We asked expert hikers to test the XT Series. Here’s what they found

What came through in testing 

Across every tester, across every environment, one thing surfaced early and consistently: this is a considered system, where each piece has a clear role and works naturally alongside the next. 

Matthew “Mowser” Will, a Tasmania based hiker with over 35 years’ experience hiking in some of the world's most demanding wilderness, put it simply “you can tell it’s a considered set of pieces rather than a random collection… the pieces work together really well as a layering system.” 

That same thinking came through from other testers. Ella Garbett described it as a “whole kit working seamlessly as an ecosystem… everything hits ultralight benchmarks without feeling fragile.” 

That showed up practically on the trail. Instead of constantly adjusting or swapping layers, the XT system worked together naturally across changing conditions. Mowser described the Hybrid Fleece Hooded Jacket as “doing the job of a midlayer and a windshirt at the same time,” which meant carrying fewer pieces overall. 

Weight disappeared too. In Mowser’s words, “the whole system is dialled in for fast and light.” 

But lightweight hiking gear means nothing if it doesn't hold up. Ella Garbett found it delivered both, saying, “being able to move through rough scrub without worrying about tearing the fabric makes it far more practical for real-world trail conditions.” 

 For Gemma McCaw, the standout was balance. “It's strikes the perfect balance between technical performance, comfort and lightweight design.” 

As Mowser explained, “the Octa is the big winner for me, it breathes, it traps warmth where you need it, and it dries fast. Cordura on the high-wear areas is exactly where you want it. The ultralight Aluula construction on the pack feels like a really smart combination.” 

Where the XT series was tested on the trail  

XT Series wasn’t tested in one place or in controlled conditions. It was taken into the kind of environments that expose what gear is really made of.   

In New Zealand, that meant exposed alpine terrain – high winds, fast-moving weather. In Tasmania, Mowser took the system across multi-day hikes where the real test isn't how the gear performs on day one; it's how it performs when fatigue sets in and the trail keeps going.  

Across Australian backcountry, Ella pushed it through rough scrub, abrasive rock and off-track terrain environments where lightweight materials are tested for durability in a practical way.  

And for Gemma McCaw, the testing ground was a 24-hour adventure race, where fatigue compounds, conditions shift, and gear doesn't get the luxury of a rest day. 

Different environments. Different demands. One system that had to answer all of them. 

Why real‑world testing matters 

Lab testing sets the benchmark. Real use sets the standard. 

Because out on trail, conditions don't hold. Weather shifts. Layers come on and off. Movement never stays the same. That's where a technical hiking layering system either simplifies your day or complicates it. Where weight either works for you or against you. Where durability becomes real rather than rated. 

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