66ºNorth Dyngja Shell Jacket review: Icelandic style meets dependable waterproof protection

Even though the company has existed for 100 years, I only recently started really getting into 66ºNorth gear. The brand has enjoyed a surge in interest thanks to the abundance of gorp-core apparel enthusiasts, but unlike some other companies, 66ºNorth never forgot its origins.

The Dyngja Shell Jacket is the perfect example of this approach. It combines vintage (2000s) aesthetics with proper waterproofing, creating a waterproof jacket that really is the best of both worlds. In the last six months or so, it truly became my go-to shell in relentless rain when the hoodless Rauðasandur Coat (another firm favourite of mine) just wouldn’t cut it.

66ºNorth Dyngja Shell Jacket review

Price and availability

The Dyngja Shell Jacket launched in early 2025 and is available to buy now at 66ºNorth for £290/ $350/ €340 (~AU$605.37). The tested grey/black colourway doesn’t seem to be available right now, at least not directly from 66ºNorth. There, you can get the shell in Black or Dark Stone colours. I’m 6’1” and wore a medium.

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Design and materials

The Dyngja Shell Jacket is made from 100% recycled polyamide, a 3-layer fabric with a 10,000 mm waterproof rating, which doesn’t make it the most waterproof shell layer, at least on paper. Jackets such as the Mountain Equipment Makalu or The North Face Stolemberg 3L DryVent have 28,000-30,000 mm ratings, making them a lot more weather-resistant than the Dyngja.

That’s not to say a high hydrostatic head (HH) rating automatically makes a jacket better for bad weather. Shells with a lower HH rating can provide more than adequate waterproofing; not all shells are designed for alpine environs, including the Dyngja Shell Jacket. 10,000 mm is more than enough in all but the most extreme situations.

The fabric is stiff but makes less noise than the Arc’teryx Beta AR (2025) or TNF’s Stolemberg 3L DryVent mentioned above. The rigid material “enhances the jacket’s structured silhouette,” the brand explains, giving it a more recognisable look.

This segues nicely into the jacket's look, which 66ºNorth says was inspired by early 2000s designs from the company’s archive. The distinct panelling runs from the shoulders down to the ends of the sleeves, an effect most obvious in the colourway I tested.

As for adjustability, the Dyngja Shell Jacket has drawcords at the back of the hood (plus two at the front, under the chin) and at the front and bottom of the hem to keep out rain and the draft. The cuffs are button-adjustable, which worked for me, but don’t provide quite as close-cut protection as Velcro closures. The metal buttons are more durable, though.

I wrote a separate article about the jacket’s pocket design, which I still love. In short, they are positioned at chest height and angled, perfect for warming your hands when they're not in use. You’ll also find two mesh pockets inside for extra storage.

Performance and comfort

There is something about 66ºNorth gear that makes you want to wear it. I like The North Face and Arc’teryx like the next person, but admittedly, there is an abundance of those brands’ products on the streets and trails. For a reason, of course, as they look good and often perform well, too.

The Dyngja Shell Jacket also does those things, but in a distinctively Icelandic fashion. The jacket feels durable but not restrictive, and even the grey colourway I tested has a lot going for it. A colour as drab as grey wouldn’t usually get me excited, but 66ºNorth can evidently turn this non-arousing colour into something memorable.

The panels are stitched externally and not welded, something you won’t see on an Arc’teryx jacket. This, too, lends the Dyngja a distinctive flavour. Not just that, but the stitching is beautiful, a testament to the high-quality manufacturing in the company’s factories (in this case, in Latvia). The seams are taped on the inside, though, to prevent water from seeping in through the tiny holes.

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The hood is adjustable at three points, helping keep rain and wind away from your head. Even when fully pulled in, your face is still exposed, but your chin, ears, and forehead are covered. This approach works well in all but the most gruelling situations, at least in my experience. The chin guard ensures you won’t rub your skin raw, either.

In terms of ventilation, there are no pit zips, which helps keep the weight down (513g for a men’s medium). I can’t say the Dyngja is the lightest shell I've tried, nor is it packable, but the 3-layer fabric does an excellent job of regulating temperature inside the jacket.

This is where not having an extremely waterproof layer comes in handy; by giving up some of that waterproofing, the Dyngja offers better airflow without additional zippers. After all, there is no such thing as a 100% waterproof and 100% breathable jacket!

I’ve been using the shell for over six months and haven’t felt the need to rewaterproof it. The thing about PFAS-free technologies is that they need almost constant treatment to stay efficient – somehow, the 66ºNorth jacket manages this without a hitch. That said, I tend not to use it in absolutely torrential rain, but the Dyngja can cope with anything from drizzle to moderate rain.

I already mentioned the pocket design above, and it’s worth mentioning again. Whether you’re hiking or walking in windy and cold weather, the external (zippered) Napoleon pockets will keep your hands warm and comfortable. They are also spacious enough for storage, and you can use the two internal mesh pockets to store additional items, like snacks.

The Dyngja is spacious enough to fit fleece jackets underneath (I often use the brand’s Tindur Shearling Jacket as a mid-layer), but snug enough to block drafts. I have a comparatively slim build and am somewhat tall, and the jacket’s cut felt perfect.

I assume most people will throw it over base and mid-layers, and there should be more than enough room to accommodate those without the shell feeling too bulky.

Verdict

The Dyngja Shell Jacket feels like a refreshing alternative in a sea of increasingly technical-looking waterproofs. 66ºNorth has focused on creating a shell that balances everyday wearability with dependable weather protection, and it absolutely succeeds at that.

The vintage-inspired design gives it a distinctive identity, while the thoughtful pocket placement, comfortable fit and surprisingly breathable 3-layer construction make it easy to wear for hours on end.

Yes, the fabric is a touch stiff, and hardcore mountain users might prefer a shell with a higher waterproof rating and pit zips, but for daily use, hiking and general outdoor adventures, the Dyngja strikes a really compelling balance between form and function.

More importantly, it has personality, something many modern shell jackets lack. After more than six months of testing, it’s become one of those rare jackets I actively want to wear, not just one I pack for bad weather.

Also consider

For something lighter and more packable, the Montane Phase Lite is a stronger fit. It’s significantly lighter and easier to stash in a running vest or hiking pack than the Dyngja, making it better suited to fast-moving mountain days and emergency-weather duties without sacrificing serious protection.

For maximum waterproof protection, the Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket is the more serious alternative. Its Gore-Tex Pro construction, storm-ready design and alpine-focused feature set make it considerably more weatherproof than the Dyngja, especially in sustained heavy rain and harsh mountain conditions. The trade-off is a higher price, a stiffer feel, and a more technical aesthetic.