Jon, how easy or difficult were the front and pocket zips to open on this? Could you open and close them with one hand? They are described as 'watertight' as opposed to, say, the ones on the Rab jackets which are said to be 'water-resistant'. Do you reckon there is a difference in the zips, or just the descriptions? This does seem to be a very well thought out range - if you want the same jacket but longer, with a covered front zip, you can get the Crux, and if you'd prefer pockets you can get your hands in and marginally less weight there is the Neutron.
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 The pocket zips are if anything even tougher than the Rab's, might be due to the lamination? After half a dozen uses they're all fine anyway. The Crux is a better choice for all round though, good length in the body although the centre pockets are odd sizes, long and narrow. An interesting thing is that this season is Haglofs set to stun, next spring they've got some ultralight ProShell that is set to kill.
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 The pockets, pit-zips and main zip all open and close very smoothly and easily. I think what's happened is that the process for producing water-resistant zips has improved markedly over the past couple of years - previously they were simply standard zips that had been urethane coated and then literally slit open. The latest ones are much smoother in operation.
Generally I think Haglofs is quietly going about producing a very, very good range of products. I know a few people in the industry who've compared them to a more affordable, more accessible, European Arc 'teryx and I wouldn't necessarily disagree.
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Oh, and all these zips are water resistant rather than waterproof. It's just the nature of the beast that even if they're effectively waterproof in a straight line, once you bend and flex them, gaps do open up.
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Thanks. Seems to be good news about the zips, and about Spring. I'd noticed that the zips were described as watertight, and wondered whether that meant they were less prone to leaking when flexed than zips described as waterresistant. Are you saying the Haglofs ones do actually leak in use?
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 I have one & it certainly is sweet,the Black with red zips is nice ! The zips have proved so far to be totally bombproof, on close inspection the two sides sit together perfectly & you would be hard pushed to seperate the weather resistant cover from the main zip seam even with extreme flexing... 
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I think they probably would leak in some situations, though it's not happened yet. They might be fine if you stood completely still - Gore rain tower test anyone - but I think some movement will open up the gap between the two sides of the zip enough that in heavy rain, some water will get in, though not much. The pockets are lined, the main zip has a backing flap and the positioning of the pit-zips should protect them fairly well.
In a highly scientific bathroom sunk scenario, there's very slight leakage - a few drops - after repeated flexing under a running tap for a couple of minutes. If you submerge the lower portion of the zip completely, then more water gets in, which is what you'd expect I think.
In really heavy rain I think they may allow a small amount of water in as other water-resistant zips I've used have. To be honest, that doesn't really worry me since I never think pockets are going to be waterproof anyway, so anything delicate goes in a zip-lock or dry bag, usually in my pack.
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Whilst on the Haglofs subject I am fancying a new softshell, I have seen the Haglofs Raptor, you seen this Jon or anybody else got one, I like the idea of the high loft & it looks nice !?
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I actually have a Raptor here, very nice fit, interesting fabric, but I think it's more suited to snowsports / possibly ice cragging than general UK use, not least because it has a couple of handwarmer pockets which would foul either a harness or pack belt. I think it would work well in cold, dry conditions, but I'm less than convinced by Windstopper and the eVent equivalent windproof fabric for damper, milder UK use.
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 Have the Spitz in blue with red Zips and used it last weekend on the langdale meet when the weather was well and truely against us,and wore it for the first time from Scafell pike summit back to Langdale NT campsite in torrential downpour with 30-40mph winds and must say not a drop got thru anywhere,totally waterproof zips for first use and what a mint jacket .the hood is outstanding imho and the new proshell seemed to keep me warm and dry but not once did i feel like i was getting too hot.Thumbs up for the Spitz. 10/10... just glad it rained really because it had been in my sack for 2 months.lol
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 Lots of good looking kit in the new Haglofs catalogue. I can't justify buying myself any more gear.  Or can i? 
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Like a previous poster i like the look of the Raptor jacket. I don't wear softshells on the hill so why do i want it soooo much? 
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 The Crux has handwarmer pockets as well as the napoleon pockets, is longer with a waist drawcord but has the same lid compatible hood as the Crux. Body fabric is the same ripstop and the reinforcement is a bit lighter than the Cordura grade ProShell on th Spitz. It's the better all round mountain jacket if you don't need a climbing piece. The Spitz won the ISPO award which is why it's had so much attention but they are both very much "cut from the same cloth" in terms of design. On the softshell front I agree with you on the Raptor - it was really designed for cold weather useage; and it is fluffy inside! Sharkfin Hood is my weapon of choice - lid compatible hood and 4 big chest pockets with vents. Harder wearing reinforcements as well. It's a really good multi use piece for skiing/climbing/hiking and its even ventured out on the bike when it's really cold. As always folks if anyone needs more details or has specific questions just drop me a line; I look after Haglofs in Scotland. Cheers, Gus
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Oh and I payed for my Sharkfin!
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Hi Gus Got my Spitz a couple of months ago and had to stay in my sack till last weekend due to lack of rain when out and about,but when i did get to wear it i must say i was well impressed with it.light doesnt come into it,felt like i never had a jacket on and absolutaly loved the hood kept the elements at bay all day and would just like to say money well spent.also bought a barrier jacket and that fits nicely underneath keeping me snug as a bug.. Am now just waiting for my Haglofs genius 12 tent(funds),my gear shop leant me one to try for the day and what a wierd but simple design.love it too bits Have you got anymore details or pictures of it i can have other than whats on thier site?as people have been asking me for pictures etc!the one on thier site really does not sell itself(crappy small picture)....
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Gus - where can I try on a Crux in Glasgow?
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Gus, PTC mentioned some Ultralight Proshell for next year, further back up the thread can you tell us anymore ??? Can you get lighter than the Spitz ???
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And are the zips waterproof or merely water-resistant?!
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If you are refering to the spitz,all i can say is the weather was sh*te and not a drop got in ...
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