Founded in 1960, the Fjällräven collection has become a benchmark for practical, durable kit. The brand’s story began with a simple, problem-solving backpack created by Åke Nordin, designed to make carrying schoolbooks easier for Swedish children. Over time, Fjällräven expanded into a full range of clothing and accessories, with iconic jackets such as the Greenland becoming staples for many. Yet the original backpack idea remains central to the brand’s identity.
The Fjällräven Kånken bag range is now one of the most recognisable backpacks in the world, sitting neatly between function and everyday style. Over the decades, it has been updated in careful, practical ways, resulting in versions tailored to different needs: the Kånken Laptop bags with a padded device compartment, the Kånken No. 2 backpacks with leather details and hard-wearing G-1000 fabric, and the Re-Kånken made from recycled polyester and dyed with a lower-impact process.
What a Kånken is (and why it works)
Form follows function in the Kånken’s design, and the result is a backpack that looks right because it works well. The square, boxy main compartment is easy to pack and easy to see into, with a zipped front pocket for small essentials and side pockets that handle bottles or bits you want to grab quickly. The profile stays tidy, whether you’re commuting, travelling, or heading out for a day away.
One of the big reasons the classic Kånken became so popular is the fabric choice. The original uses Vinylon F, which is naturally water-resistant for light showers. In steady rain, a rain cover is still the sensible option, but for day-to-day weather, it copes well without feeling heavy.
Which Kånken is right?
It’s easy to end up with “Kånken overload” because the family is large. This quick guide keeps it simple, then the rest of the post goes into comfort, care, and real use.
| Model | What’s best for | Key differences |
|---|---|---|
| Kånken Mini | Light carry days, festivals, hands-free travel | Small capacity, same recognisable shape |
| Kånken Classic | Every day commuting, weekend wandering | The original feel and layout |
| Kånken Laptop | Device-heavy routines | Padded laptop sleeve + extra back padding |
| Kånken No. 2 | Harder wear, smarter finish | G-1000 HeavyDuty + leather details |
| Re-Kånken | Lower-impact materials without changing the shape | Recycled polyester + SpinDye colour + embroidered roundel |
Two popular “decision shortcuts”:
- If you carry a laptop most days, head straight to the padded Kånken Laptop collection.
- If you want a tougher finish and leather trim, the Kånken No. 2 range in G-1000 is the natural pick.
Re-Kånken: what changed (and what didn’t)
We’ve carried the classic Kånken for years, from damp station platforms to sunny park days. When the Re-Kånken arrived, the big question was simple: would the greener build still feel true to the Kånken idea? Short answer: yes. Same neat, boxy shape; same easy everyday carry—just made with recycled fibres and a lower-impact dyeing process.
What changed (and what didn’t)
- Recycled build: the main fabric, lining, and webbing are made from the same recycled polyester yarn, which keeps weight sensible and makes future recycling easier.
- SpinDye colour: a pigment is added during fibre production, helping reduce water and chemical use and giving a deep, long-lasting shade.
- Signature layout, kept simple: a cube-like main compartment, a zipped front pocket, top handles that snap together, and straight shoulder straps that hold the profile tidy.
- A small tell: the roundel is embroidered rather than sewn on—subtle, but it marks the Re-Kånken out from the classic.
How we’ve been using it
On a busy weekday, it stands up on its base while you fish out a pass. On a Sunday wander, it swallows a jumper, a book, a water bottle and snacks with room to spare. The square shape packs neatly under a seat or into an overhead rack.
Carry, comfort and capacity (genuine kit, not theory)
- Daily kit example: notebook, compact camera, spare layer, headphones, umbrella.
- Access: the wide zip makes it easy to see everything at once—no rummaging for small items in the corners.
- Feel: the recycled polyester has a smooth hand and feels sturdy without being stiff.
Re-Kånken vs other Kånken favourites
- Kånken Classic: very light, crisp-hand Vinylon F and the purest expression of the shape.
- Kånken No. 2: G-1000 HeavyDuty with leather details—more heritage feel and extra toughness.
- Kånken Laptop (13/15/17): same outline with a padded device sleeve and a touch more back padding.
- Re-Kånken: lower-impact materials and SpinDye colour while keeping the familiar layout.
When we pick it, when we don’t
If recycled content and rich, even colour matter, this is the easy choice. If you’re hauling a laptop most days, the Kånken Laptop options with device protection make more sense. Prefer the crisp feel and low weight of the original fabric? Stick with the classic shape via the main Kånken bags collection. After a more robust finish and leather trim? The Kånken No. 2 selection is the one.
Colours, finish and weather notes
SpinDye gives intense, consistent shades from bright to muted. The fabric is water-resistant for light showers; in proper rain, a separate rain cover is still the best answer. The dense weave shrugs off daily scuffs on buses and trains.
Carry comfort, fit and strap note.s
Comfort is the most common “make or break” point people mention with Kånken. The straps are deliberately simple to keep the shape clean and the weight down, but a few small choices make a big difference.
- Pack the heavy items flat against your back: tablets, notebooks and cameras feel better there than at the front of the bag.
- Use the size that matches your load: if you regularly carry a laptop, the Laptop versions with a padded sleeve can feel more stable.
- Keep the profile tidy: overfilling changes how the straps sit and can make the carry feel harsher.
- Consider strap pads: if you’re walking long distances with heavier loads, add pads from Fjällräven's accessories and organisers.
Care and cleaning (common mistakes)
Kånken bags are made for daily use, but they reward sensible care. The significant rule is to avoid machine washing and tumble drying, which can stress seams, coatings and shape. For most marks:
- Use lukewarm water, a soft brush or cloth, and a mild soap.
- Work on small areas rather than soaking the whole bag.
- Let it air dry thoroughly, away from direct heat.
For heavier rain, a rain cover is still the best solution; water resistance is not the same as full waterproofing.
Colours, finishes and what to expect in wet weather
The Kånken is available in a wide range of colours, from bright and playful to subtle and understated, making it suitable for commuting, travel, or day trips. Some models bring leather trims and more muted tones for a more grown-up finish, while others stick to the bold heritage palette.
The consistent thread across the range is clarity, considered function, and Scandinavian design that has stood the test of time (without chasing trends).
The only tricky part? Pronouncing Fjällräven’s hometown of Örnsköldsvik – perhaps best attempted without a mouthful of Kendal Mint Cake!
Spotted: Zooey Deschanel and an Ice Blue Kånken
Spotted on the set of New Girl alongside Olivia Munn, Zooey Deschanel was captured carrying an Ice Blue Fjällräven Kånken. The photo became a Pinterest staple, and the combination still makes sense: a simple, hard-wearing backpack paired with a public figure known for practical, unfussy choices.
Zooey Deschanel is widely recognised for her roles as Jessica Day in New Girl (2011–2018) and in 500 Days of Summer. In recent years, she has remained a cultural fixture, and her day-to-day choices are often described as colourful, well-made, and built to last—qualities that sit neatly with the Kånken’s original idea.
The bag in the set photos is the Kånken Classic, the original 16-litre model. If you want that exact size and shape, start with the Kånken Classic collection. If the sustainability angle is what grabbed you, the Re-Kånken range in recycled polyester keeps the same core layout while changing the materials and dyeing method.
Explore the Kånken family.
- View all Fjällräven Kånken bags in every size
- Shop Re-Kånken (recycled build and SpinDye colour)
- See Kånken Laptop sizes (13, 15 and 17 inch)
- Explore Kånken No. 2 (G-1000 HeavyDuty with leather trim)
- Kånken accessories and organisers
Related reading
- Kånken Greenland: heritage colours and hard-wearing details
- Rucksack No. 21 Mini (legacy) and current alternatives
- Travel Pack, Splitpack & Kajka: luggage options
Section notes adapted from an earlier Kånken field write-up by Neil Summers.
