Haglöfs L.I.M Hood

Best for packing and stashing

• Sizes W XS-XXL, M S-XXL
• Weight 314g
• Down type Synthetic fibre cluster insulation
• Packable Yes, into inner ‘upside down’ pocket

The noticeably slimmer style of the Haglöfs L.I.M Hood won’t suit those who enjoy a voluminous down design, but this vegan-friendly jacket has plenty going for it. The impressively light jacket is a breeze to pack away (thanks to the nifty inner stuff pocket) so it’s a winner if you’re travelling fast and light.

You may miss the cosiness provided by down, but this jacket is a nice mid layer option. Synthetic jackets tend to dry more quickly too, and as their less bulky, you’re less likely to snag the material. This is a costly jacket though considering it’s not as warm – something to consider if you’re happy to purchase a down design.

Pros: Vegan-friendly synthetic insulation, light and packable
Cons: Lacks cosiness of down, snug fit

If you want to know more, read our full length Haglöfs L.I.M Hood review.

How we tested

These jackets were tested in early autumn. On warmer days at the start of autumn we wore them for early morning walks and during weekend trips away in our campervan, when a good jacket was a must for early morning brew-ups and evenings by the campfire!

As an outdoor swimmer, popping them on after a chilly swim gave a good idea of how quickly they warmed us up too. We also rated them on how well they packed into a backpack as well as how practical elements such as hood, zipper type and pockets made them.

Into October the weather became colder and wetter, so we tried them again for longer walks and gauged their ability to cope with chillier days and light showers. We also tried layering them under a water-resistant layer to see if they could add warmth without too much bulk.

Check out the best walking shoes, tried and tested by our team for more expert reviews.

What to look for in a down jacket

Think about warmth, flexibility, budget and sustainability when shopping for a down jacket, as well as your choice of outdoor pursuit.

Here, we tried out eight down jackets from leading brands to see which is best for you. These tests were done by a female tester trying out women’s jackets, but in most cases an equivalent men’s jacket is also available and we indicate sizing here too.

Some jackets also come in multiple options such as: sweater (no hood), hoody (with hood) and longline (down to knee-length), so even if the one we reviewed here isn’t quite right, follow the links to buy other options.

What is down?

First up – what is a down jacket? Put simply, these are ‘puffer’ type jackets (as opposed to flat jackets, such as most waterproofs) which are filled with down – usually from geese – for warmth. Down is a natural product sourced from birds, though some brands now offer synthetic fill options for those concerned about use of animal products. Down feathers are the smaller ‘insulating’ feathers which sit underneath a bird’s longer ‘flight’ feathers.

Down jackets will usually be overstitched giving them that familiar panelled look, this is to keep the feathers evenly distributed in the jacket to make sure the warmth stays consistent (ie you don’t want all the down sinking to the bottom of the jacket!). There are various ways of doing this though, such as sewn, offset and box. Each affects warmth, but comes at a cost.

The types of down and what they mean

Different types of down are available so if you are concerned about quality of warmth and/or animal welfare, then it’s worth doing your research and luckily, many of the jackets included in our test have transparency around supply chain and are working to improve the use of feathers in garment construction.

Natural down, usually goose feathers, is the most commonly used and with good reason. Feathers work well in jackets the same way they do in nature – the small fibres on each feather work to trap warmth which, when used in large quantities, mean a very light product can be very warm. Many jackets will use a mix of down feathers and larger feathers.

When choosing, look at a company’s traceability around down. For example Fjallraven have a ‘Down Promise’ whereby they source their down as a by-product from the food industry and feathers are sourced from birds destined for the table, with no live plucking. They monitor their chain to make sure birds are cared for under a high welfare conduct.

Other brands, such as Patagonia, subscribe to the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) which certifies products that contain feathers and down from certified farms. It ensures that the feathers and the duvet used in the padded products derive from geese and ducks raised in compliance with the principles and criteria of animal welfare.

If you are vegan or want a jacket free of animal products, then look for a jacket with a ‘synthetic fill’. These will use layers of fabric, usually polyester, which mimic the warmth and feel of down. The jacket from Haglöfs in our test uses a synthetic fill, though many brands featured will have jackets with different fills available.

What is a jacket’s ‘fill power’?

Wondering what ‘fill power’ is when you look at down jackets? Put simply, this figure – usually between around 600-800 – is measured in CUIN, which stands for cubic inches. With regards to fill power, this figure tells you how many cubic inches of down you get in one ounce of the down inside the jacket. So if the fill power is 700, that’s 700 cubic inches of down per ounce.

When comparing jackets, fill power is one factor that affects warmth – but a jacket’s toastiness will also be dependent on construction, facing fabrics and lining as well as added elements such as storm flaps over zips and some kind of elasticity at cuffs, collar and hem to prevent draughts.

It’s important to remember that fill power refers to quality not quantity – it tells you how good a type of down is at trapping air, in other words you get a warmer product for less weight

The benefits of natural down

Renowned for its lightweight nature and superb warmth, down is a popular choice for good reason. So if you’re planning a trip somewhere cold and dry, then (provided you’re happy choosing down) a down-filled jacket will be a stellar option for keeping you toasty but also being very packable, as these jackets tend to squidge up the most, too.

The downsides of natural down

Down is superb in dry conditions, but not so good once it starts raining. Down, being a natural product, tends to clump together when wet and then loses its ability to store warmth. Many jackets will have some kind of hydrophobic treatment on the facings (or even on the down too) which can withstand light rain, but once the heavens really open it is unlikely they’ll be completely impermeable.

These jackets can also be a faff to care for. You’ll need to wash and dry them carefully and reproof where appropriate to keep them performing as well as when new. With this in mind, you may wish to choose a darker colour that won’t show up grubby marks if you tend to explore muddy places! That said though, we do like a bright colour for visibility when out in the wilds.

What should I choose for active use?

There are a few features you should look for if you’re planning on being quite active in your jacket – think fell or hill walking, heading up mountains or for use in slightly warmer conditions.

A slightly thinner-weight and lighter jacket will be easier to move in (so less ‘pouffy!) and the construction here will help – a simple sew-through construction where the jacket has sections sewn into it will be more breathable than a more chunky box-type construction where sections are built into the jacket to maximise warmth.

You may also want to look for stretchy panels on the sides for added movement as well as a 2-way zipper. These are handy as you can do the jacket up then pull the zip back up a little from the bottom, allowing you more freedom of movement through the hips and legs.

Finally, elastication at the cuffs of the sleeves is helpful here as they make it easier to push your sleeves up when you get warmer.

What should I choose for sedentary use?

If you are not going to be moving as much or are visiting very cold conditions, then look for a warmer jacket with a higher CUIN as well as a construction which minimises draughts – such as a layered/offset or box construction.

You will also most likely want a hood, as well as cords/elastic which allow you to draw the coat close to your body and around your face to again minimise draughts.

Is it worth having a hood?

Whether you choose a hood or not is up to personal preference. As these jacket tend to be about warmth rather than waterproofing, a hood is more useful if you need to keep your head warm so consider whether you would usually wear a hat in colder whether.

That said, a hood can be a useful extra layer and can be worn over a knitted hat to add warmth and stop draughts around the neck – so long as you’re not a bobble hat wearer!

Look for a hood that can be adjusted and secured in windy weather.

Is it a good idea to get a down jacket with waterproof fabric?

Some element of waterproofing can be helpful for light showers, but we would usually recommend layering if you can – so using a down jacket as a layer for warmth and then adding a fully-waterproof jacket over the top if the heavens open.

Look for jackets with a DWR (durable water repellent) coating which is hydrophobic and causes water to bead and run off the fabric. You may wish to look for PFC (perfluorinated compound) -free treatment though, as although commonly used, PFC chemicals can be damaging when they enter the water and therefore the food chain.

How can I check if my jacket is sustainable?

Check the brand’s website to see which materials they use and how they manage their supply chain. Most jackets will be made from polyester/nylon so check what the fabric is made from – post-consumer plastic bottles and ghost fishing nets are a common and more sustainable source.

Some of the bigger brands here will have their own schemes which contribute to environmental and sustainability concerns, such as Patagonia’s 1% for the Planet scheme. It’s also worth seeing if they manage their supply chain in such a way that gives workers a fair wage and working conditions.

Sustainability also starts at home though – so think about your needs. It’s better to pay a little more for a jacket that will last you many years. Look at brands that also offer a repair scheme too, such as Finisterre and Patagonia. Some even come with patches of fabric in case you need to repair them.

How do I know if my jacket is ethical?

Ethics and sustainability come hand-in-hand with many of the issues concerned, but where down jackets are concerned you will want to think about how your down has been sourced. Of course for vegans or those who feel strongly about the use of animal products synthetic down will be the choice.

Down is a fantastic fabric though with many benefits. Checking where the down in your jacket comes from though can be very reassuring – some brands will subscribe to the RDS (responsibly sourced down) scheme which checks standards for the birds kept for down and helps brands avoid cruel practises such as force-feeding and live plucking.

Fjallraven also has its own down supply chain processes which ensures the birds are well looked-after and that any down used is a by-product of the food industry.

For more hiking gear reviews, read our roundup of the best walking boots, tried and tested.

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