WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE FJALLRAVEN HOJA CYCLING APPAREL
The Hoja lineup of cycling apparel from Fjallraven is fairly interesting. Hoja – meaning “riding a bike for the fun of it” in Swedish – is the outdoorwear company’s entry to the cycling world. Offerings include rain panchos, one-piece jumpers, and numerous casual crossover items. If I’m being honest, much of the apparel seems more aligned with making a particular fashion statement than with performance.
However, what brand isn’t trying to make some sort of statement regarding fashion? And, while some of the apparel in the Hoja lineup seemed a touch impractical in my eyes, there were a few items I felt I’d get along with. Namely, the Hoja Wool T-shirt and Hoja Adventure Vest. When it comes to Merino wool shirts and riding vests, I’m a bit of a sucker.
FJALLRAVEN HOJA WOOL T-SHIRT
The Hoja Wool T-shirt is a 50/50 blend of polyester and Merino wool, and has all the features I’ve come to love in a Merino top: quick-drying, anti-odor, and temperature-regulating. The tee has a fairly standard fit, with a slightly longer back for more coverage. Fjallraven recommends a $80 retail price.
FJALLRAVEN HOJA ADVENTURE VEST
Fjallraven’s Hoja Adventure Vest has an interesting fabric mix. The body of the vest is 100% Polyester; however, the chest and shoulders get Fjallraven’s HC-Lite material. This material is a cotton and polyamide blend (46% and 54%, respectively), to give protection against wind and rain. It is designed to be weatherproof and durable, and is suitable to be waxed for further resistance.
The Adventure Vest features two front zippered pockets. Each of those pockets has a cargo-type pocket above it. The left front has a snap top, while the right front pocket is also zippered and doubles as a packable pocket to store the vest.
The vest fits a bit more snugly but not too snug – claiming to be a slim fit – and it is also cut a bit shorter. It retails for $145.
THE DIRT
As I said, I’m a bit of a sucker for Merino wool shirts and a good riding vest. Despite our preconceived notions of itchy and stifling wool jumpers, performance Merino wool is quite the opposite. I find that I’m not warmer on hot days, yet it also serves as a solid baselayer on cooler days. Hot or cold, Merino wool wicks and dries sweat and moisture fast, and on cool days, it doesn’t get cold when you stop for a break and are sweaty.
These are the attributes I’ve come to find in most of the Merino tops I’ve tested, and Fjallraven’s is no exception. Plus, it doesn’t get stinky even after wearing it for several rides in a row.
The only downside with the Hoja Wool T-shirt – and Merino wool in general – is the extra care instructions. You must wash on a gentle and low-temperature setting, with no tumble drying or fabric softener. However, I don’t mind some extra care when washing if it performs as well as it does.
The Hoja Adventure Vest wasn’t the favorite vest I’ve used, but I appreciate what Fjallraven has done with it. I love a riding vest, as I’ve found them to be absolutely perfect for layering, especially on milder days. On those days when it just seems too warm for a jacket but too cold for just a long-sleeve shirt, throwing a vest over the long-sleeve shirt is usually perfect.
But unfortunately, the Hoja Adventure Vest is just a bit too thick, which typically means I overheat and have to ditch it. On occasion, it would be okay on slightly colder days, but I might as well opt for a jacket instead, as my arms tend to get cold if temperatures are suitably low.
The reason for the vest’s added weight is Fjallraven’s HC-Lite material. This polyamide and cotton blend is located on the front chest panels, shoulders, and collar, and can be given a waxed coating to bolster weatherproofing. While this would help to prevent water and wind from penetrating the vest, the reinforcement of the material to make it suitable for waxing adds notable weight.
For comparison, the Hoja vest is roughly 40g heavier than my Patagonia Trailcraft vest. While 40g isn’t a huge number, it is noticeable between the two vests, mostly manifesting in added warmth and slightly reduced flexibility. I imagine the extra pockets, zippers, and snaps on the Hoja Adventure Vest also contribute.
To be honest, the cotton content in the HC-Lite fabric worries me a bit, too. Cotton has a tendency to soak quickly, doesn’t dry, and gets cold. While I didn’t experience this with the vest – likely due to the polyamide content – it is definitely hard for me to shake these concerns.
The Wolf’s Last Word
While I likely wouldn’t venture into the entire Hoja Cycling lineup from Fjallraven, the Wool T-Shirt and Adventure Vests are solid offerings. I have no complaints about the t-shirt, but due to the warmth of the vest, I found it was typically easier to grab a jacket. That said, we had a very mild fall and winter in the PNW this year, and I might have gotten along with it better had that not been the case. 
Price: $145 (Adventure Vest) / $80 (Wool T-shirt)
Website: Fjallraven.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
The local boy — Travis was born and raised in Bend, OR. Skateboarding consumed his life until his high school years (yes, he can still kickflip), but was replaced by mountain biking…then rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and finally back to mountain biking. After a stint in the big city, Travis returned home, trading a teaching career to be an okay mountain biker and above-average journalist. He is an outspoken 90s grunge fan, cornering poor souls in conversations about the meaning behind the lyrics of Alice In Chains’ “Would.” Most days, Travis hopes to be outside, whether that is on an early morning ride or a hike with his family (the best days include both).
Rank: Contributing Writer
Size: 5’8” / 172cm | 195lbs / 88kg
Social: @travis_reill_writes
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