Onebag: Fjällräven Sten Jacket
Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Yes, to the absolute shock of everyone, I’m reviewing another Fjällräven product. I can’t help it. Everything I’ve had from them has been nothing short of quality, with the bonus of looking just as great at the pub for post-hike beers as it does on the trail. The Fjällräven Sten Jacket continued this streak as it kept the elements out while I explored some of the gorgeous landscapes in the Scottish isles.
When you're walking the windswept, unprotected hills of Skye in December, you need a hard-wearing outer shell if you want to enjoy yourself. Let's unpack some of the features that make the Sten jacket a great contender for your next adventure.
How do you choose the right jacket?
When we venture outdoors, our gear choices should be informed by several factors:
Where are you going?
What's the weather like?
How far are you walking?
I spent a lot of time outdoors and in town while visiting Scotland, so I preferred a hybrid of comfort and style. The autumn weather was extremely wet, windy, and cold. There are very few trees out in the Hebrides, and a strong shell to keep my heat in and the wind out was necessary. Most of my excursions were day trips with moderate distances. I knew I would end the day in an Airbnb, so it wasn't an ultralight trip where I needed to agonize over every ounce and pack space. The Sten is certainly not light compared to some more appropriate options for backpackers, but this wasn't a backpacking trip. Think of this jacket as the perfect fit for multiple roles during general travel around town and day hikes.
G-1000 fabric is versatile and durable.
Most hikers have heard the phrase "cotton is rotten", or they may have lived it. You generally don't want to rely on cotton to keep the rain out. Not only will it soak through quickly, but it also loses all ability to keep you warm and doesn't dry quickly. If you've never experienced Fjällräven's G-1000 fabric, then you might be surprised to learn it's a 65% polyester/35% cotton blend. Although this may be blasphemy to some, military forces around the world rely on similar blends for durable gear that won't fail in the field. The latest and lightest fabrics will keep you drier but an expensive nylon jacket can rip in one bad move over rocky scree. G-1000 is very tightly woven and will stay with you through years of scrapes, falls, and tumbles.
How well does G-1000 keep the elements out?
“Greenland wax is Fjällräven's secret sauce that unleashes the G-1000 fabric's weatherproofing potential.”
Honestly, as well as you want it to. Greenland wax is Fjällräven's secret sauce that unleashes the G-1000 fabric's weatherproofing potential. Each G-1000 product ships with a layer of wax already melted into the fabric, which gives it that classic hardy canvas feel. The rules are pretty simple. The more wax you add, the more waterproof it becomes. The more waterproof it becomes, the less ventilation it has. Compared to your standard nylon jackets, you have much more control over this ratio. My preferred wax routine (that I'm willing to talk about publicly) is rubbing multiple layers into most of the jacket but only a light layer or none at all in the underarm area for breathability. After melting the wax into the fabric with a hairdryer, the jacket will become stiff and you'll be ready to brave the rain. The loud patter of droplets bouncing off your hood adds a nice soundtrack to the adventure.
The wax will last for a decent amount of time. Without too much exposure to the elements, it would come off in the wash after three or four cycles. This is why it's great for an all-around jacket but maybe not as good if you're going on a long thru-hike in dodgy weather. It wouldn't be easy to apply the wax in the field, and the jacket is quite bulky compared to nylon and Gore-Tex. In return for this trade-off, this jacket is bombproof and will long outlast the lighter options.
Note: This is an Amazon affiliate link.
The Sten jacket has a great fit for layering and mobility.
Time to get personal... I'm about 6'2" and weigh in at 160 lbs soaking wet. I usually wear a medium for shirts, but size up to a large for a jacket so that I have room to layer. The Fjällräven Sten runs large enough that a medium is very roomy on me with ample space for my Cotopaxi Fuego down jacket (review coming soon!) to fit comfortably underneath. The sleeves are quite long and provide some extra mobility when doing the typical hiking motions of shouldering your pack, bending down to lace a boot, or reaching up to climb.
Do I stan the Sten?
I think it's safe to say that I love Fjällräven products enough that I'm completely biased, so take everything you've just read with a grain of salt. The hiker in me knows that the fabric shouldn't be a first option for keeping anyone dry. The travel gearhead in me loves the feel of the canvas texture of freshly waxed G-1000 and its versatility for the town and trail. If you want the Fjällräven Sten jacket to perform well, you need to put in the effort of planning for the weather and properly applying the Greenland wax for that Goldilocks zone of protection and ventilation. It could take some trial and error, but once you get it right, this will be the jacket you grab on your way out the door for years to come. ◉
Written by Seth Barham
