Bag could use some tweaks
I love the extra room for the bottles on the side I was able to fit a large Smart water size bottle in random small things that you can’t do with the og kanken. The bottom zipper compartment is separate and couldn’t even hold my Birkenstock Sanford (I wear a size 7.5 womens). I recently took the bag on 4 flights (2 flights to and from Mexico) it was difficult to get my iPad out of the inner pocket. I wish it came with a separate laptop compartment and many a secret side pocket for like a phone and/or a wallet. I also couldn’t fit much into the front pocket besides some disinfectant and hand wipes. Overall it’s a sturdy backpack, but for the price I can’t justify it. I still like it for work and it fits my work laptop. But I wouldn’t call this the end all be all for ... MoreI love the extra room for the bottles on the side I was able to fit a large Smart water size bottle in random small things that you can’t do with the og kanken. The bottom zipper compartment is separate and couldn’t even hold my Birkenstock Sanford (I wear a size 7.5 womens). I recently took the bag on 4 flights (2 flights to and from Mexico) it was difficult to get my iPad out of the inner pocket. I wish it came with a separate laptop compartment and many a secret side pocket for like a phone and/or a wallet. I also couldn’t fit much into the front pocket besides some disinfectant and hand wipes. Overall it’s a sturdy backpack, but for the price I can’t justify it. I still like it for work and it fits my work laptop. But I wouldn’t call this the end all be all for my backpack needs.Also have used it as a diaper bag formula for quick day trips to the zoo or park with a 15 month old and for that I do love the bag but didn’t see use for the bottom compartment. The bottom compartment also feeds into the space inside the bag and creates like a bubble shape at the bottom? It’s not a flat bottom compartment is what I’m trying to convey.... Show more
PalomaB123
originally posted on REI
Durable, Ergonomic, Stylish
I got this for my daughter who is going into fifth grade next year. She has had her original 15" laptop Kanken since Kindergarten, and it still looks brand new, but she wanted the larger size and a different color for middle school. We prefer the laptop styles for the padded pocket against the back. This is where our girls put their school folders, leaving the main compartment for their lunch and water bottle. The small front pocket is perfect for a few trinkets and supplies, and voila, a simple, ergonomic and stylish bag that really holds up. These bags fit one's back properly and don't hang down with pocket after pocket on little people. And I also appreciate how Fjallraven now sells extra strap pads. Our only complaint is that after five years as a daily driver, ... MoreI got this for my daughter who is going into fifth grade next year. She has had her original 15" laptop Kanken since Kindergarten, and it still looks brand new, but she wanted the larger size and a different color for middle school. We prefer the laptop styles for the padded pocket against the back. This is where our girls put their school folders, leaving the main compartment for their lunch and water bottle. The small front pocket is perfect for a few trinkets and supplies, and voila, a simple, ergonomic and stylish bag that really holds up. These bags fit one's back properly and don't hang down with pocket after pocket on little people. And I also appreciate how Fjallraven now sells extra strap pads. Our only complaint is that after five years as a daily driver, the shoulder straps are pretty thin. Now they are easily replaced/covered. These bags are a bargain for their durability. You won't regret this purchase.... Show more
Steph
originally posted on moosejaw.com
Fits sooo much, awesome for travel
I have the 17" laptop Kånken in frost green. The laptop compartment fits my Alienware X15 R1 (14.16" x 10.91 " x 0.654") (259.70 mm x 277.25 mm x 16.30 mm) while it's in a laptop sleeve. Any 15" laptop + sleeve will fit. I imagine laptops up to 17" might fit, albeit very snug. The laptop compartment has padding on all sides, the surface against your back, between the laptop compartment and the main compartment, and the edges around the zipper and bottom. It has reinforced bottom corners in the compartment, which feels like plastic bumpers under the fabric to protect against bumps.I love having the large main compartment and being able to zip almost all the way down. Makes it super easy for packing. The backpack is awesome for travel and carrying light to moderate ... MoreI have the 17" laptop Kånken in frost green. The laptop compartment fits my Alienware X15 R1 (14.16" x 10.91 " x 0.654") (259.70 mm x 277.25 mm x 16.30 mm) while it's in a laptop sleeve. Any 15" laptop + sleeve will fit. I imagine laptops up to 17" might fit, albeit very snug. The laptop compartment has padding on all sides, the surface against your back, between the laptop compartment and the main compartment, and the edges around the zipper and bottom. It has reinforced bottom corners in the compartment, which feels like plastic bumpers under the fabric to protect against bumps.I love having the large main compartment and being able to zip almost all the way down. Makes it super easy for packing. The backpack is awesome for travel and carrying light to moderate weight belongings. I used this as my main bag during a 2 week roadtrip and it was all I needed. It's also somehow large yet compact that I use it as my (very economical) personal item on flights. Fully packed, it fits under the seat in front of me on airplanes.The laptop straps have reinforced padding compared to the standard Kånken. The single side pocket still sucks-- no elastic or anything, does not stretch out to accommodate most water bottles. Because the side pocket fabric is non-stretch Vinylon-F and basically flat against the backpack, it can only accommodate small and thin items. You would have to get a specially designed super skinny water bottle or pack the main compartment light enough that whatever goes in the side pocket would bulge into the main compartment, intruding on your laptop or full sized notebooks etc. Fjallraven has a water bottle pocket expansion accessory which is around $20. I bought and tried it, found it bulky and annoying because it didn't sit still while I moved around. Trying to take my water bottle out of the pocket accessory would drag the accessory out of the pocket. It's currently collecting dust in my junk drawer.The main cons I can think of:- Not great for carrying very heavy stuff. The shoulder straps tend to dig in.- Not great for lots of sweating. Their proprietary Vinylon-F fabric is very durable but not breathable. It gets hot and during the summer, I found myself frequently holding the backpack away from my back to allow airflow.- Side pocket doesn't accommodate water bottle or bulky items unless you sacrifice interior compartment spaceOtherwise, it's a great backpack for school! The cross strap design is great at distributing weight along the back so it feels like a lighter load. It's gotten me through college, holding my 15" laptop, an iPad, a few notebooks, my lunch and water bottle in the main compartment. More than that and the weight causes strain on the shoulder straps. I'm aware Fjallraven makes a shoulder strap reinforcement accessory, but I'm not sure if it is compatible with the Kånken laptop model. Now I use it for work to carry notebooks, lunch, and change of clothes. For hiking and carrying heavier loads, I would suggest other backpacks.... Show more
MinaH
originally posted on REI
Good backpack, taking time to get used to
I bought this backpack less than a month ago, so I assume several opinions will change over time (with softness, cleanliness etc). I am finding that it is a little hard to get used to the squareish shape, when I go to put binders in my bag I have to unzip the entire front because the bag is so deep. This means it holds quite a lot though! Further, it has one less pocket than my previous Sketchers backpack, so I am readjusting to putting all of my things into one primary pocket with no dedicated place to put my hard drive or assorted toiletries (the two small pockets suffice fine). I am really happy with the size of the water bottle pockets, there are two on the 17” and they hold my small Stanley. I love the way the bag feels on my back, even with my laptop and books ... MoreI bought this backpack less than a month ago, so I assume several opinions will change over time (with softness, cleanliness etc). I am finding that it is a little hard to get used to the squareish shape, when I go to put binders in my bag I have to unzip the entire front because the bag is so deep. This means it holds quite a lot though! Further, it has one less pocket than my previous Sketchers backpack, so I am readjusting to putting all of my things into one primary pocket with no dedicated place to put my hard drive or assorted toiletries (the two small pockets suffice fine). I am really happy with the size of the water bottle pockets, there are two on the 17” and they hold my small Stanley. I love the way the bag feels on my back, even with my laptop and books it feels somehow lighter than previous bags. Sometimes the straps dig a little into my shoulders, but this could be a tightness adjustment thing. I am really happy with the way the bag looks and feels (the dark blue is a great color), my only long term concern is the thinness of the canvas base, as this is where previous (non Kanken) bags started to break down first, and there doesn’t appear to be any reinforcement. Overall really nice!... Show more
Bees_whisperer
originally posted on moosejaw.com
Great weekend/vacation backpack
We have 4 children and go to amusement parks and sporting events a lot. We’ve been looking for a backpack that can hold all of the necessities while also keeping them accessible all without breaking our backs. It probably seems ridiculous but it can be frustrating when you need to dig through a massive black hole of stuff to find the sun screen. Or there are three thousand pockets that only fit the smallest of things. This pack is perfect. It could easily fit a first aid kit, sunscreen, snacks, ponchos, extra socks, etc with two drink pockets on the side(!) there’s a pouch on the front for car keys, chapstick, and wallets. And there’s a zipper pocket inside for little things (paper tickets, valuables, etc). It has padded straps and a chest strap. This pack checks ... MoreWe have 4 children and go to amusement parks and sporting events a lot. We’ve been looking for a backpack that can hold all of the necessities while also keeping them accessible all without breaking our backs. It probably seems ridiculous but it can be frustrating when you need to dig through a massive black hole of stuff to find the sun screen. Or there are three thousand pockets that only fit the smallest of things. This pack is perfect. It could easily fit a first aid kit, sunscreen, snacks, ponchos, extra socks, etc with two drink pockets on the side(!) there’s a pouch on the front for car keys, chapstick, and wallets. And there’s a zipper pocket inside for little things (paper tickets, valuables, etc). It has padded straps and a chest strap. This pack checks all of the boxes and I think we’ve finally found the perfect weekend/vacation backpack.... Show more
Dogdog54
originally posted on REI
Lovely bag and durable...
I was hesitant to invest in a backpack with the price tag but having wanted a Fjallraven Kanken backpack for a while, I was glad I did so. I am a student, so trying to find a backpack which can be durable and lightweight is not always easy. Fortunately, the backpack is very easy to carry and not too strenuous on your back even during long days.I was uncertain whether to go for the slightly larger size due to wanting space for my laptop but after reading reviews, I found the bag could fit my laptop in a padded case. The zips are easy to undo and fasten and the side zip is really useful for storing things to have on the go. I like the idea the zips can also be well-hidden if tucked into the material properly. I have had the bag now for nearly seven months and have ... MoreI was hesitant to invest in a backpack with the price tag but having wanted a Fjallraven Kanken backpack for a while, I was glad I did so. I am a student, so trying to find a backpack which can be durable and lightweight is not always easy. Fortunately, the backpack is very easy to carry and not too strenuous on your back even during long days.I was uncertain whether to go for the slightly larger size due to wanting space for my laptop but after reading reviews, I found the bag could fit my laptop in a padded case. The zips are easy to undo and fasten and the side zip is really useful for storing things to have on the go. I like the idea the zips can also be well-hidden if tucked into the material properly. I have had the bag now for nearly seven months and have used it day in and day out since then. There are a few scuffs on the bottom but overall the wear is hardly noticeable. The other good thing is the material on the exterior is waterproof meaning any books or things inside the bag will not be soaked on a rainy day.Perhaps my one complaint is the bag can start feeling weighed down if you are trying to carry heavy loads. At the very most, you can probably get a laptop, charger, notebook, and a few things like a pencil case or a few books in the main compartment. The other thing is the pockets on the side can fit a small water bottle but I have found you cannot try and fit anything bulky ( such as big cups or bottles) which is a bit of a pain. I have heard a few people talk about the issue of straps digging in. Luckily I have not had this problem due to the loads I have been carrying but I can see how this can be an issue and having to pay more for strap pads for some. Overall, I think the backpack is pretty durable and I am glad I made this investment though I feel as though there are few design features such as pocket sizes which could be improved.... Show more
Indy
originally posted on johnlewis.com
So pretty :)
I ordered it in Frost Green which turned out more muted than the green pictured in the product listing. There is a little bit more blue tinge in person compared to the picture. It’s almost like a muted teal. I still find it very pretty though.PROs: I love the internal zip pocket under the front flap for my keys. I love that the dedicated laptop compartment is separate from the main compartment. The shoulder straps are a good width and feel comfortable. The front flap is great for small items like hand sanitizer, Kleenex, or hand lotion. The zippers work well. I like the material overhang covering the zippers because that makes it hard for a pickpocket to get into your backpack (although I will never put my wallet on the outside pocket ever).CONs: There isn’t much ... MoreI ordered it in Frost Green which turned out more muted than the green pictured in the product listing. There is a little bit more blue tinge in person compared to the picture. It’s almost like a muted teal. I still find it very pretty though.PROs: I love the internal zip pocket under the front flap for my keys. I love that the dedicated laptop compartment is separate from the main compartment. The shoulder straps are a good width and feel comfortable. The front flap is great for small items like hand sanitizer, Kleenex, or hand lotion. The zippers work well. I like the material overhang covering the zippers because that makes it hard for a pickpocket to get into your backpack (although I will never put my wallet on the outside pocket ever).CONs: There isn’t much for organization on the inside of the main compartment. There is a small zip pouch under the flap and the pocket for seat cushion - that’s it. You can get a backpack organizer from Amazon for about $20CAD. Putting an umbrella or water bottle on the outside pocket reduces the amount of stuff you can fit inside. I feel that I need to get a separate bottle pocket accessory to hold my bottle or umbrella. There are far fewer colour options in the 17” size compared to smaller Kankens.This is my 6th Kanken (and my 2nd 17”). Although Kankens do not offer much for organization in terms of compartments, they work for my needs and they offer many colour options in the under 17” sizes.... Show more
Rowena S.
originally posted on altitude-sports.com