Women’s Fjallraven Trekking Tights HD Review

Bottom Line

When first considering the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD, we weren’t convinced they would live up to the hype, but it only took a few hours wearing them to prove us wrong. While using these Fjallraven leggings in Arizona’s rugged Chiricahua mountains, we put them to the test: lots of elevation gain, overgrown trails, rocks, logs, off-trail washes, snow, and so much more. We quickly found that they were significantly more comfortable to wear than many of the other hiking pants we tested.

While the stretchy, polyester fabric the leggings are primarily made up of is prone to pilling when caught on bushes, the reinforced knees and rear significantly increase durability for falls and sliding down objects. These pants do fall down fairly easily, which is why we prefer to use them on backpacking trips over faster-paced activities such as trail running. They also readily soak up and retain moisture, which could be problematic in colder environments. We didn’t find them to be overly warm to hike in. They may be worth the astounding price tag for those who want a more technical legging that is comfortable for long periods in the backcountry.

Comfort & Mobility

Leggings are often highly recommended for hiking because they can be so comfortable. To test the comfort of the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD, we performed side-by-side and field testing. They didn’t perform well when testing mobility compared to other pants in our lineup. This was because the test was designed to determine how much resistance a pair of pants causes when lifting the leg. In our experience, the more resistance there is between a pair of pants and the leg, the more effort is required to walk uphill. However, this is less true for leggings due to the stretchy nature of the material and skin-tight design. While wearing these pants on a backpacking trip in the Chiricahua mountains of Arizona, we found them to be one of the most comfortable pairs of pants we have ever used. They feel technical but are easy to move in. The cut of the pants also made us feel good, and that psychological aspect can impact how comfortable a pair of pants is. 

The only significant downsides we noticed were that you can feel the seam at the knees and rear when walking and secondly, the Abisko Trekking Tights tend to fall down. We were concerned about the seam causing chafe but had no problems while backpacking. On the other hand, the sliding down of the pants is a problem. While backpacking, it was less noticeable as the hip belt helped secure the pants. While trail running, though, it was highly distracting, and the elastic tie didn’t help much. Overall, these are an excellent option for those seeking comfort in the backcountry, and not a great option for those trail running or fast packing.

Durability

While the Abisko Trekking Tights have some technical features to increase their durability over average leggings, they are still not our first choice for rugged adventures. We used these leggings while hiking on overgrown and non-existent trails in the Chiricahua mountains. This included hiking off-trail in a burned-out wash that was overgrown with bushes and choked with burned log jams. Over the day, the leggings survived a face plant, getting smacked on logs, dragged down large blowdowns, and getting snagged on bushes. We were impressed that the leggings didn’t sustain any rips or tears after all that abuse. We noticed that the reinforced knees and rear seemed to be a great design feature: those were the areas where we really put the most strain on the pants. However, the material did show significant wear and tear at the end of the day. The stretchy fabric had very noticeable piling from getting scraped by so many bushes. These leggings are an excellent choice for the average hike and even hikes that have some scrambling be it on rocks or blowdowns. Brushy trails are not where they shine, though, and other pants would be a better choice for those situations.

Breathability

These leggings take longer to dry than some pants in our lineup but are still reasonably breathable. During side-by-side testing, the Abisko seemed to soak up water readily, which, paired with other fabric qualities, meant they took a long time to dry. They were one of the slowest pants to dry out of all the models we tested. On the trail, we wore these in pretty warm conditions in Arizona and did not find ourselves wanting to wear shorts instead. 

Features

The Fjallraven Abisko sports more features than average leggings but less than most pants we tested. This could be either a pro or con, depending on how streamlined a design is desired. Pockets are always an important area to consider, in our opinion, and while the Abisko doesn’t have many of them, they are at least usable. We like that both pockets are big enough to fit a smartphone and are incredibly secure. There isn’t any pocket movement while walking or even running. The left pocket has a zipper for maximum security, and the right side has a tight envelope closure. It took some practice using the envelope pocket, but we eventually reached a point where we could get a phone out quickly to take a photo. 

These Fjallraven Tights also include a reinforced seat and knees. The fabric for the reinforced areas is primarily made of polyamides, which have increased durability over the polyester that constitutes the rest of the legging fabric. Finally, they also include a basic waist drawstring. We didn’t find it to be beneficial.

Weather Resistance

For those prioritizing weather resistance, we recommend passing over the Abisko leggings. Wind and water resistance is not what leggings are generally geared towards, and we found this true of the Abisko leggings. During side-by-side testing, we used a squirt bottle to spray the leggings. The number of spritzes needed to wet out the pants was counted and compared to other models we tested. The Abisko leggings immediately absorbed water after the first spritz. There wasn’t any sign of beading, nor did the water roll down the pants. This was the lowest number of squirts from any model we tested and is a good indicator that these pants will quickly absorb any water encountered on the trail, whether from a creek crossing or falling from the sky.

Should You Buy the Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD Leggings?

The Abisko has several solid features and a few metrics it doesn’t do so well, making clear what situations it is ideal for. Because it is incredibly comfortable, has some technical features, and has average durability, it would be an excellent choice for those who want to backpack in comfort on moderate to slightly difficult trails. It is great for terrain that may include scrambling or climbing over blowdowns due to the reinforced knees and rear but wears out quickly when used on brushy trails. We like these leggings for backpacking but would not choose them for faster day hikes or trail running because they frequently slip down. They are overkill and expensive for more casual hiking, particularly given that there are cheaper alternatives that perform just as well.

What Other PANTS Should You Consider?

Mountain Hardwear Dynama 2/Ankle Review: The Dynama pants may be a more affordable alternative for those who prioritize style and comfort. Like the Abisko, these were our go-to pants when we wanted to feel comfortable. We like that these pants can be worn around town, into the office, or on the trail. The biggest downsides are that the pockets could be more functional and the pants fell down like the Abisko leggings.

Outdoor Research Ferrosi Review: The Ferrosi is another big hitter for comfort on and off the trail. These pants have a selection of great pockets, a waist tie, and ankle cinches. We like that they have a stylish cut, which makes them ideal to wear around town. The fabric of the pants is made of comfortable material, and the looser cut makes it easy to walk in while hiking. Like the Abisko, they could do better on brushy trails but have a much more affordable price tag.

The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Review: Comfort, good hip pockets, and an affordable price tag are all strengths of the Aphrodite pants. We like that these pants feel like wearing scrubs in the backcountry but still have adjustability thanks to the waist tie and ankle cinches. The double hip pocket is a nice touch, with a zipper pocket nestled inside a larger hand pocket on the right side. They have some durability concerns, with pulled threads and piling, but are an excellent alternative to the Abisko.