Kathmandu Unveils Most Technically Advanced Hiking Range Yet

When it comes to trends, one that has been gathering steam in recent weeks and months with force is the ongoing "outdoors boom." Roy Morgan's latest consumer data indicates significant uptrends in Australian participation and retail spending on nature-focused activities.

Into this fray lands Kathmandu's hiking collection, which has been described as the New Zealand brand's "most technically advanced hiking range to date." The XT Series features five different categories and a number of products spanning base layers, down jackets, rainwear, and a backpack.

The range arrives with two products that have already been recognized with ISPO Awards, internationally recognized seals of quality for outstanding innovation and performance in the global sports, outdoor, and winter sports industry. One in apparel and one in equipment, the awards reflect two of the most prestigious recognitions in the global outdoor industry.

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Lightweight and Durable Design

According to Kathmandu's Head of Materials Chad Leeder, the balance of lightweight alongside durability was absolutely non-negotiable. "Every gram saved had to earn its place, without giving up any of the durability that allows hikers to go further, lighter and faster," he says. "The XT Series is the system we've always wanted to make. It brings together the most advanced materials, the lightest construction, and the highest level of testing we have ever applied."

The range is built around a simple premise: every piece performs on its own, but together they're something else. Each product fulfills a specific role across temperature regulation, weather protection, insulation, and load carrying, and layering has been engineered to remove overlap, redundant insulation, and unnecessary bulk.

Designed for Real Conditions

Designed for trail and multi-day hiking, backcountry hut trips, long ridgelines, and extended days, the focus is on the conditions most hikers face: sustained movement, wet weather, and the need to keep going day after day. "As a system, it prioritises efficiency over extremity, staying light while remaining robust in changing conditions," says Chad.

Each material in the XT Series was chosen with purpose, then pushed further. The two specific materials comprise Recycled Cordura, used where abrasion resistance and longevity matter most, across rainwear, down jackets, and the hybrid mid-layer. The other material is Octa fleece, used across base and mid layers. Its open fibre structure allows heat and moisture to escape quickly. Delivering warmth without bulk, Octa fleece is 50 per cent less weight than traditional fleece.

Innovative Hybrid Mid-Layer

In the XT Series hybrid mid-layer, that precision works harder, with Octa and recycled Cordura stretch panels strategically zoned for airflow, wind protection, and pack-contact points. It's a combination that earned the Women's XT Series Hybrid Octa Fleece Hooded Jacket a 2025 ISPO Award in apparel. "What makes the Hybrid Octa Fleece Hooded Jacket truly special is how we've worked the materials together and mapped them to the body," says Chad. "Octa panels sit where heat builds and airflow is needed most – the back, underarm, the areas your pack sits against – and Cordura stretch delivers structure, wind resistance and durability without restricting movement. Together, this creates a jacket that actively regulates temperature as you move."

Award-Winning Backpack

Finally, there is a hiking 40L XT Pack. Kathmandu uses Aluula composite fabric for an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio – UV-resistant and built to resist delamination over time, its most practical benefit is its repairability; tears can be fixed on the trails using heat and a supplied patch, extending the pack's usable life. "In a category where gear issues often mean disposal, we've made sure repair also becomes a feature," says Chad. The result is a pack that won an ISPO Award in equipment. At 1.1kg base weight, reducing to approximately 850g trail weight with hip belt and frame removed, it's built light without cutting corners. The ISPO Award Jury highlighted that the vest-style harness and foamless ribbed back panel "ensure a high level of comfort on any terrain."