Sitting at your office wondering when 80° temperatures in November will give way to cold and snow? Us too. It might not be here yet, but we hear that winter is coming. And when it arrives, 45NRTH has the answer with their latest soft goods – the Naughtvind system. Indicated by how many times we’ve seen this collection in the prototype stage, 45NRTH’s designers did not take this task lightly. For their first attempt at a full winter apparel system, it needed to be perfect.
Now, it looks like they’re happy with the results and the Naughtvind bibs, pants, and jacket have been released into the wild…
Built as a system, the lower half of the kit is a modular two piece design. Both the 4/5 bibs and the pant can be worn alone, or they can be combined for the harshest conditions. Just what is a 4/5 bib? 45NRTH didn’t want extra material bunching up around your ankles where you would typically have bibs overlapping your socks, right where your boots hit. So these bibs stop just short of where your socks and footwear typically end for a more comfortable fit.
Since they’re meant to be worn on their own or as liners for the pants, the bibs feature Schoeller fabric at key areas like the knees, crotch, and hips to block cold, wind, and repel water when worn on their own. There are also reflective accents on the back of the legs to keep you visible. The rest of the bibs are constructed from merino wool for moisture wicking and warmth, with a few mesh panels on the back for breathability. For cycling comfort, the bibs include an EIT Bastogne chamois and have a chest zipper to make getting into them a bit easier.
The pants are then constructed mostly out of Schoeller fabric for its stretchy, wind blocking, and breathable properties, though the pants still feature large thigh vents with zippers to dump heat in a hurry. Along with articulated, gusseted knees and crotch for pedaling, the legs include zippered, expandable leg openings that will fit over 45NRTH boots. Waist adjustment is kept simple with a hook and webbing system that is said to cut down on bulk.
The system is completed with the Naughtvind jacket. Again, constructed from Schoeller material, the jacket includes an asymmetrical zipper to create a collar system that is more comfortable and more protective. When not using the full collar, you can snap it to the side to keep it from getting in the way of your beard/face. Venting is provided through a back vent that is always open but protected from the elements, and additional pit zips. The back of the jacket also includes three pockets while the front adds another zippered pocket that is still accessible while using a hydration pack. As with the rest of the collection, reflective panels help you stay visible at night.
Available in XS-XL, each piece is sold individually, with pricing set at $295 for the bibs, $275 for the pants, and $350 for the jacket. It’s pricey, but the whole kit still comes in just barely cheaper than the two piece Specialized x 686 collection and should offer a bit more versatility (though we’re assuming the Specialized kit will be more waterproof). We should be getting a first hand look at this kit in December, so expect our actual impressions when the snow starts to fly! Naughtvind will be available this week through your local 45NRTH dealer.
