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Haglöfs – New Gear For Spring 2016

New from Haglöfs for spring 2016 at the recent OutDoor trade show was a mix of new kit in their Mountain Ultimate technical range, LIM – Less Is More – footwear that was, erm, slightly more than the previous LIM footwear plus an unusual new LIM backpacking sac that might just look familiar to OM regulars.

Roc Helios 25 Pack

‘Mountain Ultimate’ is a new category for Haglöfs next spring, it’s all about technical mountain minimalism and the Roc Helios 25 pack headed the concept in a blur of award-winning bright white, ultra-tough, Dimension Polyant X-pac ™fabric.

That fabric’s a 210D Cordura polyamide material, a bit like sail fabric and the white colour means it really stands out, though presumably not against snow, so best not drop it eh? As the name suggests, it’s just 25 litres in capacity and to achieve the 625g all-in weight, design is minimal.

There’s an unusual back panel, rear-entry zipped opening for easy access, ice axe loops and a rope holding loop all mixed in with a simply foam-based back system. No fripperies like top-tensioner straps on the harness, but you do get a shock-corded compression come attachment system on the front of the pack.

Definitely making a bit of a statement, though how practical it would be in the real world remains to be seen. You’ll certainly need to go light with your load to make it work.

Herakles Shell Jacket

Also part of the Mountain Ultimate collection is the new Herakles Jacket, a waterproof shell made from Gore-Tex Pro and, in contrast to the pack, pretty feature rich. Which is a posh way of saying that it has twin venting mesh-lined chest pockets, pit-zips and a helmet hood.

We’re still scratching our heads a little over that fabric, which apparently has a new Gore-Tex C-Knit backer to it – C-Knit’s a new Gore technology, which improves both softness and breathability with less of a crisp-packety rustle to it than current Gore-Tex Pro.

Whatever the technicalities, it’s a great-looking jacket from the guys who brought you the legendary Spitz. It weighs in at 455g in a large and will sell in the UK for £420.

Also part of the same range is the new Pallas Jacket lined with a lightweight Quad Fusion Plus synthetic insulation complete with hood and integral thumb-loops / hand-gaiters.

We also liked the look of, the Hector Jacket which is a hybrid mix of zoned Gore Windstopper Soft Shell with Haglöfs own-brand Flexable non-membrane stretch soft shell. Cool-looking and understated in grey and, erm, charcoal.

Interesting stuff, though we’re not sure about the Greek mythology nomenclature…

LIM – Less Is More

The minimal, fast-moving LIM clothing stays mostly the same for next year, but the footwear gets tweaked and there’s also a new, lightweight backpacking sac.

Currently the LIM footwear collection consists of LIM LO and MID with and without Gore-Tex, but for next spring those models are joined by the new LIM Strive, a heavier duty take on the LIM LO with external heel reinforcement for, we’re thinking, greater stability.

The new Strive’s available in both Low and Mid Gore-Tex versions and to put things in perspective, while the LIM LO GTX weighs in at around 250g per shoe, the equivalent Strive Lo GTX is around 290g – meanwhile the non-GTX LIM LO is just 185g per foot.

Other differences include more substantial outsole lugs for better all-round grip and a slightly softer rubber compound, though the new shoes still use the rice husk particle technology developed by ASICS – Haglöfs parent company – for better wet conditions grip.

All in all then, for next season’s footwear, slightly more is actually more, maybe. You’re getting a slightly heavier shoe, but one that should be more stable, more durable and with better all-round grip.

Intense Gram Pulse Shoe

Finally on the footwear side of things, the new Intense Gram Pulse is the brand’s first full-on fell shoe complete with serious fell-friendly lugs and a smooth surfaces sole between them for rapid mud-shedding performance.

The Swedish brand might not be the most obvious choice for a toothy off-road running shoe, but bear in mind that Haglöfs uses well-regarded ASICS running shoe technology, including ASICS Gel, and given that Haglöfs UK is located in the Lake District near Kendal – we reckon they might just have had a hand in this one… £100 and 260g per shoe if you were wondering.

LIM Strive 50 Pack

Finally, there’s a new lightweight LIM Strive 50 backpacking sac, complete with an unusual centre-opening zip as well as a more conventional top-lid opening. We actually have one of these in for a very early look – see our first look and it seems to have a nice balance between weight, some 1140g, capacity, comfort, support and features.

We particularly like the giant hip-belt pockets that give easy access without cramping movement and plenty of storage options – lightweight packs with nowhere to stash anything might do well on the scales, but can get frustrating when you simply want to stow some wet gloves away in a hurry or grab a snack on the move. Interesting…