Reviews You Can Rely On

Fjallraven Vidda Pro Review

A high quality and expensive pant that may be best used for hunting or bushcraft rather than simple hiking
gearlab tested logo
fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review
Credit: Fjallraven
Price:  $170 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   Fjällräven
By Andy Wellman & Ben Applebaum-Bauch  ⋅  Nov 13, 2023
59
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 13
  • Comfort and Mobility - 35% 6.0
  • Venting and Breathability - 20% 3.5
  • Weather Resistance - 15% 7.0
  • Features - 15% 7.5
  • Versatility - 15% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Fjallraven Vidda Pro Trousers are undoubtedly the most unique pair of hiking pants featured in this review. Constructed with G-1000 fabric (a blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton) they embrace a design ethos that is very uncommon in the modern outdoor clothing market. This cotton blend pant uses an old-school manufacturing technique — impregnating the fibers with wax — to ensure that you don't end up water-logged while out on the trail. The advantages of this system include the ability to easily customize the performance of your outerwear as well as an increase in durability. The pants, on the whole, proved to be a mixed bag, with some laudable features as well as some apparent drawbacks.
REASONS TO BUY
Thick and durable fabric
Tons of pockets for storage and organization
Unique natural waterproofing technique
REASONS TO AVOID
Thick and heavy
Very warm
Expensive
Editor's Note: We updated this review on November 13, 2023, to reflect new comparisons from our latest pants testing and additional recommendations.

Compare to Similar Products

 
fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Top Pick Award Top Pick Award Best Buy Award 
Price $169.95 at Backcountry
Compare at 2 sellers
$59.37 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
$200.00 at REI
Compare at 2 sellers
$90 List$38.23 at Backcountry
Compare at 3 sellers
Overall Score Sort Icon
59
77
71
69
68
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Bottom Line A woodsman’s dream pant that feels like overkill for the casual hikerFor comfort and breathability, these pants can’t be beatThe right pair of pants for those who are willing to spend to get high performanceAn excellent choice for anyone going straight from their desk to the trailheadThe simplest hiking pant that also proved to be the most stylish for everyday wear
Rating Categories Fjallraven Vidda Pro Outdoor Research Fe... Arc'teryx Gamma Pant Royal Robbins Alpin... Prana Brion II Pants
Comfort and Mobility (35%)
6.0
9.0
7.5
7.0
7.5
Venting and Breathability (20%)
3.5
8.5
5.0
5.5
7.0
Weather Resistance (15%)
7.0
6.5
8.0
7.5
5.5
Features (15%)
7.5
5.0
6.5
6.5
5.0
Versatility (15%)
6.0
7.5
8.5
8.0
8.0
Specs Fjallraven Vidda Pro Outdoor Research Fe... Arc'teryx Gamma Pant Royal Robbins Alpin... Prana Brion II Pants
Weight 20.8 oz 12.2 oz 12.3 oz 13.8 oz 10.7 oz
Material G-1000 Original 65% polyester, 35% cotton 86% nylon, 14% spandex; 90D stretch woven ripstop 88% nylon, 12% elastane 66% nylon, 31% polyester, 3% spandex 95% recycled nylon, 5% spandex
Water Resistance Greenland wax treatment DWR finish DWR finish DWR finish DWR finish
Sizing (Waist, Length Options) W: 28" - 44"
L: 30" - 34"
W: 28" - 42"
L: 30"- 36"
W: 28" - 44"
L: 31.5" - 33"
W: 30" - 46"
L: 30" - 34"
W: 28" - 42"
L: 28" - 36"
Sun Protection "almost 100% protection from UVA and UVB" UPF 50 not specified UPF 50+ UPF 50
Pants/Shorts Convertibility No (but snap tight at cuff) No (but have ankle cinch cord and fully convertible version available) No (but have ankle cinch cord) No (but have ankle cinch cord) No
Pockets 7 pockets, including dedicated knife and map pockets 2 hand, 2 back, 1 thigh zip 2 hand zip, 1 thigh zip 2 hand, 2 back, 1 thigh zip, 1 coin 2 hand, 2 back, 1 coin
Waist Strap and Fastener Button and zip fly Button and zip fly Button and zip fly, Integrated belt with metal hook closure Snap and zip with French fly Button and zip fly
Other Features Knife pocket, reinforced knees and rear Drawcord cuff closures, side zip pocket Gusseted crotch, articulated knees, integrated belt Gussetted crotch, tapered leg, cinch cord at cuff Gusseted crotch, belt loops, mesh pockets

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Fjallraven Vidda Pro are super reinforced, highly durable trekking pants that feature not two but three cargo-style pockets. They are some thick, burly pants that seem much more ideal for harsh climates or heavy work, such as elk hunting or building a cabin in the wilderness, than for warm weather day hikes or trekking. These pants are made to last.

Performance Comparison


fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review - the vidda pro are by far the most burly and durable pant that we...
The Vidda Pro are by far the most burly and durable pant that we tested for this review, and also have a ton of large pockets for storage. We think they are ideal for hunting or other bushcraft.

Comfort and Mobility


The Vidda Pro trousers have a roomy, almost baggy fit that is not constricting in any way. The heavily articulated knees enhance this quality. The G-1000 fabric is made from a blend of polyester and cotton fibers and doesn't feel quite as soft and smooth as some but is not overly abrasive or synthetic-feeling. Though their loose fit allows for a decent amount of mobility, they are also noticeably thicker and heavier than other pants in this review, and they don't offer any of the light, stretchy qualities present in many other pairs we tested. At the end of the day, they aren't as comfortable or as mobile feeling as the highest scorers, but they're not bad.

fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review - the g-1000 fabric that makes up these pants is thick and heavy, but...
The G-1000 fabric that makes up these pants is thick and heavy, but the spacious and borderline baggy fit means that they retain plenty of mobility.

Venting and Breathability


Designed for the cold, the Vidda Pro has few features that accommodate either ventilation or breathability and thus received one of the lowest scores for this metric. Unlike pretty much every other model in this review, these pants didn't have a single mesh-lined pocket or zippered vent designed to allow warm, moist air to escape. Despite claims to the contrary, we found that the weighty, thick, wax-coated fabric trapped heat very quickly. It is apparent to us that these limitations mean that this pant is best suited for cold, harsh climates.

fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review - the vidda pro have no mesh lined pockets or any other sort of...
The Vidda Pro have no mesh lined pockets or any other sort of ventilation, making them a pant best suited for the cold than the heat. However, you can use the many buttons around the ankles to tighten them up above the calves, providing some relief from the heat.

Weather Resistance


The most interesting aspect of this pant is its method of water resistance — impregnation of Greenland Wax. A small, affordable block of wax must be purchased separately. The pants come already treated, but we found that we needed to add more on our own. Washing the pants in hot water removes any wax treatment you may have already added, a "reset," which is either helpful or annoying, depending on the circumstances. Since we unknowingly washed out our treatment, we had to re-apply, which we found to be a combination of fun, tedious, and mildly time-consuming. Because of the investment in time and labor, we could easily envision rarely washing these pants after the first treatment — or at least only washing them in cold water to preserve the wax layer.

In our initial shower test, after having washed these pants clean, they did an admirable job of holding up to light rain but then became soaked through, absorbing a lot of water in the process. We couldn't help but think that perhaps adding 35% cotton to the blend wasn't a great idea for a hardcore outdoor pant. After applying our own wax, however, we found that they were easily among the best performers in heavy rain, although it took many repeated applications of wax for seriously impressive water resistance — something not everyone will do.

fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review - customizable water resistance comes in the form of wax impregnation...
Customizable water resistance comes in the form of wax impregnation. Here we test the system out by rubbing Greenland wax all over the pants, later ironing it into the fabric.

Features


There is no doubt that these pants have a lot of features. They have two deep front handwarmer pockets but none in the rear. There is a large cargo pocket with a mesh divider on the right side and dual overlapping cargo pockets on the left that sit a little further forward on the thigh. All of these have button flaps. Also on the left is a tall and narrow pocket designed for a knife or hatchet with top and bottom button flaps. The reinforced knees have fabric with an opening at the bottom for inserting knee pads if your activity requires that type of protection. Finally, there are snap button tighteners at the lower leg cuffs that allow you to cinch the cuffs closed around a boot or pull them up above the calf and hold them there. With so many well-thought-out features, we rated them at the top of the metric.

fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review - the vidda pro come with a ton of storage in their large cargo...
The Vidda Pro come with a ton of storage in their large cargo pockets. On the left thigh are dual cargo pockets, one on top of the other, shown here.

Versatility


When it comes to versatility, we feel that the Vidda Pro does alright. On the one hand, its durable construction and plethora of pockets mean that it is an optimal choice for outdoor work or camping and allows the cold-weather hiker to carry lots of gear and still stay organized. On the other hand, we really wouldn't want to set out on a hike in the desert in these pants, and we can't imagine wearing them in summer. Similarly, their aesthetic isn't one that we would opt for in a pair of casual, around-town pants. Perfect for some conditions and anathema to others, the versatility of these pants is dependent on wearing them in the right conditions.

fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review - testing the water resistance after applying quite a lot of greenland...
Testing the water resistance after applying quite a lot of Greenland wax treatment to the Fjallraven Vidda Pro. These pants extend their versatility well into winter, which is what we expect from a pant born above the arctic circle.

Should You Buy the Fjallraven Vidda Pro Trousers?


Despite their lofty price, these pants have solid durability. They rely on a unique Greenland wax treatment for customized water resistance. Though we think they make an optimal choice for hunters or other woodsmen, we found them to be a bit overkill for use as everyday hiking or around-town pants.

fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review - despite the fact that they cost far more than any other hiking pant...
Despite the fact that they cost far more than any other hiking pant, the Vidda Pro is super durable and provide good value. We went out for a hike in the first fall snow in order to fully experience these pants in their element.

What Other Hiking Pants Should You Consider?


For other heavy-duty options, consider the more affordable CQR Tactical Raider. For sturdy pants that have a lot more situational and weather versatility, we recommend the Arc'teryx Gamma LT or the Prana Stretch Zion II.

fjallraven vidda pro hiking pants review - hiking in spirit gulch high on red mountain pass in the san juans...
Hiking in Spirit Gulch high on Red Mountain Pass in the San Juans, losing light and losing warm weather. For this cool hike we were wearing the Vidda Pro.

Andy Wellman & Ben Applebaum-Bauch