Fjällräven
Abisko Lite Trekking Jacket
Fjällräven’s latest jacket, the Abisko Lite Trekking, is designed for warmer spring and summer weather. Fjällräven says if offers
“an ideal balance of weather protection, ventilation and mobility”. The main fabric is G1000 Lite Eco 65/35 polyester/cotton, which is windproof and rain-resistant with good environmental credentials. However, there are stretchy fabric panels on the back, under the arms and down the sides. These aren’t windproof or rain resistant, but they are very breathable and the stretch allows quite a close fit without restricting movement.
Design and features
To add to the breathability there are long zipped vents on the sides (much easier to use than zips that curve under the armpits). They are at the same angle and close to the pocket zips, however, and you do need to be careful not to mistake them for the pockets. In fact I attached cord to the vent zips so I can distinguish them by touch from the pocket zips, which have identical pulls.
This jacket is well-designed. The hood is excellent, with a wired brim and front plus rear drawcords. It’s easy to adjust, moves with the head and gives good protection – better in fact than on some waterproof jackets I’ve tried recently. The pockets are good too. They take maps and are set high enough that you can use them when wearing a hipbelt. The very wide bottom of the jacket is made from one piece of G1000 so there are no seams to be rubbed by a hipbelt.
Weather resistance
This jacket resists showers and moderate winds but isn’t fully water- or windproof. You can improve the water resistance of the G1000 fabric with G-Wax but not the stretch fabric. Given the cold spring and late snow in the Scottish Highlands I’ve tested the jacket in rather more severe conditions than it’s intended for, and it has performed pretty well. Only in heavy rain have I swapped it for a waterproof; and whilst I could feel cold winds cutting through the stretch fabric at times it was never enough to really chill me. The breathability is particularly good and with the vents open I stayed dry in some fairly warm and humid weather.
Despite the Lite in the name the jacket is quite heavy for something that’s essentially rain-resistant; and a waterproof is needed too except on short walks in good weather. I wouldn’t take it on a multi-day trip due to the weight, but I’ve found it fine on day walks and overnight trips. The fabrics are tough, and I expect the jacket to last well.