Fjallraven Forester alternatives ?

[Paullyfuzz]

Just tried on a pair of the above and trouble is, there seem come only in a baggy fit. The material is brilliant though, G1000. Does anybody know of trousers made in a similar fabric that are slim or regular fitting ?

Cheers

Paul

 

[scoops_uk]

Hi Paul,

I'd still like second dibs on Jedadiah's trousers if you don't want them

Scoops

 

[John Fenna]

The Iceland trousers are a tighter fit - stil in G1000

 

[Mikkel]

I recent aquired a pair of german 'moleskinhosen', it's a very nice fabric. Extremely hard wearing, and very comortable and warm to wear. Not very waterproof and it takes some time to dry out when wet. But you can always wax the trousers if you need them in prolonged wet weather, otherwise see the lack of waterprotection as improved breathability
They are also made to NATO standards, and the OD colour is more of a nice pale green/grey, so you don't get 'OD overload'.
Another nice thing i sthat they are not very expensive, I paid around 25€ for a brand new pair in Germany.

 

[_Geraint_]

Try the Fjallraven Barents trousers, they are a more regular type fit.

 

[baggins]

You could always try a pair of craghoppers kiwi trousers. Not such fancy material but, saying that, they are pretty much bombproof (i've got two pairs that are looking as good as new after 5 years of pretty much constant heavy use). Also they are half the price of fjellravens.
Baggins

 

[Mikey P]

British Army lightweights!

I've written a review that Tony will hopefully publish soon on the Fjallraven Greenland trousers - same material as the foresters but without the brushed finish, and more 'features'.

Without spoiling the review, the bottom line is that you pay a lot of money for Fjallraven trousers with a lot of unnecessary features (both Forester, Greenland, etc) when a pair of green lightweights are less than 1/4 the price and are nearly as hard-wearing!

Lightweights are made out of polycotton (a polyester/cotton mix, just like...er...G-1000). If you want to increase water resistance, you can use Fjallraven Greenland wax.

 

[dommyracer]

You could always try a pair of craghoppers kiwi trousers. Not such fancy material...

Kiwis are poly/cotton, just like G-1000. Just a bit lighter.

 

[_Geraint_]

I think one of the appealing things about Fjallraven is the name, it's a brand that's associated with bushcraft and I think that's what appeals to people. Nothing wrong with that.

I've got a pair of barents and a pair of woodwille waterproof trousers.

 

[John Fenna]

I have reviewed several Poly cotton trousers over the years - and the G 1000 is by far the toughest I have found.
Yes - many trousers, lightweights, combats, Kiwis etc are poly cotton and great for Bushcrafting but the G 1000 fabric is a realy tough blend, weave and weight that I find truely excellent and the features on the various Fjallraven trousers are extrordinarily well thought out and often ideal for the activities associated with Bushcrafting as oposed to trekking or combat.
I have used many trousers from cheap combats to expensive Ventile trousers but find the Fjallravens amongst the best I have used for Bushcrafting!
Love 'em!

 

[Paullyfuzz]

Had a pair of Craghopper Kiwis, got rid as they were far too baggy. What would be my ideal is a pair of trousers in G1000, but styled exactly like a pair of Rohan Bags, now they would be the dogs, if anyone actually made them

 

[big_swede]

It is a shame that you can't buy G1000. I heard of a guy who managed to buy some G1000 to make a ukulele cover (!), but I would love to get my hands on some of that stuff (the fabric that is!).

 

[Mikey P]

I have reviewed several Poly cotton trousers over the years - and the G 1000 is by far the toughest I have found.
Yes - many trousers, lightweights, combats, Kiwis etc are poly cotton and great for Bushcrafting but the G 1000 fabric is a realy tough blend, weave and weight that I find truely excellent and the features on the various Fjallraven trousers are extrordinarily well thought out and often ideal for the activities associated with Bushcrafting as oposed to trekking or combat.
I have used many trousers from cheap combats to expensive Ventile trousers but find the Fjallravens amongst the best I have used for Bushcrafting!
Love 'em!

John,

I hear what you're saying but I'm still not sure they are good value. I was extremely impressed with Fjallravens - don't get me wrong - but I believe they are over-priced and over-designed.

Anyway, hopefully Tony will print my review soon and you can see a more in depth report. Indeed, I offer some free advice to the Fjallraven designers - can't say fairer than that!

Like I say, I've nothing against Fjallraven at all and I like their products - but that doesn't mean that I won't be objective about them and suggest improvements that might make them more suitable for our activities.

 

[John Fenna]

Not a prob - everyone is entitled to their opinion....even people other than me!
I think the main problem with them is the price, and if you look at any clothing coming from Scandinavia you will find it tends to be on the high side - I think that Scandinavia is just plain expensive!
Different features will always do it for different folk, as their needs/wants will always be slightly different.
Me - I can't stand "articulated knees" as I have very short legs and end up with "articulated shins" while the fahion for long shorts - especially in zip-off trousers - means that "shorts" come over my knees! I do not loike bi-colour clothing much either....
I have been reviewing several pairs of Fjallraven trousers recently, including the Forrest trs, the Iceland trs and the Zippy zip offs. I have found that - for me - the Iceland trousers are almost the ideal Bushcraft trousers in cut, fabric and features.
Copies of all my reviews go direct to the manufacturers/distributors for tchnical correction before publication so I know that a/I will not have to print corrections in the mags at a later date, b/ the "authorities" get to hear of any probs/improvables I find.
One of the best things about being a pro reviewer is that I get to try out lots of great gear for free (in effect). The downside is I am always using gear I find to be less than ideal when I have tried, tested and perfect gear sitting at home! As a clothing designer I often dispair of the designers that some companies use..Oh, and the carp wages I get paid for the hours I put in are not a big hit either!
Still, having to go out in all weathers and play in the wilds to earn my crust is the main thing that makes my life and living the best possible one!
I look forward to seeing your review and comparing your thoughts with mine

 

[big_swede]

I don't know if I can agree with the over-designed argument. The iceland and greenland pants were designed in the 60's by a single guy who used them for hiking in the north of sweden. I would rather say they're under-designed, their design has not evolved since the first model. Most stuff have around 20-30 years on it's neck, and thats more of my reservation against fjällräven. I like the karl pants, use them both in the city and outdoors, brushed just like forester, but not so bushy looking, better design IMO too.

And I agree with mr Fenna here, I haven't found any pants with louder bang for the buck. Maybe I'm biased, my father still has his greenland pants left from the 70's, I inherited my mothers navy greenland jacket when I was a boy, now my small cousin has it (had to change a couple of buttons though, they got greenish).

Well, actually, come to think about it, my work pants are maybe more abrasionresistant, are cheap and have a lot of tool pockets, but they take forever to dry. And I look like a handyman in them.. Not so bushy

 

[mazeman]

You could always try a pair of craghoppers kiwi trousers. Not such fancy material but, saying that, they are pretty much bombproof (i've got two pairs that are looking as good as new after 5 years of pretty much constant heavy use). Also they are half the price of fjellravens.
Baggins

I've been wearing kiwis for 4 years, pretty much every day and they are good; my only thing against them is that they're so noisy. Does anyone know of a good pair of quieter kecks?

 

[andyn]

I only bought a pair of Fjallraven barrents because of the unfinished leg length...ive got a 35" inside leg. So Craghoppers werent long enough at 33" for there Long leg. But I have to agree with John that the fabric has been above my expectations.

 

[michiel]

I've got the Iceland trousers and they're great IMO.