Skip to main content

Summer Trekking: Fjallraven

This summer it’s time to step up your trekking and travel game. Rather than shop the bargain racks at your local REI for a tired pair of baggy hiking pants and tech t-shirt, it’s time to graduate to high quality apparel that will last on the trail as long as you will. Fjallraven’s spring and summer line this year is inspired by the brand’s Swedish heritage, and will easily perform on the trails and water, while setting you apart from the typical hiking shirts and yoga pants crowd.

Related: The Best Hiking Shirts | Feit Wool Hiker

Recommended Videos

Keb Gaiter Trousers ($225)

Fjallraven’s signature G-1000 material reinforces the Keb Gaiter Trousers in key places like the knees and instep, making them ultra durable. This new version of the award winning Keb features a zip-off conversion into shorts. You can keep the lower portion on your legs with a drawstring closure and boot hook to protect your legs when walking through high brush or scrambling up steep rock. Stretch panels through the inner thigh, seat, and back of the knees provide breathability and comfort when temperatures climb. If you’re looking for a hiking pant that departs from the typical cheap technical fabric and cookie-cutter design, the Kebs provide the best option for the design conscious trekker who deserves the very best.

Kanken Backpack ($75)

The Kanken series of backpacks has been around since 1978. In the nearly forty years that they have been in production, they’ve gone from being a simple school bag for Swedish children to a global icon. Made from Fjallraven’s Vinylon polypropylene fabric, the Kanken excels at shedding moisture. The simple design provides everything you need to a light day hiking load, and new variants built for urban commuters will organize all your portable electronics when you’re on the road.

High Coast Wind Anorak ($180)

Anorak style jackets may have fallen out of favor here in the US, but the pull-over design is alive and well. The High Coast is a perfect summer layering piece, combining soft organic cotton with a polyamide blend. It is wind resistant, and like the G-1000 canvas of the Kebs, is waxed for water resistance and quick drying. The kangaroo pouch in the front doubles as a pack bag, helping you keep it organized when stashed in a day pack. It is perfect for early morning hikes and late evenings on the water fishing or paddling.

Abisko Vent Shirt ($110)

The Abisko line is designed around hybrid fabrics and light weight trekking. The vent shirt is our favorite of the apparel collection, especially for long days when it pulls office duty in the morning, and helps us sneak away for an afternoon fly fishing session and bar crawl afterward. The light fabric is complemented by a vented yoke and mesh gusseting under the arms, helping dump heat when you’re on the trail. The button-down collar and chest pockets recall simple safari and photographer shirts, with updated styling for the modern adventurer.

Austin Parker
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Austin Parker is a former contributor at The Manual Parker is a powder skier and sport climber and is no stranger hauling…
Pirelli unveils the Scorpion XTM AT, its most extreme all-terrain tire ever
Ultra-aggressive, advanced, and 3PMSF-rated, it's the pinnacle of more than 25 years of Pirelli tire design
Ford Bronco driving through the desert on Pirelli Scorpion XTM all-terrain tires.

Forget rooftop tents and hi-lift jacks and fancy LED light bars, there's arguably nothing more important to a properly kitted-out overlanding rig than a good set of tires. After all, your truck's tires are the only part of the vehicle that maintains constant contact with the ground. That's why you need a tire that balances easy, on-pavement driving with meeting the demands of more extreme off-road conditions. Enter: Pirelli's new Scorpion XTM all-terrain tire.

"XTM" stands for "Extreme" performance, so it's no surprise that this is Pirelli's most extreme all-terrain tire ever. It features ultra-aggressive styling, a high-void tread pattern, and more advanced technology that's purpose-built for truck and off-road enthusiasts looking to explore deep into the North American backcountry. The large-tread-block design extends into the upper sidewall for improved traction and durability. It's a design that excels in the gnarliest off-road conditions most overlanders are likely to encounter, such as mud, dirt, sand, or gravel. Plus, reinforced shoulder technology adds protection from obstacles, including sharp gravel and jagged rock overhangs. One especially clever feature is the Scorpion XTM's built-in "rock ejectors," which are designed to automatically shed rocks embedded in the tire's deep treads.

Read more
Should you go hiking in sandals? It depends
Hiking in sandals: When to do it and how to find the best fit
Man hiking in sandals

Have you ever trudged through a trail, feet sweaty from unbreathable shoes? I certainly have. Believe it or not, sandals aren't just for the beach. They're actually a legit hiking option if you have the right pair and use them in the right scenarios. Honestly, I'm more of a trail running shoe or hiking shoe kind of gal, but there are specific scenarios when I might be tempted to trade them for a pair of sandals. And there are times when wearing sandals while hiking makes sense and times when they don't. Here's everything you need to know about hiking in sandals and how to find the best pair for your hiking needs.
Here's when hiking in sandals makes sense
Warm and dry conditions

When I lived in Arizona, hiking with my hiking boots or even my precious trail running shoes was a bit uncomfortable. For one, warm and dry conditions left my feet feeling confined and, ultimately, gross. One of the best parts of the day was heading home and washing my feet. That's when I was first introduced to the idea of hiking in sandals. Sandals will keep your feet ventilated, letting sweat evaporate fast. You may even find that you get fewer blisters throughout the season. Just make sure that you apply sunscreen so you don't get an unintentional tattoo of your sandal straps.
Wet conditions
While there's nothing wrong with wearing good water-repellant shoes while hiking in wet conditions, they can get soggy and take forever to dry if you end up accidentally stepping in too deep a puddle. Sandals tend to dry much faster than hiking boots or sneakers, so bring them on trails where you can expect stream crossings or coastal paths.
Low-impact trails
If you're planning on going on a low-impact hiking trail, particularly a paved one, you won't need heavy-duty hiking shoes. Sandals will be lighter on your feet, and the trail is easier, so there's less of a need for support or protection.
Here's when wearing sandals for hiking doesn't make sense

Read more
Tired of packed campgrounds? Farm camping might be your new favorite getaway
The camping alternative that's gaining popularity
Chickens in the grass in front of a white tent

Camping's popularity continues to grow, and outdoor enthusiasts are seeking less crowded solutions, from off-grid dispersed camping to luxury glamping. As a full-time traveler, I can attest that farm camping strikes the perfect balance between the two. I've camped in a lavender farm nestled in the California hills, an apple orchard in the heart of New England, and in an Airstream in Washington state's lush rainforest. These alternatives offer the natural respite of a campsite with the authentic charm of farm life.
Are you wondering how to find the perfect farm camping stay and what to expect once you get there? Here's everything you need to know to find and book the perfect farm-side experience.

What is farm camping, and what should you expect?

Read more