The Haglöfs Grym jacket is a 3-layer hardshell jacket that fits in perfectly with the trend of functional fashion; outdoor clothing that is functionally good for outdoor activities (wind, waterproof, breathable, fit for being active) but that can also be used perfectly in everyday life due to fit and color, making the scope of a jacket much wider. With that, a three-layer shell of this kind is a very versatile and therefore sustainable choice. You don’t actually need to have to buy a separate jacket for every activity or every set of (hot / cold, wet / dry) conditions; it’s worse for the environment and for your wallet.

Quick Disclaimer:

In short, we are a fan of three-layer shell jackets, but have we also become a fan of the Haglöfs Grym jacket? Before we answer that question, I want to make a disclaimer: the video review we made of the jacket, and in which we mainly wanted to show how versatile such a hardshell is, was created partly with the support of Haglöfs. However, Haglöfs did not interfere with the content of this review and did not even actually see it before publication. You can be assured of editorial independence from the review.

The promise:

The jacket’s promise is wind and waterproofness, to keep you as warm as you need to be, and breathability. Robust and strong, but flexible enough to move in; easy to use. And last but not least: a sustainably produced jacket with the smallest possible environmental footprint. We will look at these promises point by point.

Wind and waterproof, breathability.

The jacket is certainly windproof. The weather has been pretty bad lately, and under all circumstances I felt a complete windproofness in the jacket. Regarding water proofness, that is a combination of three things:

Outer fabric and DWR layer:

Without a DWR layer (Durable Water Repellent), a waterproof coating, an outer fabric would absorb water and become more or less saturated. A DWR layer must ensure that water that comes on the fabric forms into droplets as much as possible so that it can roll off the fabric instead of being absorbed by the fabric. Two things are also important here: a DWR layer will deteriorate due to wear and abbrasion on the one hand, and on the other hand the effectiveness of a DWR layer can be strengthened (and is strengthened with many brands) with PFC’s (poly fluorocarbonates) that are highly hydrophobic, but also very bad for the environment. PFC’s are not used in the Haglöfs Grym jacket. This makes the pearl effect less extreme than with coatings that do have PFCs, but the trade-off is that it is much less harmful to the environment).

Membrane:

The membrane that is directly laminated to the outer fabric (which in turn has the inner layer), ensures that large water droplets cannot get through the membrane to your body, but that the moisture of perspiration is whicked. I have worn the jacket against the limits of that breathability and it actually behaves as well as other hardshells on the market in terms of breathability. Perfectly in order.

Hood

Only since I have used the Grym have I learned to appreciate the pleasure and benefit of a hood. The hood on the Grym is very easy to adjust, doesn’t feel unfomfortable on your head, and you can tuck away the excess length of the tension bands neatly on your chest. It has a wide brim that can protect your face from the rain. With the hood on you are really well and completely protected against rain and wind. No cold neck or head, no water that can still leak into your jacket through your hair or clothing. 100% thumbs up.

Robust, strong, with freedom of movement

The jacket feels a bit tough when you put it on for the first time. The outer fabric is strong, ripstop patterned and I extensively passed it along fairly tough blackberry bushes to see if the thorns could damage the jacket. It passed with flying yellow colour. After wearing it for a while I also found the jacket more comfortable and the hood also moved well with my head. I found the fit of the jacket very pleasant, I was wore a size L (I am 188 cm long and 92 kilo’s heavy) and I think it is a nice cut between slim and it; and not too tight that you can’t wear a thick midlayer underneath.

Ease of use

The ease of use is mainly in the features, such as the hood, the pockets in the jacket, ventilation zippers etc. Haglöfs follows the path of functional minimalism (not an official term, one that I came up with after wearing this jacket). Which means s little fuss as possible, it has to work. As said, the hood was close to perfection, but with the pockets I thought that minimalism went a bit far. The jacket has two hip pockets and a fairly small and shallow napoleon pocket on the chest that did not fit my phone (iPhone 8 plus). I thought that was a pity. Furthermore, there are ventilation zippers in the armpits that work as you would expect and the cuffs can be adjusted with velcro. All in order.

Durability

Earlier I mentioned the choice Haglöfs made for a sustainable DWR coating. In addition, the Swedes have also chosen to make the fabric from 100% recycled polyamide. Both sustainable choices, added too which the previously mentioned versatile chracater of the hardshell actually has an extra sustainable effect.

Conclusion

The Haglöfs Grym Evo Jacket is a a really goog technically-functional, versatile, durable, strong and well-fitting jacket, with a sober design and yet a striking yellow color. And a jacket with which you will have lots of fun outdoor and urban. With the rapidly changing weather of these months, a very good choice. With € 349.95 the Haglöfs Grym Evo it is very well priced for a 3-layer jacket.

Haglöfs Grym Evo Jacket

Retail price: € 349,95