REVIEW: Carinthia LIG

If the winter doesn't have arctic temperatures, you don't need to wrap up like a real Eskimo. At CARINTHIA, the solution for temperatures down to minus 5 degrees is called Light Insulation Garments (LIG). This is clothing for Central Europeans who are outdoors in the winter. SPARTANAT has tested the LIG outfit for you, consisting of a jacket and pants.

Put on the jacket, put on the pants, and wear a cap. In our region, people usually prefer to just wear a good top instead of padded pants. But those who have both know what a difference it makes. It doesn't always have to be MIG (-15 degrees), HIG (-20 degrees), or even ECIG (-30 degrees).

A Gore Windstopper membrane and a thinner layer of G-Loft as insulation are enough to keep you comfortably warm at around -5 degrees. You can go even further if you wear a fleece pullover or appropriate thermal underwear for winter.

The LIG jacket has a very pleasing cut. It stands out from the warmer models of Carinthia by not having a hood.

The stand-up collar is lined with fine fleece, which snuggles nicely around the neck when pulled tighter.

When closed, it prevents cold drafts from getting in.

The standing collar at the neck can be tightened, as well as at the lower end at the hips.

At the front, there are two large pockets integrated, identifiable by the vertical zippers. All zippers are YKK and waterproof.

Details about the LIG jacket: There is a small internal pocket, suitable for two packets of cigarettes or similar items.

The sleeve cuffs have elastic cuffs, which are not adjustable.

At the bottom of the jacket, where the zipper ends, there is also a snap button that can close the jacket without threading the zipper.

You can also tighten the waist at the bottom.

This results in a warm back. The bump on top is from the Arc'teryx LEAF Naga Hoodie hood that we are wearing underneath the LIG.

The jacket looks bulky when taken off, but it compresses down quite small. The outfit comes with two compression sacks, which reduce the jacket and pants to the smallest possible package size. Convenient for backpacking or for storing the garments weighing around 800 grams each (size L) during the summer.

For comparison: a compressed piece of clothing versus the volume of an unpacked piece of clothing. The wrinkles from folding quickly disappear with this material. No wrinkled look here.

CONCLUSION: The Carinthia LIG is an excellent set for outdoor use in temperatures that are not too extreme. Interestingly, most shops only offer the jacket, while the pants are harder to find. Tip: Inquire, as the retailer can surely source them. The jacket is so appealing that it is also great for urban wear. The pants complement the set, significantly expanding its range of uses.

You can find the Carinthia LIG jacket, for example, at Steinadler for around 149 euros. The pants cost 119 euros. (Inquire if you want them.) The set comes in Olive, Black, and Coyote colors.

G-LOFT on the internet: The standing collar at the neck is lined with fine fleece, which snuggles nicely around the neck when pulled tighter.