Haglöfs L.I.M Jacket Review

Overview

The Haglöfs L.I.M Jacket is a 230 g GORE-TEX shell built around the brand’s “Less Is More” philosophy: one chest pocket, a three-way adjustable hood, and almost nothing else. It targets fast hikers, trail runners and ultralight backpackers who want a real waterproof membrane in the pack rather than a wind shell with a DWR coating. The trade-off is a thin 20-denier face fabric that asks for a little more care than a heavier shell would.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	230 g
Fabric	GORE-TEX Paclite PLUS 2.5-layer, 100% polyamide
Face fabric	20D dry-touch mini-ripstop weave
Fabric weight	74 g/m²
Hydrostatic head	>28,000 mm
Breathability (RET)	<6
Fit	Regular
Hood	3-way adjustable, laminated and reinforced peak
Pockets	One zippered chest pocket
Cuffs / hem	Elasticated cuffs; single-hand adjustable hem
Seams	No shoulder, side or inner-sleeve seams
Back length	80 cm (size L)
Other	Water-resistant zippers, reflective details, articulated sleeves

Performance

Waterproofing. The numbers are strong for a jacket this light. Haglöfs rates the fabric at more than 28,000 mm of hydrostatic head, and testers have backed that up on the hill. Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic, took the L.I.M into poor weather in the Lake District. He found the waterproofing excellent and called it one of the most protective jackets he had used in the lightweight category, even though it isn’t the lightest.

Breathability. Paclite PLUS drops the traditional backer fabric. In its place is a dry-touch carbon print that shields the membrane from skin oils and abrasion, and that is where much of the weight saving comes from. The result, according to Outdoors Magic, is a jacket noticeably airier than standard GORE-TEX shells. Haglöfs lists a RET below 6, which is in the breathable range for a membrane shell. On a steep climb in drizzle, that means less of the clammy build-up that tends to push hikers into unzipping and getting wet anyway.

Construction. The jacket has no shoulder, side or inner-sleeve seams. That cuts the number of places water can find a way in, and it removes friction points under pack straps and hip belts. The hood is the standout feature. It adjusts at three points, so it can be cinched around the face, and the laminated peak holds its shape. Testers describe it as secure in wind. The cuffs are simple elastic with no adjustment, which keeps weight down but gives less sealing control in sideways rain. The hem cinches with one hand.

Packability. The 20D face and soft interior fold down small, and reviewers describe the L.I.M as an easy item to slip into a daypack or a hip-belt pocket. It is a backup layer by design. It is meant to live at the bottom of the pack until the forecast turns, then go on over a fleece or a sweaty base layer without sticking.

Durability. The jacket is thinner than the 270 g L.I.M GTX, Haglöfs’ later version, which uses a 40D face. The 20D fabric is the point of this model, and it is also the limit. Hikers carrying rough-edged packs or bushwhacking through scrub should expect more wear than they would get from a 40D shell. For maintenance, Haglöfs advises a gentle 40 °C machine wash and a low-heat tumble to revive the finish.

Fit. The cut is Regular, with articulated sleeves meant to keep the hem from riding up when the arms are raised. There is room for a light midlayer but not a puffy.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 230 g with a full GORE-TEX membrane
• Hydrostatic head above 28,000 mm, rated RET below 6
• Hood with three-point adjustment and a stiffened peak
• Minimal seams: none at the shoulders, sides or inner sleeves
• Single-hand hem adjustment
• Reflective details for low light

Cons

• 20D face fabric is less abrasion-resistant than 40D shells
• Only one chest pocket and no hand pockets, so there is nowhere to warm cold hands
• Cuffs are elastic only, with no adjustment
• Not the lightest shell available for the money, as Outdoors Magic noted
• Now sold mainly through outlet and retailer channels

Who Should Buy This

The L.I.M suits fast-and-light hikers, trail runners and three-season backpackers who want a dependable waterproof shell that lives in the pack most of the time. It also fits anyone who has found wind shells inadequate in sustained rain but doesn’t want to carry a 400 g hardshell. Hikers who regularly push through brush, or who want hand pockets and pit zips for hard exertion in hot, wet conditions, should look at a sturdier shell. Hikers chasing a base weight at the extreme end of ultralight, where every shell is judged by whether it comes in under 200 g, will find lighter options, though not many with a membrane this proven.

Verdict

The L.I.M Jacket does what its name promises: it trims everything but the essentials and keeps the GORE-TEX protection. It is a confident choice as an emergency or backup shell for people who treat gear gently, and a poor one for those who don’t. Recommended for light, fast three-season use.