With its durable design and excellent eco credentials Lucy Wallace puts the Fjällraven Keb Hoodie W to the test.
The Keb Hoodie has previously appeared in our guide to the best fleeces. The addition of wool to the fleece mix adds weight but also durability. Wool is a renewable material, unlike fossil fuel derived virgin polyester. Fjällraven have made an effort to reduce their environmental footprint, and the polyester is described as part recycled, although what percentage, is unclear.
Weight: 485g | Insulation: 73% Polyester 20% Wool, 7% Elastane & G-1000 Eco – 65% polyester, 35% cotton | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Men’s version: yes
The Fjällraven Keb Hoodie is warm, as you would expect with a wool mix fleece, and although fitted, the generous arm and body length keep drafts out and provide good coverage of the lower back. There’s a lavish pocket allocation too, with big handwarmer pockets and a napoleon pocket for smaller items. The hood is neat enough to wear under a helmet. I tested a size Medium, which felt quite roomy.
The overall design has Fjällraven’s attention to detail, including microfibre lined pockets, leather zipper pulls, and G-1000 shoulder reinforcement. The latter is overkill for me- this is not a high wear area on my fleeces, but it gives the jacket an attractive workhorse look.
Because of the weight, I prefer to wear it for slower moving activities and in colder weather, as it can feel a bit stifling if I’m kicking out the heat. It’s brilliant around camp on cool evenings and walking in frosty conditions. The wool mix is a bit slower to dry than pure synthetic options, but it does helps to deal with nasty niffs, so doesn’t need washing as often, making it a good choice for travellers and the environmentally conscious.
