Review: Haglöfs Matrix 50

The new Haglöfs Matrix is built to be slim, lightweight trekking backpack. I took the 50L version for a test run in the mountains of Jämtland (Sweden), these are my findings.

This test has been done using the 50L version, but much of my findings are probably the same for all versions.

Colors schemes

The Matrix comes in two different color schemes Curry (”Yellow”/Black) and Charcoal (Dark Gray/Orange).

Fabrics

420 D RS POLYMIDE mainly on the sides, 500 D KODRA on the front. The fabric is water proof but the seams are not and the backpack does not have a built in raincover, so packing one is a good idea.

Frame

The frame of the Martix backpack is a bent tube made out of 6005-T6 aluminum.

I have seem report about the frame giving away a squeaking sound. I have noticed this sound, too, but mainly during packing and trying out at home. I wasn’t bothered by it while hiking.

Weight

Haglöfs claims that the weight of the 50L version is 1750g (61.7 oz) but my scale says 1850g (65.2 oz). The backpack is quite light though, I don’t think it will fit in the UltraLight category.

Water

The backpack has an internal hydration system, this is not something I find usefull, but then I hike in the Swedish mountains where you can drink water straight out of the creek. If you hike somewhere else this might be a handy feature.

Gear compartments

There are four different gear compartments in the pack, the main compartment, bottom compartment, top lid and sidepockets. The top lid has one large compartment that hold quite a lot of gear (for a top lid) and a smaller one on the inside, good to use for valuebles. The side pockets are quite large and fits a nalgene bottom without problem.

The photo above shows the main compartment top down, as you can see it has a light color that makes it easier to spot you gear in the bottom of the pack. The small opening you can see in the top/middle part of the photo is where hose for you water system goes, the water bag itself placed in a pocket below.

The bottom compartment is separated from the main compartment by the orange cloth seen in the photo, it can be partly detachable making it possible to pack larger gear. The bottom compartment is adjustable with the strap in the middle. The piece of cloth that’s are suppose to cover the zipper when it is close is unfortunatly to small and the zipper is left unprotected.

Carrying harness

The Matrix has a quite simple and non complicated carrying harness, no fancy pivoting hipbelt, etc that are found on some backpacks. During my test hike I packed the backpack with 15.5kg (about 34 lbs) of gear and clothing.

I have seen recommendations from Haglöfs that you should be able to carry up to 20kg (about 44 lbs) of weight, but I think that would be to push it. During my hike I found the pack comfortable with the kind of weight I was carrying.

The carrying harness is easily adjustable i height by loosing it’s velcro attachment. The torso strap is fastened with rubber loops, not the plastic buckles that are on most backpacks. The rubber loops stays in place while walking but has to be readjusted when taking the backpack on and off. This can be a abit annoying but on the other hand is a very easy adjustable system which makes it possible to adjust is while walking thus vary the carry position slightly. The fastening buckle in the middle also has a built in whistle.

The Hipbelt is pretty much standard, a buckle in the middle and strap adjustments on both sides, that are easily adjusted. What I miss though is somewhere to fasten the long “strap leftovers” that I get (I’m a skinny guy) now they are just left hanging. There are also two adjustment straps near the back of the belt.

Packing the backpack

Packing the backpack is quite straight forward, there is easy access to all compartments and the bright interior makes it easy to see what’s already packed.

The toplid is adjustable in height, making it easy to adjust it depending on amount of gear in the pack. The top lid also has “long” sides to make sure no snow gets in beneath the it, unfortunatly these “long” sides get in the way when carrying a rope under the lid.

One small but really annoying thing about the pack are the front buckles of the top lid. The part of the buckles attached to the top lid is fastened on rubber plates, these rubber plates tend to fold and get in the way when closing the buckles. This makes it a bit fiddly to close the top lid.

Attachment points

There are several different gear attachment points on the outside of the pack.

On the top there are four attachment points(the orange on in the photo above). The two gray things sticking out on both sides are “carrying” straps to help move the backpack around, but they can be used as attachment points aswell. Under the top lid there is a strap for packing a rope aswell.

At the base of the backpack there are a number of attachment points. First the four orange ones, that are good for attachment of for example a sleeping pad. there are two ice axe loops hidden in a front pocket (seen just above to matrix logo). On middle section of the backpack there are an elastic coord good for “quick packing” of say a jacket or a sweater, the coord adjuster is hidden in the same pocket as the ice axe loops.

The attachment points that are there are good and works fine, but they are all alined so the gear is carried horizontally. I like carrying my sleeping pad vertically on the backpack, to do so I have to fiddle some, because there are no good attachment points for that.

Summary

I like the Matrix pack, it’s a good pack for some one who is looking to shave some weight of their pack without wandering into the UltraLight division. Fabric and seams gives a solid impression and the pack is comfortable to carry. There are some minor details that doesn’t work that good, but over all it’s a good backpack. But don’t forget, don’t buy a backpack with out testing it yourself, it’s has to fit you.

Haglöfs Matrix 50 product page