Fjallraven are famous for backpacks the world over, and for good reason! The Fjallraven Kanken bag was created in 1978 to provide better back support for Swedish school children and has supported the backs of children and adults alike ever since.
Explore the Fjallraven range of bags, backpacks, duffels and kanken, perfect for outdoor adventures, or as a sturdy work or school bag.
Since the earliest days of Fjallraven the brand have put a focus on their backpacks and rucksacks and the range has expanded to include the perfect styles for hiking, trekking, multi-day adventures and even the daily commute. The iconic Kanken collection has expanded to include styles such as the Kanken Mini and Kanken Laptop 17” while the brand now also offers outdoor ready, waterproof styles such as the Ulvo 30.
Here at Nordic Outdoor we offer one of the widest ranges of Fjallraven backpacks in the UK and our expert advisors are always on hand to help you find the best bag for your next adventure.
While the Fjallraven Kanken bags are instantly recognisable, the pronounciation of this iconic backpack can trip people up! Meaning 'to carry' in Swedish you pronounce Kanken as 'Kon'ken' if you're looking to blend in with the locals next time you visit Stockholm!
The Fjällräven Kanken rucksack was designed as a response to studies in the 1970's which suggested almost 80% of the Swedish population suffered from backpain. To make this more alarming it was believed that the heavy shoulder bags that schoolchildren were wearing at the time were causing this issue from childhood. As a response, Fjallraven founder Ake Nordin created a square backpack designed to hold schoolbooks and two A4 binders while sitting comfortably on the back. The first Kanken backpack was released in 1978 and has since become one of the most iconic and recognisable styles in the entire outdoor industry.
While Fjallraven are best known in the UK for their iconic Kanken rucksack, the brand have a wide range of backpacks which are perfect for an outdoor based life. The quality of construction and durability which is evident throughout the Fjallraven bag range is the reason it has become such a trusted choice for outdoor lovers around the world.
As with their outdoor clothing range, Fjällräven construct many of their backpacks from the water-resistant and adaptable G-1000 fabric. The brand do however offer a range of bags perfect for the UK rain which are made from the 100% waterproof Bergshell fabric. If rain is your main concern then examples of fully waterproof Fjallraven bags include Ulvo, Bergtagen and High Coast.
Fjallraven have been designing bags since the 1960’s and know that to create a brilliant product it must be built to last. Combining this experience with the brands love of the outdoors, it is durability which is at the heart of the Fjallraven backpack collection. Through the choice of fabrics, reinforced detailing, purpose driven design and excellent construction quality Fjallraven have created a range of durable rucksacks and bags ideal for any adventure.
It's worth noting that you should consider what you’re using your bag for before purchasing – a 17” laptop squeezed into a Kanken Original will inevitable cause wear and tear and instead you should look at another product designed for this purpose such as the Kanken Laptop 17”.
All Fjallraven backpacks come with a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. This warranty does not include damage from standard wear and tear or any changes in colour shade on their natural appearance through sunlight or use.
With the popularity of Fjallraven bags (especially the iconic Kanken) there has been a rise in the number of counterfeit products on the market. All Fjallraven products sold at Nordic Outdoor are 100% genuine and we have worked with the brand directly for nearly 20 years! If you’re concerned about the legitimacy of your Fjallraven bag you can use the handy ‘verify reseller’ tool on the brands website to ensure you are only buying from trusted partners.
The Kanken backpack was created specifically to address the issue of back problems in Sweden’s schoolchildren and the shape and construction of the bag is designed to ensure it is friendlier to your back.
Across the Fjallraven backpack range you will see a number of features designed to reduce back problems including padded shoulder straps, chest and hip belts and aluminium frames.
With such a wide range of styles available in the Fjallraven bag collection the brand will tend to use the right material for the bag’s purpose.
The iconic Kanken rucksack is constructed using Vinylon F, which is the same material used in the earliest versions of this bag. This man made fabric acts and ages like a natural material and is the perfect choice for the Kanken backpack. Some of the more technical Fjallraven bags such as the Ulvo 30 rucksack are constructed from the waterproof Bergshell material which makes it a perfect choice for long days on the trail in changeable weather.
The Fjallraven Kanken Classic backpack is a 16L backpack ideal for everyday use. If you’re looking for something smaller you could opt for the Kanken Mini with a 7l volume or if you need all the additional space available then opt for the Kanken Laptop 17” with 20l of storage!
