Haglöfs Spitz GTX Pro Jacket | Review - Outdoors Magic

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Haglöfs Spitz GTX Pro Jacket | Review

This top of the range jacket from Haglöfs brings bucket loads of dependability and performance

This is one serious jacket. It oozes quality and intricate design thinking – though you’d hope that would be the case given the hefty price tag. 

The Spitz model from Haglofs goes all the way back to 2007. At the time, it was regarded as one of the first uncompromising technical mountaineering shells out there. A rebooted version was released in 2017 and we liked it a lot, describing it in our review as a “jacket that ticks all the boxes”. This new version comes with a slightly updated look to fit the times but, more importantly, it also comes with the latest version of Gore-tex Pro. This new membrane is slightly more breathable than the previous iteration, it’s also slightly less crinkly and quieter. 

Who is the Haglöfs Spitz For?

The Spitz is a jacket for high level use. Haglöfs list it as being made for mountaineering and alpinism and we won’t argue with that.

OM editor Will using the Spitz in the Scottish Highlands. Will is 5 foot 10 and is wearing Size L here. Photos: Dave Macfarlane

Pros: An excellent cut, high-spec fabrics, climber-friendly details
Cons: Expensive, soon to be outdated with arrival of new Gore-tex ePE

“One of the most impressive jackets I’ve tried in recent times.”

At 510g, it’s a little on the heavy side so ultralight hikers might have to cross it off their list, but if you’re venturing out into a Scottish blizzard and need a jacket to wear all day-long, this’ll serve you well. 

Features and Materials

The Gore-tex Pro fabric has an impressive 28,000 hydrostatic head and generally feels very tough, particularly on the shoulders and cuffs where the fabric is given extra reinforcement. The napoleon pockets on the chest are big – easily big enough for a map – and the inner chest pocket serves as a pretty bombproof safe to store any items you want to keep dry. 

The cuff tabs are oversized, making them easy to adjust when you’re wearing winter gloves. They also double up as extra reinforcement to withstand any rough rock when you’re climbing or scrambling. 

The hood is fully adjustable and helmet compatible. The zips are all laminated for water resistance and lined with an internal flap as an extra bit of rain defence. Other details include underarm zips, a two-way main zip, built-in RECCO reflector and there’s a lift pass pocket on the forearm.

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

This is up there as one of the most impressive jackets I’ve tried in recent times. One of the things that has really stood out to me is how it feels when it’s pulled on; with some jackets, you can instantly feel that the atmosphere within it is a bit stuffy and clammy but with this the atmosphere feels cool and dry.

The fabric feels light but it has a real toughness to it too. I’ve felt confident in it shrugging off rough rock and branches.

All the right details I’d want in harsh conditions are there too: a protective hood that moves with your head, glove-friendly zipper tabs, ventilation options across the front and under the arms.

In the pictures you can see here I’m wearing a men’s L jacket. I nearly always wear a size medium (I’m five foot 10 and have an average build) but I did quite like how this fitted me. It left plenty of room for thick layers underneath but still didn’t feel too long in the hem. Still, I think that if I were given the option, I’d probably go for this in my usual size. If I did, I suspect there’d still be a bit of room underneath for a thick fleece or quilted down jacket.

In your usual size, it’ll have a medium-short cut that’s designed to work with a harness, so you don’t get a flappy skirt of fabric below it. I found the arms are all articulated so that you can reach up for a hold without the hem lifting up.

All in all, it’s a pricey jacket, but it has a great quality feel to it and it’s got all the right details that you’d want when you’re out in rough conditions.

Some Other Key Things Answered

Is it machine washable? Yes but check the instructions
Is it good on the sustainability front? Pretty good. It’s Bluesign approved and PFC-free.
Is there a women’s version? Yes
Is it packable? Yes, though there are lighter and more packable jackets out there

Buy the Haglöfs Spitz GTX Pro Jacket: £465 at Alpine-trek.co.uk 

Haglöfs Spitz GTX Pro

Selected for the Outdoor 100 Winter 23/24
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