Fjällräven How does a 50-year-old design perform today? Chris finds out.
Greenland Jacket
£240 780g (men’s L)
durability, breathability hood, weight
Materials: G1000 Eco 65% recycled polyester / 35% organic cotton
Hood: non-adjustable
Front closure: two-way zip with external stud-closed flap
Pockets: two chest, two hem, one inner
Hem: drawcord
Cuffs: studs
Sizes: men XS-XXL, women XXS-XL
Back in 1968 Fjällräven launched its first garment, the Greenland Jacket. This is still around today with the same design but also, says the company, an improved fit. The fabric is still G1000
65/35 polyester cotton though the polyester is now recycled and the cotton organic. G1000 is windproof, breathable, and water-resistant. The latter can be improved by treating the jacket with Fjällräven’s Greenland wax, though this will reduce breathability. As the jacket will never be fully waterproof – the seams aren’t sealed – I think it’s best used as a windproof, albeit one that will stand up to rain longer than most windproof jackets. The fabric is also quite thick, and the jacket is suitable for year-round use. Indeed, it’s a bit warm on breezy summer days. I reckon it’ll be fine in a blizzard.
The design has one weak point: the hood. It’s nonadjustable and quite big. Unless I wear a thick hat underneath, it impairs visibility. In strong winds it blows back on my head, meaning reduced protection. Fjällräven says it has improved the fit of the hood by adding a panel of material, but to really improve the fit and the functionality it needs a drawcord.
So how does a 53-year-old design hold up today? First, the jacket does work as a tough, breathable windproof. It’s comfortable too, with a much nicer feel than most 100% synthetic windproofs.
But I have mixed feelings about the design. It would be so much more practical if the hood were adjustable. The Greenland Jacket is also heavy. If you’ll be wearing it all the time, say on a snowy winter day, that may not be a problem, though you’ll still need to carry a waterproof jacket to go over it if the weather turns wet. The weight is probably worth it if you’ll be doing a great deal of bushwhacking as the fabric is tough. It’s quiet, too: good for wildlife watching.