I've only tried it in the shop, but fell instantly in love with it. The cut just rocks (although I am a "scandinavian slim sort of fella"), the pockets are placed with the real users in mind and finally, the collar is wide and high enough, allowing neck gaiters or similar thermal neck/head systems to be used without a tight feeling.
I'm not a fan of non-hooded softshells (nor Windstopper), but this is as good as it gets on this front. Definitely worth a look
If anyone's interested, there's a new Haglofs soft shell due out next spring - think Feb 09 - which uses the thinner Windstopper fabric of the Roca, but with a hood, so effectively it's like a Sharkfin Hood jacket but without any added insulation.
I saw the Haglofs Zephyr windstopper shell a few weeks ago - at a couple of hundred grammes it's getting into Pertex territory. No insulation at all, and really clever, sneaky zips, almost invisible, from the neck to armpits. Seems that Gore have a new generation of windstopper soft-shell out - anyone used it?
Interesting ALS - I was on the lookout for the Haglofs Zephyr pants a couple of months ago, but when I enquired to Haglofs UK they said no shops had ordered any and they had none, in fact they wondered if that line had been cancelled by Haglofs.
Not to worry, I ended up with the Haze pants and Kazoo pants, both of which are great, but I'd still like to see this version of windstopper somewhere.
Matt - Ellis Brigham in Glasgow had it, perhaps 2 or 3 months ago? My local running shop - Achilles Heel - has a variety of the new Gore Active Shell jackets - typically with more ventilation than the Haglofs thing. They looked good, and felt nice. Not sure how well they perform though, but they could be splendid for walking.
Thanks ALS. I wonder if my local Ellis brigham has any of the jackets left.... just to get a look at the material more than anything. I noticed as I tried to track down the various Intense series pants how many shops were stocking a lot of the tops from the range but nothing at all on the legwear side - timid buying policy or sound commercial judgement?!!
From what I remember, the fabric on the Haglofs top was really nice and soft - not at all crisp-packety. The shoulder zips were extremely clever. Perhaps Gores own pants are of interest, presuming they're in the same material.
Roca jkts - a couple of the staff at Escape Route in Pitlochry bought Rocas last year so they would pass on their experiences I'm sure. There are a few left in stock at Haglofs that can be ordered by any of the stockists. The new Turbine Hood that Jon mentioned is gorgeous - summer Sharkfin Hood!
Matt C - duff info from the office I'm afraid. Brighams were the only stores to range Zephyr Pants I think. Windstopper Shell is basically Windstopper membrane laminated to a shell fabric similar to what you'd find on a Paclite Jkt, ie a light ripstop polyamide. Non taped so it's not waterproof but very breathable and much more weather protection than from a microfibre. Not a big seller in the UK - due to the constant "is it waterproof?" questions asked because it looks like a waterproof jacket. HUGE fabric for the Scandies. You see quite a bit in the Gore Bikewear/Running ranges.
Most of the shops reckon they don't need the Intense series legs for the Summer - tell them differently!
