This Innovative Ski Jacket Offers an Elegant Solution to a Common Problem

Norrøna’s Møre collection dovetails uphill and downhill performance, as you’ll see with the Thermo60 Aero200 Jacket.

norrona møre thermo60 aero200 jacket hero

Published October 7, 2024

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Updated October 7, 2024

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As anyone who has spent much time backcountry touring knows, going up and coming down are two very different things. Uphilling tends to require patience and rhythm, whereas descending is more often about velocity and instinct.

“You can reduce the volume in your backpack by converting the jacket into a vest. This means you get two products in one purchase: a full-fledged jacket for cold winter days – or a vest for spring skiing when you need it.”
— Pro free skier and Norrøna athlete Asbjørn Eggebø Næss

Of course, the gear required tends to vary as well, which is why we’re often lugging sizable packs up with us. Lightening the load this season is Norrøna, as its latest Møre collection is here to “hit the sweet spot between uphill and downhill performance.”

The best example of the design philosophy dubbed “loaded minimalism” is the new Thermo60 Aero200 Jacket, which does something most ski jackets can’t: turn into a vest.

Norrøna Men’s Møre Thermo60 Aero200 Jacket

$369 at Norrøna

Sleeveless solution

Backcountry guides will often encourage noobs to be “bold in the cold.” When you start the day at the base of the trail, it’s best to be a bit underdressed, as once you start skinning uphill, your body heat rises (along with the outdoor temperature) and if you get too warm, you’ll sweat through your layers and be chilly the rest of the day.

Among its other benefits, the Thermo60 Aero200 Jacket presents a nice solution; if that chill really bothers you, you can wear the jacket as you get ready in the parking lot and then simply doff the sleeves when it’s time to really work.

In circumstances where a merino wool base layer or two just isn’t enough, a vest on your torso may provide just enough warmth to protect your vitals without causing you to break a sweat.

norrøna møre thermo60 aero200 jacket sleeve removal closeup — When it gets too hot, the Thermo60 Aero200’s sleeves can be jettisoned in seconds.

When it’s time to stop for a snack and/or you reach the summit and are setting up for a chilly descent, simply zip the sleeves back on and you’re good to go.

This feature may seem pretty simple, but I haven’t seen it on any other backcountry jacket lately. It’s not what I would call critical, but I can see it being incredibly convenient, especially later in the day, when you’re getting tired of removing your pack every time you want to change layers.

These sleeves can easily be stashed in front pockets, ready whenever you desire them, without the need for an extended stop to mess around with your pack.

norrona møre thermo60 aero200 jacket sleeve swap — Norrøna athletes Emil Leenderts and Asbjørn Eggebø Næss demonstrate the joy of swapping sleeves.

In addition to convenience, this feature presents a space- and weight-saving advantage — and spares your wallet a bit too.

“You can reduce the volume in your backpack by converting the jacket into a vest,” says professional free skier and Norrøna athlete Asbjørn Eggebø Næss. “This means you get two products in one purchase: a full-fledged jacket for cold winter days – or a vest for spring skiing when you need it.”

Two other things the unzippable sleeves enable you to do, one functional, one just fun: you can half-unzip them under the arms to air out as you would with pit zips; and if a buddy has the same jacket in a different shade, you can swap sleeves for a color pop.

Scandinavian savvy

It’s worth noting that this particular feature from this particular brand is the furthest thing from a gimmick. If it were all this jacket had to offer, we’d skip right past it.

But Lysaker, Norway-based Norrøna has been at the outdoor apparel game for nearly a century (“founded in 1929 by Jørgen Jørgensen and now run by his great-grandson, also named Jørgen Jørgensen”) so trust them, they know what they’re doing.

As the name suggests, this jacket features aero200 face fabric, boasting breathability, light weight and softness, plus thermo60 synthetic insulation, valued for its warmth-to-weight ratio, packability and ability to insulate even when wet.

norrona womens møre thermo60 aero200 jacket sleeveless — Getting essentially two items for the price of one is, dare we say, a good in-vest-ment.

It also offers a PFC-free water-repellent treatment, helmet-friendly storm hood with one-hand adjustment, zippered hand pockets, an internal left-chest pocket and a longer cut in the back for a bit of extra pow protection.

The jacket features little touches to boost comfort and performance, including articulated elbows, stretch cuffs and soft brushed chin protection, for those moments when you must fully zip up against serious cold.

Of course, warming up in the bar later, if you choose to ditch the sleeves just to karaoke your heart out on “Born to Run,” that is entirely your prerogative.

Availability and pricing

The Norrøna Møre Thermo60 Aero200 Jacket is available now, in four sizes for men and five for women, for $369. Men’s colors include Gold Flame, Caviar Black and Trooper. Women’s colors include Gold Flame, Caviar Black and Oatmeal.