The Fjallraven Kanken backpack was born back in 1978 to help Swedish school kids with their posture. But the backpack has since transcended generations and endures today. As it were, “Kanken” means “to carry” in Swedish. And it doesn’t surprise us that its practical design has stuck around.
Buy Fjallraven Kanken Backpacks from Rushfaster.
The Kanken is one of the most lightweight and versatile backpacks on the market, making it a great choice for running errands or exploring new cities alike. Its big, U-shaped zip gives access to the entire main compartment. This allows you to get at anything inside your Kanken without rummaging through and making a mess.
With its 16L main compartment, the Kanken Classic is large enough to comfortably carry everyday essentials like a sweater, a drink bottle, your books and your lunch. If that’s too big or too small, you can check out the Kanken Big, Mini or Kids. There are also Kankens with a dedicated, padded laptop compartment.
For those small items you need to grab quickly, there’s a couple of side pockets and a zippered pocket on the front. The best thing about the Kanken range, though, is it keeps things clean and uncluttered. If you’re looking to haul big loads for your overnight hiking trip, you might be barking up the wrong tree.
Because the design is so simple and easy on the eye, it moves seamlessly with your look from the office to the pub. Just use the clips to pack away the straps and you can carry it like a tote. It's boxy shape flattens down when it’s not overly full, so you won’t need to worry about bumping people in crowded spaces.
The Kanken is made of Fjallraven’s Vinylon F, which is really easy to clean – just use a warm cloth and dirt just rubs off. Our Office All-Rounder, Tim, can vouch for that. He battered his Kanken Big in Sri Lanka for a few weeks recently. With just a bit of elbow grease, it looks almost new again.
In fact, Fjallraven is really committed to innovating with new synthetic materials. It’s part of their heritage. “Fjallraven” means “Arctic Fox” in Swedish. Look them up, they’re really cute. Unfortunately, they’re also endangered, which motivates Fjallraven to do better by all animals. You won’t find any unethically-sourced materials in Fjallraven products, and they’ve even supported Arctic Fox preservation projects at Stockholm University.
If you’re looking for an adaptable everyday bag that complements your look, the Fjallraven Kanken is a great choice. You just can’t argue with almost 40 years of history.
Buy Fjallraven Kanken Backpacks from Rushfaster.