Thomas Séramour shares his feedback on the Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Pant Men waterproof trousers after using them for over 3 months during Spring-Summer 2023.
Introduction to the HAGLÖFS Brand
Haglöfs is a Scandinavian brand founded in Sweden in 1914 by Wiktor Haglöfs. Initially, he aimed to design backpacks for forest rangers. Gradually, Wiktor Haglöfs began developing technical gear to cope with Sweden’s challenging weather conditions. Thus, the Haglöfs brand was born, producing outdoor equipment for hiking, mountaineering, alpine skiing, backcountry skiing, and trekking. Textiles became its specialty, closely followed by its backpacks and various accessories and footwear.
Today, the Haglöfs brand has expanded internationally and equips numerous high-mountain expeditions. The brand now offers a wide range of textiles to address various climatic conditions with significant technical features. Indeed, Haglöfs focuses on durable, lightweight, waterproof, and windproof products while maintaining a sleek design.
Furthermore, Haglöfs is committed to reducing its environmental impact. The brand also promotes good working conditions for its employees. With its “Take Care” label, the brand offers environmentally friendly products using organic cotton or recycled materials. Lastly, Haglöfs established the Fair Wear Foundation, aiming to monitor working conditions within its textile manufacturing factories.
To learn more about the Scandinavian outdoor brand Haglöfs, I invite you to read the article below.
Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Pant Men Waterproof Trousers
The Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Pant Men is a waterproof trouser designed for hiking and trekking. It’s part of their L.I.M range, which stands for “Less is More”, emphasizing minimalism with lighter yet equally efficient equipment. The GORE-TEX Paclite® technology was used for this trouser, making it lighter and more durable.
It provides excellent protection against the elements when needed. The L.I.M trouser is compact, lightweight, and breathable, making it a perfect outer layer. Moreover, it’s easy to adjust and put on due to various zippers and elastic hems.
Features of the Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Waterproof Trousers
- Price: £250
- Activities: Hiking and trekking
- Technology: Ultra-lightweight, compressible, and breathable GORE-TEX Paclite®
- Weight: 280 grams
- Water-resistant side zippers for excellent ventilation
- Articulated knees for increased mobility
- Elasticated waist with laminated zip fly
- Adjustable trouser hems with elastic cord
- Reflective details for added visibility
My Experience with the Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Pant Men Waterproof Trousers
First Impressions
The Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Pant Men waterproof trousers seem sturdy and of high quality! Both externally and internally, the trousers have excellent finishes. There are no loose threads; everything is well assembled. The two side zippers are also watertight. The materials used seem robust and perfectly suited for challenging weather conditions, like those in the mountains. The trousers also adjust at the ankles, which is great!
Field Test Conditions
I had the opportunity to test these waterproof trousers during various mountain outings where the weather wasn’t always favorable. I went on a 3-week trek in Verdon and Val d’Allos in May, where the weather was unpredictable. I also did a 2-week trek in the Northern Alps, where the trousers protected me from frequent June thunderstorms. Lastly, I used them on several bivouac hikes around Grenoble.
- Date: Spring 2023 to Summer 2023
- Locations: In the mountains, in the Chartreuse, Vercors, Beaufortain ranges, and also in the Mercantour massif.
- Activities: Hiking, bivouac, and trekking.
Waterproofing and Breathability
The Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Pant Men uses GORE-TEX Paclite® technology. This Gore-Tex Paclite® fabric has 2.5 layers, ensuring the same waterproofing as a regular Gore-Tex fabric but is lighter. The trousers are 100% polyamide with a hydrostatic head exceeding 28,000 mm and a RET less than 6.82 g/m²! The hydrostatic head measures waterproofing, and 28,000 mm corresponds to a full day in the rain or a heavy storm. Indeed, above 20,000 mm, the garment is considered fully waterproof. Meanwhile, RET (Resistance – Evaporation – Transmission) indicates the fabric’s breathability. In this case, it’s breathable, falling between 6 and 12.
RET Data Information:
- RET less than 6: highly breathable
- RET between 6 and 12: breathable
- RET between 12 and 20: slightly breathable
- RET beyond 20: not breathable.
Lightness
It’s quite impressive to see the technicality of these trousers for such a small weight! In fact, the trousers weigh only 225g and take up very little space. Thus, they always find a place in my backpack. In fact, I often set out in the summer with just my shorts and waterproof trousers. With such a weight, there’s no hesitation in bringing them along! They serve as windproof trousers for mountain bivouac evenings, for example.
Comfort During Activity
Once hiking, the trousers are genuinely comfortable. They’re comfortable in size and also in their adjustments! The Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Pant Men trousers are quite spacious, allowing ease of movement while walking. They make a bit of noise when used, but it’s not overly bothersome. The trousers can be easily put on without removing shoes thanks to the side zippers, a real advantage during a storm. Lastly, the trousers can be adjusted with drawstrings at the ankles, which is very convenient. Few waterproof trousers come with a fly, and it’s indeed very practical!
However, the trousers don’t have waist adjustments. So, you need to be sure of the size from the start, which can sometimes be tricky. For me, I usually fluctuate between sizes S or M for trousers, mainly due to tightness around the thighs. I tested these Haglöfs trousers in size M, and they fit perfectly around the thighs, but there’s a bit too much around the waist. I find it a pity that there’s no waist adjustment cord. That’s the only improvement I’d suggest for these Haglöfs waterproof trousers. Fortunately, the backpack holds up the trousers, so it’s still okay.
Trekking through the mountains in rain and storms is no longer a problem; with the right gear, almost anything is possible!
The Haglöfs L.I.M GTX Pant Men waterproof trousers are very well-designed.
They are quality trousers with genuine technicality and an almost unbeatable weight! They only need a waist adjustment, and they’ll be perfect! From now on, they’ll accompany me on my upcoming bivouacs and treks to protect me from the elements!
