Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic Jacket | Review - Outdoors Magic

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Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic Jacket | Review

A lightweight, packable and eco-friendly everyday hiking jacket in a range of muted, earthy colourways that is ideally suited for trips into town as well as countryside walks

Why We Chose It: Sustainable, stylish, lightweight, comfortable  

You know that jacket that hangs on the peg by the back door, ready to grab whenever you’re heading out – whether it’s a countryside walk or just a drizzly commute into town? This is that jacket. Built with versatility in mind, Fjällräven’s High Coast Hydratic Jacket utilises a light and packable 2.5-layer construction that is easy to stuff in a hillwalking pack or your work bag. Like almost all of the Swedish brand’s kit, it’s also an eco-friendly garment, made from recycled nylon with a PFC-free waterproof-breathable laminate and durable water repellent finish.

Who Is The Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic Jacket For?

This is a jacket intended for casual hikes and everyday outdoor use. It’s not a hardcore technical shell for the gnarliest mountain days; instead, it’s a practical and versatile waterproof jacket that will do double duty for the week-long 9-to-5 and weekend escapes in the countryside. Having said that, it boasts more features than most entry-level jackets, with a protective hood and pit zips for ventilation.

Materials

The face fabric is 100% polyamide – more commonly called nylon to you and me – which is entirely made from recycled content. This is backed with a PU (polyurethane) waterproof-breathable laminate and finished with a raised inner print for improved performance and better next-to-skin comfort. As such, it’s a classic 2.5-layer waterproof shell, which is a solid choice for an all-round outdoor jacket with the emphasis on lightweight, packable performance.

Photo Credit: Chris Johnson

If you want the technical data, the laminate is rated at 10,000mm Hydrostatic Head in terms of waterproofing, which is a good baseline for an outdoors jacket. When it comes to breathability, the moisture vapour transmission rate is given as 6,000 g/m²/24h. That’s not particularly impressive, but should move enough moisture to keep you mostly dry and comfortable provided you’re not working too hard. And luckily, the jacket is provided with practical pit zips to help you dump heat quickly if you do find yourself starting to build up a sweat.

“The jacket is provided with practical pit zips to help you dump heat quickly.”

Lastly, it’s worth reiterating the eco credentials of the materials used. As well as being made from recycled fabric, the jacket is entirely PFC-free, which means it contains none of the harmful chemical compounds that have been proven to be both environmentally damaging and worryingly persistent in ecological terms, polluting rivers, lakes and oceans.  

Features

The jacket’s feature set is relatively simple but gives you all you’re likely to need for everyday use and weekend rambles. This includes a three-way adjustable hood and zipped hand pockets, as well as underarm pit zips for ventilation. The main two-way zip is covered by an external storm flap with a bottom press stud to stop it flapping around too much. You also get Velcro cuff tabs and a hem drawcord. There are reflective details at the cuffs and on the hood, ideal for urban use. There’s also a rear hanging loop at the base of the hood.

Photo Credit: Chris Johnson

We’d describe the fit as regular – it’s roomy enough to accommodate a couple of layers without feeling too baggy. There is plenty of length in the arms and torso, providing good coverage, even if you’re a taller walker.

“The jacket rolls up into a very compact package”

The jacket rolls up into a very compact package, so it’s easy to tuck into a rucksack or work bag. Aesthetically, we also liked the muted, earthy colours and the vintage styling – which includes a couple of subtle little Fjällräven shield logos, with the brand’s famous arctic fox emblem. The inner print of the jacket also has a cool, nature-inspired pattern.

Conclusion

This is a practical waterproof jacket that makes a great grab-and-go option for casual outdoor use. It’s eco-friendly and stylish too, with an accommodating but contemporary fit that will work for a variety of different body shapes. 

Like most Fjällräven gear, the price tag is on the high side. On the other hand, it’s so versatile that you can use it in both town and country, which may justify the outlay.

Photo Credit: Chris Johnson

Tester’s Verdict

Matt Jones, OM contributor and gear tester:

“I’ve rarely been disappointed with Fjällräven gear and have owned various bits of the Swedish brand’s kit for years, including a very battered but still serviceable pair of Vidda Pro trousers and a nicely worn-in Greenland jacket.

“I was excited to see how the latest stuff performs. The 2.5-layer Hydratic fabric is a PFC-free nylon construction, so it obviously feels very different to Fjällräven’s well-known polycotton G-1000 fabric. It’s a bit crinklier and doesn’t have the same softness as G-1000. But it’s more weatherproof, and this is still a very wearable waterproof – it’s very comfortable and you don’t feel too conspicuous wearing it, unlike more obviously technical shells. So, it’s one that I’d happily grab whether I was heading into town, going out with the dog or packing for a day hike.

OM’s Matt Jones trying the High Coast Hydratic on for size at our Test Team event in Snowdonia. Photo: Jamie Barnes

“The eco-friendly credentials also get a big thumbs up from me. This is increasingly a factor I consider when it comes to kit. As someone who loves the great outdoors, I hate the idea that the stuff I wear is damaging to the environment. Obviously the most sustainable option is not to buy new gear at all, but if you are looking to purchase a new shell then the advantage of this one is that you can wear it as part of an everyday wardrobe and take it hillwalking too.”

Fjällräven High Coast Hydratic Jacket

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