Published September 4, 2026 07:13AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
For an outdoor activewear brand that\u2019s been around for almost 100 years and developed some of the most important gear in the category\u2014from the invention of the tunnel tent to the outerwear worn by the first Norwegian expedition to summit Mt. Everest\u2014Norr\u00f8na doesn\u2019t make much noise about itself. So you\u2019d be forgiven if you didn\u2019t happen to notice the relatively quiet roll-out of its dedicated trail running collection almost three years ago.<\/p>\n
Over the past 97 years, the fourth-generation, family-owned company has steadily been widening its scope to cater to new kinds of mountain athletes, from ice climbers to skiers to mountain bikers. (It even launched an adventure travel<\/a> business that\u2019ll let you book everything from a glamping-style trail running retreat<\/a> to a whale safari<\/a> under the northern lights.) And in 2023, Norr\u00f8na took its first steps into trail running.<\/p>\n The Senja collection\u2014named after the mountainous island in northern Norway\u2014launched with just a handful of pieces. A few more have since been added, and I recently had the opportunity to test it all. After several days spent running through all sorts of conditions in the mountains of Norway and Switzerland, here are the pieces of gear that have earned a permanent spot in my rotation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/section>\n In retrospect, choosing a three-hour trail run through the Nordic wilderness to assess this pack\u2019s comfort and integrity was probably an irresponsible gamble. However, in my defense, I knew there would be running water along the trail, and I personally witnessed one of my co-runners loading their pack with Snickers bars that I could likely barter for in the event that my pack came apart at the seams. (It didn\u2019t.) In fact, not only did this seven-liter pack hold up brilliantly during its maiden voyage, but it\u2019s been stuck to my torso for every trail run since.<\/p>\n At first, I wondered how Norr\u00f8na\u2019s first swing at something like a running pack could be such a home run. And then I remembered that this brand has been crafting expedition-grade backpacks since the 1930s, which explains the ergonomic design and convenient pocket placement. Layered on top of the two removable 500ml soft flasks are two massive zippered pockets that cover the entire front of the vest\u2014each easily big enough for a phone and then some\u2014plus a third, slightly smaller pocket on the right side. Also within arm\u2019s reach are two stretchy open pockets along the lateral sides of the vest and, depending on your shoulder mobility, two more just slightly further back. All prime gel real estate. And finally, there\u2019s the zippered main compartment on the back\u2014roomy enough to comfortably fit a jacket, headlamp, gloves, and at least three king-size Snickers bars, maybe more.<\/p>\n When it comes to trail packs, storage is obviously important, but you also have to be able to actually run in these things. In addition to the two adjustable chest straps that secure with a reassuring click, the vest\u2019s waistband conceals two drawstrings that cinch to hug your torso tightly and reduce bounce. It\u2019s also worth highlighting that the main compartment is made using waterproof ripstop (and is guarded by a waterproof zipper) to keep your stuff dry in the event of a downpour.<\/p>\n My only criticism of this pack is that the bungee cables tasked with holding the soft flasks up at sip level aren\u2019t amazing<\/i> at their job. That said, the issue is technically not with the vest, but rather the cap design of Norr\u00f8na\u2019s soft flasks, which can easily be swapped out for another brand.<\/p>\n <\/section>\n I\u2019ve only met a small handful of people who know about Norr\u00f8na\u2019s trail running collection, and the consensus among those people is that these shorts are a clear favorite. There are actually two versions\u2014this 5\u201d style and one with a 9\u201d inseam<\/a>. People seem to like both, but I personally prefer the shorter version, as I think less is more when it comes to running shorts. In any case, both pairs share all the same features.<\/p>\n Praise for these unlined trail running shorts centers mostly on their comfort. They\u2019re made with a stretchy fabric that is simultaneously durable and soft to the touch. They\u2019re also super lightweight. (The 5\u201d pair in a size L weighs just 4.1 ounces.) I\u2019ve been loving how light and airy\u2014and frictionless<\/i>\u2014they feel to run in, and, in addition to the superior fabric, I think the bonded hems and generous side slits have something to do with that as well. These are small details on their own, but the cumulative effect is something I\u2019ve been especially appreciative of on steeper grades that call for high knee drive.<\/p>\n Comfort aside, the thing that I think many people will appreciate most about these shorts is that they also offer a bunch of other features that stay invisible until you need them. There\u2019s a ton of pockets, pouches, and other useful places to stash a variety of items\u2014all cleverly integrated into the silhouette of the shorts. In lieu of traditional side pockets, there\u2019s a stealthy zippered pocket at the back that is precisely big enough for a standard-issue iPhone and nothing more. Look fast and you might miss the T-shirt loop that\u2019s layered over it. And while two additional pouches on either side are presumably there for gels, one also contains a tethered clip that\u2019s perfect for stowing a set of keys.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/section>\n This might be Norr\u00f8na\u2019s first waterproof shell<\/a> for trail runners, but the brand has been manufacturing Gore-Tex jackets since 1977. Actually, fun fact: Norr\u00f8na was the first company to use Gore-Tex in Europe. Needless to say, this jacket has been holding up just fine against the recent tropical-style downpours we\u2019ve been getting here in Switzerland (and, having aced that audition, will be accompanying me on a hiking trip to Scotland next week).<\/p>\n My only gripe with this jacket is the weight. It\u2019s not heavy<\/i>, but at 282 grams it\u2019s just substantial enough to feel slightly more like a jacket you\u2019d grab for a hike than for a run. One runner that I recently met who\u2019s familiar with the brand and this specific jacket told me that they personally view this as a plus, saying that it\u2019s in line with Norr\u00f8na\u2019s broader outerwear catalogue, which prioritizes durability and longevity. Fair enough. Either way, I should mention that while the jacket is slightly heavier than I\u2019d prefer, it is by no means chunky. In fact, the entire jacket packs down into a small exterior pocket the size of a sandwich.<\/p>\n You can tell that this jacket was designed by people who actually run. As someone who tends to run hot, I\u2019m always in favor of extra ventilation. Not only does this jacket have two zippered ventilation slits along the sides, but the genius addition of a simple buttoned strap across the chest allows you to wear the jacket fully unzipped without it flapping behind you like a cape. Speaking of things flapping behind you, the hood can also be rolled up and clipped into the collar when not in use. But perhaps my favorite feature is the zippered opening above the left wrist that lets me peek at my Garmin without fussing with my sleeve\u2014a joy that, sadly, will not be experienced by anyone who wears their watch on the right.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/section>\n I\u2019m partial to a long-sleeve running shirt, despite the fact that I\u2019m 6\u20193\u201d and most mainstream options never seem to be quite long enough in the arms. (I tend to run with my sleeves pushed up, anyway.) But pulling this shirt on for the first time was like a breath of fresh Nordic air. I\u2019m not sure if I have Norr\u00f8na to thank or, presumably, Scandinavia\u2019s taller-than-average fit models. Either way, this shirt fits like it was made for my gangly runner body. Not only do the sleeves hit at the perfect spot\u2014about an inch past my wrist\u2014but the overall fit is satisfyingly slim yet unrestrictive.<\/p>\n The shirt has a unique panelled construction that gives it the look and feel (and, consequently, pricetag) of a premium product. The front of the garment is made up of two pieces instead of just one, with the lower panel wrapping all the way around the obliques. The sleeves are even further segmented, with three separate pieces of fabric coming together to cover each arm. This works wonders for range of motion, while also providing an opportunity to incorporate some specialty fabrics. A yarn with UPF 45 is used for the area around the shoulders, where you\u2019re likely to get the most sun exposure, while the back and underarm panels are treated with an anti-odor polymer that, according to Norr\u00f8na, extracts the fat and protein from sweat, preventing bacteria from growing. Nice.<\/p>\n Something else that I appreciate about this shirt is the collar, which is more than twice as wide in the back as it is in the front. Aesthetically, I think it\u2019s a cool detail, but it also adds some extra comfort at the back of the neck. Incidentally, that\u2019s also where you\u2019ll find another handy detail: a small slit that\u2019s been stitched into the base of the collar to facilitate hanging on pretty much anything with a point: bathroom hook, rusty nail\u2014that\u2019s your call.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/section>\n As I laid out all the pieces of the Senja collection on the floor to map out my testing, I admittedly wasn\u2019t expecting a pair of socks to make it into the highlight reel ahead of items like a running hoodie<\/a> or pair of joggers<\/a>. I mean, they look nice, but they\u2019re just socks. And yet, here you are, about to read two paragraphs about these socks.<\/p>\n As I put Norr\u00f8na\u2019s trail running socks through their paces\u2014all the while trying to pinpoint what it was exactly that made me enjoy them so much\u2014it occurred to me that the best running socks might be defined not by what you notice, but rather what you don\u2019t. Whether I was bouncing along grassy singletracks in a pair of HOKA Mafate X<\/a>s or ripping through gravel straights in Adidas Terrex Agravic SLs, my feet remained secure, dry, and generally unproblematic. They\u2019re about 40 percent merino wool, which explains the sweat wicking and odor control. And it seems that Norr\u00f8na has layered in just enough elastane to add stretch and avoid slippage without holding onto excess moisture. The blend also includes polyamide, which gives the socks their frictionless feel and quick-drying properties.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a bit of structure to them, too\u2014nothing crazy, but enough for it to matter which sock goes on which foot. Most notably, a stretchy band hugs your midfoot, while increased thickness under the heel and forefoot provides a touch of extra padding. Look, there really is only so much you can say about a pair of socks. The point here is that, as a trail runner, you need socks\u2014ideally, good socks. And these are good socks.<\/p>\n <\/div>\nEconyl 70 7L Pack<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Flex 1 5\u2033 Shorts<\/h2>\n
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Gore-Tex Jacket<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Equalizer Lightweight Long Sleeve<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Light MerinoUll Long Socks<\/b><\/h2>\n
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