I expected conversations about recycled fabrics and conscious production. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with a jacket.
When Fjällräven invited me to a sustainability retreat on the windswept island of Texel, I expected conversations about recycled fabrics and conscious production. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with a jacket.
It arrived like a whisper of winter: the HC Hydratic Padded Jacket. Gifted to me alongside the soft Övik wool sweater and practical trail trousers, it wasn’t instant infatuation. It was quieter than that. A slow, unfolding trust. I wore the pieces for months, in wind, in drizzle, under gray Belgian skies. The sweater cocooned me on chilly mornings.
The trousers saw mud and morning dew. But the jacket? The jacket became part of me. It’s hard to describe what makes a jacket the one. But this one—crafted from recycled polyester and polyurethane, just knew what I needed.
Warm, yet breathable. Structured, but never stiff. It braved snow, wind, and sideways rain, shielding me without ever suffocating me. The kind of outerwear that moves with you, not against you. The two-way zipper and press studs made it practical. The design made it beautiful.
More Than Just a Brand
It became my silent companion: on dog walks, forest paths, office mornings, and grocery runs. What I admire most about Fjällräven is its quiet commitment. No flashy slogans. Just function, thoughtfulness, and time-tested craftsmanship. Sustainability isn’t a feature here—it’s the foundation.
The HC Hydratic Padded Jacket is made to last. And by lasting, it does the most sustainable thing of all: it asks you to stop consuming. It asks you to stay.
Where It All Began
My Fjällräven story started in the least likely place: a freezing open-door helicopter in Namibia. Temperatures had dropped to -2°C. My friend Emilie handed me her jacket. I still remember the way it held back the wind.
That moment stayed with me. Some brands just know the wild.
My Everyday Essentials
Today, I wear Fjällräven more than I don’t. Their leggings, their Byron hat (which I now own in three shades), and—always—the jacket. Sometimes layered over a sweater for country walks, sometimes zipped over a silk dress on city nights. It fits every version of me.
Final Thought
The HC Hydratic Padded Jacket isn’t just weather-ready. It’s life-ready. It keeps me warm without making a sound. And in a world of fast everything, that feels like a small kind of magic.
A huge shoutout to @naturawesome for the stunning nature and BTS shots that perfectly showcase the Fjällräven gear in action. The portrait of me in the jacket is shot by yours truly.
