Fjällräven Kånken classic backpack... disappointing

[JaffaCake70]

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 'll join the Kipling appreciation 😍I got mine.in the Jan sale half price and it's such.good quality and has a good number of pockets

Sounds like it came from Bury New Road tbh.

I think I’d find the shoulder straps uncomfortable, they look thin. You can buy padded straps from kanken as an accessory.

As I said upthread, mine is the laptop version by happy accident of Urban Outfitters not having the one DS ordered. It’s great but would have been very expensive at full price.

It’s bigger than the classic as well as having the padded laptop compartment. Also the straps are padded over the shoulder. Use it everyday and for overnight trips.

Often use the seat pad

I hate mine. Find it hideously uncomfortable as well.

Just checked the price of the separate shoulder straps and Urban Outfitters are selling the classic for £75 instead of £95.

My laptop one is black. I’d be tempted to get a coloured smaller one for hiking if I could only manage to choose which colour 🤔

I'm another Kipling fan. I have quite a few, there's always good sales available.

I did make the mistake of buying a Kipling lookalike from Amazon or somewhere, but the zips were crappy and I got rid of it in the end.

I too looked at Fjallraven and decided that, while I liked the style, the thin straps and lack of pockets made it too impractical for use.

I ended up buying a Doughnut Macaroon. Likewise with Kipling and Fjallraven, there's a few different sizes, loads of colour options and good sales if you shop around and are flexible about the colour.

I'd wanted one for ages, DH bought me one for my birthday but whilst it is a very, very clever copy, it's definitely a fake (googled and found a couple of websites which showed you how to spot a fake). Plus my material sounds a bit 'crackly'.
They've got a shop in a nearby town, will go in and check out the 'real thing' and buy from there if i decide i still want one.

Amazon had some fake ones on the site recently, not sold by Amazon but a marketplace seller. Loads of complaints about the quality but the listing was still active last time I looked.

I have the same one with pink straps. It's been about 4 years and it looks the same as the day I bought it. I love it. My daughter takes it to kindy and it's still never been damaged. I think they're worth it.

You are not supposed to put them in a washing machine

I've always thought they seem overpriced. Kipling are similar price range, if not a little cheaper, and better quality in my opinion.

I have one, it's about 10 years old and has been used for all sorts. They might not look it, but they are hardy. Also, it's a fashion thing. Loads of expensive stuff is crap, but is expensive because it's fashionable. This is really nothing new.

I’ve got this exact colour, only bought last summer and it is so grubby looking now. The stains don’t come out, and it’s only minimal use. Just be careful when putting it on the ground etc. (which I know is a ridiculous thing to be saying about a backpack!)

I don't have one of those, but have two Osprey backpacks that I really like. They're very well made and well thought out, as well as being comfortable to wear.

I have the Osprey Daylite Plus and the Osprey Tempest 20.

I had one two and was also disappointed... however all the Eastpak backpacks here just go on and on and on, incredible. My DS has had the same one for school for nearly 4 years. He weights with loads of books (sensory issue) and I know flings it around but it just survives anything and I think will have it for a few more years. I won't buy anything else now.

I love mine but the inside pocket lining has burst.

I was similarly disappointed as you when I bought my first one when they were about £55. I gave it away to my niece.

Then several years later I was given one as a gift (they were about £80 by now!) and I love it. It packs everything really well, the straps don’t hurt, it’s exceptionally durable and I can’t believe how much I can fit in it. And crucially, find things EASILY!

As PP says, they’re not meant to go in the washing machine, you’re supposed to scrub by hand using a stiff brush. They’ve become very expensive though!

Fellow Manc? 😂

DD has one. Used it for last 2 or 3 years of school (so full of heavy books and water bottle). Now uses it for work and gym. She previously had an Eastpak rucksack for school which fell apart very quickly.

Oh I’ve had a Re-Kanken (the ones made from recycled plastic bottles) for over 5 years and use it every day for work (a 2 mile walk each way). I’ve also used it a lot for holidays. I LOVE mine and I think it was worth every penny. It’s had a lot of use and is still pretty much as good as new (it just needs a wash!).

I have one that is about 30yrs old, DD has one that's a few years old. They both look pretty shagged to be fair, but have been (and continue to be) solid workhorses. I don't like the webbing straps on mine, but DD's has proper padded straps. They are useful as carry ons when flying, also the lack of pockets, just the big fully accessible space makes them quite good for packing a lot in.
They don't stay smart looking, so not ideal if that's what you need. But I think there are versions in other fabrics now. Ironically some of the fake ones actually wear better as they are made of different fabric.

My Dd has one and its last years. Her uncle gave it to her and he didn’t want it, but it’s been brilliant

Thank you for your comments everyone. I'm reassured (in the main) that it's a hard wearing bag that can hold a fair bit of stuff. It's good to know that I can pack a lot in as it'll be coming to NY with me in November 🙂

I've had mine in pretty regular use for 5 or 6 years. DH has one he had as a school bag 30 years ago, but that has less current usage!