Softshell Jackets

Fjällräven Kaipak Jacket | Review

As at home on the trails as it is in day to day life, the Kaipak has future classic written all over it

Why We Chose The Fjällräven Kaipak Jacket: Hardwearing, versatile, eco-friendly

You could remove all the logos and labels from the new for 2020 Kaipak jacket, and you’d still know intuitively that it was a Fjällräven product. The stylish look of it, combined with the familiar feel of the G-1000 Eco fabric, means its origins are unmistakable.

The Fjällräven Kaipak jacket is packing some serious versatility and can, within reason, be worn pretty much everywhere and on any occasion. One of our favourite outdoor brands has delivered the goods once again here.

Who Is The Fjällräven Kaipak Jacket For?

If you’re a city / town dweller who likes popping out to the hills on weekends, and who wants something that can serve you well in both environments, this would be a good option. It’s got more than enough credentials to hold up well on hilltop hikes and, thanks to its minimalist Swedish styling, you’ll never ever look out of place when you’re wearing it in urban spaces.

“The Fjällräven Kaipak jacket is packing some serious versatility”

That being said, if you are a full-time countryside dweller who wouldn’t go into a town centre even if your life depended on it, you’ll still love what this hardwearing trekking jacket brings to the party. It looks great, and will serve you very, very, well on big walks thanks to the technical details it has tucked away.

Plenty of pocket options. Photo: Mike Brindley

Materials

The Fjällräven Kaipak jacket is mostly made from G-1000 Eco fabric. In case you’re not familiar with this, it’s a tightly-woven blend of recycled polyester and organic cotton and it comes with an eco-friendly wax treatment to aid water and wind resistance. It’s worth us pointing out that once this wax (called Greenland Wax) wears out, you can simply reapply it at home.

At the underarms, a lighter stretch fabric is used in order to aid breathability. This also gives you unhindered movement. A nice touch, that allows you to reach right up when you’re scrambling without the hem lifting.

Cocoon yourself into the Kaipak with the adjustable hem. Photo: Mike Brindley

Features

Starting at the top, and working our way down, the Fjällräven Kaipak Jacket has an adjustable hood with protective brim (the hood is adjusted with a drawcord). Perfect for when the weather has gone up a notch, and you want to cocoon yourself into the coat. It’s also helmet compatible – one of a couple of features that might make this endearing to climbers.

Pocket enthusiasts will be in their element here. There’s a deepish one on the chest with a little concealed mesh one inside it that’s handy for stashing stuff like your keys. Then there are two zipped handwarmers that are placed so that you can still access them when you’re wearing a hipbelt or climbing harness. On the inside of the jacket you’ll also find dump pockets that should be very handy for tucking your hat and gloves on any winter hikes.

Down the front there’s a long zip that’s protected by storm flaps on either side of it. The two-way zipper on this is yet another feature that climbers should find beneficial. It’ll also be useful for when you’re, say, sat on the ground by a campfire and would prefer to have the jacket draped below your waist rather than bunched up.

The Kaipak is made from G-1000 Eco fabric. Photo: Mike Brindley

The jacket has an adjustable hood with a protective brim. Photo: Mike Brindley

Fjallraven is Swedish for "Arctic fox." Photo: Mike Brindley

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, editor of Outdoors Magic

“I’ve used this over the course of some pretty demanding hiking and it’s held up very well. I can tell it’s going to be a very long-lasting jacket – no matter what I manage to throw at it.

“The G-1000 Eco fabric used here certainly has a good amount of durability. I don’t think the build is quite as tough as the somewhat similar Vidda Pro Jacket from Fjällräven, but it’s not far off it. I’ve run the sleeves over plenty of rough rock while scrambling in it and there are no marks or scuffs.

“The jacket offered impressive water resistance right away. I managed to wear it through a couple of medium-heavy showers without anything soaking through but had to call upon a waterproof layer for the really heavy stuff. Since my last trip, I’ve applied a thick coat of Greenland Wax at home and I reckon I’ve made this even more wind and water resistant than it was when I first got my hands on it.”

Testing the jacket in Great Langdale, Lake District. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

The trousers Will's paired the jacket with here are the Vidda Pro Ventilated. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

All the usual Fjällräven details are there. Incuding the fox and the Swedish flag on the hem. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

“One thing I particularly liked about this is how easily and comfortably an insulated layer fits underneath. With a down jacket under it it’s supremely warm but without that clammy climate that you tend to get when you wear a waterproof shell over a layer.

“It’s a good hood as well. It’s not quite as cavernous as the one on the Keb, or the Vidda Pro (if my memory serves me right) but it’s still very protective, thanks in particular to the stiffened peak.

“I’d be happy wearing this to the pub, on my way to work, to the summit of Scafell Pike…”

“I’m 5 foot 10, have a fairly normal build and usually wear a size M, which is the size I tried this in. I liked the fit, though I would say it felt ever so slightly on the long side for me. That said, I was glad to have that extra length when I was wearing a backpack as it meant the fabric didn’t ever ride up my back or over the hipbelt.

“As for the look, I’d certainly agree that this is versatile. I’d be happy wearing this to the pub, on my way to work, to the summit of Scafell Pike or on my way across the Brecon Beacons.

“One final thing I’d say is that it’s not just the carefully sourced fabrics that make this an eco-friendly jacket. There’s also the fact that it’s the kind of thing that really is going to last and last and potentially stay with you for a long time.”

Trade Secrets

Shufei Wang, Product Developer at Fjällräven

“We are extremely proud of our high-end trekking gear, such as the Keb Jacket/Trousers, but we also appreciate that there is a need for entry-level trekking products. These products should have all the features required for comfortable trekking, delivering freedom of movement, functionality and durability, but also need to be usable for everyday outdoor life. The Kaipak Jacket was created with these things in mind and is priced so it is attainable for customers who want to begin spending more time in the nature.

“Lab and field testing are essential for a successful launch. For this jacket we have used tried and tested materials, including G-1000 (our traditional trekking fabric which has been used since the ‘60s) and a stretch material that also features in styles from our Abisko family. We then put this product to the test in real life situations using various testers, from outdoor experts to everyday active colleagues.”