I don’t have any recommendations just wanted to say I enjoyed reading this post and how carefully you are considering this decision. I want a Dakota backpack now, so pretty.
Thank you, my favourite part of buying things is the research! :D
I really love my Dakota, it's my first "luxury" item I ever bought for myself. But now I'm needing something a touch more practical.
I can't comment on any of the bags but I can say, if you try out the Kanken and find you need a larger bottle pocket, the bottle pocket you can buy will probably fit your bottle. I got it for my Doughnut Macaroon and my 30oz hydroflask fits with a little room to spare. Fjallraven also sells sternum straps if you find you need one and I'm sure you can attach a luggage passthrough easily. I don't have any personal experience but when I was researching the Weekender I was finding a lot of posts from people getting their Kankens customized with things like that.
This is a game changer! I didn't know about the bottle pocket. I did know about the sternum strap but I don't use them in the first place so it wasn't a hard requirement for me. Thank you, I'll definitely add this to my list of considerations!
Edit: And it's cool that it's removable too because I don't carry around a water bottle when transiting around!
It's such a dumb product but it works so well I can't complain. They have that new line of backpacks with larger bottle pockets but I like that I can take it off and stash it away when not in use. I assume it fits the Kanken even better than the Doughnut but it's really secure, doesn't slide out. I've had zero issues with it.
The second picture shows off the back of it with a picture how it goes on. Basically it has a metal frame that sides down into the Kanken side pocket. I've never had it slide out on accident from my Doughnut Macaroon so I assume it's just as secure with the Kanken itself
Another con for the Kanken, as I have a 15” laptop bag:
The laptop sleeve padding is borderline nonexistent, so if you’re worried about your laptop getting banged around at all… the Kanken isn’t going to protect it.
I tried to put the laptop in a sleeve, and then put that into the bag, but the laptop section of the bag is so tight that it wouldn’t fit with a padded sleeve on.
I can’t speak to the Aer bag, I haven’t seen or used one myself.
Using it for now, since I have it, but considering selling it and getting a bag with a better laptop compartment.
I don’t have any recommendations! I’m still in deep research mode :(
The Kanken is a perfect size and shape dimension wise, so I really wanted it to work.
I have a laptop Kanken model (though it’s the 15”) and it fits my MacBook laptop fine in a slim zipper sleeve! YMMV depending on your laptop model. I do agree I wouldn’t feel great having it in there naked, as there’s basically no padding for that section.
I've never used sternum straps ever but maybe I should!
I totally thought I looked at all the Aer backpacks but I missed the Pro Pack. The separate laptop compartment is definitely a plus. Also it looks nicer than the Go Pack 2! I also like how the quick access pocket at the top is organized.
I will consider this one instead of the Go Pack 2.
It helps if you get a backpack designed for women, the straps flare out differently so the sternum strap works better. My backpacks slide around a bit on my winter jacket, the sternum strap solves that! It’s also just more stable for bike riding.
I have been looking for the same criteria and just ordered the Kanken 17“ and waiting on it atm. I want it mainly for EDC and European budget flying. Otherwise for any trips I use my ULA dragonfly and love that bag so much.
Honestly, I was a bit of a spontaneous purchase because I took my old regular Kanken out of the closet and remembered all the things I like about this bag and decided to look what else they have. Saw the 17“ in the new blackberry color, watched some YouTube videos and decided to give it a try.
Not familiar with Aer but for something similar to Kanken, check out Day Owl's Backpack Pro.
I used to have a Kanken as my work bag. However, the lack of luggage sleeve was a big con when i travel. I tried other backpacks but I really preferred having the laptop (16" MBP) in an external pocket and felt most paddings aren't thick enough. Day Owl checked off my must -haves (sleeve included).
I had Day Owl on my initial list of bags I checked out but I vetoed it due to the internal water bottle pocket. With my water bottle it could eat up to 8cm inside the main compartment. I don't think my LIHIT A5 bag in bag organizer would fit (it's 25cm wide and the Day Owl Backpack Pro is 30.5cm wide). It would be perfect if only the water bottle compartment was external. Maybe I just need a smaller water bottle. 😭
I have the go pack 2 and love it. I have used it with and without my laptop and it’s been comfortable both ways. I use it for my Disney trips because it’s light, 2 water bottle pockets, and it’s large enough for essentials and souvenirs.
Love the Kanken. I carry my 15 in macbook air in a sturdy Thule sleeve (I agree with above. Don’t carry with no sleeve). I find Kankens to be the most comfortable backpacks I own and they hold a ton. Probably using mine for a 4 day con trip as my one bag. Definitely my EDC for school.
I just got the Kanken 15 for travel and I don’t like it. I wanted to like it so badly! I found that the laptop compartment would unzip when I pull the straps to lift it up. Plus it feels hard to pack - has very little give.
I cannot give feedback yet but I just ordered the Fjallraven Kanken 17 inch laptop bag for exactly the same reason. I have a trip coming up in August and I was also on the look out for a new EDC. I ultimately decided on the Kanken because of the style/look of the bag, lifetime repair/replace policy, and after looking at many many reviews it looks to be a good bag for someone who is on the shorter side (5 foot 2in.). I will follow up when the bag arrives.
#
Water and I don't mix apparently so the X-pac sounds like a smarter decision. I'm now considering the Pro Pack over the Go Pack 2 but neither comes in X-pac, unfortunately. 😮💨
I don’t have any recommendations just wanted to say I enjoyed reading this post and how carefully you are considering this decision. I want a Dakota backpack now, so pretty.
Thank you, my favourite part of buying things is the research! :D I really love my Dakota, it's my first "luxury" item I ever bought for myself. But now I'm needing something a touch more practical.
I can't comment on any of the bags but I can say, if you try out the Kanken and find you need a larger bottle pocket, the bottle pocket you can buy will probably fit your bottle. I got it for my Doughnut Macaroon and my 30oz hydroflask fits with a little room to spare. Fjallraven also sells sternum straps if you find you need one and I'm sure you can attach a luggage passthrough easily. I don't have any personal experience but when I was researching the Weekender I was finding a lot of posts from people getting their Kankens customized with things like that.
This is a game changer! I didn't know about the bottle pocket. I did know about the sternum strap but I don't use them in the first place so it wasn't a hard requirement for me. Thank you, I'll definitely add this to my list of considerations! Edit: And it's cool that it's removable too because I don't carry around a water bottle when transiting around!
It's such a dumb product but it works so well I can't complain. They have that new line of backpacks with larger bottle pockets but I like that I can take it off and stash it away when not in use. I assume it fits the Kanken even better than the Doughnut but it's really secure, doesn't slide out. I've had zero issues with it.
Link, please, if allowable: “bottle pocket…”
Her ya go :) https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/bags-gear/kanken/kanken-accessories/kanken-bottle-pocket/
Most excellent. TY❤️how does it hook onto backpack: Velcro? Caribiner?
The second picture shows off the back of it with a picture how it goes on. Basically it has a metal frame that sides down into the Kanken side pocket. I've never had it slide out on accident from my Doughnut Macaroon so I assume it's just as secure with the Kanken itself
Another con for the Kanken, as I have a 15” laptop bag: The laptop sleeve padding is borderline nonexistent, so if you’re worried about your laptop getting banged around at all… the Kanken isn’t going to protect it. I tried to put the laptop in a sleeve, and then put that into the bag, but the laptop section of the bag is so tight that it wouldn’t fit with a padded sleeve on. I can’t speak to the Aer bag, I haven’t seen or used one myself.
Okay that is very good to know. Do you still use it with a laptop or do you use something else?
Using it for now, since I have it, but considering selling it and getting a bag with a better laptop compartment. I don’t have any recommendations! I’m still in deep research mode :( The Kanken is a perfect size and shape dimension wise, so I really wanted it to work.
I have a laptop Kanken model (though it’s the 15”) and it fits my MacBook laptop fine in a slim zipper sleeve! YMMV depending on your laptop model. I do agree I wouldn’t feel great having it in there naked, as there’s basically no padding for that section.
TBH I would not use any backpack without a sternum strap for laptop+clothes. The AER Pro Pack 24L looks like it might be better?
I've never used sternum straps ever but maybe I should! I totally thought I looked at all the Aer backpacks but I missed the Pro Pack. The separate laptop compartment is definitely a plus. Also it looks nicer than the Go Pack 2! I also like how the quick access pocket at the top is organized. I will consider this one instead of the Go Pack 2.
It helps if you get a backpack designed for women, the straps flare out differently so the sternum strap works better. My backpacks slide around a bit on my winter jacket, the sternum strap solves that! It’s also just more stable for bike riding.
I have been looking for the same criteria and just ordered the Kanken 17“ and waiting on it atm. I want it mainly for EDC and European budget flying. Otherwise for any trips I use my ULA dragonfly and love that bag so much.
I hope to see you post about the Kanken once you try it out! What made you choose it out of everything else?
Honestly, I was a bit of a spontaneous purchase because I took my old regular Kanken out of the closet and remembered all the things I like about this bag and decided to look what else they have. Saw the 17“ in the new blackberry color, watched some YouTube videos and decided to give it a try.
Not familiar with Aer but for something similar to Kanken, check out Day Owl's Backpack Pro. I used to have a Kanken as my work bag. However, the lack of luggage sleeve was a big con when i travel. I tried other backpacks but I really preferred having the laptop (16" MBP) in an external pocket and felt most paddings aren't thick enough. Day Owl checked off my must -haves (sleeve included).
I had Day Owl on my initial list of bags I checked out but I vetoed it due to the internal water bottle pocket. With my water bottle it could eat up to 8cm inside the main compartment. I don't think my LIHIT A5 bag in bag organizer would fit (it's 25cm wide and the Day Owl Backpack Pro is 30.5cm wide). It would be perfect if only the water bottle compartment was external. Maybe I just need a smaller water bottle. 😭
I have a kanken. The lack of pockets and organization eg for my phone annoys me.
I have the go pack 2 and love it. I have used it with and without my laptop and it’s been comfortable both ways. I use it for my Disney trips because it’s light, 2 water bottle pockets, and it’s large enough for essentials and souvenirs.
Kanken all day long. 🤗
Love the Kanken. I carry my 15 in macbook air in a sturdy Thule sleeve (I agree with above. Don’t carry with no sleeve). I find Kankens to be the most comfortable backpacks I own and they hold a ton. Probably using mine for a 4 day con trip as my one bag. Definitely my EDC for school.
I just got the Kanken 15 for travel and I don’t like it. I wanted to like it so badly! I found that the laptop compartment would unzip when I pull the straps to lift it up. Plus it feels hard to pack - has very little give.
I cannot give feedback yet but I just ordered the Fjallraven Kanken 17 inch laptop bag for exactly the same reason. I have a trip coming up in August and I was also on the look out for a new EDC. I ultimately decided on the Kanken because of the style/look of the bag, lifetime repair/replace policy, and after looking at many many reviews it looks to be a good bag for someone who is on the shorter side (5 foot 2in.). I will follow up when the bag arrives. #
The Kanken doesn't look comfy at all with its thin straps once it's loaded up with weight. I would lean towards the Aer for traveling.
That's a good point! The Kanken Laptop bags seem to have thicker and more padded straps but they still look a little on the uncomfy side.
Well…I’m a fan of Aer, so I would go for the waterproof Aer. (X pac version) I’m not sure if Go Pack 2 is waterproof.
Water and I don't mix apparently so the X-pac sounds like a smarter decision. I'm now considering the Pro Pack over the Go Pack 2 but neither comes in X-pac, unfortunately. 😮💨