Fjallraven Kanken

I got this little backpack to use while attending an exec education program. It is a powerhouse! I fit my laptop, pens, notebook, snacks, water bottle, coffee mug, sweatshirt and small purse plus my phone into this bag daily. The size is perfect for a laptop that is 17” or smaller and you get an amazing array of colors to chose from which I appreciated. The zippers are sturdy and the fabric is a type of canvas, has a thick feel that holds up well and also washes well. Just make sure to remove the foam pad in the inner pocket used to cushion the pack when it’s on your back. I don’t think this pad would survive a washer/dryer cycle without damage. Cool European style and makes a great weekend travel bag to haul all your stuff at the winery or while biking the waterfront. Definitely recommend!

First, some background: I purchased my first Kanken on a trip to Canada in 2015. At first I was skeptical of the narrow unpadded straps, but the sales person told me she had thought that as well and that they work better than one might think. Ten years and several more Kankens later, I can say that she was right! The Kanken Original 16L is a fantastic choice for me. I recommend it for anyone who is short both in overall height and in the torso. I am 5’2, narrow shouldered and with a short torso. It is hard to find packs that carry a reasonable load and do not bother my neck or lower back. I find the Kanken capacity ideal for daily, casual use as well as a carry-on for flights. The open ended design means the bag can be packed and organized for a variety of purposes. It makes a fantastic camera bag, grocery bag and day pack for moderate excursions. I find the sternum straps that Fjallraven sells make the Kanken even more functional. I have a few in different colors and swap them out to change the look of the bag. I finally decided to leave a review because I am SO TIRED of reviews that fault the two side pockets for not fitting water bottles. A little research of the product, found on their website, makes clear that this bag was created in 1978. I for one am old enough to recall the 70s. No one, and I do mean no one, was carrying water, much less in personal bottles, in 1978. You were lucky to have soda or an old canteen that was your grandfather’s in the car on long trips. We used water fountains at school and moms who liked to splurge kept tiny paper cups by the sink. Doubtless that makes me sound old, but I hate seeing such a fantastic product maligned because some people do not understand the context in which it was created. I also admit that the straps will not feel good for some people. It’s important to remember with backpacks that they are not a one size fits all item. Everybody’s shoulders and necks are different. For example, one of my daughters loves the design of the Kanken, but it does not suit her neck and shoulders. My son, meanwhile, loves carrying one. The Original 16L Kanken is a high quality product. Its versatility and function have gotten me all around town and even around the world more than once. I have yet to wear one out and I look forward to many more years of use.

I loved the fit and the quality is pretty great. I’ve had one before but I lost it which is why I bought a new one. There is only two pockets one outside and one inside so I did buy an insert for it. I use it as a daily bag since it can fit a lot of things. I do recommend being a little mindful of its material since it does dirty easily but typically a wet rag can get bag to normal.

I got this backpack for my daughter and we love it! It’s made with super strong material and the color is gorgeous. It’s like a TARDIS—bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside. It looks small but is extra roomy. My daughter stuffs the backpack to the gills, as it easily holds stuffed animals, markers, her sketchbook, books and even clothes, without ever looking too full. At first I thought it was an expensive purchase, but I am pleasantly surprised by its quality and durability. Definitely worth every time penny. I completely recommend it. You will not be disappointed! 10/10.

I purchased the Fjällräven Kånken (Terracotta Brown/Ultramarine) as a gift for my 8-year-old nephew, and it’s proven to be both functional and visually appealing. The wide-opening main compartment makes it easy for kids to pack and unpack on their own, and the structured, boxy shape is a major plus—it comfortably fits a lunchbox and water bottle side by side, with room to spare for school supplies or a jacket. The design is timeless, the colors are vibrant yet tasteful, and the overall durability lives up to Fjällräven’s reputation. For parents or relatives looking for a well-sized, well-made backpack that balances practicality and style, this is an excellent choice.

For pretty much all intents and purposes, this is a great bag. I'm a city bicycle commuter and student that regularly bikes between 5 and 10 miles a day with lots of books, and I'm really impressed (and frankly somewhat baffled) by how well the flimsy looking straps distribute weight. As others have mentioned, the side pockets are far too small for any normal sized water bottle, but I find that they're great for holding an umbrella on one side and my iPod on the other, without any fear that either will fall out. Even when stuffed, this bag is quite slim (great if you ride lots of crowded, rush hour buses or metros) and it really does fit a lot more than you would expect. I've attached a photo of my Kanken with a fairly standard day's worth of stuff: umbrella + iPod (side pockets), keys, pepper spray, headphones, phone charger, and lip balm (front pocket, along with other small miscellany), wallet, light jacket, scarf, deodorant, water bottle, snacks, six books of varying sizes, and a small sketchbook (main compartment). If necessary I could also slide my 13" laptop into the designated compartment, and the bag would still feel pretty weightless, somehow. In the past I've found that my standard $40 Target backpack felt quite heavy with the same amount of stuff in it, but the Kanken somehow pulls its weight, and doesn't bother me even while scaling big hills on my bike. There are just two issues that I don't by any means consider deal-breakers, but wish I had seen them mentioned in other reviews prior to purchasing: 1. Scuffing - As you can see from the photo, my Warm Yellow Kanken is quite dirty, just after roughly one month of use. That said, I am very active and use the bag daily, so it's somewhat expected. Even so, my very first outing with this bag was an evening of barhopping, and I was pretty shocked by how many inexplicable black marks it picked up by the time I got home. I haven't yet tried running it through a gentle wash cycle, as some sites have recommended, though dabbing plain water with a little bit of gentle detergent was helpful for bad spots the first and only time I tried it. After using it a bit more, the dirt has blended in better with the regular wear and tear, meaning it's not nearly as shocking as it first was, but nevertheless it's still sadly noticeable. Long story short: don't go with the light colors. I think I would love this bag twice as much if I had opted for a darker color, but alas. Don't make the same mistake I did. 2. Lack of interior pockets - Though the bag holds a lot, you're kind of out of luck if you're trying to quickly grab your wallet from the bottom of your packed bag without holding up the bus fare line. Besides the laptop slot closest to your back, the large compartment is a free-for-all, and you kind of have no choice but to unzip it all the way, and maybe even remove most of the contents, in order to find things that aren't right on top. This probably wouldn't be much of an issue if you were using this bag as more of a purse full of lots of small things instead of a book bag, but because it has a zipper that extends down both sides (as opposed to an opening on top) you need to lay it down on its back and shift things around instead of casually rifling through to find what you need. All in all, I really do like this bag. It's so far proved very sturdy, waterproof, and perfect for serious bike commuting as well as casual daytime use. If you're ready to move up in the world from generic backpacks that barely last a season before falling apart, or just want a way to carry your things without killing your back and shoulders, I'd definitely recommend this to you!

What I love about this backpack 1. Very light but tough material, will defintiely travel well 2. IT DOES fit the 16 Oz water bottles. I have a stainless steel thermos from Starbucks that fits perfectly on the side. It doesnt bulge into the backpack compartment when you use an appropriate size bottle. Yes the side pockets were originally designed for small booklets umbrella or magazine folded but I like the fact it fits my 16 oz. If I wanted to carry 1 in each side that's 32 Oz right there and frankly I dont need more I have 2 bottles that are same size and the Starbucks are nice and narrow. Will it fit your stanley tumbler...no...but it isnt designed for that. 3. I LOVE THAT IT IS OPEN CONCEPT. I have tried literally every brand of backpack out there at all pricepoints and quite frankly this was like FINALLY...this backpack manufacturer GETS IT. I have pouches foenmy things so I just place my pouches in the open space and it holds more than my larger compartmentalized backpack. 4. The straps are great. I find the cushy regular shoulder straps other backpacks pride themselves on actually cut into my shoulders. This webbing is light and I like the feel 5. Inside...a full size study Bible, all cords, a charger, contact lens supplies and toiletries, extra moleskine classic size notebook, blackwing pencil case, snack pouch full of protein bars, assorted electronics, field notes memo book with pen, bandanna, tissues, a small pocket Bible in front pouch, a waist fanny pack with wallet keys and phone that I can pull out and....thats still only HALF FULL. 6. Zippers are strong. Yes with the flap over them it is a bit more difficult but with zipper pulls that I added and working it once or twice they are just fine. I like the flap as it provides protection. My top favorite things...it can be carried as a tote where "backpacks arent allowed" and the open fully visible concept. Im so tired of backpacks giving me card slots when I carry my own wallet. This pack hits it out of the park. Is it worth rhe price. Yes, find a deal. I got the gray because it was on sale. I love colors but I like deals too. And actually the gray was a pleasant surprise as I can accessorize with pops of colors. Maybe a scarf tied around the tote strap for instance.

Wish I had gotten this backpack sooner honestly. It is perfect for a backpack for college but also just to take around town or on short day trips! Amazing quality and just really cute. Love the green and orange colors. I love that it is smaller so I don't lug so much around. It easily fits my Macbook Air 13", that actually fits in the rear sleeve where the "seat pad" that is with the backpack goes! Can easily fit a hoodie, a few books, and the front pocket is great for small stuff like pencils, keys, wallet, headphones. Really love this bag and can see it lasting for a long time! Great quality and feel.