Why Fjällräven Doesn't Use GORE-TEX (part 3)

When it comes to waterproofing and durability for outdoor gear, GORE-TEX can't be beat... Or at least that's what we thought until we found out about Fjällräven's alternative.

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Part 1, The TRUTH About Fjällräven:

Part 2, Why Is The Kånken Backpack SO Popular?:

The Truth About GORE-TEX:

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Script: Holly Maley
Editor: Kirsten Stanley
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand

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[pedtrog]

I'll repeat a comment here I made about Goretx: A word here from rainy New Zealand. I've had many years in the great outdoors here and have lived through the evolution of rainwear from oilskins to PVC to coated nylons to Goretex and the rest. Each of these have upsides and downsides and Goretex is no exception. Aside from the crippling price, in really wet conditions, for me., it would be a toss up between goretex and a well designed PVC jacket - that's if I could ever find one. Goretex's selling point is obviously it's breathability. However, this breathability ceases to exist as soon as the fabric becomes wet. Lovely promo images of the water beading off the outer layer belie the realities of extended treks in the rain. After a bit of use, the silicon coating on the outer layer gives up the struggle and the fabric becomes heavy and uncomfortable. The notion of breathability ceases to exist outside of a clever marketing campaign and your sweat just adds to the misery. And the downsides don't stop there. If you're lucky enough for the rain to stop, you're still wearing a sodden garment and now the wind is chilling you as it evaporates that big store of moisture. I sometimes feel as if I could be getting more protection from a good sized rubbish sack. Don't get me wrong, there are some upsides. Where Goretex especially shines is in sub zero temperatures or any cold conditions where the air is dry. It then becomes a pleasure to finish a tough hike with dry clothes. It's just that when you're soggily slogging away through the cold rain, the knowledge of how much that bloody jacket cost you just adds to the pain.

[alunjones]

I heard a story that an oil company in America recently ordered a load of jackets from The North Face for their staff. TNF refused to supply the oil company on the grounds that the company didn't align with their green credentials. The oil company then pointed out that the vast majority of TNF's products are made with fibres derived from petrochemicals. The local oil industry then presented TNF with an honorary award for services to the oil industry.
I really hope companies move away from synthetic materials but at the same time I wish they wouldn't make hollow marketing ploys about their love of the planet whilst doing nothing. All credit to the oil company for outing TNF as hypocrites.

[carlkolthoff]

When growing up in Sweden in the eighties and nineties, Fjällräven was considered old fashioned and not cool at all by me and my friends. I remember wanting an Adidas backpack instead of the green Kånken my mom gave me. Today I'd be happy to wear anything they make. Funny how perspectives change over time!

[varun]

In the first world war, most soldiers were issued heavy wool overcoats to be work over their issued tunics. The wool was excellent for keeping soldiers warm, but it soaked in too much water and soil. As a result, they would get too heavy. A soaked sleeve could make your arm 10% heavier but it feels like you're carrying twice the weight after a little while. Burberry invented the commercially made trench coat. A wool, cotton and linen blend coated with a proprietary drying oil, it was the perfect fit. To this day, I still wear one in the rain in India. Nothing beats it. When you're tall (6'2"), umbrellas just don't keep your legs dry. Trench coat is perfect.

[IIDASHII]

The problem that Fjallraven suffers from is not that they don't have "best of the best" water resistance. It is that fact combined with the fact that their gear costs more than a lot of gear with "best of the best" water resistance.

[plar]

As a backcountry skier I agree 100% with this. Gore-tex went too mainstream and I don’t think anyone needs it just for the sake having the most technical garment. When I’m walking 7-10 hours on a heavy snowfall/rain situation then yes Gore-tex is pretty useful. But for going to the mall or even a camping trip its just overkill and it wont make a difference.

[jeremynewman]

My experience with waxed G-1000 wasn't very good. I've had both a coat and trousers waxed and took them for a spin to Sottish Highlands in winter. Before anyone says anything like I did't do it properly or I should have applied more layers, I've spend almost 20 hours spread out over three days, applying and ironing-in the wax. Two full coats and extra wax at the seams. My first outing was on Ben Lomond in mid December. Snow, whiteout condition going up then mild weather front system bringing rain on the way down. I got soaked through so badly even my underwear was wet. I've tried few more times on different occasions, not so severe conditions, even regular use as a daily driver walking around town on a rainy day. But every time, without fail the material failed me. The weak link seems to be the seams themselves as water would always find a way to get inside them. That's it, rant over.

[Northwest]

I worked at Fjallraven during college and had a great time. Your video brought back good memories! I have the Keb eco-shell. It’s pretty expensive, but is still holding up after almost 8 years!

[matthewburger]

It hurts to say as an arcteryx fanboy, but fjallraven is the direction we have to go.

[HorizonsleatherBlogspot]

I wear wool and use a canvas oiled anorak. Purely natural, easy and simple.
Fjallraven is on the right track and we could all benefit from more thinking like they exhibit.
One side note, if you buy lightly used military Goretex you can get a lot of use from recycling and avoid the high price to boot.

[cdysthe]

Great stuff! I am a Norwegian living in the US with Fjallraven all over me. In Norway back to the late 60s we had Fjallraven gear for mountain trips. Some of it is till going over there! Currently I have a Fjallraven winter parka, a rolltop backpack I use every day for commute and when traveling. I have a couple of Fjallraven jackets and trousers. and of course my wallet which is a blue Fjallraven Kanken Card Wallet. Fjallraven stuff has always been expensive but so worth it! My 89 year old father passed away last year and my brother took over his 70s winter jacket which is as good as new. It's an heirloom! Good to see that Fjallraven is getting better known in the US. I can now buy in stores here in New England.

[zamk]

I have been wearing my FJALLRAVEN GREENLAND WINTER G1000 JACKET since 2012 for four/five months every year. and it still looks almost like new. Never even waxed it. Stylish, comfortable and very practical. One of my best investments in clothing. Never regretted.

[Danube_Man]

Páramo is another excellent outdoor clothing company that doesn't use Goretex. Their Nikwax directional textiles which although heavier, are both significantly more comfortable and durable than the less environmentally friendly alternatives. Big in the UK and, to a lesser extent, mainland Europe, they sadly never seem to reached the major US retailers (although I'd love to be proved wrong on this).

[matwinner]

Minimal exertion will produce sweat to cool the body, very often matching or even exceeding outside water/humidity, resulting in swimming in your own salty water trapped inside the expensive fancy goretex. Aim for temperature control and ventilation, you won’t stay really dry anyway

[thedirtyexplorer]

I quite literally just returned home to Alaska, from the Arctic working as an expedition guide in the northern most parts of 🇬🇱 Greenland/Baffin Bay…and I used Fjallraven & reapplied their wax when needed. I’m talking, hours on end, covered head to boot, soaking in water or the constant blasting wind and sudden temperature drops …Lasted the entire expedition, no problem. Nearly every every single expedition Member was wearing it as well (oddly enough, I did have to teach them to wax their gear though, but I think that’s a byproduct of living in southeast, Alaska, a literal frozen rainforest).

[shrimplythebesto]

Very smart video! It was fun to watch and made me smile quite a few times. Thanks so much for all your efforts. I live in the Swiss Alps and I happen to be a huge fan of Fjällräven's outdoor gear. The problem with the waterproof coating is that it is not durable. It's a layer that slowly slowly with use, cracks and sprinkles off, often unnoticeable. About 10 years ago I switched to Fjällräven and use its beeswax. It's amazing. Their G-fabrics are absolutely brilliant and I use an eco-shell for rainy weather, when out hiking and it has served me well skiing and on many other adventures. Their G-fabric rucksacks are bit heavier then all these ultralight items but durable. Have been using mine for the past 10 years! 10 years! Usually they expire within 3 years or so. I can recommend Fjällräven wholeheartedly though I agree: I wish their values and actions taken in that regard would be more transparent.

[jimf]

I am not a Fjallraven user but I do tend toward a similar approach much of the time. I have one Ventile and two microfibre polyester smocks, none of which have membranes. Ventile is awesome and has incredible durability. Microfibre polyester when worn over a wicking material like wool or polyester fleece and treated with water repellancy works extremely well and similarly to the Buffalo and Paramo solutions.
Regarding Ventile, if you have a need for a garment of this quality and durablility that comes from a non-PFC and sustainable source then please buy it soon or ventile will simply die forever as more of the necessary European manufacturing processes close down.

[bastianhund]

As a Fjällräven fan and owner of several Fjällräven items a few years ago I purchased a jacket and bib pants in Eco-shell quality. Fjällräven promised these items would keep me dry when it’s raining for a whole day. However, after a few hours of skiing in heavy snowfall I was wet all the way into my base layer. I documented this, returned the items and got my money back.
After that I decided to stick to Goretex-based shells. The jackets and pants from Norrona seems to be very durable and versatile. So for various outdoor activities I get away with less different pieces of clothing which last for many years.
Thanks for an interesting video.

[amyarcher]

Love this! Gortex is definitely falling out of favor with the backpacking community, but I never know if the replacement is better or worse for the planet

[Gfls]

I have always said Gortex is the asbestos of the outdoor industry!

and will be treated the same in the future hopefully, fantastic video we need this conversation bringing to light🙏