Proof, not promises. How the XT Series earns its reputation.

Most of us have been let down by gear at the worst possible moment. A jacket that stopped breathing on a hard climb. Waterproofing that gave out somewhere between the carpark and the summit. Kit that performed perfectly in every condition except the one that mattered. That gap between what gear promises and what it actually delivers is exactly what the XT Series is built to close. 

Technical gear doesn’t earn trust in a lab. It earns it over a long day, under a full pack, when the weather turns and you’re still two hours from the trailhead. That’s why every XT Series product is both lab tested and field tested.  

In the lab: setting a standard worth beating  

XT materials are first tested in controlled environments to establish clear performance standards. 

This includes testing for: 

• Abrasion resistance, measuring how well fabrics withstand repeated friction 
  
• Tear strength, ensuring materials hold their structure when stressed or caught 
  
• Pilling and snag resistance, maintaining surface integrity over long term use 
  
• Waterproofness and breathability, including hydrostatic head testing to confirm rain protection and moisture transfer 

These benchmarks validate durability and weather protection before any product reaches the trail. 

On the trail where performance is confirmed 

XT products are worn, layered, packed, and adjusted across New Zealand’s most changeable terrain. This testing focuses on how pieces work together as a system: how they layer without bulk, pack down efficiently, and maintain comfort while moving.  

Testing that’s built into design 

For the XT Series, testing isn’t the final stage before launch. It’s part of the design process, influencing material selection, construction decisions, and how each piece integrates with the next. 

Because trust in technical gear isn’t built in theory. It’s built through use. 

Explore the XT Range