NEW GEAR REVIEWED – FJÄLLRÄVEN EXPEDITION PACK DOWN JACKET/HOODIE

IS THIS THE ULTIMATE IN DOWN JACKET DESIGN?

INSPIRED BY THE 1970S INGENUITY OF ITS FOUNDER, FJÄLLRAVEN’S NEW DOWN RANGE TAKES SOME BEATING.

Let’s begin with a story… Over four decades ago, Åke Nordin, the founder of Fjällräven, found himself frozen to the core as he spent a miserable night in a hand-dug snow pit during a bitterly cold winter expedition in Sweden. He decided that, once the ordeal was over, he’d develop a jacket that made it impossible to feel the cold. The result was Fjällräven’s original 1974 Expedition Down Jacket; two down jackets stitched together.

To commemorate Åke’s ingenuity, this winter Fjällräven is releasing a brand-new collection of cold-weather jackets under the umbrella of the 1974 Expedition Series, all inspired by the much-loved original, which still forms part of the Fjällräven range. Joining the Expedition Down Jacket (£690) in the new range are the Expedition Down Lite Jacket (£500), the Expedition Down Parka (£500), the down-free Expedition Lätt Hoodie (£200) and our pick of the bunch, the Expedition Pack Down Jacket (£275 for the Hoodie, or £255 without a hood), which we take a closer look at here…

6 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

Recycled materials

Both the Expedition Pack Down Jacket and Hoodie feature shell fabric and lining made from 100% recycled nylon.

More warmth for less weight

Using high quality goose down rather than duck down gives a superior fill power, offering a warmer jacket for less weight.

Ethical insulation

Fjällräven’s ‘Down Promise’ ensures that its down is fully traceable to farm level, working with just one supplier who only uses a handful of farms. This minimises risk and makes oversight easier, and ensures Fjällräven knows exactly where its down comes from and that it is of the highest quality.

Reinforcement where needed

The shoulders and collar are reinforced with synthetic padding (100% recycled polyester) to resist moisture and pressure.

Convenient stowability

The Expedition Pack Down packs down (not just a clever name) into its own pocket for easy and compact storage in a rucksack when not being worn.

Performance pockets

The two handwarmer pockets have zip-closures with zipper garages for clean lines. The zipped internal chest pocket doubles as a stuffsack, with a reinforced carabiner clip-in loop.

TRAIL VERDICT

That Fjällräven has a history of making quality, adventure-proof apparel is evident from its modern kit. That it takes its environmental responsibilities so seriously is equally impressive.

Serious stuff:

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