Haglöfs V Series: is this the future of the anorak?
- Text by Michael Fordham
“We have the opportunity to develop material without constraint,” says textile designer Jenny Spiik, one of the lead material developers for Swedish outdoor company Haglöfs. “We set the bar high, pushed the limits and aimed for the most futuristic, long-lasting and high-performance product ever made.”
Jenny and Haglöfs are based in Stockholm, and run extensive testing sessions in the woods of Lapland, in the frozen north of the country. The company makes premium quality gear rooted in a very Swedish brand of straight-edged integrity and practicality. And with environmental imperatives leading the way in all things industrial, testbeds like the V Series Raw Anorak are at the cutting edge of what is possible in terms of clean, sustainable materials. “The V Series is a place where we can showcase all our expertise and knowledge,” explains Jenny. “It’s also an excuse to make something really, very good!”
This latest drop is indeed an amazing piece of outdoor kit. It’s a totally undyed, fluorocarbon free outer shell with a three-layer construction, built with the brand’s own PROOF technology. The jacket is threaded through with a super-tough material called Vectran, a recycled nylon material that is very strong – and gives the fabric amazing ripstop properties. The way it is constructed also gives the jacket a cool mottled effect at higher temperatures, which was an unexpected, pleasing aspect to the piece of kit.
“One of the things we wanted to do was not only make a piece that was kind to nature,” Jenny adds. “But we also wanted to make an outer shell that is silent, so you can enjoy nature when you’re out in it, rather than dealing with annoying rustling noises.” And it works: wearing the jacket on an extended ramble in the Northern woods with the crew was completely silent.
The V series Raw Anorak comes in unisex sizing (S – XL) and is launched in a limited edition. Available from Haglöfs own stores and online as well as through selected retailers: including Très Bien (Malmö), Slam Jam (Milan), Firmament (Berlin) and Norse Store (Copenhagen).
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