Advice · Guidance · Buying help
Buying guides
Practical buying help from people who actually use the gear. The layering principle, choosing a shell jacket, safety footwear for your trade — we've gathered what we get asked about most.
Guide
How to dress in layers – a complete guide to layering
Dressing well is not about one jacket that does everything, but about how you combine several layers that work together. We take you through the principles behind layering – and how to choose the right clothing for Northern Norwegian weather.
Guide
Fleece jacket: how to choose the right fleece – and 10 models we recommend (2026)
Fleece is the most versatile mid layer you can own – but a thin grid fleece for ski touring and a thick pile jacket for everyday wear are two entirely different garments. Here are the four types of fleece, what they are suited to, and ten models we have in stock.
20 October 20265 min
Guide
Wool socks and hiking socks: how to choose — and the models we recommend
Good socks go unnoticed. Bad socks ruin the trip. Here we explain what thickness, cushioning, height and wool percentage mean, and present seven models we recommend — compared on material, construction, intended use and price, drawing on our experience from the shops in Tromsø.
22 September 20263 min
Guide
Shell Jacket: Norrøna, Arc'teryx and Patagonia Compared (2026)
Norrøna, Arc'teryx and Patagonia make some of the most sought-after shell jackets we stock. But what actually separates a jacket at 3,299 kroner from one at 7,999? Here we have compared eight model ranges — all available in both women's and men's versions — on membrane, construction, intended use and price, and assessed them against the weather we actually get in Northern Norway.
21 September 20266 min
Guide
Hi-vis class 1, 2 and 3 explained (EN ISO 20471)
The class of a high-visibility garment is determined by how many square metres of fluorescent fabric and reflective tape it has — not by how brightly the colour glows. Here is what class 1, 2 and 3 mean in practice, and why it matters even more when the sun is gone for two months.
19 September 20266 min
Guide
Waterproof clothing and water column ratings: what the numbers mean and what you need
5,000, 10,000 or 28,000 millimetres? Short answer: 10,000 mm is sufficient for everyday use, 15,000–20,000 mm or more for long days out in northern Norwegian rain and wind. Here is what the numbers measure, what EN 343 requires of workwear rainwear, and what sets rainwear apart from a shell jacket.
18 September 20267 min
Guide
Down jacket for winter: 10 models compared (2026)
A down jacket at 3,199 kroner and one at 9,999 can both be the right choice — for entirely different uses. We have compared ten down jackets we stock, from lightweight mid-layers to long parkas, plus two synthetic alternatives for wet coastal weather.
18 September 20266 min
Guide
What to wear in Tromsø in winter — and where to buy it
Tromsø's winter is milder than most visitors expect, but wind, damp sea air and hours of standing still under the northern lights make it feel much colder. Here is what to wear, what to buy, what to rent — and where to find it in town.
18 September 20262 min
Guide
Working outdoors in cold and polar night: how to dress in Northern Norway
Cold alone is rarely the problem in Northern Norway. It is the combination of wind, moisture and darkness that makes winter work demanding. Here is the approach Bjørn, our workwear specialist, uses when dressing people who work outdoors from November to April.
18 September 20266 min
Guide
Safety Footwear: 7 Models Compared (2026)
Seven safety shoes from our own stock, compared on specifications, intended use and price. We have not carried out laboratory tests — we have read the data sheets and added what we observe in our shops in Tromsø.
18 September 20265 min
Guide
Caring for wool – how to make your woollen garments last longer
Wool can last for decades with the right care – or be ruined in minutes in hot water. In this guide we show you how to wash, dry and store woollen garments correctly, and how to fix common problems such as pilling, felting and odour – without throwing the garment away.
15 September 20267 min
For businesses
Corporate gifts and Christmas gifts for employees: tax-free limit and gifts that get used
An employer may give each employee gifts worth up to 5,000 kroner per year tax-free, provided the gift is not cash. The Christmas gift counts towards this limit. Here are the rules from Skatteetaten, gift ideas in three price ranges, and how to place an order, with or without a logo.
14 August 20268 min
For businesses
Corporate agreement on workwear: how it works
Fixed corporate discount, a clothing list per role, logo branding and payment by invoice: here is what a good corporate workwear agreement actually contains, how procurement works in practice — and the questions you should ask before choosing a supplier.
14 August 20266 min
For businesses
OHS requirements for workwear and protective equipment: a guide for employers
Who is responsible for workwear, what does the regulations say about protection classes, and what should a clothing list include? The guide for those with OHS or procurement responsibility — from the specialist retailer that has been dressing northern Norwegian workers since 1988.
14 August 20267 min
guide
How to choose hiking trousers in Tromsø
Northern Norwegian weather makes different demands on hiking trousers than the forests around Oslo. Here is the overview: which type of hiking trouser suits your trip, what wind and water resistance actually means, and where to find the right model and fit in Tromsø.
04 August 20263 min
Guide
Shoe care: how to look after your shoes – with and without Gore-Tex
Proper shoe care is not just about appearance – it determines how long your shoes stay waterproof and comfortable. Here is a straightforward guide to washing and waterproofing both Gore-Tex shoes and shoes without a membrane.
19 June 20265 min
Guide
Down or synthetic? How to choose the right insulated jacket.
Trying to choose between a down jacket and a synthetic jacket for outdoor activities and everyday life in Northern Norway? Here you will find the most important differences in warmth, weight, price and performance in wet weather – so you know what suits your needs, whether you are out in the Tromsø mountains or along the coast.
19 June 20264 min
Guide
How to care for your down jacket
Dirty down clumps together and insulates poorly – but with the right washing, waterproofing and drying, you can extend the life of your down jacket by several years. Here is a straightforward guide to doing it correctly.
16 June 20262 min
Guide
Safety footwear and workwear in Tromsø: Guide to S1, S3, S7 and the right equipment
What do S1, S3 or S7 actually mean on safety footwear? We take you through all the safety classes under the new EN ISO 20345:2022 standard, so you know exactly which shoes suit your workplace.
25 May 20268 min
Guide
How to choose the right shell jacket
A good shell jacket is often the most important investment in your wardrobe – but what separates a great jacket from an expensive one? We take you through everything you need to know about materials, waterproofing, breathability and fit before you buy.
25 May 202610 min
Guide
Maintaining shell clothing
Rain, sleet and strong gusts place great demands on shell clothing in Northern Norway. With the right washing and waterproofing, the garments stay waterproof, breathable and comfortable – whether you are hiking in Tromsø, Senja or Lofoten.
22 May 20264 min
Guide
How to choose the right daypack
How large should the pack be? Which fit suits your back? We take you through everything you need to know about volume, fit and features – so you find the right daypack for both short and long trips.
20 May 20268 min