Haglofs Triton Hood Tested

Haglofs Triton Hood Tested

Price: £65.00

Weight: 287 grammes (men's large)

Features: Polartec microfleece main body fabric, stretch panels middle side, hood and cuff and Dryskin mesh armpit panel for ventilation, flatlock seams, offset side and shoulder seams to avoid chafing, brushed surface inside and out, zippered front with chin guard, adjustable stretch hood, zippered sleeve pocket.

One of the few technical microfleeces on the market, careful detailing. Fit slightly quirky.

---

The Concept If you run at all hot, 100-weight fleece is an ideal weight for active use, even in cold conditions - however while virtually every other microfleece on the market is a simple pullover, Haglofshas bucked the trend by producing a carefully detailed and designed technical jacket that's intended to work well layered under technical shells as well as alone.

Aim is to provide a wicking, warm mid-layer that's warm, but not too warm and packs small and light for stashing away when it's not needed.

---

Features The Triton's gained a lot of detailing that's migrated across from more ostentatiously 'technical' garments. So, you get and adjustable hood with a stretch panel at the base of it, mesh under the arms, stretch cuffs and underarm panels. There's also a stretch mesh section directly under your pits to keep things cool and ventilated.

Oh, and the fleece is all Polartec, which Haglofs reckons is a better long term bet than cheaper fleece fabrics.

---

In Action First. we're big fans of microfleece - 100-weight fleece - generally. It's about as warm as we want to get for active use, wicks decently and packs down small. the Triton ticks all those boxes and with an all-in measured weight of just 287 grammes isn't going to weigh you down either.

The soft, stretchy feel of the brushed fabric is nice too, but hey, enough of aesthetics, how does the design work? Since standard fleece has minimal wind resistance, it's at its best teamed with a shell of some kind and that's where the Haglofs tapered technical cut scores points.

The stretch panels allow easy forward movement and the thin, stretch cuffs sit welk under shell cuffs without adding bulk. We also liked the simple hood. It's nice to simply pull on for belay stops, can be worn easily under a helmet and the stretchy fleece panels allow good mobility even when it's cinched up over your chin.

So far, so good. There are two points we're less certain about though. One is that there's no adjustment at the hem and we found it tended to ride up with use and couldn't be snugged down. That may be connected to point two, which is that the cut is a little quirky. We normally wear a medium, but needed a large in this top and still found it a little odd fitting in places. We strongly suggest that you try before you buy.

---

Verdict

If you're after a technical microfleece jacket, the market's not exactly brimming with choice, so it's just as well that the Haglofs Triton is actually pretty good. Small, light, fast wicking and with a useful hood that works well for climbing and walking, plus with detail touches like the flat-locked seams that work well, it's a decent choice for all round use with a close-fitting technical shell.

We'd prefer a better fitting or adjustable lower section however, though obviously that's a personal fit issue and we'd definitely suggest careful trying before buying. The same garment in Powerstretch or Schoeller, which would fit more tightly and have a little more wind resistance, would be awesome, but this is still a nice jacket.

Performance
Value

---

Haglofs Web Site

Pushed for time: Beautifully detailed and carefully thought out technical microfleece that works well teamed with a technical shell layer and has the bonus of a handy hood. Small packing and light, but try carefully before buying as the fit is a little quirky.

Know more or want to?

If you'd like to add your own experiences of this product check out our user review system and post your opinions to the world. If you have questions you can mail us direct, ask Richard Gear or try a posting to our gear forum.