Haglöfs L.I.M 35 pack review

Here’s our review of the Haglöfs Women’s L.I.M 35…

There is a lot to like about the Haglöfs L.I.M 35 hiking backpack which is why it featured in our guide to the best hiking backpacks , although there are a few drawbacks. Although a lightweight and pared-down pack, it has a well-designed mesh back for good ventilation and great comfort levels. The pack has a traditional top opening with lid and a sophisticated cinch system that works well even with gloves on.

RRP: International shipping | £140 (Buy now from alpinetrek.co.uk) | Weight: 929g | Capacity: 34 Litres | Materials: Bluesign-approved 70D*140D diamond rip-stop polyamide | Closure: 2 clipped top lid | Back system: Airback suspension system | Back length: 49cm | hipbelt: padded | Pockets: 2 side mesh, 2 zipped hipbelt, zipped top, internal hydration sleeve | Features: compression system, gear attachment, adjustable sternum strap, load lifters | Sizes: one

I like the simplicity of the pack, with a main compartment and internal hydration pocket and hanger, plus a zipped external top lid pocket and two roomy zipped hip pockets. The hip pockets are large enough to take my mobile phone. I have some concerns about the durability of the mesh fabric used, which may suffer from abrasion. However, the rest of the pack is made of a lightweight but robust nylon fabric. 

While the Haglöfs L.I.M 35 pack fits me as a taller woman, there is no torso length adjustment, and it is quite a long pack so it may not suit shorter women. Additionally, there are sacrifices to keep the weight down, including no substantial gear attachment points, nor waterproof cover. The zip pulls are minimalist and clips at the hip-belt, sternum and for the top lid are quite fiddly with gloves on.

If you are looking for a lightweight pack that is comfortable to carry and has a simple design, the Haglöfs L.I.M 35 is worth considering, although you’ll need to be the right size for a good fit and the pack isn’t the most robust I’ve tested.