Norwegian Rain is a brand that I have loved for a long time: I already mentioned it on the blog in 2013. And totally in our DNA : great cut, elegant design and techwear spirit .
These are certainly clothes that represent an investment, but they are really special as you will see.
For our part, we received several insistent requests from readers for a product test, because the brand enjoys good word of mouth: there are almost no articles in French about this brand.
In short, all the planets aligned for me to take action!
A brand with which we have partnered
For the record (and transparency), I immediately thought of distributing Norwegian Rain when we started the BonneGueule boutique project .
Especially since the brand was still hard to find in France .
So you are about to read an article explaining to you why I love this brand, and why I chose to sell it in micro quantities in our clothing store 😉
Try to look mysterious with a decathlon raincoat, it immediately looks worse than with the famous Norwegian Rain "storm flap".
About the Norwegian Rain official website
If you want to get Norwegian Rain online, there is the official Norwegian Rain website. Please note, prices are indicated WITHOUT French VAT !!! Don't forget to add 20% to the final price.
So I tested the “ double breasted mixed gray” parka here.
But before explaining to you why this garment borders on faultless without completely achieving it , let's look at the history of the brand...
The story of Norwegian Rain: Bergen and its rainy climate
Do you know Bergen? It is the second largest city in Norway.
There, everything is going really well: an unemployment rate of less than 4%, dynamic youth, an idyllic setting and a vibrant music scene widely represented, from classical music to black metal.
The Belgians even won their one and only Eurovision song contest there in 1986.
A very rare photo: Bergen without rain.
But Bergen is also renowned as the rainiest city in Europe (235 days/year on average). It also holds a record that is astonishing to say the least: it rained 154 days in a row!
When you live in such a city, covering yourself well against the bad weather and the cold is therefore obligatory.
So the inhabitants cover themselves, cover themselves and cover themselves again to ensure that they are well covered…
So everyone dresses more or less the same way to stay warm and dry! And this despite the umbrella distributors that a blogger talks about very well ).
Otherwise, having spent a few days of vacation there in December, it is a simply magical city with the Christmas decorations.
Alexander Helle, creator of Norwegian Rain and resident of Bergen
Alexander Helle grew up there.
This rainy daily life, this climate not conducive to hot days, and the long winter nights: he knows them and is used to them.
But walking around with so many constraints doesn't really encourage the expression of one's style and personality.
And Alexander understood that well...
An ordinary day in Bergen...
It is 2009 and Alexander, then a business school student in Bergen, goes on exchange to Milan to find some colors and get his own idea of the sun.
As part of a collective of artists he met in Italy, he often talks about Bergen.
The latter, intrigued by the situation, suggested that he take an interest in the constant bad weather in his city to create “something good and useful against the rain”.
He will therefore consider Bergen as a fantastic laboratory for creating technical clothing against the rain, which combines comfort, functionality and style.
The Norwegian Rain bet: making rain more pleasant
Back in Bergen, Alexander searches for local expertise to make life better in the rain with the idea of a new kind of technical clothing.
He then contacted T-Michael , a tailor noted 20 years earlier for his conceptual approach to tailoring.
T-Michael is still very recognizable at Pitti.
The latter refuses... and then, finally, accepts.
What did he like? The fact of wanting to design technical, functional clothing, without neglecting style.
Norwegian Rain was born in 2009.
T-Michael and Alexander Hesse.
Success is not long in coming. Vogue Italy awarded them the “Best Newcomer 2010” and “Norwegian Designer of the Year 2012” awards .
Unexpected for Alexander, who was then only a young graduate in economics, totally inexperienced in the field of fashion, but whose work would eventually pay off.
A brand with Japanese inspirations down to the smallest details
In Norwegian Rain's influences, Alexander and T-Michael often cite Japanese culture and aesthetics.
They appreciate it for its simplicity and sense of harmony. With them, everything superfluous is removed.
Credits Norwegian Rain SS 2015.
Especially since the brand is very attached to ecology: the technical materials are recycled and come from an ecological Japanese supplier (in this way, they reduce their CO2 emissions by 80%, without any compromise on quality).
Norwegian Rain's tailored approach
As we have seen, Norwegian Rain's philosophy is based on a harmony between tailoring aesthetics and technicality.
And in fact, Michael-T designs his raincoats as he would custom-made suits.
The brand humorously recalls its attachment to the world of tailoring. Credits Norwegian Rain SS 2015.
New Norwegian Rain models coming out in dribs and drabs
According to T-Michael, everything is moving too quickly in fashion , brands no longer take the time to respond to basic needs.
This is why new models arrive sparingly, season after season .
It is a response to the constant acceleration of brands which have lost their capacity for improvement by always wanting to move too quickly.
The brand's organization recovers the philosophy of Dugnad , a Norwegian term for voluntary people who work for the benefit of the community or their neighbors.
Testing the double-breasted parka in real life
The buttoned parka, worn with a blazer underneath.
Luckily, it was raining quite a bit during one of the two shootings, so you will have photos in real life !
On the other hand, I have not yet had the opportunity to test this garment with temperatures below 10°C.
But I wore it at +20°C, with or without a layer underneath (blazer and chunky knit cardigan in particular) and it is sufficiently thermoregulating .
Japanese technical material
The quality of the materials plays a big role in the attractiveness of the brand.
I would pay a lot to know who their Japanese supplier is... Because although the material is technical, it remains original and elegant .
It is interesting to see that, even on technical materials, we find this typically Japanese "paw" in the grain of the material and this mottled side.
The famous “mixed gray” color.
The material of the Biker Mixed Blue.
In fact, the outer material is water-repellent, but not completely waterproof (to maintain breathability).
After thirty minutes of pouring rain, the water repellency saturates a little and the water enters the fibers by capillary action, which is always the case on water-repellent AND breathable fabrics (I also noticed this on my Canada Goose softshell , with a much more technical material).
This is where the waterproof inner membrane comes in, which plays its role perfectly: you stay dry drop than drop no matter the cost.
The quality of the material, considering the relatively high price of the piece (I'll come to that in a moment) is therefore there.
At the bottom of the parka, the lining is deliberately opened a few centimeters in order to see what the waterproof membrane and the heat-sealed seams look like.
Very advanced features
A big hit here: T-Michael has pushed the features very far.
Let's start with the outside: on my model, there are four front pockets . Two at the hips, and two on the chest.
Very practical for carrying a whole bunch of stuff.
Here are the two levels of pockets. It was raining heavily that day, I had walked for about thirty minutes in the rain before taking this photo, and you can see that in certain places the fabric seems slightly wet. But I stayed very dry thanks to the lining! We can also see the bending tab above the pocket.
If I quibble a little, given the price of the parka, I would have liked waterproof zips instead of metal YKK zips and a pocket bottom that was a little more pleasant for the hands. But it's true that it's also a question of style...
There are also two bending tabs on the left and right, with two possible positions thanks to pretty horn buttons (like all the buttons in the room).
You also have a belt, with heat-sealed seams please! You can easily tie it in a martingale at the back. In short, everything is done so that you have several possibilities to bend the room to your liking.
As for the collar, the parts at chin level are lined in cashmere . It has a nice shape, like a large shirt collar. It is plated and stays in place.
Now let's move on to the inside of the garment...
What we immediately notice are the two large iPad-sized pockets, which are formidable when you want to carry a notebook, a book or a small magazine.
Note also two interior chest pockets, also very useful. The left pocket is cleverly placed, you can have access to it even when all the chest buttons are closed (hence the advantage of having buttons vs. a zip).
Two iPad pockets and two interior zipped chest pockets for your passport and headphones. Really very practical.
For waterproofing, all seams are heat-sealed (invisible from the outside) and there is a small gutter along the opening to prevent water from entering.
It's a little feature directly inspired by clothing used at sea, which can also be found in other brands, such as Alexandre's Patagonia jacket .
Here is the small gutter which, in the absence of a zip, prevents water from getting inside.
Finally, there are also tightening tabs on each handle , in the event of a VERY heavy downpour.
A fitted cut that remains generous
This is one of the strong points of the room, but it is not easy to show in photos.
The cut is designed to wear something underneath (blazer, chunky knit), while keeping a minimally fitted silhouette.
Yes, there's a blazer under that impeccable shoulder!
The shoulders and armholes are Michael-T's great tour de force.
He managed to give a fitted and narrow look to the shoulders , making them "rise" quite high, while still making them very comfortable with a blazer underneath.
It never feels tight , it's the first time that a piece of clothing has given me so much comfort while I'm wearing a jacket underneath. The success, on this point, is total.
A very studied hood
On a piece of clothing that is supposed to protect you from the rain, you might think that this is a key element!
The least we can say is that it has been very studied.
The slight rigidity of the material is used perfectly: it falls on the head without sagging.
Of all the rainwear I have, this is by far the best-crafted hood I've tried.
The shape of the hood is almost geometric and allows water to run off without any problem.
The small integrated visor is very useful, it prevents the hood from covering the eyes unexpectedly. T-Michael has carefully avoided the use of a drawstring by using a tightening tab adjustable with a set of snap buttons, a great find.
Don't forget that the hood is removable using snap buttons .
You can also "roll it up" on itself and hold it as is with a leather strap. But the result is a little too specific for me:
Here we see the hood in the rolled up position.
Finally, let’s end with the famous “storm flap” . This is a strip of fabric (removable) that you can place in front of your face in a big windy downpour.
Still thanks to press buttons, it is even possible to adjust its placement in two positions.
I wasn't able to test it in a situation, not having experienced such bad weather, but it has the merit of being quite fun by giving you a hell of a ninja look:
This is really when you have to go home in the pouring rain on an autumn evening...
On some models, it's actually a magnet system that protects your lower face, like the "Black Man" .
What about breathability?
Norwegian Rain talks about " extreme breathability " on its site about the membrane: I would be much more nuanced .
Quite frankly, above 15°C, with a blazer underneath, the room becomes too hot.
It is perfectly suited between 8°C and 15°C (well, I'm not to the exact degree, I think that at 16°C, it should also do very well, but that's to give you a range).
Below, you will have to add layers, using a large mesh for example.
The lining: you will be hot!
The basic liner
Breathable membrane requires, the presence of a basic lining is essential .
Unsurprisingly, here we are on a viscose lining, like the one you can find on a coat.
Here too, the brand took care to choose a fairly high-end lining, silkier than most others. It's very pleasant when putting on your trench coat, because the sleeves of your jacket slide more easily into the parka.
the Biker, which we have in the store, has a removable lining.
The removable “Artic” liner
On some models, there is an "Artic" liner, optional for purchase, and removable.
Even if I didn't test it (it wasn't cold enough), Norwegian Rain tried to innovate on an element that we have seen and reviewed a priori.
Its ambition is to have a lining as warm as a padded down jacket (" the challenge of battling the down jackets on the market "!).
The lining of the Moscow model (the most expensive), similar to the Artic lining except for one detail: it is immovable.
A very noble ambition but which comes at a price: the lining alone costs almost 200 euros! How to explain this when it is not padded with down?
In fact, they found a technology using wool fibers as padding instead of using polyester wadding (not breathable enough and which flattens over time), or feathers (which should never be wet ).
Using the thermal insulation capacity of wool as a lining is simple to understand, but it has never been explored on this type of clothing to my knowledge.
The process is a bit secret, but I think the texture should be quite similar to the glass wool insulation used for homes.
That said, I got some feedback and no doubts: it's very hot , even a little too hot according to some testimonials on the forum!
Not all models allow this special liner to be added.
I'm really hesitant to take the plunge and order a liner to test it this winter, rest assured that I will update the article to let you know how I feel.
Technicality and elegance that come at a price
As we have seen, Norwegian Rain clothing is full of quality.
But between the Japanese technical material, the waterproof and breathable membrane, the waterproof seams, the horn buttons, the numerous finishes, and the great solidity, it is impossible to position yourself in the mid-range.
The brand offers other colors such as this very beautiful wine red.
For this type of clothing, prices therefore range between €700 and €900 with the integrated lining, despite (superb) Polish manufacturing. A (very) high-end brand therefore.
If the budget doesn't bother you, you will see that the price is rather justified.
I know that's a rather strange statement, especially for a piece of clothing worth almost half the French median salary, but after a few days in the rain, we can only marvel at such an accomplished design.
Credits Norwegian Rain SS 2015
Note that for next spring, the brand will offer a model with a more accessible, lighter, but also simpler Japanese material, probably below €600.
Are there cheaper alternatives?
It's difficult to find cheaper equivalents, as Norwegian Rain is unique in its positioning.
Technicality has a price (especially waterproof seams) and there is a pretty little French brand, which I would like to test and which offers an equivalent in more sober Schoeller fabric , a little less expensive, and very suitable for both wheels: Inventive Citi .
On the USA side, three brands are quite close to this “technical, waterproof and elegant” DNA:
Credits www.missionworkshop.com
- Mission Workshop and its excellent topcoat , at the same prices as NR,
- Aether Apparel, pioneer in stylish outdoor clothing ,
- And even more high-end, Arc'téryx Veillance with stratospheric prices.
- Let's end with an ultra affordable option, the Danish brand Rains . It is the only one in this segment with unbeatable prices (less than 100 euros).
But at this price, the product is much more rustic and not really comparable with NR: no water-repellent and breathable Japanese material, nor special lining, but a matte raincoat with a slightly rubbery appearance, and work on the simple design .
Credits: Rains
My opinion on Norwegian Rain: this brand will make you forget about umbrellas
In my Canada Goose review , I said that the goose down parka had become simply indispensable and addictive to me during my stay in Montreal.
It's a piece of clothing that completely made me forget the cold, even when I had to walk for twenty minutes at -20°C (even if incompatible with the rain).
Well, I had the same feeling with this garment regarding the rain. I assure you that you will almost want it to rain so you can have the pleasure of feeling the water streaming down you while you remain perfectly dry .
Quite frankly, after experiencing a good downpour in Norwegian Rain, it's very, very difficult to go back.
PS. If you own a Norwegian Rain coat, don't hesitate to leave your testimonial in the comments to complete (and possibly counterbalance) my opinion.
PPS. And for your information, we had the Double-Breasted (in Mixed Grey) in the store, and we only have two Pilot (in Dove Grey) left, because these products worked very well. Restocking of new models planned for January.
