leash in the left wrist pocket, and the right wrist pocket is a perfect spot for an RFID lift pass.

Both sleeves have wrist cuffs secured by a thumb hole to cover the gap between the sleeve and glove. When not required, they tuck comfortably into the sleeve.

The Kvinnherad has one of the best storm hoods I’ve ever encountered, especially for snowboarding. It is large enough to fit over a helmet, but the single elastic drawstring can tighten it to a comfortable size without one. It zips up to my nose, creating a full barrier with just enough room for goggles, and has a wire brim that prevents the top from slouching down.