A backpack for the office and everyday life? This Fjällräven model does it all

Until a year or two ago, I would never have imagined that I’d be diving into the world of backpacks. Why, you ask? Because I associate backpacks primarily with two groups of people: hiking aficionados and schoolchildren. As for me, I feel like a schoolgirl the second I strap on a backpack. I can practically see the matching lunch bag and pencil case.

That’s why I’ve been sporting shoulder bags in my everyday life and when going to the office. Some are more functional, others less, but I use them to carry my laptop, charging cable, a lunchbox (sporadically), my phone, a bunch of keys, etc. Unfortunately, I’m plagued with the straps cutting painfully into my shoulder under the weight or slipping off.

Enter: the Fjällräven Kånken for adults

I’ve always considered the Kånken from the Swedish brand Fjällräven to be the epitome of a colourful children’s backpack. But I didn’t let that stop me from browsing through all the different versions of it in my search for the right rucksack. After all, the Kånken is nice and handy without any unnecessarily bells and whistles, and it has a padded laptop compartment.

A small selection of Kånken backpacks quickly ended up on my watch list. Specifically, versions where the logo isn’t (childishly) thrust into the limelight in classic red and white, but remains modestly tone-on-tone in the background – grown-up versions, if you will.

Backpacks

EUR92,77

Fjällräven Re-Kånken

16 l

195

Backpacks

EUR90,73

Fjällräven Re-Kånken

16 l

70

Backpacks

EUR78,84

Fjällräven Re-Kånken

16 l

195

Backpacks

EUR92,77

Fjällräven Re-Kånken

16 l

195

Backpacks

EUR90,73

Fjällräven Re-Kånken

16 l

70

Backpacks

EUR78,84

Fjällräven Re-Kånken

16 l

195

And I found it! I found a respectable «I’m not going camping or to primary school» Kånken! It’s all black on the outside, from the carry handle to the logo, and is made from recycled polyester, organic cotton and leather, which makes it look so elegant.

The two short carrying handles at the top, their clasp, the round arctic fox logo and the two stitching details on the front stand out subtly from the rest of the 18-litre backpack. Thanks to its outside pocket, two open pockets, the lined laptop compartment and another small zippered compartment on the inside, the Kånken No. 2 provides enough room for all my daily gear. The partly sand-coloured interior offers a pretty – and, again, grown-up-looking – contrast to the rest of the black. And it goes without saying that Fjällräven’s standard removable seat pad is included.

With that, my search for the ideal everyday backpack has come to an end. Maybe you’ll also like the office-ready version of the Kånken No. 2 – or perhaps you’ve got a recommendation of your own up your sleeve. If so, the comments section’s yours!