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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Fjällräven Kånken classic backpack... disappointing

99 replies

JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 19:02

I've wanted a Fjällräven Kånken backpack for aaaages

Someone has recently bought one for me as a gift and I have to say for the price of it (£95) I really don't think it's very good quality. I do like it, I like the look of it, it's a good shape and size but I'm slightly underwhelmed with it.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but it just seems flimsy and the stitching looks a bit, well, not particularly well finished. It just feels and looks cheaply made.

I'm very grateful for the gift and thanked the person profusely for buying something they knew I'd wanted for a long time, and I will use it every day for work. I'm just a bit disappointed with the quality of it as I think £95 is quite expensive for a small backpack.

Has anyone else bought one and thought the same?

I'm also interested to know if you've made any purchases or had gifts bought for you that you've felt a similar way about? Paid a lot but been less than impressed with the quality.

I've attached a pic of said backpack, not that you can really gauge much about the quality of the item from the pic.

Fjällräven Kånken classic backpack... disappointing
OP posts:
MyEyesAreBleeding · 14/05/2023 19:52

I think they're frowned upon in mumsnet world but I have a good few kipling backpacks in different sizes and couldn't fault them. Absolutely perfect and all the little pockets are amazing. One is covered in star's and One is Alice in wonderland (thanks mum) , but the rest are plain colours.

Floralie · 14/05/2023 19:53

MyEyesAreBleeding · 14/05/2023 19:52

I think they're frowned upon in mumsnet world but I have a good few kipling backpacks in different sizes and couldn't fault them. Absolutely perfect and all the little pockets are amazing. One is covered in star's and One is Alice in wonderland (thanks mum) , but the rest are plain colours.

Do they still have the little cuddly monkeys attached? I had a brilliant cross body bag from them and loved the little monkey!

Sprogsmother · 14/05/2023 19:55

"was purchased from the official website"
Are you sure? There is certainly a very official looking fake website out there - I fell for it! 🙁

Rocketpants50 · 14/05/2023 19:56

My daughter had one, it was awful quality, after a few weeks it had started really fading and zip wasn't great- it went back to John Lewis for a refund.

Kanaloa · 14/05/2023 19:56

You knew the price in advance though, and I don’t think you can expect too much for a canvas backpack. You pay for the name/style basically. If you didn’t think a canvas backpack was worth £95 there are of course loads of options for cheaper canvas backpacks.

StarbucksKaren · 14/05/2023 20:10

Expensive for what they are. I was given one Christmas 2021 and use it every day.

However when my DS went to collect it (Urban Outfitters) they couldn’t find his order. In the end they gave him the laptop version in same colour at no extra cost so that’s what I’ve got!! So it has the shoulder strap add ons, for example, which would cost £18.

Original poster
JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 20:11

Sprogsmother · 14/05/2023 19:55

"was purchased from the official website"
Are you sure? There is certainly a very official looking fake website out there - I fell for it! 🙁

Sorry, I was mistaken. I've just asked the person who gifted it where it was purchased from and they said Urban Outfitters, I would imagine their stock is genuine?

OP posts:
StarbucksKaren · 14/05/2023 20:12

It’s great but I’m not sure it’s worth the full price

Original poster
JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 20:12

Kanaloa · 14/05/2023 19:56

You knew the price in advance though, and I don’t think you can expect too much for a canvas backpack. You pay for the name/style basically. If you didn’t think a canvas backpack was worth £95 there are of course loads of options for cheaper canvas backpacks.

I didn't know the price until I received this one as a gift with the price tag still attached. What makes you think I knew the price in advance?

OP posts:
smooththecat · 14/05/2023 20:13

I think they are good, but the price is too high for what it is.

fishonabicycle · 14/05/2023 20:13

I've used mine to commute to work with books, breakfast, lunch, etc etc in it for about 6-7 years - it's a bit grubby (but grey, so doesn't show) and isn't damaged in any way ...

MyEyesAreBleeding · 14/05/2023 20:13

Floralie · 14/05/2023 19:53

Do they still have the little cuddly monkeys attached? I had a brilliant cross body bag from them and loved the little monkey!

Show quote history

They do but I usually take the monkeys off. I have a little charm I put on all my bags so have heaps of monkeys. My mum has a kipling obsession as well but I genuinely do have uhhhh too many to mention. I find them very hard wearing, and they wash so well. I have cross body bags as well.. If you want a monkey I definitely have some spare and would happily post you one.

I have a kipling backpack which has spinner wheels, and a Mini suitcase which is brilliant.

It's sad the newer flavens are bad quality, how rude. That was such a lovely gift though.

Original poster
JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 20:14

StarbucksKaren · 14/05/2023 20:10

Expensive for what they are. I was given one Christmas 2021 and use it every day.

However when my DS went to collect it (Urban Outfitters) they couldn’t find his order. In the end they gave him the laptop version in same colour at no extra cost so that’s what I’ve got!! So it has the shoulder strap add ons, for example, which would cost £18.

I've just found out mine is from Urban Outfitters too, so it's definitely the genuine article isn't it?

OP posts:
Dahlietta · 14/05/2023 20:14

I don't think they're bad quality so much as they're just quite simple and, for the price, you would expect a bit more.

StarbucksKaren · 14/05/2023 20:19

JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 20:14

I've just found out mine is from Urban Outfitters too, so it's definitely the genuine article isn't it?

Show quote history

@JaffaCake70 Yes I think so

msisfine · 14/05/2023 20:21

I bought this copy off Amazon a couple of years ago. A third of the price and still going strong! amzn.eu/d/5zz7kTz

LuckOfTheDrawer · 14/05/2023 20:22

I really like mine, and it's lasted well over the last few years. It's definitely not for heavy things though, although I've seen that you can buy extra strap padding.

I hope (?) Fjallraven are relatively ethical, so that might go some way to accounting for the cost.

Kanaloa · 14/05/2023 20:37

JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 20:12

I didn't know the price until I received this one as a gift with the price tag still attached. What makes you think I knew the price in advance?

Show quote history

Oh, my mistake. You had said you wanted one ‘for aaaages’ and usually if somebody has wanted an item for a long time they would looked the item up online or seen them in a shop and would have a rough idea of the cost of the item. Did you think they were really cheap?

Haveallthesongsbeenwritten · 14/05/2023 20:38

JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 19:02

I've wanted a Fjällräven Kånken backpack for aaaages

Someone has recently bought one for me as a gift and I have to say for the price of it (£95) I really don't think it's very good quality. I do like it, I like the look of it, it's a good shape and size but I'm slightly underwhelmed with it.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but it just seems flimsy and the stitching looks a bit, well, not particularly well finished. It just feels and looks cheaply made.

I'm very grateful for the gift and thanked the person profusely for buying something they knew I'd wanted for a long time, and I will use it every day for work. I'm just a bit disappointed with the quality of it as I think £95 is quite expensive for a small backpack.

Has anyone else bought one and thought the same?

I'm also interested to know if you've made any purchases or had gifts bought for you that you've felt a similar way about? Paid a lot but been less than impressed with the quality.

I've attached a pic of said backpack, not that you can really gauge much about the quality of the item from the pic.

I have a backpack laptop version and honestly it is very sturdy! I put my laptop in as well as notebook/lunch and breakfast, water bottle. Not had issue with it yet.

mamaca · 14/05/2023 20:39

TheChosenTwo · 14/05/2023 19:15

I’ve got one. Well, it was dds old school bag that got used as the family travel rucksack and now I use it for the commute to hold my laptop and paperwork.
it’s fine - does what I need a bag to do. Quality is alright, it’s a canvas (??) bag at the end of the day, I’m not expecting it to be more than it is.
it’s comfortable for my back problems and it’s been going strong for about 5 years. Every now and then I take the inserts out and thrown it in the washing machine, comes out fine.

I didn't know you could put them in the washing machine - can I ask what colour yours is and what cycle you put it on at? I've had mine for 4 years, I like it - spacious, fairly sturdy and I often use the seat pad when out for a picnic 😊

Original poster
JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 20:42

Kanaloa · 14/05/2023 20:37

Oh, my mistake. You had said you wanted one ‘for aaaages’ and usually if somebody has wanted an item for a long time they would looked the item up online or seen them in a shop and would have a rough idea of the cost of the item. Did you think they were really cheap?

Show quote history

I've seen quite a lot of people in work with them (I work in a hospital) and really liked the style and colours. I've never looked up the price as my Converse rucksack has served me well and I tend not to buy new stuff till old stuff is passed it's best.

If I'd have been asked to hazard a guess I'd have probably said £60 ish.

OP posts:
Original poster
JaffaCake70 · 14/05/2023 20:50

Dahlietta · 14/05/2023 20:14

I don't think they're bad quality so much as they're just quite simple and, for the price, you would expect a bit more.

Yes, I think for £95 I just expected it to be a sturdier bag. Although a lot of previous posters have said there's have lasted years and have been used daily to carry books, laptops etc.

I'm putting mine away for now, my Converse backpack is still going strong. I'll give this new one it's maiden voyage when I visit NYC in November 🙂

OP posts:
UndercoverCop · 14/05/2023 20:50

@MyEyesAreBleeding why are they frowned upon?! I got my first last summer it's great, lightweight, loads of compartments, comfortable to wear, washes well. I bought it for days out with DS, but I used it a lot on a recent city break and I'm about to take it on holiday this week

Thursdayschild1 · 14/05/2023 20:56

Anyone got the leggings by this brand? Saw them yesterday & they are £195! Thought I'd read the ticket wrong at first!

megletthesecond · 14/05/2023 21:05

I stick with Eastpak bags. I swear they're bombproof. My cross body bag is 10yrs old, rucksack is 5yrs and they're both in great condition.