Fjallraven Vidda Pro Trouser

Fjällräven’s Vidda Pro Trousers are a functional and durable pair of pants that hit the mark in virtually every category. Robust yet svelte, these trousers are best for the outdoors-person that needs heavy duty performance, year after year. Don’t fear cotton with these 65/35 polyester/cotton pants, hiking all day in wet snowy weather doesn’t phase the "Arctic Fox"...Fjällräven!

Fjällräven has been making durable outdoors products since 1960, and quality truly shines with their Vidda Pro Trouser. Every detail was thoughtfully designed when making these pants, from the articulated knees, down to pockets that keep one’s contents put, and comfortable.

Specifications

• Material: 65% polyester, 35% cotton (Fjällräven’s proprietary G-1000 fabric)
• Double Layered Knees, Rear
• Pockets: 6 (No Rear)
• Weight: 20.75oz/590g

Design, Fit, and Comfort

The Vidda Pro Trousers are designed to be a heavy-duty mountain utility pant, and comfort is in no way compromised. An important factor in usability is whether apparel is noisy in use. A+ with keeping that friction noise down when walking. 

Although not necessarily "loud," these trousers stand out a bit when wearing for day-to-day use.

Articulated knees and crotch help with a comfortable day on the trail.

These trousers easily accommodate layering thermal bottoms, for prolonged wet weather, or when the mercury really drops. The pants were comfortably worn alone into the 30°F range, while not being restrictive.

Backpacking "The Rollercoaster" on the AT

These trousers have adjustable cuffs. Note: see additional information below under "Features and Function."

Water Resistance, Breathability, and Moisture

These pants when worn alone hold in body heat, while still being breathable. Initially skeptical about breathability and moisture management, the additional fabric for pockets and reinforcement quickly became forgotten. An additional plus to these trousers is their high level of wind resistance. Although not tested in extremely high winds, it was noted how well warmth was retained. 

Mashed potatoes earned on a cold, double-dinner evening on the trail

After several long days hiking and backpacking in rain and snow, the pants kept the wearer warm and dry without a need for a merino underlayer. 

Note: These trousers were not tested with Fjällräven’s proprietary Greenland wax, which is intended to be ironed into the fabric for additional water resistance.

Features and Function

With this in mind, little is overlooked when it comes to functionality. 

Seven belt loops keep these pants comfortable when wearing a belt.

The pants have seven pockets in all:

Two main front pockets

A side cargo pocket on the right leg

A small, flat interior pocket for items like a mobile phone

Two front cargo pockets above the left knee

The upper cargo pocket will comfortably hold a pair of gloves while hiking

A knife pocket on side of the left leg

The rear, and knees are double layered, for additional reinforcement.

The bottom of the knee reinforcements are open, allowing one to insert knee pads.

The cuffs of these trousers have several adjustment points, using snaps to snug the cuff to one’s boots.

The cuffs also have a built-in hook for securing the front of the trouser to lacing.

Construction and Durability

Initially thought to be design overkill, these trousers have been designed to last for an age. No signs of wear have been noted during the three-month period of testing. With proper care, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility to expect these pants to last several decades.

A close-up look at Fjällräven's G-1000 fabric

Conditions

These pants have been tested from autumn to mid-winter 2017-2018 in the Mid-Atlantic region of the USA. They have been on many day hikes, several overnights on the Appalachian Trail, and day-to-day street use. Temperature ranges during testing was between 15°F-70°F.

Drying out for a spell with Otto on the Appalachian Trail

Conclusion

Fjällräven continues to innovate, while keeping craftsmanship at its very highest level. From backpacking in the rain to ridge running in a snowstorm, the Fjällräven Vidda Pro Trousers perform flawlessly! Full marks for such an outstanding product!

Photo Credit: R. Reed

Many thanks to the people out at Fjällräven for the opportunity to test the Vidda Pro Trousers for the Trailspace Gear Review Corps.

Sturdy built and well thought features such as pocket layout and gaiter hook.

I got these pants to replace my ski winter pants a few weeks ago but started to wear them regularly. They are quite comfy. I like the pocket layout. Also they are very good looking pants according to my wife ;)

Initially I was intrigue about the fabric type and the old school waxing for waterproofing and thought that this could be a good replacing for my ski pants which are falling apart. They look very sturdy with knee pad reinforcements, and I am quite sure that they are going to last.

I did the waterproofing my self with green wax. Quite an easy process with an iron and an extra piece of fabric to avoid getting the wax into the iron. So far so good in terms of windproof and waterproof, although a heavier layer of wax could have help in -12° C hike this afternoon, hence the con comment. Never mind that Fjall Raven makes a different model that is more suitable for winter, but these pants did the job quite well in the cold Canadian outdoor.  Also I recently washed them so I may have taken some wax off.

I have not hiked in summer yet with this pants but I have the feeling that they will be quite comfortable. The pants dry very fast on their own, 1 to 2 hours after taking them out of the washer; my guess is that under pouring rain they will do fine. When bush waking in the trail today, no problems with branches and bush, the fabric is tough.

The pocket layout is very good, two pockets on the left and one on the right with cellphone sleeve. There are no back pockets but they are not necessary. The pockets are very generous in size: I can fit my wallet and cellphone in one pocket and I still have two more pockets plus the waist pockets.

Fit wise the pants are on the slim side, but after wearing them for a bit there was some give around the crotch area which was a little tight and uncomfortable at the beginning. Did I mention that they come in regular and long fit? But I have to say that I found that the regular fit is a tad smaller than the long fit for the same size.

Some other details that I like: knife/axe pocket, hook at the bottom so you can fix the pants to your boot laces as well as straps with buttons to cinch the sleeve around your ankle. These features work quite well and were the details that convince to buy this pants in the first place. It is hard to find that kind thoughtfulness if at all at that price in any other brand.

I have check some of the other stuff that they make and I am completely sold out with this brand. Have to give it to the Swedes. They can came up with really practical stuff with good quality and build to last! Volvos anyone?

If you get these pants you will not be disappointed. I am actually shopping for a second pair.

These are the best camping/foraging pants I've found. They dry fast, and are super durable. They are not super fire resistant though.

These are my go-to pants. I wear them every single time I'm in the woods, whether it's teaching a survival/bushcraft class or foraging for some edibles. 

They fit tight on me, but I'm pretty fit so my thighs and glutes are big in comparison to my waist. 

I love the length. The tall fits me well at 6'1" and both ankles have adjustability to tighten up. 

Water resistance is what you would expect with a waxed poly/cotton, not much. That said, when waxed it dries incredibly fast and I rarely bother to put on my rain pants unless I know I won't have a fire later. 

When waxed, they don't breathe that great, so I only wax the butt, knees, and ankle areas. When unwaxed they breathe very well except where you have knee pads, but that's to be expected. 

They layer well with a base layer for around camp, but I don't do long hiking with them like this as the size that fits me is too snug and it chafes. I have a pair of overpants to solve this. The next size up I swim in so I didn't bother upsizing. 

The pockets are good, though the left leg pockets chafe if you have anything large in them. The axe/saw pocket is fantastic. 

They're also mosquito proof which is pretty critical in some areas I visit or I would get eaten alive.

I have had to have repairs made 2x to one of the pockets and was told there was a problem with a run of my particular pants. Fjallraven replaced them after the 2nd repair at my request for the next run that was problem free. 

I have worn this pair roughly 200 days in the past two years and other than some holes from firesteel sparks, they are holding up well.