Recently I returned from a trip to Egypt and Jordan and I was able to put Fjällraven’s Abisko Shade Jacket to the test. This jacket ended up being a great travel companion as I explored sandy deserts, wandered through ancient temples and hiked along stunning trails.
The jacket itself is made of G-1000 Air, a great lightweight material that breathes extremely well, making it perfect for the hot desert climates I experienced. It also has stretchy side panels which were fantastic as they allowed more freedom of movement when I was scrambling up a wadi (the Arabic word for ‘valley’). It’s low weight and thin profile meant that I could easily keep it stashed away in my daypack all day without it bothering me, and then I could whip it out whenever the sun was beating down, or when I needed a bit of protection from the chilly winds of the desert nights.
One feature that I really appreciated was the ability to unbutton the cuffs and roll up the sleeves. This made it extremely useful in regulating body temperature, especially when I was constantly moving in between the warm exposed plateaus and cool shady valleys of the ever-undulating Jordan trail. A couple of chest pockets are also handy on the trail for snacks, sunscreen or my Leatherman Sidekick, and in the city they were great to keep my keys and passport conveniently available. I’d recommend the Abisko Shade Jacket to people exploring warmer climates who need something versatile that is useful both on the trail and in urban settings.
Light, highly ventilated jacket in G-1000 Air for fast-paced treks and intense activities in warm climates. Technical cut with stretch panels at the sides, a high collar and two chest pockets.
Text: Jeremy Lee
Instagram: @jkmlee