Fjällräven Abisko Friluft 45 Review

Overview

The Abisko Friluft 45 is Fjällräven’s answer to the sweaty-back problem: an aluminum-framed trekking pack with a tensioned mesh back panel that holds the load away from the wearer. It suits warm-weather hikers, hut-to-hut trekkers and anyone who values carrying comfort and durability over base weight. The trade-off is plain. At 1,640 g, it gives up a lot to the frameless and light-framed 40–50 L packs that ultralight hikers favor.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	1,640 g (S/M)
Volume	45 L
Dimensions (H x W x D)	68 x 32 x 30 cm
Main fabric	210D recycled polyamide ripstop, 1500 mm PU coating
Base fabric	500D recycled polyamide, reinforced
Frame	Aluminum, hourglass-shaped
Suspension	Friluft Ventilation System: mesh back panel with air columns
Back length	Fixed (not adjustable)
Shoulder strap length	90 cm
Hip belt length	144 cm
Pockets	8, including zippered hip belt pockets
Hydration	Compatible
Rain cover	Included

Performance

Ventilation and carry. The pack’s reason for existing is the suspended mesh panel. A hourglass-shaped aluminum frame sits behind a firm mesh trampoline, which leaves an air gap between the pack body and the wearer’s back. Reviewers at Advnture, who tested it in Snowdonia on long, hot, scrambly days, found it comfortable even in strong sun. Owners on Fjällräven’s own site make the same point, calling the ventilated back panel breathable and the carry comfortable. Advnture’s tester noted the cushioning is dialed back from the burlier Kajka, though there is still plenty of spacer foam on the straps and belt.

The cost of a trampoline suspension is internal volume. Owners point out that the pack gives up some space inside to the standoff, which is the usual penalty for this design. A 45 L Friluft packs more like a 40 L conventional bag. That matters for anyone trying to fit a bulky three-season sleep system.

Weight. At 1.64 kg, testers called the Friluft middling. It is not a pack for fast-and-light mileage, and one reviewer said bluntly that it is not a runner’s option. For a pack with a frame, a full suspension and eight pockets, the number is reasonable. Against ultralight packs in this volume range, which often come in well under a kilogram, it is a lot of weight to carry for the sake of a mesh panel.

Organization and access. This is where the Abisko earns its keep. Full-length zips on either side open the main compartment like a suitcase, so gear at the bottom does not require unpacking from the top. The detachable lid has a zippered top pocket and a mesh pocket underneath, which is where the rain cover lives. Webbing on the lid lets hikers stuff a shell or layer under it without opening anything. Twin side pockets take a 946 ml (32 oz) Hydro Flask, and testers could reach them without taking the pack off. The hip belt carries a zippered pocket on each side, one of them mesh. A fully zippered front pocket keeps maps and wet-weather gear dry, though it is slower to get into than an open stretch pocket.

Not everything is polished. The trekking pole and ice axe attachment is a loop and elastic cord that takes some fiddling, and there is no daisy chain to cradle the shafts.

Durability. The recycled 210D ripstop body and 500D base are tougher than the fabrics on most light packs. Advnture’s tester reported good resistance to rock abrasion while scrambling. The 1500 mm PU coating sheds light rain, and the included cover handles the rest. Fjällräven’s older versions used cotton-blend G-1000 and the lighter polyamide here is part of how this generation shaved weight. An owner who bought the updated model described it as a clear improvement on the previous one with the same features, at lower weight.

Fit. The back length is fixed, so fit depends on choosing the right size rather than adjusting a torso. Owners who are around average torso length (roughly 18–20 inches) report good fits. Hikers with long or short torsos should try one on first.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Suspended mesh back panel keeps airflow behind the back in heat and humidity
• Aluminum frame and spacer-foam straps carry loads comfortably over long days
• Suitcase-style side zips give full access to the main compartment
• Eight pockets, including zippered hip belt pockets and side pockets that take a 946 ml bottle
• Tough recycled ripstop and 500D base hold up to scrambling and abrasion
• Rain cover included

Cons

• 1,640 g is heavy for 45 L by ultralight standards
• Ventilation standoff reduces usable internal volume
• Fixed back length leaves little room to tune fit
• Pole and ice axe attachment is awkward, with no daisy chain
• $240 asking price is high for the carrying capacity

Who Should Buy This

The Friluft 45 fits hikers who run hot, carry a moderate load and want a pack that feels good on day five of a hut-to-hut route or a humid summer trek. It also suits those who prefer organized pockets and top-to-bottom access to a single big stuff sack. Thru-hikers counting grams, anyone who wants a base weight under about 5 kg and the pack to match, and hikers who need every liter of a 45 L bag should look at lighter frameless or light-framed options.

Verdict

The Abisko Friluft 45 is a well-built, comfortable trekking pack that does one thing particularly well: it keeps the wearer’s back cooler than a conventional pack can. It is not an ultralight pack, and it is priced like the premium trekking pack it is. Buy it for comfort and durability in warm weather, not for the scale.