What’s new with Kathmandu? Getting serious with the XT Series

More than 20 years ago my mum nabbed me a shirt from Kathmandu’s discount rack. Grey, loose-fitting, and simply cut, it was not stylish. But it was indestructible, weighed almost nothing, and would dry overnight in 90 percent humidity. 

I wore it hiking, for sun protection cycling in summer, even occasionally over my swimmers when I didn’t want to slather my arms and shoulders in sunscreen. It lasted more than 15 years, with countless days of wear over thousands of kilometres, before the fabric finally started to disintegrate. 

Given that shirt was such a wardrobe staple for so long, it’s not surprising I developed a soft spot for Kathmandu gear. Admittedly though I’ve generally just directed friends to the brand when they’re looking for “entry level” outdoors gear—effective, budget-conscious, nothing too technical. 

This is no longer the case. 

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time in the NZ mountains testing gear from the new XT Series. Right away, it was clear this was something new. 

The Hybrid Octa Fleece Hood Jacket blew me away with the warmth to weight ratio. At just 280 grams (women’s size small) it hardly feels like I’m wearing anything at all, and it’s as warm as—excuse the technical jargon—a really, like, super bulky jumper. I kept taking it off to check the weather was actually as cold as I thought because I couldn’t believe how toasty I was. Designed with carrying a pack in mind—think multi-day hikes or lugging your gear to the crag—the jacket has a wind-resistant front, coupled with a lighter back to combat the all-too-common under-the-pack sweat patches. It’s no surprise this jacket was a 2025 ISPO Award winner.

Speaking of packs, the XT Series 40 litre pack uses durable, water resistant ALUULA fabric, and weighs in at just 1.1 kilograms. To keep the weight low, every pocket earns its place, from the stretchy mesh front pocket perfect for shoving extra layers to the zip pockets on the waistband and straps that are actually large enough for a phone (or just loads of easy-access snacks). 

To be honest, as a die-hard Osprey pack fan who absolutely prioritises comfort in packs, I didn’t expect to think much of a lightweight pack. But this one was remarkably comfortable—I’d happily take it on a multi-day hike. 

The other items in the range impressed me just as much. There’s an ultralight Octa fleece base layer. A water-resistant, tear-resistant CORDURA down jacket with 800-fill goose down. Then a lightweight three-layer rain jacket, and rain pants made from the same material. 

Okay, but what are these fancy fabrics used in the XT Series?

I sat down to chat with Chad Leeder, Kathmandu’s Head of Materials to find out more. Kathmandu is one of the few Australian brands with a dedicated fabrics team, he told me, and the team has engineered the XT Series fabrics from the ground up. 

He explained the three part focus of the XT Series: performance, durability and sustainability. 

“As new challenges come up for the hiker, we want to solve those problems. We want people to be comfortable it the outdoors, and to be able to trust their gear,” he said. “Everything we do is sustainable. All apparel is made from recycled sources, and all the fabrics are recyclable.”

When I asked if he thought the XT Series—the current gear and a few more projects they have in the works—would put Kathmandu on par with any other high end outdoor gear brand, he simply said: “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”

Finally, I have to mention the colours. As someone who’s been subjected to far too many outdoor brands that still seem to favour pink and pastels for their women’s ranges, having rich, bold colours on offer was a nice change. Looking stylish might not be my first priority in the outdoors, but it’s a definite perk. 

And, given I suspect my XT Series gear is going to last me at least as many years as my first Kathmandu shirt, I’m stoked to know I’ll spend the next 15 years in deep mulberry and vibrant orange. 

Read more here: https://www.kathmandu.com.au/pages/xt-series