The Nodin Jacket is instantly recognizable as a fast and light layer out of the box. Weighing in at a feathery 140g, it may weigh next to nothing but it's certainly no lightweight when it comes to on-the-hill performance.
Designed to deliver protection from the wind on longer treks and/or challenging days out in the hills, the Nodin really does deliver an impressive barrier against the breeze for such a minimalist piece. The key to this is the Tyono 20 fabric - a 20D nylon material with DWR finish that ensures protection from wind and squally showers.
We tested the jacket as an outer layer on a speedy coastal ridge walk and can confirm that the Nodin really does keep the wind at bay. We were moving at speed but the weather was temperamental and the Nodin kept us warm and dry in between the showers. When conditions worsened and it began to seriously chuck it down, we simply popped on a waterproof layer over the top and found the Nodin functioned equally as well as a breathable, stretchy mid-layer.
When the clouds cleared, the sun came out, the wind died and we were warm enough to carry on in just a baselayer so it was time to remove the Nodin. The whole process of stopping and storing kit in your pack can be a bit of a faff but not with the Nodin. It takes literally no time at all (well about 5 seconds to be honest) to remove this jacket and pack it into its own pocket, transforming it from a high-performance weather barrier into a tiny bundle that weighs next to nothing and takes up minimal space in your pack.
In addition to the excellent packability, our other fave features of the Nodin are the stowable hood (easily accessed on the move), drawcord hem adjustment and internal secure smartphone-sized stashpocket located within one of the 2 zippered hand pockets. We also really liked the stretchy low profile cuffs that can be pushed up over forearms on warmer days.
To summarise, the Arc'teryx Nodin is a high performance, low profile wind jacket that's designed for hill walking but could easily be used for a range of outdoor activities including running, climbing, and biking. A real all-round adventure piece.
