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It was dumping snow for twenty-four hours with no signal of letting up. The valley was utterly socked in. It was the sort of day that skiers and riders look forward to all 12 months. It was going to be a chilly one, an extra-wet one, and there wouldn’t be time for warm-up breaks.

These are the times that I attain for my Norrøna Tamok Jacket and bib. Collectively, they’re an impenetrable fortress outerwear equipment. I’ve charged and bounced via powder for hours on finish with nary a snowflake of intrusion. Even with the occasional tomahawk, the duo retains the snow out of my pants.

It seems, the Norwegians know a factor or two about conserving the weather at bay, and the Tamok equipment is a testomony. It’s purpose-built for freeriders within the absolute worst situations. I’ve been sporting the Tamok equipment for 4 seasons, and that’s why I used to be thrilled to check out the newly redesigned jacket and bib, now with GORE-TEX ePE.

Briefly: There isn’t a lot else in the marketplace that may match the fortress-like weatherproofing of Norrøna’s Tamok Efficiency Jacket and Bib combo with out being a one-piece. Except for snow simply not getting in there, the entire thing makes use of GORE-TEX’s new environmentally pleasant ePE membrane. Although the bib isn’t my first alternative for longer excursions, huge venting all through provides versatility for all-season resort, side-country, and backcountry freeride use if you happen to’ve acquired the strikes to drag off this ultra-stylish freeride look. It’s my go-to equipment for powder day resort romping and side-country laps, fingers down.

Norrøna Tamok GORE-TEX Efficiency Jacket and Bib Assessment

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

Norrøna Tamok GORE-TEX ePE Efficiency Jacket

Tamok Jacket Design

The Tamok GORE-TEX Efficiency jacket ($699) is constructed for freeride, and it’s acquired the styling to match. By that I imply it’s daring, slim, aesthetic, and on the sharp finish of Nordic vogue. In different phrases, it’s tremendous lengthy (like, longer than you suppose). The uneven drop tail falls someplace in my mid-thigh area, which is for much longer than every other jacket I personal.

That distinct look received’t tickle everybody’s fancy, however it’s going to flip heads regardless. I’ve gotten extra intrigued seems to be and questions within the carry line than with different outerwear.

This storm bunker of a jacket wouldn’t be full with out an ultra-functional storm hood, and the Norrøna Tamok has it. The beneficiant hood can totally engulf my ski helmet and zip to the chin. And it will get further factors as a result of you’ll be able to nonetheless go searching with out it feeling such as you’re sporting a neck brace. The face gap is lower in order to not restrict peripheral imaginative and prescient.

Different options that reject the weather earlier than they creep in are the wonderful low-profile hand gaiters hidden under extra-long asymmetrical cuffs and a reasonably commonplace detachable powder skirt. As a result of I’ve all the time run the jacket and bib collectively, I zipped out the powder skirt and by no means regarded again. It felt pointless however some people will respect it, particularly those that don’t trip in bibs.

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

Tamok Jacket Supplies

The entire package deal is massively waterproof, as you’d anticipate. It sports activities GORE-TEX’s highest-rated breathable 28,000mm waterproofing. The seams are taped with GORE-TEX 13mm tape, and it sports activities a Vislon water resistant entrance zipper, which I’ve discovered to have each spectacular water resistance and sturdiness.

The primary material is a three-layer 70D x 160D GORE-TEX ePE with a totally recycled nylon face material. The coloured patches on the shoulders and elbows are heavy-duty three-layer 200D GORE-TEX reinforcements, and the entire thing has a comfortable C-KNIT nylon backer on the within, which is now recycled due to innovation at GORE-TEX. In plain English, this jacket is burly. It feels robust as a result of it’s robust.

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

Tamok Jacket Options

There’s no scarcity of pockets on the Norrøna Tamok jacket. The one I take advantage of most is the huge entrance Napoleon pocket. The opposite zipper on the chest? Not a pocket — it’s truly a artistic mesh-backed vent. The jacket additionally has two beneficiant decrease waterproof hand pockets that may simply maintain a sandwich or your favourite canned beverage.

I’ve additionally discovered the earlier model to be a stellar companion for wet-weather tenting journeys. The brand new model has the identical traits to make it shine right here as nicely. It’s additionally fashionable sufficient for stormy days within the metropolis, from Seattle to Oslo.

The size comes with a plus and a minus. The profit is that it provides vital safety from snow intrusion even with huge powder tumbles (I checked). Even if you happen to aren’t sporting a bib beneath, the lengthy jacket retains snow out.

The 2 cons that include the size are touring mobility and mountaineering versatility. You may’t get a full stride with out slight restriction from the underside of the jacket. Thankfully, a two-way zipper stationed on the backside will be opened as much as permit for extra freedom of motion, so the problem is actually solved. The size additionally makes sporting a harness over the jacket awkward, so it’s not a fantastic match for glacier journey or ski mountaineering.

Norrøna Tamok GORE-TEX ePE Efficiency Bib

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

The Tamok GORE-TEX Efficiency Shell Bib ($599) sports activities an actual Goldilocks match. They’re not too dishevelled, not too tight, however relaxed. And for a full GORE-TEX bib from ankle to chest with out a lot stretch in-built, they transfer and articulate remarkably nicely. They’re among the best-fitting hardshell bibs I’ve ever worn.

At 6’1” and 185 kilos, I’m proper between a medium (pictured) and huge. I’ve examined each: The massive accommodates extra insulating higher physique layers. However I favored the medium higher for touring since I solely put on my Woolf Merino Efficiency Base Layer beneath.

Neither one was restrictive whereas skinning. A number of that comes from the curvature in-built on the knees and seat. Each are designed to accommodate a pure bend with out proscribing or bunching. And whenever you do sit on a chairlift, the suspenders don’t tug in your shoulders.

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

Tamok Bib Design

Stepping into this bib is a dream. The left-side thigh vent zipper goes all the way in which to the armpit. Zipper sliders stationed at each the underside and high of the observe imply it may open up large. Meaning it’s equally as simple to get out of whenever you’re in a rush. That’s nice information, as there isn’t any sort of drop-seat configuration.

The cuffs are large to accommodate ski boots however not overly so. I really like how there isn’t an excessive amount of extra material swishing round down there getting snagged on buckles and issues. They’re a great size, and the interior gaiters are merely well-thought-out and do what they’re meant to do. They match my Dalbello Cabrio LV 130 alpine boot about completely, they usually don’t look dishevelled over my La Sportiva Vanguard touring boot.

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

Tamok Bib Options

Just like the jacket, the bib’s pockets are beneficiant. Two massive thigh pockets maintain the majority of the stuff that I carry round on the resort. A bunch of bars, my cellphone, liner gloves, keys, and so on., all slot in there with none points. They’re roomy with out being dishevelled and susceptible to snags.

There’s additionally one smaller pocket above the left thigh pocket proper under the waistline that I’ve discovered is nice for an avalanche beacon.

And naturally, there are two massive pockets on the entrance of the bib. One is secured with a water-proof zipper, and the opposite on the skin is secured with two snap buttons. I saved my cellphone in there when it was actually chilly to maintain it a bit of bit hotter. However I additionally used these pockets for different odds and ends. Between the jacket and the pants, I had extra pockets than I had junk to fill them with.

Once I first began rocking the Tamok bib just a few years in the past, I used to be aggravated that it didn’t have belt loops, which is how I really feel with virtually all outside pants. However I rapidly modified my thoughts — this bib didn’t want loops. The brand new bib is similar. Its form matches my physique’s form and it stays in the appropriate place when the shoulder straps are adjusted accurately. It doesn’t fall down and the articulation factors don’t migrate away from the place they’re presupposed to be.

Being uninsulated, this bib relies in your base and/or midlayer alternative. When the lifts have been spinning, I all the time grabbed my luxuriously heat Fjallraven Keb Fleece Trousers, which saved my legs toasty heat even within the coldest situations. I reached for my Woolf Roni ¾ bottoms to maintain my temperatures regulated whereas touring. These two setups had me coated for something.

GORE-TEX ePE

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

Norrøna was one of many first outerwear manufacturers to make the most of GORE-TEX again in 1977. However the Tamok is Norrøna’s first equipment using GORE-TEX’s new ePE (Expanded Polyethylene) waterproof membrane. It is smart for a model that has environmental ambitions far exceeding most others.

GORE-TEX has been engaged on the brand new GORE-TEX ePE membrane for 10 years. 2023 is the primary season main manufacturers are incorporating it, like Patagonia and Arc’teryx. This new membrane continues to be the identical breathable microporous polyethylene that all of us love. However GORE-TEX “inflates” it utilizing a particular remedy to make use of half the fabric of its predecessor. I seen straight away that it’s lighter and thinner-feeling than GORE-TEX Professional.

The method additionally permits them to punt extremely poisonous, environmentally problematic, and practically indelible PFC chemical substances out of the image. The C-KNIT backer additionally acquired an improve this 12 months due to innovation at GORE-TEX — it’s each sourced from recycled materials and solution-dyed.

However I used to be curious how the brand new membrane would carry out in comparison with the longstanding membrane that has been the core of GORE-TEX Professional merchandise for over a decade. After testing the brand new Tamok again to again with the outdated one on the pores and skin observe, I couldn’t inform the distinction in breathability or waterproofing. And that’s a great factor. GORE-TEX has lower its environmental footprint with just about no efficiency tradeoffs with ePE. If something, the GORE-TEX ePE is barely higher on the uphill as a result of it’s noticeably lighter.

Backcountry Limitations

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

The Norrøna Tamok Efficiency Jacket and Bib equipment is my go-to for the overwhelming majority of snowboarding on the resort. With the appropriate insulating layers beneath, it may assist seal within the heat. Or I can drop right down to one thing gentle, open the vents, and cruise on hotter days. There aren’t many situations the place this jacket and bib combo received’t excel when the lifts are spinning. The identical is true for side-country and hike-to terrain.

Norrøna claims the Tamok equipment is designed for backcountry freeride. I’m totally on board with the freeride a part of that declare. However these bibs aren’t my first alternative for longer backcountry excursions.

No hardshell bibs are my first alternative for longer excursions. I’m a softshell man. I run significantly sizzling and the entrance of the bib is simply too dang heat for me. I find yourself sweating profusely with no actual escape route.

So I find yourself working this bib full-time on the resort and within the side-country. However I’ll proceed choosing my Norrøna Lyngen softshell pants for ski touring.

That mentioned, freeriders do every kind of untamed issues. If slowing down on the pores and skin observe, sessioning cliffs, constructing jumps, or ripping hitchhike laps is your jam, this bib will likely be an ideal match. Those that run on the colder facet would even be proud of this bib for longer excursions.

Whereas the jacket is a bit of bit cumbersome for stuffing right into a backpack, it’s a strong possibility for backcountry snowboarding in harsh situations. That further protection under the hip strap can actually put a dent within the windchill. It has huge venting functionality between the two-way entrance zipper, entrance vent, and mega underarm X-Open vents, that are every over 20 inches lengthy.

Norrøna’s Tamok Freeride Jacket and Bib: Conclusion

(Photograph/Bergen Tjossem)

Norrøna’s up to date 2023-24 Tamok GORE-TEX Efficiency Jacket and Shell bib take an actual “belt and suspenders” strategy to conserving the weather out. Collectively they’re a weatherproof fortress of an outerwear equipment that’s designed for snowboarding or snowboarding in difficult situations.

This jacket and bib pants are clearly constructed to final. They’re manufactured with the top quality I’ve come to anticipate from Norrøna. All indicators level to a higher-than-average price ticket paying off over an prolonged lifespan. I additionally love that Norrøna has a sturdy restore service to maintain their gear out of landfills.

Whereas this duo isn’t fairly as versatile for a variety of out of doors endeavors as, say, Norrøna’s Lofoten line, they’re purpose-built for hard-charging resort and side-country freeriders, they usually carry out phenomenally for that use. They’ve additionally acquired you coated for ski touring (particularly the jacket) due to beneficiant venting choices. It’s robust for me to think about selecting a special equipment on a nasty storm day when the powder is ripe for harvest.