Haglöfs could just be the best outdoors brand that you've
never really heard of. We're just back from a guided tour of their
2002 range and it's nice stuff with a smattering of top-end fabrics
and some very neat ideas.
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Neat detailing typified by
this
quick stowage, plastic clipping
system for trekking poles. Nice.
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The Swedish company's relatively new to the UK - their gear has been
over here for a couple of years - but elsewhere in Europe and
particularly in Scandinavia, they're an established mover with a full
range of kit from technical clothing right through to packs, sleeping
bags and even, erm, hunting-specific packs with handy ammo
pockets.
We spent an afternoon with Haglöfs UK's Andy Williams who
plucked a few highlights from the range - we'll also be carrying a
test of Haglöfs' very light LIM Ultimate paclite jacket in the
next few days.
The first thing we'd point out is that all the Haglöfs kit we
say has that hard to define but very tangible feel of high quality
construction. Stitching is neat, overall look is designed, the
detailing is good and materials feel strong etc. Andy reckons a lot
of that thoroughness is down to the extreme nature of the
Scandinavian winter.
Sec 55
Pack
The Sec's new for autumn/winter 2002, which means it will be in
the shops in the next few months, and it looks like a very nice
design.
For starters, experience has told us that the best harnesses
combine ergonomically curved but not over-padded shoulder straps -
the foam needs to be quite firm - check, with a hip-belt that
combines a softer inner foam with a stiffer, load bearing outer -
check. But the Sec also features built-in movement centred on the
lumbar pad at the centre of the hip belt for more natural walking
action and better mobility, a feature that in the past, we've found
works well.
The body of the sac gets some serious thought too. In a small but
neat touch, the compresison straps at the side can be quickly shifted
up and down a daisy chain-type location system to give more
versatility when, for example, carrying skis. There are twin, fold
flat side pockets for neatness in tight squeezes.
Then, in the modern idiom, the main compartment can be accessed
via a big, fold-down opening in the back of the sac. Oh, one last
touch, the linings of all Haglöfs packs are white to make things
easier to find at night. Not a unique feature, but a useful one.
Price is around £105 and it looks good.
LIM 12 Sleeping
Bag
LIM stands for 'Less Is More' and is the company's lightweight
range. Predictably the Minus 12 is rated down to, erm, well, you
guessed it and is new for this winter. The fabric is a new, very
closely woven Pertex called 'Quantum' - more in a week or two - and
has a really nice, warm feel compared to older Pertex fabrics.
Again the devil is in the detailing with touches like through
stitching on the base where insulation values are less crucial
combined with box construction upper layers. There's also an odd
looking face baffle - think snorkel - that places insulation round
your mush for added comfort when everything's snugged down.
The 600 grammes of down filling is ultra-high spec 700+ fill power
with a ratio of 95 per-cent goose down to 5 per-cent feathers. Total
weight is around 950 grammes including a stuff sac and it looks like
a nice bag. Price is £220.
The company also produces mid-range down bags and a range of
synthetic bags which use a technique which maximises insulation
values by not stitching through the filling. If you're off
travelling, check out the new LIM trekking sac which uses synthetic
insulation to produce a light bag that won't break the bank.
Clothes Glorious Clothes...
The attention to detail and quality of design and construction
carries over to the clothing range. You'll have heard of most of the
fabrics - the base and mid-layer range use mainly Polartec fabrics.
The very good Powerdry for the base layers and a variety of Polartec
fleece for the heavier insulation garments including some of the
multiple variations on Thermal Pro (aka Patagonia Regulator) which
has been breeding like rabbits in some dark corner of the Malden
Mills factory.
A couple of crackers to be aware of though, are the LIM Oxygen
Jacket, which is made from the lightest version of Gore's Windstopper
fabric. It's a classic fast mover's top with a neat cut, high
breathability and water resistance and a weight of just 240 grammes -
price £127 and also available as a vest or matching pant.
And...
The new for this autumn Stretch XCR Climber Motion top-end
technical jacket. At £335 it's aimed at serious mountaineering
users and incorporated big swathes of Gore's new stretchy XCR.
The promise is full weather protection combined with a close fit
for neatness and insulation efficiency but with no reduction in
mobility as a pay off. It's hard to describe how it feels on, but
it's reassuringly solid and clingy without feeling tight. Also, like
all Haglöfs hoods, it's designed to work with a climbing helmet
yet still be useable without one. In the testing environment of a
Leeds hotel suite, it seemed pretty good to use. In the shops in
three weeks time.
Worth A Look
We could blather on about more kit - the tents, the very neat
stretch Scholler pants that are coming out soon and a lightweight
Gore jacket for next Spring that's both more breathable than the
current Paclite one, significantly lighter and cheaper too, but the
real point is that Haglöfs is possibly the best brand you
haven't really heard of and definitely worth a second look. We were
impressed and hope to have some more of their kit on the site
soon.
In the mean time, if you want to know more about their range, see
the web site - yes,
there is an English version - or give their UK office a ring on 01934
863561 for more details.
