Too Tough? - Honest Real World 10 Year Review : Fjallraven Barents Pro and Vidda Pro Pants

This is the review that many have been waiting for;
over almost 10 years I have been wearing primarily Fjallraven Pants on my channel and today, I'm reviewing two different kinds;

The Barents Pro Trousers and the Vidda Pro Trousers.

You want the best of the best when it comes to outdoor/bushcraft pants?
This is them!

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Fjallraven Barents and Vidda Pro Pants :

Fjallraven is a Swedish company who makes some serious outdoor gear and clothing and with just about everything that they make, the quality is amazing and their prices are exceptionally high.

My experiences with the company go back 10 years; I had a pair of the Barents imported and fell in love them these pants as they were so strong, so durable, and the performance was so good…..I’ve worn virtually nothing else since then.

Differences : Barents have a raw length and when you receive them, you will need to get them hemmed to your size.

The Vidda Pro Trousers have a predetermined length and one less pocked.

In truth, I have owned a pair of each and unless I looked really closely, I wouldn’t even notice a difference. The Vidda pants do come in a larger variety of colors than the Barents.

Price : Retail $145 for the Barents, $155 for the Vidda
Weight for Size 48 : 1.25lbs

Colors : Dark olive, Dark Grey, Black

Review Pros :
Incredibly tough – have handled all of my use and abuse without any issues.
One pair of pants can literally last years and years. For an example, these are 3 years old and I wear them just about daily. Seriously, I wear them to go to town if it is cool, I wear them for most hiking trips….and they have taken everything that I have put them through.
I’ve ripped the crotch on some barbed wire, resewn them and no issues.
Left side pocket where I put my phone has begun to worn through and I have sewn them the best that I can...For 3 years of hard use, I’m very, very pleased.
Good wind resistance.
Good water resistance
Dry quickly.
Price – They are more expensive that a lot of pants but they are so strong, I consider even full price to be very fair.
Lower waist is awesome for backpacking as your harness will go above your belt if you wear one. This makes for a more comfortable backpacking experience. If you are aren’t familiar with wearing a lower wasted pant, these will ruin you once you get accustomed it. Anything higher wasted will not be your preference.
Lots of pockets
re-enforced knees
Knee pads can be used but I have only done this once...it worked well but I found that I don’t really need them in most cases.
Lifetime warranty…..as long as you have your receipt. I’ve heard that the company can be less than helpful if you are not able to prove that you are the original purchaser.
Can be waxed….if you wish go through that process. I’ve done it a time or two and prefer not to it. It’s a chore to do, a job to wash it out, adds to the weight, limits breathability, and so on. I would suggest doing a cotton water repellent wash and that will help make them much more resistant to light to modern rain.
Belt loops are great for hanging items…
My experiences is that the fit is relaxed and comfortable….but with everyone having a different body type your mileage will vary.

Review Cons :
No rear wallet pocket
Not the best for hot conditions – in the summer, if you have to wear pants I would definitely recommend something else unless you need some pants that are very strong and durable. By the way, Fjallraven has pants which are better suited for warm weather...
Sizing can be confusing for American users. EU sizing has to be converted...I am a 32” waste and I wear a 48 in EU sizing.
Material doesn’t stretch….this really isn’t a big deal...but if you plan to rock climb of run around in an obnoxious sort of way...these aren’t the best pants for you.
Heavy...there are much lighter pants out on the market

Summary :
For the majority of my adventures and daily life use, these are my go to pants and I can’t state their praises any more than I already have. They are top notch and are well worth the money.
Great for bushcraft, great for hiking, great in warm, cool and cold conditions...not hot.
Great for being at the range, working around the house, and every day use.
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[henriccarlsson]

Nice to see my little country is having a nice impact on the outdoor community :)

[thirdenvoqation]

It's also worth noting there's two versions of the Vidda Pro trousers, as they both got revised last year for a slightly narrower fit and snap buttons to close round the boot as an additional line to the range. The additional trousers also includes ventilation zips for summer and/or general comfort but with the zips the pockets are redesigned to fit around them. If you need something more stretchy then the Keb trousers are better suited and have a boot hook (just like the Vidda Pro) to stop them sliding up. They also have more lower-leg reinforcement and are designed for more technical work. Another advantage for the Barents is that they come in a winterised version if you really need it. The new boot straps and hooks help prevent ticks and other beasties crawling up your legs.

I use a Vidda Pro jacket as daily work horse, the gear loops are so damned useful for hanging tools and other odds and ends. Combined with a down mid-layer you're going to be be able handle most cold conditions especially if you have a shell outer as I've done when working in Norway during the deep winter (as that's how I got introduced to this gear) or they have a winterised version of the jacket now. The main criticism is that they have so many items in their selection but it's not always clear what's the difference between the various lines, and if you can it's always best to go into a store who knows their line up to help you make your selections and you should have a clear idea of your load out that you're going to use the gear with. For example the axe loop is damned handy for keeping it to hand when setting up camp but not all the line up has that feature. Another tip, Fjallraven do offer different leg lengths but it's not always clear, so you have to dig down to ensure you have the right product code (they use the term Art No to differentiate). You can readily make Greenland style wax yourself for a lot less than paying for the bars, I've done this in the past to protect core areas of the jacket.

One last thing, these trousers and jackets have a distinct design that stands out and people will notice/ask about them.

[bulletvivace]

As a fellow Scandinavian (Danish), we are pretty use to Fjällräven products, still don't hear anything negative :)

[stakstonkvinge]

I can recommend the Keb-models, which have zippers on the sides, and give amazing airflow when you want it. They are also more flexible and more comfortable when walking. I have 5 of those models, and have used them for 8 years.

[HBserresed]

This is by far one of the greatest clothing companies in existance right now. Their development with the material is outstanding. their amazing. I get compliments on my pants all the time.

[luciferiancheflux]

This this the only company I wear when it it comes to pants shirts jackets etc . Fantastic stuff .

[LundysWildcampBushcraft]

I've had my pair for 4 years and wear them every weekend when out camping definitely worth the money 100% atvb Jimmy from England 🇬🇧

[scotthopkinshikes]

I’ve got two of the Abisko pants for summer and the Keb and Vidda for the rest of the year. They’re super comfortable, dry quick and fit great. Fjallraven is my go to for outdoor clothing now, it’s built to last.

[TheJohn]

Wow. A glowing recommendation from Luke is an auto-buy for those looking for outdoor pants.

[dennislindenpellinge]

Yes, Fjällräven is the best. Used they products for years. Yes, they are not cheep, BUT, they stands for years and years !

[stantheman]

I can fully agree with his assessment of the Vida Pros. I have had my pair (Dark Olive) for 6+ years and have used them for hiking and hunting in the Oregon backwoods. They still look like new. I was so impressed that I have also purchased their Forest Jacket No.3 which had an MSRP of over $650.00, but I stacked a few discounts and paid less than $400.00 for it. It is absolutely bomber as a hunting jacket and will last my lifetime and my youngest son's as well. He has called dibs on that puppy. I also purchased their version of a messenger bag which uses the heavy duty version of their G-1000 material. I use it everyday as a carry bag and it still looks like new after 4 years of constant use.

[timd]

Wrangler Outdoor Pants - 4 colors- 8 pockets, 2 zippered- worn every day for about a year and not one stitch has frayed. Best of all, $21.95 at Walmart.

[mushercdn]

The axe pocket fits a small Silky saw perfectly. The hand pockets are not quite deep enough to prevent keys from falling out when you lie down. They are also the first place to wear out. Great pants and shorts. I own several pairs. needle and thread and crazy glue have fixed the few worn spots. Thanks for the video.

[zufuss]

Wear them every day for the past 6 years, have two pairs and the oldest are about done now with tons of repairs but still use them non the less. The many belt loops are an awesome feature keeps the belt in place very well. I prefer the dark olive 👍🏻. Cheers from Denmark 🇩🇰 Lars

[outzone]

I've had a pair of pants and shorts from Fjällräven, traveled the world with them for 5 years. I've had to patch them up several times and although they aren't falling apart yet, they are definitely getting there. Hard to say how any other brand would have performed as I've only ever worn Fjällräven while traveling.

[sanderbass]

I've got the Nils. It's essentially the same fit but slightly lighter (better for medium warm weather). While I was intiallly a bit worried about durability, but they're actually super durable. Been using them for years and still in perfect condition.

[harshglare]

Great review.. but you never mentioned the different pocket set up between the two. One con that I have with the Vidda Pro is the "map pocket": they are not gusseted AND the bottom hits me at the knee (the reason it hits me at the knee might be because I buy my pants two sizes larger).

I take exception to hot conditions: I use my Vidda Pros in 100+ degree temps. In Las Vegas it is hot and dry so they are perfect. In hot humid conditions, the Viddas might not be the most ideal.

When desert hiking, you need long pants and long sleeves for sun protection and protection from brush and cacti. Most desert dwellers cover themselves from heat to toe with cloth to both capture sweat and cool; to make this work, the clothing has to be very loose to provide air space. I buy all my clothes 1 to 2 sizes bigger. My Viddas (I have two: one in coyote and the other I the blue you have) are two sizes bigger.

Viddas work for me because your sweat works for you and evaporates and cools (when I hike in extreme heat, I ration my sweat, not my water: a very important idea to prevent heat stroke). When it is super hot, I put two micro fiber cloths in my front pockets and one under my hat.

You really should get/review a pair of Keb Trousers with the kind of hiking you do; they have stretch panels and, in high wear areas, G1000. They are a bit warmer but I have the vented ones and they work fine. I use mine for scrambling around boulders in places like Ice Box Canyon in Red Rock

[tonystrange]

Greatest pants going. Had mine 3 years and not a mark on them and no sign of wearing out. You can also waterproof them to a degree by waxing. Love em.

[dunc]

I've had 2 pairs, both lasted around a year I was wearing them most days and in more of a outdoor work environment They were great in many ways but I found they wore out really quickly at the bottom, I guess gaiters would have helped. They also ripped easily and I had to patch them up various times. I think they're great for weekend use. I understand that there is a play off between lightweight and comfort compared to toughness and durability. I'm also aware Fjallraven avoid synthetic materials where possible and use natural products which can affect performance.

[bitrate]

I have a pair of Vidda Pro going on 10 years still fully functioning. Ofc I have taken care of them by occasionally applying new wax coat. Usage have been a few years almost daily, some years just a few weeks a year on hikes in all types of weather. And they look and feel almost new.
Great channel, I keep coming back