Fjallraven Koster Sweater
Reviewed by
Oliver Brotherton
+3,050
June 10, 2019
A fantastic winter warmer that looks great and is made from natural fibres, though it comes with a hefty price tag.
Pros
- Looks
- Natural material (lambswool)
- Fit
- Performance in the cold
Cons
- Cost
- Not great when it gets wet
- Can be itchy on sensitive skin
- Dinner for moths
I absolutely love this jumper and I wear it for almost everything in the winter months. It oozes "Scandi-cool," which is very on-trend at the moment. Having heard about the presence of micro-fibres from fleece material in the press I am increasingly turning to items of clothing made from natural fibres.
The Fjallraven Koster is made from lambswool with G100 reinforcements on the shoulder and elbows so it ticks that box. This is useful for when I am carrying a heavy load in my Savotta Saddle Sack. It keeps me warm on cold days and is surprisingly lightweight for its size. I love the collar zip that does up all the way to my chin to lock in heat when it is very cold and saves me the need to carry a scarf. It looks great and I like the charcoal colour. It has a chest pocket, but this is more for looks than anything else.
Being made from lambswool it is a little itchy and would not suit people with sensitive skin; I’ve grown used to it though. Also, it can be worn over a shirt for extra comfort and warmth. Like other natural fibres, it is not so good when it gets really wet—it holds the moisture and becomes quite heavy. Also, there’s the £140 price tag. It’s a lot to ask for a jumper that is designed in Sweden, but made in the Far East (Fjallraven are a Scandanavian company).
In summary, a fabulous jumper that will keep you warm in the colder months. Though some may find the natural lambswool material itchy, it is a stylish and practical jumper that looks great and is built to last. The price tag may be too big a price to pay for the jumper’s sustainability credentials. A word of caution when storing clothes made from natural fibres. In some parts of the world, they are dinner for moths and it is not unusual to find a hole or two so store them wisely! Vacuum storage bags are a good idea in this respect.
Background
Pretty much everything in the winter months in the UK—walks, forestry work, bush crafting.
Source: bought it new
Price Paid: £140
