Phil Raisbeck wearing a blue Fjallraven High Coast Wind Jacket and carrying a black backpack while hiking in the mountains.

Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket: In-Depth Review and Insights

By Phil Raisbeck

If you are deciding between options, you can compare current stock here: Fjällräven men’s jackets.

Product page: Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket (Chalk White / Fossil)

At a glance

  • Tested in the Lake District across warm starts, exposed wind, and changeable conditions.
  • Breathability was the standout point during a steady uphill effort.
  • Best suited to wind and light showers rather than long periods of heavy rain (see the update below).

Phil’s review

Last weekend, I got to try the new Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket during a trip to the Lake District. Here is my review of the product.

The jacket is made from a waxed polyamide and organic cotton material and is very light and breathable. As the name suggests, this is a windproof jacket that is also showerproof, so it will keep you a little dry should you get caught in light rain showers.

My first use of the jacket was during a hike up Blencathra. It was a clear day and quite warm when I started the hike, but as I got higher up, the wind began to pick up and I started to feel a little colder, so on came my Fjällräven High Coast jacket. The jacket certainly did its job of keeping the wind off me and helped maintain a comfortable body temperature.

On the climb: breathability and temperature control

Although it was windy as I got closer to the summit, my baselayer top was damp with sweat in the usual places where you sweat when on a hike; however, I was surprised by how quickly my baselayer seemed to dry under my High Coast jacket and how breathable the jacket actually was when wearing it on top of a damp baselayer. I often find when hiking that you always seem to be taking layers off or putting layers on to get the right body temperature based on how strenuous the hike conditions are, I was very pleased with the combination of my baselayer and jacket, and just pulled down the jacket zip if I felt I needed to cool down or let more air into my upper body.

Phil Raisbeck wearing a blue Fjällräven wind jacket eating a sandwich on a windy hilltop in the UK

When I finally got to the summit and stopped for lunch, it was much windier and cooler, yet I didn’t need to put on any extra layers; I just zipped up the jacket and hood and pulled the cords to tighten the hood around my head. The jacket has a single zipped chest pocket on the left, and two zipped hip pockets on either side. The cuffs are elasticated, and hidden chords can tighten the jacket's hem at either side.

On the descent and day two: comfort, pockets and hood adjustment

I continued to wear the jacket for the whole descent, and I just unzipped/zipped up as and when my body temperature dictated. I also wore the jacket for most of my hike the following day in warmer, yet more changeable conditions, while doing the Fairfield Horseshoe; both times, the jacket protected me from the wind when needed and helped maintain my body temperature.

The biggest thing that impressed me with the Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket was its breathability. I have worn lightweight windproof or showerproof jackets in the past, and one thing that always happened was condensation/sweat inside the jacket. This never happened once with the High Coast jacket. Even when the temperature increased as I got lower down towards the start of my hikes, I never once felt condensation or sweat inside the jacket. I was actually amazed at how dry the jacket was inside when I took it off.

Although I never got caught in any rain showers during the weekend (which is unusual for the Lake District), I’m sure the High Coast jacket would keep me dry in light rain when the time comes. The waterproofing of the jacket can also be enhanced a bit by waxing it with Greenland Wax, as used on other G-1000-based Fjällräven products, though I will wait to see how the jacket performs in light showers before giving it the waxing treatment.

I would thoroughly recommend the Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket as a perfect jacket for Spring or Summer adventures and look forward to putting it through its paces more over the coming months.

UPDATE 7th May 2015

Last weekend, I got to test this jacket in wet, windy conditions. Last Thursday, I got caught in strong winds, hail, snow and light rain for nearly 2 hours during a hike in the Lake District. The jacket held up very well in light rain, snow, and hail showers, keeping my baselayer completely dry. Two days later, I was caught in much stronger winds and heavier rain for over 5 hours while on another hike.

This time, the jacket did become much wetter than previously, even in lighter showers and for a shorter time. The jacket was soaked through, but I was wearing it over my Keb Loft down jacket. Although my Keb jacket was damp on the outside, it still kept my baselayer completely dry. So basically, the High Coast Wind Jacket certainly does its job in more moderate conditions over a shorter period of time. Still, if caught out in heavier rain for more extended periods, the jacket will get wet; it’s not designed for such conditions and would be best with a more heavy-duty waterproof jacket.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket waterproof?

No. Phil describes it as showerproof rather than fully waterproof. It is designed to handle light rain showers, but it is not built for sustained heavy rain.

How does the Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket handle strong wind on exposed hills?

Phil tested it on a hike up Blencathra as the wind picked up higher on the hill. He says it kept the wind off and helped him maintain a comfortable body temperature in exposed conditions.

Is the Fjällräven High Coast Wind Jacket breathable when hiking uphill?

Yes. Phil’s standout point is breathability. He notes his baselayer was damp with sweat on the climb, but it dried quickly under the jacket, and he did not experience the usual condensation he has had with other lightweight wind or showerproof jackets.

What happens in heavier rain over a long period?

In Phil’s update, the jacket performed well for nearly two hours in wind, hail, snow and light rain, keeping his baselayer dry. In heavier rain over around five hours, the jacket became wet through, so he recommends a more robust waterproof jacket for those conditions.

Can you wax the High Coast Wind Jacket with Greenland Wax?

Yes. Phil says the water resistance can be enhanced by waxing it with Greenland Wax, as used on other G-1000 based Fjällräven products. He chose to test the jacket in light showers first before applying wax.

What is the High Coast Wind Jacket best used for in the UK?

Based on Phil’s Lake District use, it works best as a lightweight wind layer for spring and summer days when conditions change on exposed ground. It can cope with light showers, but it is not intended to replace a full waterproof shell in persistent rain.

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