Revolution Race vs Fjällräven
We write about some of the best walking trails in the UK, and peak many of the most stunning Munros in Scotland. The weather in many of these beautiful places can be wet, windy, cold, and unpredictable. Therefore, it is paramount to have clothing that matches the robust weather.
A country many brits to to for thoughtful engineering and design, high quality and durability at affordable prices, is Sweeden. A country with the weather as cold and hostle as many parts of the UK.
Two Swedish brands that are fighting for ascendancy, to become the most popular hiking clothing brand in the UK, each taking slightly different approaches: Revolution Race and Fjällräven.
With all of our experience and ownership of products from both brands, we are going to do our best to compare the two.
Price
Just checking the prices at a high-street hiking clothing store is a daunting prospect. Some of the kit can get eye-wateringly expensive. Comparing the Revolution Race and Fjällräven is quite easy, and Revolution races comes out faring much better. In terms of value for money, there is really no comparison.
Revolution Race is less expensive than Fjällräven across the board. Two of the products most compared are the Revolution Race Nordwand Pro hiking trousers and Fjällräven's Keb range. The Fjällräven Keb range can set you back as much as £215, while Revolution Race's Norwind Trousers are under £80. Based on the reviews, there is little difference in terms of quality between the two ranges.
Quality & Manufacturing.
Fjällräven offer a slight rise in quality from other high-street brands such as North Face, Pategonia and Berghaus, but is also acompanied with a higher price point. There is no question that Fjällräven produces some of the highest quality hiking gear on the market - but how does it compare to Revolution Race?
While Revolution Race are a smaller company, and a lesser-known brand, they also produce products that will withstand even the harshest of UK winter days. Surprisingly, for the price, the jackets are robust, high quality, surprisingly warms and have much more utility than other jackets at a similar price. Usually, a jacket under £100, can be plauged by poor quality zips, a very poor waterproofing system and often become drafty within a number of months - Revolution Race do not suffer from such issues.
There are one or two reasons why Fjällräven may be slightly better designed: for example, the jacket hoods on Revolution Race Cyclone are huge. This is great for wearing a climbing helmet, or wooly hat, but on a windy Autumn day, can be more of a burden. Many online, who compare the hiking trousers, are concerned by the small pockets and tight fit of the Revolution Race Norwind range. This is a problem for those with high walking boots, or larger legs. Fjällräven has slightly more utility with the Keb range.
Fjällräven vs Revolution Race: which should I buy?
Which is best? Revolution Race or Fjällräven? Well, given that myself, and several family members, have used both brands over a number of years, I think it is safe to say that we have a good understanding of the merits of each brand.
Firstly, Fjällräven is an established, very high quality, brand that has many, many loyal fans. However, at it's current price point, buying Fjällräven is becoming less, and less appealing. The quality still outpaces similar priced brands like North Face, but like North Face, Fjällräven has increased it's price to fit into the luxuary fashion brand market.
Of the two, Revolution Race's quality is slightly below that of Fjällräven, but only for a small selection of the items we've seen (the Nordwind Trousers for example). However, the consideration is that Revolution race is a much smaller company, and are clearly agile enough to adapt from feedback and continue to improve their products.
Given their current price range too, the quality shortfall is not enough to warrent spending the aditional money to buy Fjällräven.
After a lot of consideration, It is clear that Revolution Race are the prefered brand by most people online, and also here at You Well. The quality is excellent, for a very reasonable price.
Fjällräven vs Revolution Race: this round goes to Revolution Race.
Iomhar Jones
Iomhar is a journalist and writer from the North of England, but lives north of the boarder. He's been writing about health and travel for more than 12 years. https://www.clippings.me/imoimo