Too Tough? - Honest Real World 10 Year Review : Fjallraven Barents Pro and Vidda Pro Pants

This is the review that many have been waiting for;
over almost 10 years I have been wearing primarily Fjallraven Pants on my channel and today, I'm reviewing two different kinds;

The Barents Pro Trousers and the Vidda Pro Trousers.

You want the best of the best when it comes to outdoor/bushcraft pants?
This is them!

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Fjallraven Barents and Vidda Pro Pants :

Barents Agenda Free Link : https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/men/trousers/trekking-trousers/barents-pro-trousers-m

Vidda Pro Agenda Free Link : https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/men/trousers/trekking-trousers/vidda-pro-trousers-m-reg

Fjallraven is a Swedish company who makes some serious outdoor gear and clothing and with just about everything that they make, the quality is amazing and their prices are exceptionally high.

My experiences with the company go back 10 years; I had a pair of the Barents imported and fell in love them these pants as they were so strong, so durable, and the performance was so good…..I’ve worn virtually nothing else since then.

Differences : Barents have a raw length and when you receive them, you will need to get them hemmed to your size.

The Vidda Pro Trousers have a predetermined length and one less pocked.

In truth, I have owned a pair of each and unless I looked really closely, I wouldn’t even notice a difference. The Vidda pants do come in a larger variety of colors than the Barents.

Price : Retail $145 for the Barents, $155 for the Vidda
Weight for Size 48 : 1.25lbs

Colors : Dark olive, Dark Grey, Black

Review Pros :
Incredibly tough – have handled all of my use and abuse without any issues.
One pair of pants can literally last years and years. For an example, these are 3 years old and I wear them just about daily. Seriously, I wear them to go to town if it is cool, I wear them for most hiking trips….and they have taken everything that I have put them through.
I’ve ripped the crotch on some barbed wire, resewn them and no issues.
Left side pocket where I put my phone has begun to worn through and I have sewn them the best that I can...For 3 years of hard use, I’m very, very pleased.
Good wind resistance.
Good water resistance
Dry quickly.
Price – They are more expensive that a lot of pants but they are so strong, I consider even full price to be very fair.
Lower waist is awesome for backpacking as your harness will go above your belt if you wear one. This makes for a more comfortable backpacking experience. If you are aren’t familiar with wearing a lower wasted pant, these will ruin you once you get accustomed it. Anything higher wasted will not be your preference.
Lots of pockets
re-enforced knees
Knee pads can be used but I have only done this once...it worked well but I found that I don’t really need them in most cases.
Lifetime warranty…..as long as you have your receipt. I’ve heard that the company can be less than helpful if you are not able to prove that you are the original purchaser.
Can be waxed….if you wish go through that process. I’ve done it a time or two and prefer not to it. It’s a chore to do, a job to wash it out, adds to the weight, limits breathability, and so on. I would suggest doing a cotton water repellent wash and that will help make them much more resistant to light to modern rain.
Belt loops are great for hanging items…
My experiences is that the fit is relaxed and comfortable….but with everyone having a different body type your mileage will vary.

Review Cons :
No rear wallet pocket
Not the best for hot conditions – in the summer, if you have to wear pants I would definitely recommend something else unless you need some pants that are very strong and durable. By the way, Fjallraven has pants which are better suited for warm weather...
Sizing can be confusing for American users. EU sizing has to be converted...I am a 32” waste and I wear a 48 in EU sizing.
Material doesn’t stretch….this really isn’t a big deal...but if you plan to rock climb of run around in an obnoxious sort of way...these aren’t the best pants for you.
Heavy...there are much lighter pants out on the market

Summary :
For the majority of my adventures and daily life use, these are my go to pants and I can’t state their praises any more than I already have. They are top notch and are well worth the money.
Great for bushcraft, great for hiking, great in warm, cool and cold conditions...not hot.
Great for being at the range, working around the house, and every day use.
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Henric Carlsson : Nice to see my little country is having a nice impact on the outdoor community :)
Lars Kvinge : I can recommend the Keb-models, which have zippers on the sides, and give amazing airflow when you want it. They are also more flexible and more comfortable when walking. I have 5 of those models, and have used them for 8 years.
Lorkainen Kingg : Recently acquired the Vidda Pro Vented pants in dark sand/stone gray. These colors work well with my coyote brown gear--I explore desert regions mostly. I am interested in how well the pants hold up to scrambles over the rough, rocky, dusty/alkaline terrain. Great review!
Harshglare : Great review.. but you never mentioned the different pocket set up between the two. One con that I have with the Vidda Pro is the "map pocket": they are not gusseted AND the bottom hits me at the knee (the reason it hits me at the knee might be because I buy my pants two sizes larger).

I take exception to hot conditions: I use my Vidda Pros in 100+ degree temps. In Las Vegas it is hot and dry so they are perfect. In hot humid conditions, the Viddas might not be the most ideal.

When desert hiking, you need long pants and long sleeves for sun protection and protection from brush and cacti. Most desert dwellers cover themselves from heat to toe with cloth to both capture sweat and cool; to make this work, the clothing has to be very loose to provide air space. I buy all my clothes 1 to 2 sizes bigger. My Viddas (I have two: one in coyote and the other I the blue you have) are two sizes bigger.

Viddas work for me because your sweat works for you and evaporates and cools (when I hike in extreme heat, I ration my sweat, not my water: a very important idea to prevent heat stroke). When it is super hot, I put two micro fiber cloths in my front pockets and one under my hat.

You really should get/review a pair of Keb Trousers with the kind of hiking you do; they have stretch panels and, in high wear areas, G1000. They are a bit warmer but I have the vented ones and they work fine. I use mine for scrambling around boulders in places like Ice Box Canyon in Red Rock
James Gaughenbaugh : Thanks for the review of these. I've been thinking of getting a few of their products and was wondering how they hold up. Yes they are pricey but, ya get what ya pay for. All colors look great, no bright yellow, etc.
All my gear research begins with your channel. Thanks again.

James

Why is Fjällräven so expensive?

In this Our Changing Climate environmental video essay, I look at why Fjällräven is so expensive. Specifically, I look at the sustainability and environmentally-friendly aspects of products like Kånken backpack in order to understand whether Fjällräven is worth the price. In the end, the price really comes down to the company's environmental and workplace ethics, the quality of its materials, and the upcharge a brand can incur.

Help me make more videos like this via Patreon: http://bit.ly/2iz4lIV
Twitter: https://twitter.com/OurClimateNow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/occvideos/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/occ.climate/

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Resources:
1. The History of Fjällräven (Fjällräven): http://timeline.fjallraven.com/?_ga=2.172087269.737396587.1548880200-1118736519.1548880200
2. Fjällräven's Code of Conduct (Fjällräven): https://www.fjallraven.com/assets/download/16/Fja%CC%88llra%CC%88ven-Code-of-Conduct-13116.pdf
3. Do environmentally friendly outdoor jackets exist?(The Guardian): https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2009/oct/11/outdoor-clothing-ethical-living
4. Fjällräven to launch its most sustainable Kånken ever with Re-Kånken (MyNewsDesk) http://www.mynewsdesk.com/pressreleases/fjaellraeven-to-launch-its-most-sustainable-kaanken-ever-with-re-kaanken-1411248

#fjallraven #kanken #sustainability
Our Changing Climate : To be clear, the most eco-conscious this you can do is to not buy anything. This is if you want to buy something and you want to buy new. So, what do you all think? Is Fjällräven worth the price? If you own something from Fjällräven, let me know whether you like it or not. (edit: sorry to all Swedes. I butchered the pronunciation of Fjällräven. Here's how you really pronounce it: )
Kyla : $90 for a good backpack is a fair price, we’re so used to fast fashion prices we don’t pay for quality
Angelica : I use my dads Fjällräven-jacket that he bought in the 70s and it is still in mint condition. Also the Kånken-backpacks we have from the 80s and 90s are in good shape still. It cost a lot but it will hold up for generations if you take care of your gear unlike that 15 dollar bag from the cheap store, that you'll have to buy every year for the kids to use in school.
Angelie Anne : The more expensive it is, the more you’ll think twice about throwing it away. Also you’ll take more good care of it because it’s expensive
Z M : "What bag are you using?"
-- "I Cannot tell you."
"Is it confidential? like a super secret brand?"
-- "No, I can't pronounce it."

How to choose trousers | Fjällräven

Is there a perfect pair of trousers for you? We're convinced there is. And by taking the time to think through your needs and preferences, chances are you'll find them here. Are you going trekking or just outdoors in general? In what kind of weather? What functions do you prefer? Today, Ted will help you make a educated decision

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About Fjällräven
The Arctic fox is an inquisitive little predator with impressive survival skills that fascinated our founder, Åke Nordin, so much that he named his outdoor company with its Swedish name - Fjällräven. Since 1960, we have created functional, durable and timeless equipment that aim to make any outdoor experience great and nature accessible to all.
My e Mail Account : I've owned a pair of Barentz Winter Pro for my treks in Russia and Ukraine. But sometimes I wished there were warmer alternatives. Never knew the Drev existed! Am going to check that our now. Would be awesome if FR would develop easy labeling one day which informs us about the function of the clothing arme their position within the FR range. I bought a lot in FR flagship stores, but even there the staff knowledge does not always span all products and you end up buying an inferior product within the FR range. Always upsetting to have to go and buy 2 items where 1 should have sufficed. YT films only concentrate on history and other marketing talk, forgetting the customers needs in regards to choosing the right product within a sea of choices. Hehe... positive criticism is my intention.
Charles Randall : I actually bike commute and work in Vidda Pro trousers and Abisko shorts. The weights of these durable fabrics and freedom of movement make them a joy to wear!! After work, I can wear them on errands- or, to the trails!!
Sierra Farris : Smart gear and love this informational video on selecting the right gear
CanyonMiniCooper : I have a few pairs of Kebs, Vidda Pros and Abisko Lites and I absolutely love them all. In fact I also wear them out and about on a daily basis. I get comments all the time, when I wear them.
Moloko Vellocet : Unfortunately, the Barents Pro has not met my expectations in terms of robustness / longevity for a few years. In any case, I used to be so used to FR products. Only the Numbers Collection (and with some reservations, the Keb) is still one of the top products for me.

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