Fjallraven Abisko 6” Tights Women’s Hiking Shorts Review

Bottom Line

The Fjallraven Abisko 6” Shorts Tights are a compression-style design for women who like a high-waisted, supportive fit on the trail. We tested the Abiskos on hikes in and around Reno, Nevada, and never had to worry about the shorts falling down(even with heavy items in the pockets). They maintain their shape and hold up flawlessly to encounters with sharp granite and pokey brush.

Unlike many athleisure designs, the Abiskos have functional pocket storage: There’s a large pocket at either side that securely holds a smartphone. It does require a good deal of effort to get a phone in and out, due to the fabric flaps that protect the openings (one overlaps externally and one internally). 

The shorts are also built to last with sturdy, high-quality materials. The construction is pretty substantial, with a lot of overlapping seams and fabrics, which does impact breathability and comfort. But from a long-term value perspective, we have zero concerns about these shorts holding up over time.

That said, in addition to the reduced of breathability, we found these shorts to be prohibitively tight and very slow-drying. If you’re in between sizes or simply prefer to feel unencumbered on the trail, it’s likely worth sizing up.

How We Tested

We tested the Fjallraven Abisko 6” Shorts Tights throughout a warm spring in and around Reno, Nevada. We brought them on hikes up to five miles long, breaking into a jog on the downhills and dunking the shorts in trailside creeks to gauge their water resistance. The shorts also saw some late-season snow on a chilly approach in Truckee, California.

Comfort

Comfort is not the calling card of the Fjallraven Abisko Shorts’ design. First and foremost, the shorts are coompression/biker shorts kind of tight. We expected them to loosen up with regular wear and laundering, but they are just as snug by the end of our two-month testing period as they were the day we got them. We recommend sizing up or trying them on to make sure they fit well without being constrictive.

The waistband and leg openings are particularly restrictive in our usual size. This is especially noticeable when sitting down (the shorts to ride up a bit, and our thighs bulge out of the openings). Again, we think some of these issues would be solved with sizing up.

The fabric isn’t particularly soft or supple, either. The construction is a mix of 70% polyester and 30% elastane, which we expected to be very supple. However, despite having a lot of stretch, the shorts are relatively rigid and unforgiving. There are a lot of seams lining the interior, which thankfully don’t cause any friction-related issues, but are certainly noticeable as the miles add up. 

On the bright side, the compression fit offers a lot of support. And the high-rise waistband is wide and low-profile, making it well-suited for pairing with a harness or backpack hipbelt. There’s a single drawcord at the waist, which we haven’t needed because of the shorts’ snug fit.

Durability

The Abisko Shorts are built to last with high-quality materials that hold up well over time. We have a pair of Abisko leggings that have lasted more than six years, accompanying us on countless multi-pitch climbs on rough granite and sharp limestone. Unlike the leggings, the shorts do not have reinforcements at the seat, but they’ve held up flawlessly to many snack breaks using rocks as chairs.

We thrqw the Abisko Shorts in with our regular laundry and pay no special attention to the care instructions. So far, the shorts show no signs of fading, fraying, or deterioration. 

The only real downside to the thick, hard-wearing construction is that the shorts run very warm. Part of this is due to the snug, compression-like fit, which offers little room for air to flow. Regardless of the cause, these shorts would not be our first choice for hot, exposed hikes.

Features

Compression shorts rarely have practical storage, making the Abiskos a bit of an outlier. There’s a drop-in pocket at either side, both of which are big enough to swallow a smartphone. The right pocket has an overlapping fabric flap covering the exterior, which is a nice workaround for a zipper. It effectively keeps our phone in place even when we jog downhills. The only drawback is that you have to peel the flap back to remove your phone, which is hard to do while moving.

The left pocket is similar but has a smaller, internal fabric flap. We’re not sure why Fjallraven tweaked the design so subtly, but both pockets are usable and secure. Due to the snugness of the shorts, the pockets do look (and feel) a bit awkward with a phone stashed inside, however.

Rounding out the feature set is a drawcord inside the waistband. We don’t use it since the shorts were very tight on us, but it’s there if you need it.

Dry Time

The Fjallraven Abisko Shorts take a long time to dry and aren’t water-resistant. They wetted out almost immediately when we dunked them in a trailside creek, growing dark and heavy with moisture. The hike out was pretty uncomfortable because the shorts felt weighted down and sloshy. They were still damp by the time we reached the trailhead around three miles later.

In our at-home test, which involved submerging the shorts in a bucket of water for several seconds before wringing them out and laying them in the sun to dry, the Abiskos were again underwhelming. There was no sign of drying for the first hour – the fabric remained noticeably dark and saturated despite the 80-degree heat. By the time they returned to normal, almost two hours had passed.

Weight & Packed Size

The Abisko Shorts clock in at 4.9 ounces on our kitchen scale, which is just under their listed weight of 5.1 ounces. This is about average for a pair of hiking shorts. For comparison, the lightest short we tested was a running short at 4.4 ounces, while the heaviest was 6.1 ounces.

The Abisko Shorts are pretty substantial for what they are. As we mentioned above, the fabric is decently thick and has many seams and overlapping layers, which add a good amount of bulk. Though not excessive by any means, the Abisko Shorts are not ideal for stashing in the crevices of a pack or duffel that’s bursting at the seams. They’re fine for most trips when space isn’t at a premium.

Should You Buy the Fjallraven Abisko 6″ Hiking Shorts?

The Fjallraven Abisko 6” Shorts Tights are appealing for hikers looking for a compression short. They’ve got better storage than many athleisure designs, with two secure pockets big enough to stash a smartphone. The high waistband provides ample support and pairs well with a hipbelt thanks to its smooth, low-profile design. And thanks to their quality build, these shorts hold up extremely well over time.

However, the Abisko Shorts can be restrictively tight. Those looking for a supportive but comfortable fit should consider sizing up to maximize comfort and reduce riding up. The shorts are also lacking in comfort when compared to barely-there designs. The tradeoff for support and compression is a fairly rigid and bulky construction. Finally, they are quick to wet out and take a long time to dry, which isn’t ideal for multi-day trips with questionable forecasts.

What Other Hiking Shorts Should You Consider?

The Abisko Shorts have their place, but there are so many styles of hiking shorts to choose from. Consider the three alternatives below, or head to our women’s hiking shorts gear guide for a wider look at the market.

Black Diamond Pursuit Review: The Pursuit Shorts share the same 6-inch inseam as the Abiskos in a more traditional package. They have a noticeably softer and comfier feel, although the waistband runs small and lacks stretch. There are five pockets for storage compared to the Abiskos’ two.

prAna Stretch Zion Cargo Review: If you like high-waisted support, the prAna Stretch Zion Cargo shorts have a lot to offer. They’re durable, fully featured (including five pockets and UPF 50+ protection), and wear better around town. 

Mountain Hardwear Dynama Bermuda Review: At the opposite end of the comfort spectrum from the Abiskos, the Dynama Bermuda shorts are supremely soft and flexible. The elastic waistband is low-profile but secure (similar to the Abiskos), and the fabric is highly water-resistant and quick to dry.