Clothing

Sports wear require regular maintenance and care. When you take good care of your clothes according to the washing- and maintenance instructions, you will get to enjoy your clothes longer. The right and regular maintenance is also the requirement for the Halti product guarantee.

Every Halti product carries care instructions that contain the washing and care recommendations and the ideal washing temperature for the product. It's important to follow these instructions. Don't allow dirty sports clothing to remain unwashed, as this sweat and dirt will become ingrained in the product, making cleaning more difficult. Technical qualities such as the breathability of the material may be compromised when the product is dirty.

Care instructions for DrymaxX proudcts

DrymaxX products need the same amount of care and attention as other clothes. When following the washing instructions the product will last longer and above all perform better.

All DrymaxX products should be washed separately and turned inside out. Remember to close all velcro adjusters and all zips before washing as they might damage the product during the wash. Spinning, tumble dying and wringing may damage the product.

The use of conditioners or detergents containing conditioner is not recommended as they can block the microscopic pores of the DrymaxX layer. Do not use solvents. More detailed washing instructions can be found in DrymaxX products.

The thin DrymaxX layer can be damaged for instance by the use of safety pins which puncture the waterproof membrane. If a cut or a hole appears in a DrymaxX product, these must be sealed by tape after they have been sewn in order to ensure the garment remains waterproof.The use of silicon containing proofing products is not recommended for DrymaxX products.

To help DrymaxX products keep their qualities, they must be treated with a product designed for clothes with a membrane layer. This treatment can be found in well-equipped sports shops. The treatment should be applied when external water sources no longer forms drops on the surface of the material but are absorbed. The surface will feel wet and cold when damp, as the surface water inhibits interior water vapour from passing out through the fabric. Carefully read the treatment instructions before use and note that the product must only be applied to clean and washed garments.

Underwear

We recommend that you wash underwear used during intense exercise after each use. The use of special detergents for underwear ensures that the products are properly washed. Follow the washing instructions on the product. Do not use bleaches or conditioners.

In case underwear happens to smell (sweat), rinsing the garment in water/vinegar solution refreshes it.
However, vinegar is not recommended for use with seamless products.

Care instructions and hints

• Before washing, empty the pockets, remove reflectors and other attachments, close any zips, stickers and press studs and apply stain remover on any stains (check that the colour of the material will not bleed beforehand by applying a small amount of detergent to an unnoticeable area, such as inside the cuff or the front panel of a jacket).
• Sort the washing by colour and material. Wash delicates and heavy outdoor garments separately. Use a machine bag if necessary.
• Do not overfill the washing machine. Cleaning results are better when using a large amount of water.
• If the washing instructions say the product should be washed separately, wash it separately. This prevents staining and ensures that no detergent residue remains in the product.
• Apply detergent in moderation. If the product is just sweaty with no actual dirt, you can use less detergent. We recommend that you use special detergents for technical garments. These are available from well-equipped sport shops. Otherwise, liquid detergents for colourful clothing are suitable.
• We do not recommend the use of conditioners or detergents containing conditioner as these may affect the functioning of the product.
• Do not leave the products in the washing machine after washing. Hang them up to dry as soon as possible after the washing cycle is complete. Hang them up to dry in a well ventilated place and use a tumble drier if the washing instructions allow this.
• We recommend a light rinse for Active Dry knits every time they get sweaty. If a product has an unpleasant odour after washing, this can be neutralised by rinsing the product in a large amount of water that contains a drop of vinegar (a rinse is enough, do not soak). A normal wash in the washing machine is recommended after this.
• We recommend that you wash down products with a special detergent designed for their cleaning. Down products should be dried in a tumble drier to restore their fluffiness. It helps if you place a tennis ball inside the product both during the wash and when tumble drying. If the down is still stuck together after washing, you can use a separate rinsing programme. This will remove any detergent residue from the product. If tumble drying is not possible, dry the product in an airy place and fluff it up every so often. You can use a tennis ball during spinning to make the product fluffier.
• Because the water- and dirt-resistant treatment of DrymaxX fabrics may dissipate through use and regular washes, we recommend that an additional waterproofing agent be used for clothes with a membrane layer (the agent must not contain silicon). Note that this treatment must always be applied to a clean product. Follow the use instructions of both the agent and the garment.
• It's also a good idea to air garments between washes.

Sleeping Bags

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SLEEPING BAG

Purpose

A cold, damp autumn night in Lapland (–6°C at night) or a warm summer’s night further south set different requirements for the structure of a sleeping bag. A sleeping bag has no warming battery; its task is to insulate the heat generated by the sleeper as efficiently as possible. That’s why lightweight materials that insulate well are also more expensive.

Down or fiber filling?

For its weight, down is still more insulating than even the finest artificial fibers, but when it gets wet, it does not dry as quickly as fiber bags, and thus loses some of its insulating properties. A down filled sleeping bag is lighter than a corresponding fiber sleeping bag with the same thermal rating.

Right size

• The cooler the conditions in which you sleep, the more important it is that your sleeping bag is the right size. Autumn and winter bags have more insulation, thermal collars that prevent heat loss, thermal flaps on zips and well-designed hoods.
• Sleeping bags should be tried on to ensure optimal insulation capacity and weight. However, many people like a less tight sleeping bag, especially in the summer, as they are more comfortable.
• If children sleep in an adult bag, a good tip is to tie off the excess bag at the foot end with string, for example.

How to maintain and store your sleeping bag

• Air and dry the sleeping bag thoroughly before and after use.
• Always use a sleeping mattress
• Pack the sleeping bag by pushing it inside its protective bag, instead of rolling it first.
• The best way to store your sleeping bag is to hang it upside down from the loop at the end or loosely rolled up. Avoid storing your sleeping bag for long periods in its stuff sack as this may weaken its thermal insulation properties.
• A sleeping bag sheet reduces the basic need for a sleeping bag and makes the sleeping bag slightly warmer.

Washing instructions for sleeping bag

• Wash the sleeping bag by hand or separately in a washing machine in plenty of water, using a mild detergent and a maximum washing temperature of 40C. There are also detergents for down products. Follow the washing instructions on the sleeping bag.
• An extra rinse after a washing cycle is especially recommended when detergents not designed for down products are used. This removes detergent residue from the product and the down will work as intended.
• You can place a tennis ball inside the product for the duration of the wash (this way the down will spread evenly inside the fibre bags and not stick).
• If tumble drying is not available (check the washing instructions on the product to make sure it's allowed), dry the product in a well ventilated place either on a hangar or flat on a drying rack. Fluff up the product every so often.

Useful hints

• A short walk or exercise session before going to your sleeping bag will accelerate your body’s heat production, and heating the sleeping bag won’t take so long. Moreover, enjoying some food before you go to sleep will also accelerate the heating of the bag.
• In cold conditions, wear a set of underwear or similar clothing items.
• Do not dry your equipment inside the sleeping bag.
• If the sleeping bag has a heat collar, tighten it above the shoulders.
• You can connect two 'left' and 'right' sleeping bags with one another.

EN-13537 temperature standard

Halti has adopted the EN standard to specify the temperature rating of sleeping bags. The EN-13537 standard specifies the lowest temperatures for sleeping bags in the categories Comfort, Limit and Extreme. The Comfort rating indicates on the lowest temperature at which an average woman is just not feeling cold in the sleeping bag. The limit rating indicates the lowest temperature at which a man is just not feeling cold in the sleeping bag. The Extreme temperature is the temperature where the risk of health damage by hypothermia occurs.

Tents

Choosing a tent: tunnel or dome -style

• The strengths of tunnel tents become clear in open terrain, such as in fell areas. A tunnel tent splits the wind well when it's erected in the direction of the wind. It usually also has a good vestibule, an outer section for storage.
• In the winter, it's good if the tent has snow flaps that snow or stones can be piled on. This way snow doesn't blow into the tent from under the hem.
• Dome-shaped tents have more height and are therefore are better suited for, for example, forest conditions.

Using and maintaining your tent

Every time the tent has been used, clean and dry the tent before packing it into its bag. Also remember to clean the ground pegs and poles. If the tent is very dirty it can be washed by hand with, for instance, liquid pine soap. Don't wash the tent in a washing machine. After washing, dry the tent carefully.

• When erecting your tent, choose an even surface with no sharp rocks or twigs that could damage the bottom of the tent. Try to find a place that is out of the wind and not in a low-lying area as these are usually damp. Take note of any rain overnight, the draining of rainwater and morning sunshine.
• If you pitch your tent too close to running water, humidity inside your tent could increase. Keep the tent's doors closed at night when the dew falls.
• A tarp on the tent will keep the tent itself drier and, in sunny weather, cooler. A tarp will also protect the tent from UV radiation.
• Before you pack up the tent in the morning, shake off any dampness and give the tent as good an airing as possible (a drier tent is lighter to carry).
• We do not recommend cooking food inside the tent, but if this is necessary, it should be done in the vestibule with great care.
• Note! The fire risk is high. Also note that cooking will create humidity inside the tent. Sparks from a fire will burn holes in the fabric.
• UV rays will damage the tent material. Do not keep the tent pitched unnecessarily when not in use. If possible, pitch your tent in the shade.
• The tent should be cleaned after every use, using a sponge, water and a mild cleaning agent. Dry the tent very carefully after washing. Do not was the tent in a washing machine or chemically. Also clean the arches, pegs and strings. Any seawater must be rinsed off as soon as possible.
• Most Halti tents come with a repair kit.
• The tent should be stored in a dry and dark place.

Water-tightness/fabrics

• Polyurethane-treated fabrics: a watertight PU layer inside the tent fabric (reverse side), where it remains intact for longer. This layer makes the fabric watertight and it's not possible/necessary to replace it. The seams of all Halti PU-treated tents are sealed with waterproof tape. The outside of the tent fabric has a water-resistant treatment that makes it easier for water and snow to fall off the fabric/tent. Over the years, this water-resistance wears off but can be restored with agents available in shops. Ask the sales personnel about which agent is suitable for your tent.
• Silicon-treated fabrics: the silicon treatment is applied on both sides of the fabric. It can't be renewed but it lasts longer than a PU treatment. Tent seams are multi-layered and their structure stops water leaking through the seam. Seam tapes or glues will not stay on silicon fabrics, which is why 100%-water tightness cannot be guaranteed in silicon-treated tents. The tearing strength and UV resistance of silicon fabric is manifold compared to those of PU-treated fabrics.
• Tent fabrics for outdoor use are either polyamide or polyester, and they stretch and shrink depending on air humidity. In damp weather, the tent can be tightened to suit the user. At the same time, you can check if storm flaps are necessary/tight.

Down Products

Down as light and warm as a dream

When you need protection against extreme cold, down is the best choice. It's light and airy and fits in a small space, and is the best thermal insulation in relation to its weight on the market. Down is also very ecological as it is a pure natural product. Animal rights are part of Halti's sustainable development and ethical guidelines, so we only use duck down produced as a side product of the food industry in our clothes and sleeping bags.

Very thin and light cover and lining materials are also often used in down products to make the product soft and light. It's also easy to pack the products in a small space, even in your own pocket, because down has a phenomenal capacity for returning back to its original size.

What information should I check about down filled products?

The mix rate. Down filled products are either 100% down or a mixture of down and feathers. For example, in a mix, the value of 90/10 indicates the amount of fill per 100 grams, i.e. 90g is down and 10g feather. The higher the first number, the warmer the down fill.

Fill Power indicates the airiness and quality of down fill and its unit is CUIN. This unit indicates the number of cubic inches each ounce of feathers fills (cubic inch per ounce). For example, an ounce (28.35g) of down with Fill Power 750 fills 750 cubic inches. The higher the value, the better insulation capacity and the lighter the down, and the less down is needed to ensure the desired level of warmth. At Fill Power values of 400–450, down is of average quality, 500–550 is good, 550–750 is very good and 750+ excellent.

Use loosely and dry in an airy place

The good thermal insulation properties of down are based on the material's ability to bind air to it and create a warm 'climate' inside the garment. For down to work well, the garment must be sufficiently loose, as tight cuts take away the space that down needs and it cannot reach the desired level of warmth.

When caring for down products, the most important thing to remember is air drying, preferably in a tumble drier, after a wash or getting wet. Airing a sleeping bag after use makes the product more comfortable to use and ensures that it will continue to work.

Washing instructions

• Wash downfill products separately in plenty of water.
• Use a liquid detergent if possible; we recommend one of the special liquid detergents available for downfill products (a powder detergent may cake together).
• Only use a small amount of detergent, about one teaspoon per load.
• Extra rinsing is recommended, especially if you use detergents other than those intended for downfill products. This will ensure that detergent residues are removed from the product and that the effectiveness of the down is maintained.
• During the wash, a tennis ball can be placed inside the machine in order to fluff up the product. This helps the down spread throughout the fiber compartments, prevents the down from packing together and makes the product looser and lighter.
• After washing, spin-dry the product well.

Drying

• Dry downfill products in a tumble drier but always check that the product's own washing instructions allow this.
• If it is not possible to use a tumble drier then dry the product in as airy a place as possible, either on a hanger or horizontally on a drying frame.
• It is a good idea to fluff up the product now and then during drying.
• Following the product's own washing instructions together with these general washing tips will give you the best results.

Backpacks

Selecting a backpack

• Always select a backpack for yourself alone. Among the most important selection criteria are your own size, your load-carrying ability and your intended use of the backpack.
• When you select a backpack intended for hiking use, check that the back length can be adjusted.
• When you have selected a backpack, make the backpack “your own”. Ask a friend to bend the frame of the backpack to suit your back. You can also do this in front of a mirror. This applies to all other Halti hiking backpacks except Kontti where the frame is already shaped.

Adjusting a backpack

• Loosen the shoulder and hip belt straps to put the pack on your back.
• Set the hip belt always in the same location, above crest of the hips (iliac bone).
• Tighten the hip belt and shoulder straps.
• With the hip belt in place, the shoulder straps should contour the line of the shoulders closely to ensure the weight of the backpack is distributed evenly.
• If the shoulder straps move too low or an empty space remains between the shoulders and the straps, the length of the back section of the pack should be adjusted.
• The back section of every Halti pack can be adjusted to the height of the carrier, ensuring that the correct carrying position is achievable for nearly everyone.
• Fine adjustment of the backpack can be made only when it is fully loaded, at which time it is possible to see how well the pack fits the carrier.
• Because the hip belt carries most of the load, its shape and structure are very important. When the weight is as close as possible to the person's centre point and the load is in balance, walking is easy and takes less energy.
• The shoulder straps have stabilisation straps, which can be used to adjust the tilt of the backpack forwards or backwards, according to the landscape and terrain.
• The chest strap prevents the shoulder straps slipping to the sides. The shoulder straps are also adjustable vertically.
• Using the straps on the sides of the hip belt, you can adjust the backpack to be tighter or looser at the hips.Using the straps at the end of the shoulder straps, you can adjust the tightness of the shoulder straps on your shoulders. During a hike, you can adjust this if you feel that there is too much weight on your shoulders.

Packing a backpack

• When packing a backpack it is a good idea to keep the centre of gravity as close as possible to the back and heavy items at the level of the upper back. This ensures that the backpack is more balanced and easier for carrying.
• Avoid packing items outside the pack, because this easily changes the centre of gravity and makes the rain cover, for example, difficult to attach. External items can easily snag on branches etc.
• Over difficult, varied terrain it is good if most of the weight is at the hip belt, and the centre of gravity is therefore lower (60/40%).
• Over more uniform, gentle terrain the pack’s centre of gravity can be raised closer to the upper back and shared equally (50/50%) between the hip belt and the shoulder straps.
• On a steep ascent, it is worth pulling the adjustment straps closer to the back to facilitate climbing.Many backpacks have an ‘overpacking’ option, which allows the addition of around 10 litres more gear. A tent or sleeping mat can also be conveniently fitted under the lifting flap.
• Some of the Halti backpacks have a front hatch (front load) granting easy access to items in the pack when a tent, for example, has been packed under the upper flap.

Sleeping Mattresses

Selecting a sleeping mattress

When the conditions are cooler, the sleeping pad should be able to insulate against the cold from the ground. When you sleep, the sleeping bag is squashed under you and the insulating material alone, without a good and insulating sleeping pad, cannot retain the warmth.

Purpose

• A sleeping mat should selected like a sleeping bag – for a particular kind of use and season of the year.
• An inflatable mat insulates less well than a self-inflating mat, but on the other hand an inflatable mat packs into a smaller space and is lighter.
• Different sizes, thicknesses and structures are available.

Self-inflating sleeping mattress

• The operation of self-inflating sleeping mats is based on the capacity of special foam plastic to return to its original shape after being compressed.
• The foam plastic inside a self-inflating sleeping mat fills the sleeping mat as its expands and the air is kept inside by shutting a valve.
• Thermal insulation is better than a closed cell mat or an inflatable mat.
• Protects against irregularities in the ground and insulates better against moisture than traditional mats.
• For its weight, the most agreeable travel companion even for long hikes.
• Small packing size compared with closed cell sleeping mats.
• Every-ready special foam plastic guarantees functionality in all conditions.
• Easy to use, really does fill itself.

Inflatable seleeping mat

• Halti's inflatable sleeping pads include an integrated foot pump.
• When you start filling the pad, first close the blowing valve at one end. Open the top of the pumping valve and start pumping with your foot. The back-pressure valve will stop air escaping while you pump.
• Halti's inflatable sleeping pads are very light and can be packed into a very small space.
• They are an especially excellent choice for summer conditions.
• Easy to use.

Hints when using a sleeping mat

• When using an inflatable sleeping pad for the first time, inflate it as fully as possible and leave it in a 'pressurised' state at least overnight. This will bring the cells of the sleeping bag alive and they will work faster and better.
• When the mat is in long-term storage, store it open and rolled, with the valve open.
• Avoid unnecessary blowing of air into the mat, because impurities and moisture will be introduced into the special foam plastic along with the blown air. In normal use, blown air is not considered to be a problem.
• Always take a repair kit along with you, in case of punctures caused by sharp objects.
• Protect the mat with its cover sack.
• Wash the mat using a sponge with water and a mild detergent, and with the valve screwed closed.

Planning a Hike

A GOOD HIKE STARTS WITH THOROUGH PLANNING

1. Make a detailed route plan and a back-up plan.
2. Choose a route that is suitable for your physical fitness and allow enough time for its completion.
3. Inform your next of kin of your route and the time you estimate to spend on the route.Learn to orienteer and get an up-to-date map.
4. Choose your equipment according the season, location and length of the hike. Your equipment should include, e.g. a first aid kit. Do not forget any personal medication.

Think ahead: What will you do if you encounter a surprising situation along the way?

• How will you get help?
• How will you locate yourself?
• Do you know how to give first aid?

Footwear

Shoes need regular care. Proper care extends the shoes lifespan, makes them more comfortable to wear and maintains their appearance.

• Before starting to use your new shoes, it is always good to impregnante them with the appropriate care product (such as impregnating spray or beeswax).
• Store your shoes preferably in their box or shoe rack.
• Your shoes will stay better in shape if you use paper stuffing or shoe tree inside the shoes while storing them.
• Clean the shoes (sole and surface) before storing them.
• Please notice that you should use your shoes to prevent the aging of the sole. Especially with shoes with polyurethane soles, it is part their characteristics that the sole gets old and crumbling might occur. By using the shoes regularly, you keep the materials of the sole in motion and aging doesn’t begin.

Care instructions for your hiking boots

First step in cleaning your Halti boots is to remove the laces and insoles. Clean away any visible dirt with water and a brush. You may have to use a mild detergent solution for the most stubborn stains. Boots should not, however be soaked through. Dry the boots carefully without insoles at a uniform temperature. Do not dry leather shoes in too high a temperature, such as in a sauna or by a fire, as wet leather burns very easily. After drying, it will get hard and will easily crack.

After cleaning, the leather can be treated with wax or spray intended for leather shoes. Wax treats the surface of shoe leather, covers small scratches and gives the leather good water resistance. A thin layer of wax is applied on the leather surface of the shoe. For best results, apply the wax by hand. The friction caused this way will warm up the wax and makes sure it is well it absorbed into the leather. Repeat the treatment as necessary when the leather starts to look dry. If you wax the loops for laces at the same time, this will prevent them from getting rusty and oxidized.

The wax may make the surface of some boots, for example those constructed from nubuck-leather, appear to be shinier and darker. If you want to avoid changing the appearance of your boots, use an impregnating spray. When using spray type agents, you have to apply them more often than when using wax. The spray is also suitable for protecting fabric footwear.

Treatment of Halti Softshell and other fabric shoes

Clean the shoes by brushing them lightly. The seam between the sole and the body of the shoe should be regularly, carefully cleaned of any sand and other abrasive dirt in particular.

Use a mild detergent and a cloth to remove stains. Spray impregnation after cleaning will stop the surface getting wet and will make the shoes resistant to dirt.