They wear shorts in Sweden? That’s what two people asked me when I told them that’s where these cool trekking shorts were from. In Scandinavia, Fjällräven is a well-known brand, with a long history of putting out quality backpacks and other gear for trekking, camping, and being outdoors. The company was founded in the small town of Örnsköldsvik in northern Sweden, so double points if you can pronounce both those words.

Summer is something to be savored up there, so these are quality shorts meant to last a lifetime and hold up in multiple weather conditions, not just worn for a year or two and discarded. This Sarek G-1000 model I’ve been trying out is comfy and durable, looking well-made and flicking off water like it’s a mere annoyance. The shorts “can be waxed and ironed for a water-tight seal, or washed clean on hot days for more breatheability.”

Yes, they are waxed shorts, which means they repel water naturally—see the pic here of how water beads up. It seems a bit odd that you would heat up your clothing with an iron or hairdryer before a hike, but apparently it works—the company has been making jackets and pants out of this fabric for decades.

The Sarek shorts are tough and have comfortable stretch Cordura.  I especially dig all the pockets that manage to store lots of items without looking bulky. There’s a “map pocket,” small leg pocket with a zipper, two hand pockets and two back pockets with snaps. The Karl version is pretty much the same, but has one less pocket and is slightly lighter.

Fjällräven recently opened it’s first US store in New York City at 262 Mott street.  Otherwise, get the scoop at the straight-Roman-script site  www.fjallraven.us

There are few shorts I’ve bought that I can imagine still having a decade from now. These are a different story. They’re expensive at $65, but they’ll be around for the long haul.