REASONS TO BUY
Bombproof
Venting
Removable bib attachment
REASONS TO AVOID
Stiff
Pricey
Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Pants - Women's Review
Harsh conditions are no problem in these pants
Credit: Backcountry
By Sarah Sherman ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ December 17, 2019
RELATED: The Best Ski Pants for Women
Our Verdict
The Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Pants are seriously impressive. They have one of the stiffest materials that we tested, and it pays off when being put up against harsh elements. Water stood no chance during our testing, nor did wind. For the price, these pants don't make sense for someone just starting to get into the sport, but if you are planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest or other inclement ski areas, you'll want these pants by your side. We would also happily choose this pair for multi-day ski tours.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Norrona Lofoten Gore-Tex Pro Pants - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Women's Ski Pants | Best Overall Ski Bib |  Best Bargain Ski Bib | Best Ski Pant Under $100 | |
| Price | $649 List $292.05 at Backcountry | $309.99 at Evo Compare at 2 sellers | $193.48 at Backcountry Compare at 4 sellers | $219 List $108.83 at REI | $48 List $28.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | These pants are for those who are preparing to take on harsh conditions | A reliable, comfortable, and extremely durable pant that is ready for anything | Ready for anything, these bibs combine form and function | For those who prefer the fit and protection of a bib, this option is warm and functional at an affordable price | The Arctix checks all of the boxes for an insulated ski pant, without a hefty price tag these are economically priced and very warm |
| Rating Categories | Norrona Lofoten Gor... | Arc'teryx Sentinel... | Flylow Foxy Bib | REI Co-op Powderbou... | Arctix Insulated -... |
| Weather Resistance (25%) | |||||
| Fit and Comfort (25%) | |||||
| Ventilation (20%) | |||||
| Warmth (10%) | |||||
| Features (10%) | |||||
| Style (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Norrona Lofoten Gor... | Arc'teryx Sentinel... | Flylow Foxy Bib | REI Co-op Powderbou... | Arctix Insulated -... |
| Measured Weight | 1.8 lbs | 1.1 lbs | 1.4 lbs | 1.7 lbs | 1.5 lbs |
| Waterproofing | 3-layer Gore-Tex Pro | 3-layer ePE Gore-Tex | PFAS-Free DWR | 2-layer Peak | ThermaLock coating |
| Vents | 3/4 outer side zips | Outer thigh | Inner and outer thigh | Outer thigh | None |
| Pockets | 1 zippered hand, 2 zippered thigh, 1 zippered rear | 2 zippered thigh | 2 mid-thigh pockets, kangaroo pocket, 1 zip chest pocket, 1 zip back pocket | 2 zippered hand, 1 zippered chest | 2 zippered thigh |
| Main fabric | 200D nylon | 80D nylon | Recycled Tactic 3-layer softshell: 100% polyester | Nylon | 100% polyester |
| Insulation/Lining | None | 100% 100d SD Cordura nylon | None | 40g polyester | 85g ThermaTech |
| Waistline construction | Button and zip fly | Button and zip fly, integrated belt | Bib | Bib | Button and zip fly |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Lofoten Pant is an extremely durable, high-end pant that comes with an optional bib attachment for additional support. We found it to be very weatherproof, constructed from a sturdy three-layer Gore-Tex material, as well as breathable thanks to its material and generous venting. If you plan on battling the storm and getting after it and can afford the Norwegian price tag, these are a great option.
Skiing one of many test laps in the Lofoten Pants, a beast of a ski pant.
Weather Resistance
These pants scored highly in the weather resistance category. Water stood no chance during our 2-minute shower test, thanks to its Gore-Tex construction. We noticed no absorption on the outer fabric, and after a brief shake off, the pants looked almost completely dry. To top it off, their thick, sturdy material holds up extremely well to wind. These pants are ready to take you through the harshest of conditions.
Fit and Comfort
The first thing we noticed when donning the Lofoten Pant was its stiff, sturdy material. It does not have much stretch to it and feels pretty thick. This material definitely wasn't the most comfortable, though it was still roomy enough for us to move in. The pant comes with adjustable waist tabs that felt secure, offering a customizable waist fit.
Zipping up the top bib, which can be added to the Lofoten.
The pants also come with a removable bib attachment via a zipper around the waist. This attachment is stretchy and comfortable to wear, adding support to the pant if desired, though it was not the most efficient to zip and unzip.
Ventilation
While the Lofoten is not the most breathable pant thanks to its thick construction, it does have great ventilation built into it. Almost the entire outer leg of the pant unzips, allowing you to adjust airflow and dump heat in a moment. There is no mesh built into the venting of the pant, so it leaves your legs open to the elements, but if you are walking uphill and need to cool off, these pants are equipped to do so.
Massive vents of the Lofoten dump heat in a hurry.
Warmth
The Lofoten Pant is designed as a shell, with no insulation, and therefore scored low in the warmth category. Their thick material does well on blocking out the elements and does add a little more warmth compared to other shells with a thinner material. Even so, if you plan on facing harsh cold conditions, you will want to add base layers to keep you insulated on the mountain.
Features
Holy features. With a removable bib attachment, plenty of pockets, and thick cuff guards, these pants have a lot of additions that make them appealing. That being said, we didn't love all of them.
The removable bib zips up and down the front, with no drop seat. We didn't judge them too much for that, as it was simply an optional addition, but we found it frustrating to have to unzip the top, then unzip the bottoms of the pants, when we needed to use the restroom. The bib attachment comes with a small pocket that could fit a car key or a ski pass.
Features like this wallet pocket impressed us throughout testing.
The pockets on the pants were articulated for extra space, which was necessary as the material is stiff and not stretchy. We found them to be tight and not very roomy but were able to fit an iPhone 11 in them. We did like the wallet specific pocket above the left thigh pocket.
Finally, the boot gaiter comes with a velcro opening to loosen it if you would like. We found this to be hard to close over our boots but appreciated the option to open it up.
We aren't convinced that the button on the bottom of the gaiter is all that helpful, as we found it tough to button back around our ski boots.
Style
We liked the look of these pants, with their bright color, contrasting scuff guard, and articulated pockets. The bib attachment fell right under our chest, which we felt looked a little awkward and kind of like a girdle, but that comes down to personal preference.
Value
These pants are pricey, and probably are not the right pant for a casual skier. They would be a great option for someone who needs a durable, sturdy pant that can hold up even when the weather turns south. For their price, they come with top of the line weatherproofing and durability and should hold up for multiple seasons.
Conclusion
Bomb-proof, sturdy, and with a lot of ventilation, these pants are for skiers that get after it, no matter what the day or weather throws at them.
—Sarah Sherman
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