Kathmandu has built its most advanced technical hiking system to date, the XT Series.
Built on nearly four decades of outdoor experience, the modular range has been engineered to move fast while being tough enough to go the distance.
Within reach of the lightest systems on the market, the XT Series arrives with two products already recognised with ISPO Awards.
The five-category range spans base layers, a hybrid mid-layer, down insulation, rainwear and a 40-litre XT Pack. The system and each product have been engineered with minimal weight for maximum performance.
According to Chad Leeder, Kathmandu’s Head of Materials, the balance between lightweight design and serious durability was 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 said.
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.”
Each product fulfils 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 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.
Each material in the XT Series was chosen with purpose, then pushed further.
- Recycled Cordura is used where abrasion resistance and longevity matter most, across rainwear, down jackets and the hybrid mid-layer. The fabric has been custom-developed for Kathmandu, which is now an official Cordura partner.
- Octa fleece is 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 percent less weight than traditional fleece.
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.
Leeder added that Octa panels sit where heat builds and airflow is needed most: the back, underarms, and areas where your pack sits against. Cordura stretch delivers structure, wind resistance, and durability without restricting movement. Together, these create a jacket that actively regulates temperature.
Field testing of the entire XT Series took place across New Zealand’s backcountry, where gear is exposed to prolonged wet weather, abrasive terrain and repeated wear and tear.
Additional lab testing covered abrasion resistance, tear strength, pilling and snag resistance, and benchmarks for waterproofness and breathability. As a certified B Corp, sustainability was engineered into the XT Series from the start, with a focus on longevity, repairability, and responsible materials.
The XT Series is available in selected New Zealand and Australian stores, as well as online. Further products are expected to be added to the Kathmandu XT Series in 2027.
