Fjällräven Keb trousers review
Look, greenery! I’m feeling all spring like, so here’s a wee something that’s appropriate for this time of year, these are the Fjällräven Keb trousers.
Fjällräven are a well known brand, but if you ask people their impression (and I did a wee straw poll) it’s that they don’t specialise in technical cl0thing, but more traditional stuff. I reckon we need to look more closely.
Pay close attention and you’ll see some really smart design. We have two materials, and put in all the right places. Covering the front of the legs and seat is G-1000, which is a polycotton mix that’s designed to be sturdy and it is. Abrasion resistance is excellent, and weather resistance is good too. You will need to wax the material to keep it at it’s most waterproof, but that’s not a big task and I find it quite therapeutic. Elsewhere there’s stretchy polyamide which allows freedom of movement along with quick drying time. Crotch and knee articulation is there, so movement is easy. There’s doubling up of material at the knee too, so you get even more protection where you need it most. The short version is that you get weather protection and sturdiness where you need it, and good fit and freedom of movement where you need it too. Best of both worlds? Absolutely.
The waist is belt-looped and the front closure is two buttons. In terms of pockets, they’re so big you could almost leave your daysack at home. The hip pockets are capacious and the thigh pockets are gusseted to let you stow even more kit without looking all weird. One is zippered and the other is open, but they both have poppered cover flaps to keep the weather out. There’s a wee stretchy phone pocket in the open one too. If I can get my hands onto some nibbles without having to take my pack off, that makes me happy. Behind these pockets are the vents, one of which is thigh length and another lower on the calf. The vents have zips with garages, but they aren’t backed with mesh, so I guess they increase the risks of ticks and the like, but only marginally and I’d rather have the full cooling effect.
The ankles are suitably sturdy and are adjustable with a webbing strap and popper arrangement, along with a wee hook, so you can make them snug to your boots. Handy if you’re not a fan of gaiters.
I’ve had these out to play in a whole bunch of conditions. They’re great at repelling wind and rain, and I really don’t mind having to rewax them on occasion. Stretch and movement is excellent, so they’re fine for scrambling too. In the middle of winter they can be a little bit cool on their own but pair them with some longjons and some cunning use of the vents and you get you’ve got a great all-year-round option.
Downsides? Well apart from the eye-watering price tag, not a lot. Some may not like the idea of waxing their kit to keep it waterproof I suppose, and they aren’t the lightest ever trousers so lightweight fanatics may have to look elsewhere. My size 50s weight in at 660g.
In short, these are absolutely excellent all rounders; they’re well designed, tailored and they’re very practical too. Fjällräven may have a rep for traditional gear and aren’t jumping onto the trendy uber-techy alpine wear bandwagon any time soon, but that’s all the more reason to pay attention. We’re not all Ueli Steck, a lot of us just need well though out, solidly made reliable gear.
These trousers make me happy. Fjällräven have applied modern design thinking while sticking with their traditional roots. If that results in more gear that’s as good as the Keb trousers, long may it continue.
Highly recommended.
Fine review as always boss. Really fancy a pair of them but I’ll have to save those pennies a bit longer hopefully they do them for short arses as well 😉
Cheers Tooks. They are truly fine breeks, so well worth saving for. The good news is that they do a large range of sizes, although I’m not sure they can do hobbit. 😉
Went to buy a new pair of Haglofs Rugged Mountain Pants and saw these in the shop. Tried them on and they were even better than the Haglofs which I have worn for years. Rugged and hard wearing yet comfort that you wouldn’t believe. Goodbye Haglofs, Hello FjallRaven
The Rugged Mountains are still in my favourites pile, they are fine mountain trousers, but the Kebs have been getting a lot of use recently!
I’ve been increasingly looking towards G-1000 as my goto for trousers and even my shell layer! I know it’s not waterproof, but if you dislike hard-shells, then I must loathe them; hence justifying getting a little damp at times or resorting to cheap PU coated shells when the going really gets tough!
How do you rate G-1000 as a fabric, both waxed and unwaxed in terms of windproofness (that surely can’t be a word), water resistance and durability…I have a tendency to ensure my kit lives hard and short!
I like it. It’s not the lightest choice, but it’s very durable. Weather resistance is good, especially if you wax it. I’m wearing the Abisko trousers at the moment and I find them very practical in mixed conditions.
Thanks for your quick feedback! That’s what I had hoped to hear. I’m not too fussed about the weight, just their suitability to our rarely dry climate and quality issues that seemed to plague Fjallraven for a few years.
Thanks again!
No worries dude, drop back and let me know how you get on with them…
Are these pants suitable for alpine (5,800 mts) hiking?
If not, what would you suggest? I’m looking for technical pants that will perform well in snow and also look traditional like the Keb.
Saludos desde México
Hi J, sorry for the long delay in replying, I’ve not had any phone signal for a week.
I’m not sure I’d choose the Keb for Alpine use, I’d go for other fabrics at altitude. The Mammut Base Jump is a good all-round alpine trouser and it doesn’t look too scary.
Agree these pants are a neat piece of gear to take both for alpine hiking and ski mountaineering, providing you wear a thermal underwear long John for the coldest days or journeys. The greatest advantage of these pants lies in the customization of the breathability by modulating the amount and extent of waxing. These pants are way more breathy and comfy to wear than the Vidda Pro model made of 100% G-1000 for example.
Great blog I’m looking to buy the Kebs’ Just wondering what they are like on fit? Did you buy exact waist size or a size bigger or smaller? Also read your blog on the Hanwag approach I would also be interested to hear about the fit keep up the good work great site regards Alan
Hi, Boss! any words about Lundhags Authentic? also decent pants, dont u have any experience?
Never tried them, but I fancy a go. They look great, I’ll see if I can source some for review.
Hello, have read your Keb review several times and want to buy a pair. Concerned about the inseam length of 85 cms. Ideal inseam for me is 81 cms, and 4 extra cms does not seem a good idea. I could perhaps buy the longer leg version , cut the bottoms off and lose the idea of cinching the bottom trouser closely to the top of my boots. I would be grateful for your opinion. Should I worry if the trousers bunch up at the bottom , maybe in the way of my gaiters or make them difficult to wear. Thanks, Roger
Hi Roger, I’d suggest you see if you can try them on. 4cm extra at the bottom does sound like you’ll have a bunching issue. You might be better off looking at the Abisko which comes in raw leg length so you can customise them. If you’re already wearing gaiters, there’s no real need to have them cinched to your boots.
Hello Michael, thanks for your comments. I did look at the Abisko and the raw length a definite plus. At the time I discounted them because of the zip off legs. I tried another trouser with zip offs last year, couldn’t get on with them. The zips left a ridge of cloth across the knee. Every time I took a step the ridge started to rub raw patches on my skin above the knee and it felt uncomfortable as well. I don’t normally have problems like that. How well installed are those zippers on the Abisko and have you noticed the zips in their cloth enclosure making themselves obvious while you walk and scramble? Kind regards,Roger
I think you’re confusing the standard Abisko with the Abisko hybrid. The hybrid ones have zip off legs, the standard Abisko are just ordinary trousers.
Hello Michael, yes, you are right, have now found the raw Abisko trouser on Fjallraven’s site and if I decide against the Keb will go with that. Thanks for your help. Kind regards, Roger
Good lad. I’d throw the Vidda Pro into the mix too, they are rather splendid also.
Hello Michael, trouble is today, far too much choice! So the big problem is that individual suppliers tend to specialise in certain brands then you have to find a mountain supply shop that says it stocks that brand. You go to their web site and you can order online but you can’t try anything on. If it doesn’t fit then you have to return them, wait for next delivery, and on it goes. Our nearest mountain supplies shop ( big chain ) claims to have Fjallfaven trousers in stock. Went there the other day, not a trouser in sight, and told to order on line! Have looked at Vidda Pro but think I’ll end up definitely with the raw Abisko. It has all/ most of the Keb features with the big advantage that I can fit them exactly to my leg and Scarpa boots. It’s a long time since someone called me a ” good lad “! As I’m approaching 73 I shall take it as a compliment!! Thanks once again, kind regards, Roger
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