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Haglofs Touring Mid Jacket has been designed with purpose offering features that can be applied to multiple activities. The main principles of this fleece jacket are to help regulate temperature during higher octane activities such as Ski Touring, however the benefits of this garment do not just lie with activities such as this.
I have been able to put this jacket through its paces from 10 mile Burgan runs to the day hikes with the dog in a multitude of conditions, this is what I have discovered;

Fit
First of all, to provide some context…. I have a 40-inch chest and measure 185cm (just short of 6ft1’’) tall or using an outdoor enthusiast standard unit of measure; 8.8 1L Nalgene Bottles tall.
I have been wearing a large size and find the length of the Jacket to be generous with the base covering down to mid-buttock. This in use proved welcome when wearing as my most outer layer it provided further cover from the wind and prevented the fleece riding during my runs, hikes, and walks.
Whilst the fleece has an athletic design and therefore close fitting, I found the chest had ample room and not constrictive during any of my outings. I have however felt a little constrictive around my shoulder and armpit due to the diameter of where the sleeve begins at the shoulder being slightly tight.
Arm length is longer than with most other fleece jackets I have experienced with the cuff covering my knuckles at full length, however, easily pulled back and held in place at the wrist. I ended up using the full length of sleeves on a few occasions to stave off some wind chill on my hands when gloves weren’t readily available.

Design Features and Feel
On first putting the Jacket on it feels immediately comfortable mainly due to the close fit of the garment (especially at the forearm) and the soft plush lining of both the Polartec® Power Stretch® fleece and Polartec® Alpha®. The zippers on the jacket are large by design, this is so to better operate when wearing bulkier gloves which is extremely useful during wintery conditions, I found this useful both when wearing gloves and without as they are easier to locate/grab. The main zip has been backed with a strip of Polartec Alpha which ensures full moisture wicking coverage and prevents any cold spots on the Jacket.

Performance and Materials
The best way to test this garment in my mind was to get sweaty… So, I darned a 20kg rucksack and set off on a number of ‘trail runs’ around Northumberland throughout this past winter.

The Polartec Power Stretch sections on the jacket are strategically placed which allowed me to move naturally, adapting full to my range of motion due to the 4-way stretch capabilities of the fabric. I was pleased to see the Jacket retained its original shape over prolonged use given the vast rage of movement I put it through. The Power Stretch sections also provide a bit more protection from the wind, which helped keep my extremities stay warm.

One of the big draws to this jacket for me was the application of Polartec Alpha, this material not only is extremely light weight but its ability to help the regulate the bodies temperature during all levels of activity is very impressive. I was not disappointed, its fair to say I got a bit of a sweat on at times, however, at no point did I feel that my base layer or Haglofs Touring Mid Jacket was holding any perspiration, proving the ability to manage moisture effectively. After a 10 mile Burgan run through Northumberland I would normally look to change my base layer and found no need as I was bone dry.

My one concern with the Jacket was the level of wear across the shoulders when wearing a rucksack especially when moving faster. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find little to no wear in these areas of Alpha, there is no flatting to the plushness of the fabric and therefore retaining its natural loft and ability to do its job.

Conclusion
Haglofs Touring Mid Jacket’s ability to perform well as a shell and a fleece to regulate the bodies temperature is second to none, with the innovative use of both Polartec Altha Direct and Polartec Power Stretch to create an extremely versatile and lightweight layer which can be adapted to a multitude of activities and conditions

Chris Futers
About the author: Chris fully immerses himself in many outdoor sports and challenges. Whether it's Multi-day hikes, Rock Climbing, Kayaking, Trail Running or Bikepacking, the allure of the outdoors is his true passion. Chris likes to test himself against the wilds, taking on multiple challenges/events such as the Lakes Travers Trail Race, TGO Challenge and Cycling the Coast to Cost (C2C) to name a few. Having worked and volunteered as a coach/instructor for multiple outdoor sports and pursuits, Chris likes to help others achieve and connect with the outdoors, always eager to pass on his knowledge and experience. Chris is our Customer Service Team Leader, joining the UOG team in 2020. Read more from Chis Futers