Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights Review
Overall Score:9.1
After 12 months of near weekly use, the Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights have become a staple pair of pants for hiking, backpacking, and camping. These innovative tights have turned out to be highly comfortable, fairly breathable, and allow for best-in-class mobility.
Weight: 256 g (size S)
Main Material: 82% Polyamide / 18% Elastane
Hardware: YKK
# of Pockets: 3
Manufacturing Country: Lithuania
Length of Test: 12 months
Acquisition: Self Purchase
Countries: Thailand
Climate(s): Tropical Savanna
Weather: Hot and Humid (highest temp 34 C), Cold and Dry (lowest temp 3 C), and Light Rain.
The Trekking Tights are designed for:
- Backpacking & day hikes.
It’s not designed for:
- Casual outdoor use.
Table of Contents
Durablity
Build Quality
Materials: Fjällräven is synonymous with top-notch craftmanship and impeccable builds – their gear is built to survive the worst conditions known to mankind and come back unscathed. And while I didn’t test these pants in the Artic or during a nuclear fallout, I did put them through the wringer in the unforgiving Thai jungle.
After surviving both trekking and bushwhacking trips in the densely forested region of northern Thailand, the 4-way stretch nylon (82% polyamide / 12% elastane) of the Abisko Trekking Tights have proven to be bombproof. However, it’s worth noting that a couple areas are showing a teeny-weeny bit of pilling, but nothing that causes alarm.
As for the construction, the majority of seams have strong flatlock stitching with highly tear resistant thread – although minor signs of abrasion are apparent.
The reinforced areas of the Abisko Trekking tights (the booty and the knees), feature a tough-as-nails fabric that’s blended with aramid. Primarily used in aerospace and military applications, aramid is one of the strongest fabrics on the planet. Think bulletproof vests and marine cordage as the target use cases for aramid – it’s truly an atypical fabric for pants.
So why did Fjällräven choose Aramid? Don’t know, but I dig it… it’s innovative and extremely protective. Think of these reinforcements as body armor for your booty cheeks and knees. And as a bonus, if you sit or kneel on a wet surface, the water won’t leak through.
Functionality
Main Feature Set
Pockets: the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights feature 3 pockets in total – all asymmetrical in design and serve a particular purpose.
On the right leg, there’s a large quick-access pocket that I would use to store my iPhone XR and a Spyderco Pacific Salt 2.
On the left leg, there’s a medium-sized zippered pocket where I would store a slim billfold wallet with my ID, a credit card, and some cash.
Near the waist band, there’s also a small zippered pocket that could be useful for storing pocket change or lip balm. In all honesty, I never used this pocket…
Drawstring Closure: at first, I thought not having belt loops was going to be a nightmare. Well, I was wrong… the elasticized waist band combined with an internal drawstring system, creates a snug but adjustable fit that doesn’t stretch out over time.
As a bonus, I never experienced pack-rub as I would when wearing a belt.
Performance
Practical Utility
Comfort: in hot and humid climates, the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights did a great job at wicking away sweat and drying quickly. They also breathe pretty damn well, but just remember that the fabric sits close to the skin and doesn’t allow for much airflow.
And while I’ve never overheated in these tights, they’re not as well ventilated as relaxed-fit pants with side zips.
In colder temperatures, the Abisko Trekking tights remained insulative until ~ 5C. Anything below that and I would add a thin layer of 150gsm merino wool underneath. As a point of reference, I tend to run cold… so your mileage may vary.
For most situations, the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights are a solid choice – day hikes, backpacking, and even car camping. However… for prolonged exposure in extreme alpine environments or very windy / icy conditions, they’re a bit too breathable and don’t offer enough weather-resistance for highly volatile climates. In those cases, I’d recommend opting for a pair of dual-lined softshell pants instead.
Mobility: the well-executed combination of a gusseted crotch, articulated knees, and a 4-way stretch fabric, freed my legs from any constraint and allowed for a completely natural gait pattern. Out of every pant I’ve ever worn, the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights feature the most natural ‘freedom of movement’ – it’s truly best-in-class.
From scrambling to high-stepping and low squats, my mobility was never inhibited. It’s easy to think of them as a pair of yoga pants on steroids.
Aesthetics
Design Elements
The Abisko Trekking Tights are a technical and hardwearing garment that have a timeless design inspired by Scandinavian minimalism – I dig the overall commitment to simplicity and clean lines.
While these pants don’t offer any crossover appeal, they still look great in town. After long days on the trail, I never felt ‘out of place‘ when wearing them in urban environments. Sure, they look different… but who the hell cares. They’re comfy and I always feel more confident when wearing them – sort of like, I can take on anything!
At the time of writing, the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights come in five subdued colorways: navy, green, black, grey, and maroon.
Value
Primary Alternatives
The competitive landscape for the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights is a series of choices that are less than, not equal to. For the best balance between durability, performance, and style, the Abisko Trekking Tights are the creme-de-la-creme of hiking leggings. While other (less expensive) options do exist, these pants are truly the best option on the market.
If you like the Abisko Trekking Tights but want a less burly version, Fjallraven also sells a lighter weight and more breathable Abisko Trail Tights.
Alternatively, the Patagonia Pack Out Hike Tights and the Montane Ineo Pro Pants, offer solid performance at lower price point than the Abisko Trekking Tights (albeit they don’t breathe as well and aren’t as durable).
For the most wallet-friendly option, we recommend the Arc’teryx Oriel Legging 28.
Did you know that… when you purchase something through one of our links, we earn a small fee. However, you still pay the exact same amount. It’s a win-win that keeps our lights on.
| Pants | Main Fabric(s) | Weight | Pockets | Drawstring? | Vents? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abisko Trekking | Nylon / Elastane | 255 g | 4 | Yes | No |
| Abisko Trail | Nylon / Elastane | 200 g | 2 | Yes | Yes |
| Pack Out Hike | Polyester / Elastane | 300 g | 3 | No | No |
| Ineo Pro | Mala Stretch | 310 g | 2 | Yes | No |
| Oriel 28 | Nylon / Elastane | 165 g | 2 | No | No |
9.1/10 Rating
Overall Verdict
First things first… owning a pair of Fjällräven pants will ruin you.
If you don’t want to be spoiled by one of the best outdoor pants in the world, don’t buy the Fjällräven Abisko Trekking Tights and stop reading this review. Because once you go Fjällräven, you don’t go back… The level of comfort, durability, and stylish functionality that Fjällräven pants offer, is unbeatable.
And when it comes to the Abisko Trekking Tights, Fjällräven succeeded in designing leggings that have the durability, performance, and utility of hiking pants. We highly recommend them as an “investment piece” – one that’ll last you for many years of reliable service.
What We Liked
- Even after days of continuous use, these pants take ~1 week to get stinky.
- Clean design and comfortability, make me never want to take them off.
- Clever patterning and the 4-way stretch allow for best-in-class mobility.
- Lack of a belt means no more pack rub from 1000D nylon webbing.
What Could Use Improvements
- A zipper garage for the left leg pocket would be a welcomed addition.
- Getting rid of the small pocket near the waist band, as it’s redundant.
Longevity
Usage Timeline
