Fjallraven Vidda Pro Review

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Pant or the Prana Stretch Zion II.