When I went into the fjallraven store to buy my backpack, the employee checking me out said that they have a lifetime guarantee (she had seen people with the og bags from the 70’s come in to get them fixed)
i love the message of "DONT BUY IT IF YOU HAVE A FUNCTIONAL BAG ALREADY" so many channels push for their viewers to buy things even if they arent getting $ from it! also, i have a mini kanken, and my mum has the original sized kanken, and we love them :)
Useless info but the name "Kånken" most likely derives from "Kånka" which is just an old swedish word for "to carry something heavy/bulky". The full name could thus be read as "Carry, the arctic fox" which sounds adorable
The problem with this bag are the owners... More likely its the 17 yr old Instagram "influencer" whos gonna get another "stylish" bag after 1 year. Bad for the environment :/
Luckely I'm not one of them , I bought one before the hype. I'm using my bag almost every day. it's a big version I have the 17inch because you have a laptop compartement and a holder for a water bottle. It's really good and waterproof. I have less backpain with it. But my boyfriend calls it a brick on my back lol
I bought a black jansport for my freshman year back in 1996. I still use it daily as my work bag. I personally wash it every 3 months. Still just as good.
Not gonna lie, even though it looks small, it can fit a lot of things. I went to 2 different countries with this bag only and I’m about to go to Italy for a week and I’m only bringing this bag! I also use it daily, uni, work, weekend trips, grocery shopping, etc. I was actually hesitant of buying it, but my friend convinced me and now I literally cannot imagine myself using a different bag
Princess & the Kitten honestly sometimes it’s not there fault I don’t even know if mines is fake I just got it😭and I paid $80 for it so it better not be.
@@feryall i Like the look of them but love the reasons behind them more so have considered getting one but because they are popular I don't want to but if I did I would get the re kanken
My moms Kånken is around 40 years old, and everyone in my family have used it throughout our lives. It still holds up and there is nothing wrong with it. And for me it's easy to pronounce (I'm Danish) 😍😍
The patch is not a "white" patch,,, it is actually a reflective patch which comes practical at nights but essential for the long dark season in nothern countries.
I have both versions of the Kånken and there is a difference other than the logo. The original one is waxed for water resistance and collects dirt and dust easily but is great in the rain. If you don’t like the waxy look and feel buy the Re-Kånken. Both bags never let me down. You can sit on the inside foam, hang it on a wardrobe, stuff it till you think your zipper might break, secure the handles on a bike ride, it is feather light and never shows any kind of imperfections such as loose threads. My Herschel broke down after a month but the Kånken is still like the first day. They even sell rain covers, wax and shoulder pads if you need them.
@@RenyxGhoul mine can actually fit an 17' laptop , my planner , notebooks , 1 textbook , water bottle , pencil case & snacks and i'm in college so I guess it depends on what u put in your bag🤷♀️
I'm from the extreme German North, they've been around here forever -- but if you see something on every other person it can get you irritated. Think of those George Gina & Lucy bags. I'm not sure how popular they were outside of Germany, but there used to be a time when every other female aged 12 to 60 had one of those bags.
I have had mine for 3 years and it’s looking a little rough and sometimes is difficult to clean, but I would never have a different bag. It’s held up so wonderfully and fits everything perfectly. I even got one for my son that we plan to have him keep through all of his school years. He’s on year 2 with it and it’s holding up so amazingly. Worth the money and I appreciate what I have learned about the company and how the bags came to be. I’m a customer for life, regardless of it being trendy.
I’m Swedish and live in Sweden the year it came out, most of my grade all wore this bag to school sorry if my grammar is bad, english isn’t my first language.
You forgot an important part. the simple seat pad in the back. :) it double functions as a padding for your back and adds a bit of structure to the bag. A lot of people have nostalgic feelings towards the bag because we Swedes usually brought it to the woods (trips with family, school, kindergarden etc). The backback usually contained hot chocolate, sandwich, extra clothing etc. We often go out into the woods, and since it's usually rainy, humid in Sweden, the seat pad often came to good use. I think this is why people love it, because it brings us back to the carefree life of our childhood, being outdoors, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate. :D
Dagmar Maj Søndergaard you can also buy thicker straps to attack to the straps already on the bag, in case it hurts your shoulders too much. The only downside is they don’t come in every color.
My Jansport has been with me since my freshman year in high school, 23 years ago. My mother has it now. I have bought a bigger one for college and for hikes. I am rough with my backpack and Jansport has been the best. We never had a Jansport growing up my parents thought they were to expensive. I would have love to have made memories with an old backpack but it never happened since my parents always bought us a cheap one. I am glad we are teaching future generations that old is good. Keep up the great videos! I will definitely consider this backpack for our future kids.
I still have my Jansport too from school. That bag has lasted me 15 years! But I am also kind to the products I use a lot so the probably has aided in its lifespan.
about the missing "luxury" functionalities; i totally understand where you are coming from and i see how the limited storage can be frustrating. but i feel like there is a reason why this has remained unchanged throughout the decades. in my eyes this bag is perfectly suited for a minimalist and is lagom; not too much, not too little, just enough. it makes the user reflect upon what is absolutely necessary throughout a day away from home. it's a way to fight maximalism and keep things simple. this is my interpretation and i can understand how it doesn't suit everyone.
I love my fjällräven kånken. I have used mine for over 3 years and it has been through a lot - every day life, hikes, daytrips, flights, super long bus trips through Europe, I once dropped it off the Great Wall of China and it is still in perfect shape. It does get dirty a lot but it might be just my problem. And after 3 years it has a little bit run-down look to it but it is not broken, no holes, zippers are fine, straps still attached and everything else is in perfect shape. Just the color is little bit more dull and the fabric looks like the backpack was abused a lot (which is true in my case). The side pockets do fit a water bottle... if you have a slim/small one. I usually have an umbrella in one pocket and my phone in the other. The side pocket is also good for things you want to grab quickly like guidebooks, museum tickets, power bank, granola bars and such. The backpack itself fits far more things than you think. I was able to fit everything I needed for a 5 day trip to Berlin and I always use it as my carry-on on flights because Ryanair has ridiculously small cabin bag size. In my opinion it is well worth the 85€ I paid for it.
Before it was popular my sister in law had one and I really liked it. But I was 7 at the time and broke af. Then I moved away so they were farther away and I completely forgot about that bag. One day I went into the store and found one and bought it cuz I wasn’t 7 and I wasn’t broke. It fits so much and is a great bag
they're efficient, aesthetically pleasing, a great size (they can fit A4 books//folders//a laptop) , and great for your back. i have a weird spine, and backpacks normally hurt my back - however, for some reason, kanken is better for me.
I love Kånken. Got mine in 2015, what really won me over was how far the zippers open up. Makes it so much easier to stay organized and to fit everything you need.
Hi Levi! can you and Lea make a video about sustainable/reusable menstrual products? I know that as a guy it's not up your ally, but it's a really important environmental topic and is very relevant to 51% of the population. Thanks, love your channel!
And they're bomb! I'm allergic to commercial made ones they give me chemical burns. The set I bought have lasted me now 8 years and still look new. Cant complain about that! And they're minky and fuzzy and soft. Bonus.
I got a Kanken because it encourages me to pack simply my essentials. With a bigger backpack, because there are so many pockets, I found that I would pack more things just to fill in those pockets. Moreover, it is the only backpack I have never gotten back pain from!
I got one of the laptop versions a while ago. I had a laptop bag given to me by my workplace but it wasn’t really doing it for me - and ultimately fell apart. I’ve since had a great experience with the Kanken, but the thing what drew me to it was that it was versatile in its appearance to be suitable in a corporate environment and also recreationally. I’ve travelled across Europe with it, and also used daily when I was going into the office pre-COVID. I have a classic insulated Klean Kanteen bottle which fits into the side pocket for me (there’s tons of mixed messages online about this, but this is my experience!). The handles are really useful on busy trains or in cramped areas so you’re not whacking people in the face with the backpack. Sure, a few more inner pockets would be good but I’m happy to trade those off for the positives I enjoyed.
I got this bag for school and embroidered it, what i like: It holds more books than you would think It’s more waterproof than other backpacks I’ve had The straps are secure and don’t come off (had this problem a lot due to heavy books) It looks cute Since it’s embroidered I sometimes get compliments on it which makes me love it even more since it was so easy It’s environmental friendly It’s practical for everyday use and doesn’t feel cheap It doesn’t get dirty easily (maybe because mines black but still) Even when brushing against rough surfaces it doesn’t get holes
The internet enjoys poking fun at people for whatever reason they can and teenage girls are no exception to that. Don't let a few idiots get in the way of what YOU want. You want that bag? Go for it. Try to care less about what others think.
@Where's The Beef? Lol I honestly couldn’t care less about what other people think. This was just a joke. That’s not the only reason I’m not getting one. Some of my other reasons: they’re so expensive and overpriced, very cliche, and hold almost nothing which isn’t practical for the amount of notebooks and binders I carry everyday.
Megan Marie Its very expensive because of the quality. It lasts for years. I hear some parents even pass down their kankens from when they were kids to their own kids. Everyone in my school has this bag and i never saw a broken/scratched one. Who cares if they call you “cliche” or “vsco”. You can tell them “i wanted this bag not just because of the design or aesthetics but because it saves you from buying a bag every year.” So for me it is definitely worth the price because if you keep buying bags everytime they break, it would probably cost you more than what a kanken would cost you. But it is your opinion so i will accept that.
For real tho lol. And there are actually brands that provide the same (or even better quality, aesthetics, and convenience) for the same price or lesser. Mind you, those brands offer a lifetime warranty too. I don't really see anything special with this bag at all especially that buying/selling of fake Kankens if very rampant nowadays.
Megan Marie I would just like to point out that the high price comes not only from the quality of the product but also from the fact that its making doesn’t involve exploitation, which always makes the prices drop...
Designed as a kids school bag decades ago, the Kånken's side pockets were intended to hold an umbrella, not a water bottle. These bags last a long time. I currently use Fjällräven's Greenland shoulder bag as the G-1000 fabric is very easily rewaxed, keeping it waterproof. It includes a padded compartment that can hold up to a 15" laptop.
I actually recently saw that fjällräven makes padded strap covers if the straps are a deal breaker for anyone considering this bag... Kinda crappy that it's yet, another cost to endure but if it makes the bag more usable for ya, I'd go for it
Pink Jacket I carry heavy stuff in my backpack (13” laptop, technology bag full of cables, large pencil case, A4 folder, makeup bag) and while I don’t carry it all day every day, it’s actually never hurt my shoulders which I was surprised by!
Your right, there for the laptop ones since the straps "hurt you" if you have the backpack on. I still recommend it since my wasn't cheap, but it has lasted YEARS
Kipling backpacks are pretty good, I love them. Very durable, good padding on the shoulder straps, very well padded laptop pocket, stretchy water bottle side holders, plenty of pockets. My ideal backpack, and if you pick the right one it looks very nice and attractive too without drawing too much attention to itselg
One thing I LOVE about my kånken is that it doesn't matter how much I put in it, it never ever ever hurts my back. It doesn't even feel like I'm holding ANYTHING
Many people blast the Kånken for its small straps, but, to be completely honest, these straps are a million times better than those of other bags on the market today. I adore my two Kånkens. I keep one for school and one for my travels, both equipped with different gear for their respective uses. They are some of the best investments I’ve ever made! Kånken for life!
Levi Hildebrand omg thanks for replying! I was so happy to see you upload on this! You are one of my favorite sustainability channels, and hearing you speak on this was just so fortuitous! Thank you for creating such great content!
I feel the same way. Well not with this book bag; but with jansport I have two big student jansport bookbag I've had my travel one for a good 5 years (still as good as new) I have my school bookbag for just as long but with a small hole on the side pocket (and that was 6th grade Trinity fault like why out sizers there) long story short I share your same love but for a different bookbag.
One thing that attracts me to the Kanken is the size. Carrying a smaller bag forces me to be really selective about what I carry, which I'd argue is a good thing. I also like the idea of being able to drop the rekanken in a recycle bin when its lived out its life. With the way things are going the less stuff that gets dumped in a landfill, the better.
Extremely tough backpack. My original was the one with the leather/suede bottom. My parents bought it from Costco. It's still around somewhere. The main downside of that model was that it was a lumpy looking. It had no real shape. I ended up buying another similar model a few years later, one that was in a stiffer formed shape and with no leather/suede bottom. It still had only a big main pocket and the small front pocket, thought the front pocket had some dividers. I also liked that the strap adjusters had a stop to keep it from slipping out completely, unlike the leather-bottom model. My mother still uses it for work, and even though we bought it almost 20 years ago, it looks almost new! The simplicity of the Jansport was great, but it is too simple for my needs nowadays. I now prefer bags with more compartments, and my new laptop bag fits the bill. Here's hoping it lasts as long as the Jansport!
I love the idea, however keeping your phone in an outside open pocket is BEGGING for it to get stolen. One of the bags I own (I use 3 since forever) had the main zipper on the inside, against the back, instead of what you see on regular bag. I LOVE it, and it makes me feel like my stuff is safe. One time I could even feel someone trying to steal from my bag in public transport and barely withheld my laughter as they looked confused, wondering where it opens lmao
I'm with you in the "not enough pockets" camp, but the bag is more functional than I initially thought. Glad to see you on Patreon now. I hope you get the support you need to grow and live off of the videos you work so hard on, and I'm excited to support a fellow west-coaster who's making a difference!🌲
I’ve used my lovely light purple (orchid I think is the marketing colour) kanken for 3 years now, as my school bag, casual bag, aeroplane cabin bag, just about everything bag and it’s absolutely brilliant! I’ve carried heavy textbooks and all sorts in it and it’s been super reliable, strong and always big enough for me! I love love love this bag!
I use the kanken mini because I hate traditional purses and the kanken is sturdy and easy to wash (I'm really rough with bags.) It also doesn't hurt my back - most other backpacks and all regular purses do. I love my bag and look forward to using it for years to come.
To me this has been the bag that allows me to do things, I bought it because of the reviews when I was searching for a backpack that works for me, and not just fashion. I finally can get a bag that is comfortable to use and not a one-shoulder and my back has never been happier. While it fits nicely and very well organised everything I need, and gently keeps me from carrying the whole office around.
this might come off as a bit random but if you’re considering buying a new bag, there’s a great brand called “Beekeeper Parade” that I’d recommend! Their bags come in all different sizes, with pockets, nice patterns (if you want), and the bags are made from recycled material as far as I’m concerned. Proceeds from sales go towards funding children’s education in Cambodia too! They are pretty expensive (I think au $110 for a larger bag) but I’d say they’re worth it
I live in Denmark, and i remember eVeryone had one of these bags in like 4th grade. They later kind of went out of style, but I still have mine from 4th and it's kinda cool to see them get hyped up all over again lmao
I love my Kånken, I got my first one in 2016, and have loved it since. My grandfather got it for me before I went to a trip to New York for my birthday. Now keep in mind I live in Southern Texas which is primarily Hispanic, and I am not a local. I was the ONLY person in my ENTIRE school to have a Fjällräven Kånken. You would NOT believe how many people at school would make fun of me for my backpack! I had the bag at the end of my junior year and my entire senior year and people would say that I looked so stupid with my bag! Now that I graduated...so many basic ass underclassmen who would laugh at me now own a Kånken -.- Fucking locals.
Same for me except not the making fun part since at my school there were only me and like 2 or 3 other kids with the backpack then all of a sudden like half the school has them 😑
ive had my kanken for 2 years now and its still in good condition! i mainly use it as a bookbag and i love how it doesnt feel too heavy even when i have it filled to the brim. at first i was concerned about the thin straps and whether or not it will cause strain to my shoulders. however, after using it, i realised that its much more easy on my shoulders and back. i always recommend my friends this bag as although its quite pricey, its a good investment.
I love mine! I got mine in NY one day when I realized hated carrying a shoulder bag. It was so small but kept everything I needed! It’s quite old now but I decided to revitalize it by embroidering it! 💜
exactly! my dad bought a kanken before he married (around 80s) and i'm now in my 30s still using it. so I don't dare to buy a new one since I know how durable it is.
I bought my Kånken as a souvenir from Sweden when my mom and I went there when I was in high school. It’s culturally significant and practical - best souvenir ever! And I get to say that it’s *truly* authentic because I got it from the homeland. 😉
Never even heard of it. Why was this recommended to me. "Why is this backpack so popular?" "This backpack is iconic!" "Chances are, you've seen this before" Me: *???*
I travel occasionally, and I always see people with these backpacks when I'm at the airport. I almost bought one because I figured that it must be popular for a reason.
I started writing the years I've used my North Face Jester bag on the back of it in sharpie, it's like a point of pride for me lol. North face isn't a super great company in terms of footprint but their stuff lasts. I'll be able to use it probably for 4 more years hopefully, unless I need a bigger bag. It has a broken zipper but that doesn't really effect how I use it.
I watched this video 2 years ago, took note of everything you said. Didn’t buy it then as I had a perfectly good rucksack to use. That rucksack has now died (rip) and I have finally been able to purchase a kanken 13inch laptop bag in the colour “terracotta brown”. A well made investment and looking forward to using this for years, and maybe generations to come! Thank you
Finland also has a bag like this. One that is a cultural icon. That is the Marimekko urban shoulder bag for us. It is also a masterpiece in simplicity. Mine was bought by my dad for his trip to Italy in 1979. That makes it 4 years older than I am. Just had the original zipper replaced because it lost the puller. It is nice to have items that are cultural icons and last forever.
For me this backpack is really helpful during traveling because i’ve crammed lots of things in my backpack and the bag holds lots of things in it. It’s great quality too!
The classic Kanken helped me get through Ryanair's carry on bag policy a couple of times because of its size as I can fit as much stuff as I can in it and still be within the specified bag dimensions (for those in the UK and Europe, you would know hehe). :)
Exactly what I’ve been trying to ask these “you tubers” who love their bags... I want one but I’m worried for the amount of $$ I don’t want the straps to dig into my shoulders
As i got older i started to invest in expensive product that are made to last. It cut down how often i have to replace it which reduces cost and i get to build memories with the stuff that i do own when i do wear them. I buy stuff that i could get a lot of use out of which in return justify my purchase in my mind lol. I rather spend 300 on a bag that i will use everyday than a 50 dollar bag that i will only use one day a year. Bad example but hopefully yall get the idea 😂😂
As a luxury designer handbag enthusiast I can tell you with all certainty that my kanken bag which I purchased in 2011 during a trip abroad because my Gucci bag fell apart mid-vacation, truly has held up better than any bag I own. It is also making me question my entire thousands of dollars worth handbag collection in all its entirety. Guess it’s time to sell all those bags and just donate the money!
Reminds me of my Tumi laptop bag. Purchased at the airport during a trip because my bag fell apart. That was in 2006 and that bag does not show any signs of wear at all. It's a shoulder bag because I was not into backpacks back then, but I'm in need of a good backpack.
I absolutely love my Kanken, use it as my daily bag, tech bag (with inserts), travel bag and perfect size camera bag (again with an insert). It’s durable enough for my daily commute and travelling with, plus the seat pad has been used which I never thought it would have been! Only downsides as stated are the water bottle storage and the straps which can be quite uncomfortable with some weight stored in the bag. Definitely worth the investment however and was on the fence for so long as to whether I wanted to actually fork out for one and since doing so, have not regret it one day!
"Oh hey its *THAT* backpack I see a lot, sure seems like a nice backpack that can hold up! I do need a new bag, I wonder how much it goes for.... $145..... NOPE."
I've had mine for about 7 years now and I lovveeee it, it fits so much it's insane, I'm 5 ft and its like the only bag I can fit that much in that doesn't extend down past my butt. I take good care of it and it's really not showing much wear. The look of it also helps, it's cute!
I used the Kånken Maxi back in high school a few years before they blew up in popularity. The padding on the straps could’ve been better, but it was perfect for carrying my books/supplies around and the thing was practically indestructible. In fact, I ended up passing it down and my sister has been using it the last four years for her school as well. Tbh they deserve the hype. Better than any jansport imho
one hundred percent worth it if you’re not buying it for the trend. I’ve had mine for five years and they definitely don’t look as cute as they once were but if you don’t mind that and care more about use !!
Like Birkenstock’s. Time just gives them character. I’d be sad if they looked brand new. That would mean I never wear them & wasted a good chunk of $. 🤷🏼♀️
I remember my class in the ”gymnasie”..... we were 30 people.... like 17 of them had those..... then some girls had purses as school bags... some had other backpacks or just used their guitar cases. I had a leather bag and/or my guitar case depending of what day it was 👍
As a swede, I had no idea it was so popular internationally until I moved abroad for the first time (5 years ago) and even now it’s funny to see how mainstream and “instagrammy” it’s become. When I was in highschool it was basically just the hipsters that used it as a fashion statement. X)
