Kathmandu has spent decades known for solid, sensible gear that gets Australians and New Zealanders up mountains and into national parks without breaking the bank.
The new XT Series is a different proposition altogether. Pitched as the brand’s most technical hiking range yet, it is built around a simple idea: four layers, each engineered to do one job well, that can be worn together as a complete system or peeled apart and used on their own.
We spent time putting three pieces from the range through their paces on cool-weather day hikes and overnight trips: the women’s Cordura LT Down Hooded Jacket, the women’s Hybrid Octa Fleece Hood Jacket, and the 40-litre XT Series Pack. Here is how each one performed.
Women’s XT Series Cordura LT Down Hooded Jacket – Black Stingray
This is the warmth layer of the system, and it is the piece I reached for first on frosty mornings. The shell is a CORDURA Re/COR ripstop nylon, and it is immediately obvious this is tougher than your average puffer fabric. Scrambling over granite and pushing through low scrub, I did not pick up a single snag, which matters when you are carrying a pack with straps and buckles that love to catch on fine down fabrics.
Inside, 800-fill RDS-certified goose down does most of the work, so the jacket compresses down small but still holds a genuinely surprising amount of warmth for its weight. What impressed me more was the placement of Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation through the shoulders, underarms and cuffs, the exact spots where sweat and rain tend to get in and down loses its loft. On a damp start to a hike, when most down jackets start to feel clammy and flat, this one kept performing.
The jacket packs into its own internal pocket, so it disappears into a pack corner when the sun comes out, and the hood is cut generously enough to fit over a beanie without feeling restrictive. Three zipped pockets, including a chest pocket, mean there is somewhere secure to keep a phone or snacks without digging around. For anyone hiking in genuinely cold, mixed conditions, this is a jacket built for the job rather than just the look of one.
RRP: $549.98 and purchase at kathmandu.com.au/products/wmns-xt-series-cordura-lt-down-hooded-jacket-black-stingray
Women’s XT Series Hybrid Octa Fleece Hood Jacket – Black Stingray
If the down jacket is about maximum warmth for minimum weight, the Hybrid Octa Fleece is about staying comfortable while you are actually moving. This sits as the mid layer in the XT system, and it shows: the front panel is the same tough CORDURA Re/COR ripstop as the down jacket, which fends off wind and brushes off scratchy scrub, while the body and sleeves use Octa active insulation, a lofted synthetic fill designed to trap warm air without holding onto sweat.
On a steep climb, this is the layer that earns its keep. I started cold, warmed up fast on the ascent, and never had to stop to strip off a layer, which is the whole point of “active insulation”: it breathes as your effort increases rather than turning into a sauna. The hood adds a welcome bit of extra protection when the wind picks up on an exposed ridge, and because a good portion of the jacket is made from recycled materials, it is a genuine option for anyone trying to make more sustainable gear choices without compromising on performance.
It is not a jacket built to be your only layer in genuinely foul weather, but as the piece you wear while working hard between a base layer and a shell, it is hard to fault.
RRP: $299.98 and purchase at kathmandu.com.au/products/wmns-xt-series-hybrid-octa-fleece-hood-jacket-black-stingray
XT Series Pack – 40L – Black Stingray/Mist
A good pack either disappears on your back or reminds you constantly that it is there, and this one falls firmly into the first category. The 40-litre XT Series Pack is built from ALUULA fabric, with pockets combining recycled nylon and UHMWPE, a fibre more commonly found in high-end sailing and climbing gear thanks to its strength-to-weight ratio. In practice, that translates to a pack that feels far lighter than its capacity suggests, without the flimsiness that usually comes with shaving off weight.
The foamless back panel was the standout feature on a warmer afternoon push: it let air move properly against my back rather than trapping heat the way foam padding often does, and it rinsed clean in seconds after a muddy weekend away. The harness-style shoulder straps distribute load well, sitting flat and secure even when the pack was loaded close to capacity.
What sets this pack apart is its adaptability. Strip out the hip belt and internal frame, and the weight drops from 1.1 kilograms to 850 grams, turning it from a supportive multi-day hauler into a genuinely light day pack. The roll-top closure keeps the weather out and makes overpacking simple, while the wide opening means no more upending the whole bag to find something buried at the bottom. For hikers who want one pack that can flex between a big weekend mission and a fast, light day out, this is about as versatile as it gets.
RRP: $499.98 and purchase at kathmandu.com.au/products/xt-series-pack-40l-black-stingray-mist
The verdict
Individually, each of these pieces performs well above what you would expect at these price points, and together, they show Kathmandu is serious about competing with the more established technical hiking brands. If you are planning a season of proper cool-weather adventures, whether that is alpine day walks or multi-day treks, the XT Series is worth building into your kit one piece at a time.
