Why We Chose The Sasta Kaarna Trousers: Durable, natural materials and environmentally-friendly.

The Sasta Kaarna trousers are the brand’s summertime answer to their Anton which featured in the Outdoor 100 previously. The Antons were made for cold weather, the kind of weather you’d find in Finland’s Boreal Forest, which as it goes, is where Sasta are headquartered. These offer a similar robust functionality but are much better suited to the kind of conditions we have here in the UK.

Wool makes up 70% of the trouser fabric, and this brings a whole host of advantages: it’s naturally water resistant, breathable and has anti-microbial properties (meaning it doesn’t start to stink between washes). It’s also slightly flame retardant and quiet during movement, two attributes which bushcraft practitioners should find useful.

In true Scandinavian form, sustainability is woven into Sasta’s values, and the fact that the wool is fully recycled is evidence of this.

“Sasta are a company that have the environment at the forefront of everything they do .”

The other 30% is made from polyester which is located on the areas which classically take a bit more of a beating; knees, cuffs and seat. In a nice touch, the knee are shaped, or you could say articulated, so that they don’t move about and rub when you’re bending, kneeling or climbing. It’s an attention to detail that makes these trousers very comfortable.

Two standard handwarmer pockets feature, as well as a zipped pocket on the thigh which is useful for stowing small items securely. Down on the ankles there are Velcro tabs which allow you to alter the volume – whether that’s to loosen them for air flow or tighten them to keep ticks out.

While these might be designed primarily with three-season, mild weather use in mind, their slightly trim cut will allow them to be worn as an extra insulating layer underneath some thicker winter trousers. Just another reason to like these, we think.