#Trek-Iceland*: my Ultimate gear Guide

• two-way stretch
• lightweight (for what it does)
• 100% waterproof,
• windproof
• breathable 
• venting zippers, trust me this is key to cold winter hiking.

The Deerhunter Excape Winter Jacket is the kind of coat you buy when you’re done pretending you can out-tough the weather. This isn’t for Instagram selfies in the lodge, it’s for standing in snow and rain while wondering why you left the house in the first place.

Built for some of the most torrential weather you’re ever likely to stand in, it’s not just waterproof, windproof, and water-repellent , it’s armed with waterproof zippers on everything from the radio pocket to the chest pocket, both front pockets, both hand-warmer pockets, and the main central YKK two-way zipper. Every opening is sealed like it’s guarding state secrets. 

Also the adjustable cuffs and a drawstring hem let you dial in a fit so snug the wind doesn’t get a say in the matter.

And if the temperature drops harder than you expected? The Excape is fully insulated and packs extra padding across the back, which means those cold mornings feel less like a punishment and more like a dare you’re actually equipped to take.

It even has armpit ventilation zips, which sounds silly until you’ve been layered up for hours and realize you’ve turned into a slow-cooking pot roast. Pop those open, let the steam (and the odours) out, and you’re back in the game without freezing your core.

Now, a word of warning: don’t buy it in Realtree camo like i did, unless you plan on being found by accident. The camouflage works. Too well. I made the mistake once of wearing it among a field of wintery lava rocks and vanished so completely my girlfriend thought I’d wandered off to start a new life. If you like being invisible, great. If you like not being run over by a snowmobile, or like to be found when ICE-SAR is looking for you, maybe pick a brighter color.

Bottom line? The Deerhunter Excape Winter Jacket is all business , no fluff, no frills, no “heritage lifestyle” branding. Just a fortress you can wear, built for people who care more about staying alive than looking fashionable. I stand by this, honestly.

#SIDE-NOTE* – the bottom half, ye better not forget!
A fortress for your upper half is great, but if the bottom half of you is shivering and soaked, you’re basically a warm popsicle stick. That’s where a good pair of trousers makes all the difference.

The Pro Gamekeeper Boot Trousers are the winter equivalent of locking the front door and bolting it shut, heavy-duty, weatherproof, and built for days when the ground wants to bite back. But to make them really work during winter, you’ve gotta start right: a skin-fitting merino base layer (or regular wool if you’re not into the hype,  just as good) will keep your legs warm, dry, and itch-free all day.

The Excape Winter Trousers are the heavier, more mobile sibling. Built for insulation and protection, it feels like you’re walking in a two-legged sleeping bag. Both models have side ventilation openings designed to release excess heat and moisture without letting in Iceland’s wind, rain, or snow.  And both are extra reinforced in places where you’d expect it, and, more importantly, in places you’d least expect it. 

Pair either with the Excape Winter Jacket and you’ve just turned yourself into a fully-sealed, bad-weather proofed unit.