Fjӓllrӓven Keb Trousers Curved review: expertly designed technical trekking trousers

Fjӓllrӓven Keb Trousers Curved: first impressions 

These tough Fjallraven Keb trekking pants are built to last and expertly designed to hold up under challenging mountain conditions. These medium weight pants are tailored to a flattering fit, with stretchy fabric panels providing excellent range of motion. With water and wind resistance, you can wear these in most conditions and seasons, however they’re ideal for spring, fall and dry winter days.

They boast generous ventilation zippers from hip to knee and down the calves, ample deep pockets with flaps for gear, phones, wallets and keys and openings for knee pads if you plan on scrambling and bouldering in them. They feature belt loops and attachments for suspenders with reinforced knees, rear and pockets for scrambles, seats and stumbles on the trail.

These pants are not insulated, but they do repel non-extreme weather and they’re just roomy enough to be worn with long underwear underneath on colder days. These are well-fitting and ultra durable trousers that run at the high end of the price range, but the good news is they should last you a lifetime.

Fjӓllrӓven Keb Trousers Curved: on the trails 

These tough trekking trousers do not mess around. They provide all the wind and water protection you want plus all the bells and whistles you like and are easily the most flattering pair of hiking trousers I’ve ever worn.

Though they look like a more classic cargo-style pant on the hanger, the high waist and stretchy fabric panels mean they're some of the best hiking pants for flattering your shape, and they strike the perfect balance between skin tight and flapping in the breeze. 

I put these to the test on a slightly blustery early fall hike and a weekend of fall camping and found they gave me all the wind and water protection and breathability I needed. The ventilation zips were great for cooling off on the uphill. I put the reinforced rear to the test with a seat at the top and was nicely dry afterwards. Though they're not fully waterproof, I comfortably sat in damp grass with them as we gathered around the bonfire and wasn't damp afterwards. For a bigger soak, you'll get wet but they do dry quickly. Overall these provide superior movement for technical hikes and good protection from the elements without being bulky or heavy.

They’ve got four good deep pockets for gear you want handy and the two on the thighs were big enough for my beanie and gloves, which kept coming off and going back on, while one has a craftily hidden credit card pocket. I didn’t use all the extras such as belt loops, suspender attachments and adjustable ankle straps but it’s good to know they’re there.

It goes without saying that these are on the expensive end of hiking pants, but I think the quality matches the price tag. With a tough design and reinforcements where you need them most, these should stand up to the test of time no problem.

They’re not fully waterproof or insulated, so you might not wear these in extreme cold conditions, deep snow or on extra wet days, and they might be a little warm in summer depending on where you hike, but they’ll keep you comfortable and protected in spring, fall and dry winter days. If you get them muddy, as I have, just let it dry and you can easily brush it off and keep them clean without washing them. Fjӓllrӓven know they have a quality pair of trousers here and they’ve priced them accordingly.

Here’s how they performed:

Sizing

True to size. They got the sizing just right on these. I usually wear a small/UK8 on the bottom and the size 36 fit like a glove. Regular length means the legs come to the top of my feet without loads of extra fabric bunching around my ankles. On a cold day, you could wear a pair of long underwear underneath.

Fit

These are curved which means they’re ultra flattering, slim without being tight and a high waist. 

Comfort 

Stretch panels mean these pants move when you do and they’re comfortable to move in and sit down in. I didn’t experience any chafing or rubbing anywhere. They’re comfier than most technical trousers I’ve worn. 

Temperature regulation 

The ventilation zips are really the key to these trousers’ temperature regulation, and they work as nature intended, keeping me cool on the uphill. The windproof fabric and reinforcements kept me warm at the summit. 

Breathability 

The claim of breathable fabric held up for me on the trail, but this is obviously aided by the ventilation zips which I used on the uphill. 

Durability 

These are truly built to last and I think that’s why they’re priced as though they’re only likely to sell one pair per customer. Even if you put these to the test against slate and choss, you should be able to wear them again and again. 

Here’s where we tested the Fjӓllrӓven Keb Trousers Curved: 

This short but steep climb takes you up above Loch Katrine and Loch Achray for one of the most stunning views in the Trossachs.