New Gear
Chris Townsend puts exciting and interesting new gear to the test
Fjällräven
Vidda Pro Lite
organic and recycled materials, breathability, pockets, three leg lengths
expensive, no women’s sizes
Fabric: G-1000 Air Stretch: 52% recycled polyester, 13% polyester, 35% organic cotton Pockets: 2 hand, 4 leg Waist: belt loops Ankle: elastic strap with studs, hook for boot laces Sizes: men: 28-44, 3 leg lengths. fjallraven.com
The Vidda Pro Lite are tough trousers made from aversion of Fjällräven’s well-established and hard-wearing G-1000 polyester/cotton fabric, which is designed to be light and airy. G-1000 Air Stretch has aslight one-way stretch but it’s nothing like that of the stretch softshell fabrics used for many hiking pants, including some from Fjällräven such as the Keb Agile Trousers. In fact the stretch of the Vidda Pro Lite trousers is
The weave is also slightly more open than standard G-1000 fabric, and it stretches and opens alittle more when under tension. Fjällräven calls this ‘mechanical stretch’. This means that the trousers are not as windproof as ones made from standard G-1000 such as the Vidda Pro, though they’re still more wind-resistant than many stretchy softshell trousers.
though not as fast as thin 100% synthetic materials. Water resistance could be improved by treatment with Fjällräven’s Greenland Wax, but that would reduce the breathability.
The trousers have ahigh recycled content and the cotton is organic, which is good.
Fjällräven says the Vidda Pro Lite are ‘optimised for warmweather conditions’ and they’re certainly cooler than standard G-1000 trousers on hot summer days. At the same time they’re not as cool as lighter, thinner trousers and more suitable than the latter when temperatures drop. They’re not full-on winter
In design they are typical Fjällräven, with multiple pockets and aslightly baggy look. The seat and knees are made from two layers of fabric for durability. At the ankle there are stretchy straps and studs so they can be tightened around boot tops, plus hooks for attaching to laces. Three leg lengths are available –another positive, as many trousers with ankle adjustments only come with one leg length.
roomy: one will hold amap. Inside one there’s astretch slot for asmartphone. The fourth leg pocket is narrow and designed for good for various items such as phone, map, and compass.
The Vidda Pro Lite are comfortable trousers that should prove durable. They are expensive though.
Keen
lightweight, cost, environmentally friendly
slightly difficult to get on
Uppers: PFC-free recycled ripstop mesh with recycled TPU overlays, Keen-Dry waterproof/breathable membrane Midsole: foam with full-length stability plate Sole: TPU Sizes: men 7-15, women 5-
