Waterproof Jackets

Haglöfs L.I.M Jacket | Review

A fast and light jacket with one of Gore-Tex’s latest waterproof technologies

Why We Chose The Haglöfs L.I.M Jacket: Lightweight, versatile, simple build

L.I.M, in case you weren’t aware, stands for less is more and that name does describe this waterproof jacket quite well. It’s simple – kind of no frills you could say (at least at first glance), but then it’ll deliver everything you want when you need to whip it out of your bag when the rain starts pouring down.

Who Is The Haglöfs L.I.M Jacket For?

At 230g, this is one of those jackets any lightweight hikers are going to like. It’d certainly be ideal for a long distance trek. Considering it can scrunch up into a trouser pocket, it’s not a bad option for climbers either, and then there’s the breathability factor which will make this appeal to any trail runners out there.

Haglofs’ L.I.M series is their ultra lightweight range of clothing. Photo: Mike Brindley

Materials and Construction

The L.I.M features Gore-Tex’s relatively new Paclite Plus waterproof technology. This is a two layer system involving a membrane that’s glued to a light outer fabric. In other words, there’s no backer fabric and therefore a fair bit of weight is saved by its exclusion. Backer fabrics are normally included to protect the membrane from both abrasion and from dirt and body oils clogging up the pores and it’s unclear as to how Gore-Tex have got round that problem in the case of this membrane. Perhaps they haven’t. It does feel a little bit on the light side and you wouldn’t really want to risk the straps of a 20kg backpack sitting on top of it. A daypack or light trekking backpack should be fine though.

“I was very glad to have this on a recent trip to the Lake District where the conditions weren’t ideal.”

It’s definitely waterproof – no problems there. As for the breathability, well there’s a big tick there as well. More on that from Will in the Tester’s Verdict below.

Haglöfs have done very well to keep the seams to a minimum here. That not only means less risk of leakage but also less risk of niggles as well. You do see some jackets with seams placed on the shoulders and in some instances these can rub against the skin when you’re wearing a backpack, which obviously isn’t ideal.

Gore-Tex's new Paclite Plus waterproof technology is a two layer system involving just a membrane that’s glued to a light outer fabric. Photo: Mike Brindley

The cuffs are elasticated and don’t have any adjustment. Photo: Mike Brindley

Minimum use of seams means less risk of leakage. Photo: Mike Brindley

Features

Water resistant zips, very similar to YKK Aquaguard ones, are used throughout – in other words, on the main zipper and the chest pocket. On the subject of that pocket, that’s all the storage you get here (‘less is more’ remember). Still, it’ll look after your phone, car keys and/or your lift pass.

The cuffs are elasticated and don’t have any adjustment. The hem does have adjustment though and this is via a toggled drawcord at the hem.

As for the hood, this holds really securely thanks to its three-point adjustment and the laminated peak does the job it’s supposed to.

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

“I was very glad to have this on a recent trip to the Lake District where the conditions weren’t ideal. It was actually my first proper testing experience of Gore-Tex Paclite Plus and I was impressed. The jacket really is very packable and while it’s not the lightest of lightweight jackets out there it’s certainly one of the most protective ones I’ve come across in the category.

“The waterproof protection is excellent and so is the breathability. It was noticeably more airy than jackets that have standard Gore-Tex. I didn’t feel in any discomfort from it while carrying a steep pack up a big ascent. I’d actually be tempted to use this as a running jacket in very bad conditions.

“I do think they could have actually improved the airflow even more though, perhaps by including pit zips or a popper on the main zip that would allow you to open it up partially for ventilation, but perhaps those additions don’t fit with the L.I.M mantra.

Testing the Haglofs L.I.M Jacket in wet conditions in the Lake District. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

“To the touch, the material feels good quality and is comfortable against the skin when you’re just wearing a t-shirt underneath. There’s also a little bit of stretch to it which certainly helps when you’re reaching up while scrambling.

“I’m usually a size M and had the size L sample. It fitted nicely, with plenty of room for my down jacket underneath, though it was on the large side. I think if I had it in my normal size, it would probably be a little tight over a thick insulated later.

“One final thing that’s impressed me about the Haglöfs L.I.M jacket is the quality of the durable water repellent treatment it uses. I don’t think this jacket ever ‘wetted out’ while I was wearing it – and we had some pretty rough weather. I particularly loved the fact that before getting in the car to go home, I could give the jacket one quick shake and it would be almost dry as a bone in an instant.”