RevolutionRace outdoor trousers review: the Swedish brand taking UK hiking by storm

RevolutionRace is a Swedish outdoor brand that most UK hikers had not heard of five years ago. The way they have grown their following since then is almost entirely through product quality and word of mouth. No high-street retail presence. No traditional advertising. Just highly reviewed trousers that people buy, use and tell others about.

The Amazon UK review numbers tell the story. The RVRC GP Trousers have over 4,500 reviews. The Nordwand range has comparable volumes. For a brand that does not sell in Cotswold Outdoor or GO Outdoors, those numbers represent genuine grassroots credibility built entirely on customer satisfaction.

I do not yet own a pair of RevolutionRace trousers. They are on the list. What follows is based on extensive research across thousands of Amazon reviews and independent outdoor publications, and the pricing is compelling enough that they belong in any serious UK hiking trouser guide.

Who is RevolutionRace?

RevolutionRace was founded in Sweden in 2013 with a direct-to-consumer model that bypasses traditional outdoor retail. This means lower prices than comparable products from brands that sell through physical retailers, and a stronger incentive to produce quality that generates repeat customers and organic recommendations.

The brand's environmental credentials are genuine. All products in the Nordwand series carry bluesign PRODUCT certification, meaning they meet bluesign's strict safety and environmental requirements across the whole supply chain. This is a meaningful standard rather than a marketing label.

The product range is focused on outdoor trousers and related kit. That focus shows in the design detail, which is more considered than you might expect from a brand at this price point.

The RVRC GP Trousers

GP stands for General Purpose and the name is accurate. Built for durability and demanding outdoor activities using tough polycotton canvas with strategically placed four-way stretch panels, featuring seven pockets and functional storage designed for outdoor activities that require extra protection and reliable performance.

The pocket count is the feature that generates the most consistent praise. Seven pockets: two deep hand pockets, two zippered thigh pockets with one specifically sized for a phone, and additional storage options that cover the full range of what you need immediate access to on a hike with dogs and children. Anyone who has ever needed to carry dog treats, a lead, sunscreen, snacks, keys and a phone simultaneously and wanted all of it immediately accessible will understand immediately why seven well-positioned pockets matter.

Independent reviewers describe them as super-sturdy, utterly bombproof, quite heavy and thick with loads of reinforcements, durable, robust and ready for the most rugged of terrain.

The polycotton canvas is heavier than the lightweight synthetic fabrics used in North Face or Craghoppers trousers. This weight buys durability. The four-way stretch panels at the key movement points, seat, knees and inner thigh, provide the flexibility that heavier canvas fabrics typically sacrifice. Water repellent rather than waterproof, which is appropriate for this type of trouser.

Who is this for: Hikers who need maximum pocket storage, people who hike with dogs or children carrying a lot of kit, anyone doing demanding off-path terrain in the UK where vegetation and rough ground are a regular encounter. Hikers who prioritise durability over minimum weight.

• Seven pockets — the most functional storage of any trouser in this guide
• Polycotton canvas construction: tough enough for demanding off-path use
• Four-way stretch at key movement points despite robust outer fabric
• Over 4,500 Amazon reviews at strong ratings — genuine consumer confidence
• Excellent value for the construction quality and feature count
• bluesign certified fabrics

Should you buy the GP? Yes if you need serious pocket storage or do the kind of hiking where durability matters more than minimum weight. The GP is the trouser for people who have been frustrated by hiking trousers that do not have enough pockets or that struggle with demanding terrain. If you move fast and want a light trouser, look at the North Face Exploration Convertible instead.

The Nordwand Outdoor Trousers

The Nordwand is RevolutionRace's original hiking trouser and their most popular style. Where the GP is designed for general outdoor durability, the Nordwand is designed specifically for walking and hiking, with a cut and feature set optimised for trail use over general outdoor activity.

The Nordwand features four-way stretch over the seat, knees and hips for a flexible fit, polycotton canvas over the thighs and lower legs for abrasion resistance, six pockets, adjustable Velcro cuffs and a fit designed for active outdoor use rather than casual wear.

Long-term reviewers who have worn the Nordwand down to minus 10 degrees with wind chill describe them as pretty heavy-duty and thick, which is helpful in cold conditions. The crampon protection patch on the inside leg is a specific detail worth noting for winter hikers: it prevents the trouser catching and tearing on crampon spikes, which is exactly the kind of considered design you hope to find at this price.

The Nordwand Pro is the upgraded version adding tougher polycotton canvas over the thighs and lower legs, ventilation zippers on the thighs and boot hooks on the adjustable cuffs. For demanding four-season use the Pro is worth the additional investment.

Who is this for: UK hikers who want a dedicated hiking trouser with serious durability and four-season capability at a competitive price. People doing mixed terrain routes including winter walking where the crampon patch and heavier construction earn their place.

• Designed specifically for hiking with cut and features to match
• Polycotton canvas: durable against vegetation, rough terrain and repeated use
• Four-way stretch at seat, knees and hips for trail movement
• Crampon protection patch: a genuinely useful detail for winter hikers
• bluesign PRODUCT certified across the range
• Competitive pricing for the construction level

Should you buy the Nordwand? Yes if you hike regularly across three or four seasons and want something that will last years rather than seasons. The Nordwand is the right trouser for people who hike in serious conditions and want durability as a priority. If you mainly hike in dry spring and summer conditions on well-maintained paths, the lighter North Face Exploration Convertible is more appropriate.

GP vs Nordwand: which should you buy?

Buy the GP if: You need maximum pocket storage. You do a lot of activity with dogs, children or anything requiring immediate access to a range of items. You value the most durable construction available from RevolutionRace. You do general outdoor activities beyond hiking.

Buy the Nordwand if: You hike specifically and want a trouser designed for that activity. You do winter hiking where the crampon protection patch is relevant. You want the bluesign certification and hiking-specific design features.

Both are heavier than lightweight synthetic alternatives. Both are more durable. Neither is a trouser for someone who prioritises minimum weight above everything else.

How RevolutionRace compares to North Face and Craghoppers

Against the TNF Exploration Convertible at ~£70: the RevolutionRace options are heavier and more durable, with significantly more pockets and a more robust construction. The TNF is lighter, more packable and has better stretch throughout. For fast-paced day hiking on well-maintained paths, the TNF. For durability, pocket storage and demanding terrain, RevolutionRace.

Against the Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II at ~£30: the RevolutionRace options are more expensive but deliver significantly better durability, more features and more pockets. The Kiwi Pro II is the budget entry point. RevolutionRace is the meaningful step up when you want something that genuinely lasts.

Reasons to buy and reasons to look elsewhere

• Outstanding review volumes — genuine consumer confidence across thousands of buyers
• Durability that outlasts most synthetic alternatives
• Pocket storage that leads the market at this price point
• Direct-to-consumer pricing: more trouser for the money than heritage brands
• bluesign certification: genuine environmental credentials
• Four-way stretch where it matters despite robust outer fabric

Reasons to look elsewhere: Heavier than lightweight synthetic alternatives — not the trouser for weight-conscious hikers. Polycotton canvas can be warm on hot summer days on exposed terrain. If you want minimum weight, packability or a trouser that also works in everyday office or social settings, look at the North Face Exploration range instead. RevolutionRace is a purpose-built outdoor trouser, not a crossover option.

Should you buy RevolutionRace?

Yes, if durability and functional storage are your priorities. RevolutionRace has built a genuine following in UK outdoor circles by making robust, feature-rich outdoor trousers at competitive prices. The review volumes are not accidental. The GP and Nordwand consistently deliver on the promise of tough, practical hiking trousers that earn their place through performance rather than branding.

One honest note: I have not personally worn RevolutionRace trousers yet. Individual reviews for both the GP and Nordwand will follow once I have spent meaningful time in them on UK trails. The research picture across thousands of Amazon reviews and independent publications is strong enough to recommend them with confidence, and they are next on the list.

What to know before buying RevolutionRace

Sizing runs true according to the majority of reviews, but the fit is designed for outdoor activity rather than everyday wear. If you are between sizes and plan to layer underneath in cold conditions, size up.

These are not waterproof. The polycotton canvas has water repellency but will not keep you dry in sustained rain. Carry a waterproof overtrouser from the best waterproof hiking trousers guide for when conditions turn properly wet.

The weight is real. Both the GP and Nordwand are noticeably heavier than lightweight synthetic trousers. On a full day out with elevation you will notice the difference compared to something like the TNF Exploration Convertible. If weight is a priority concern, these are not the right trousers.

Ordering directly from RevolutionRace is also an option and sometimes has better stock availability across colours and sizes than Amazon UK.