There’s so much to contemplate when shopping for a backpack, and for a lot of buyers, packs are likely to look extra alike than totally different. However when lately looking for packs, I ran into the Fjallraven Kajka 35, and the body grew to become the explanation I ended up choosing that particular pack.
Most inner body packs have stays created from metallic or carbon fiber. For the Kajka 35, Fjallraven determined to make the body stays out of birch wooden. This responsibly harvested stuff is thought for being each sturdy and pliable, making it a wonderful alternative for this utility.
Different options of the Kajka 35, like its detachable lid and big water bottle pockets, additionally piqued my curiosity. Nevertheless, all through my adventures with this pack and the conversations I had surrounding it, the birch stays remained the shining star of this multi-day trekking/backpacking (kind of technical) backpack.
Briefly: The Fjallraven Kajka 35 is a sturdy, comfy, easy-to-use pack for year-long backpacking adventures and even easy day hikes. Its birch wooden stays add a little bit heritage and tradition to the pack and in the end maintain you comfy if you’re on the market in it.
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Quantity
35L / 2135 cu. in. -
Verified weight
4 lbs., 11 oz. -
Material
Climate-resistant Vinylon F, recycled polyamide 210d and 500d -
Body
FSC-certified birch -
Torso measurement vary (S/M)
Shorter than 5’ 6” -
Waist measurement vary (M/L)
Taller than 5’ 6” -
Worth
$275 -
Meant makes use of
Backpacking, climbing, tenting
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Vinylon F materials is depraved sturdy and abrasion-resistant -
The little leather-based fox patch is the chef’s kiss. -
Smooth profile retains its form even when packed to the brim. -
The power so as to add aspect pockets is a plus
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The hip belt is a bit a lot until you propose on carrying rocks -
Water reservoir sleeve wants a redesign
Fjallraven Kajka 35 Pack Overview
Sizing
I’ll admit that Fjallraven’s measurement information is a little bit unconventional. As an alternative of giving a selected torso size vary, the model recommends the S/M-sized pack for individuals below 5’6” and the M/L measurement for anybody taller than 5’6”. Nevertheless, Fjallraven states that when you’re between 5’6” and 5’9” and have slim shoulders, you need to go together with the S/M.
Lastly, the model additionally notes that each packs have the identical again size and adjustment span, however that the S/M has a shorter hip belt. This roughly interprets to the S/M aiming extra towards girls and smaller males, whereas the M/L targets males and bigger girls.
I went with the M/L measurement pack as I’m just below 5’7” and, as my mom would name it, husky. I’ve additionally been known as “stout” and “thick.” Nice at soccer, final picked for basketball.
Design & Options
Fjallraven’s Kajka 35 is a streamlined top-loader for year-round, multiday excursions. At 2,135 cubic inches, the pack is a little bit small for cold-weather backpacking, however don’t let that deter you. In case your sleeping bag packs down sufficiently small, the Kajka 35 could possibly be an actual deal with as a substitute of a bigger pack which will have more room than you want within the hotter months.
Comprised of weather-resistant Vinylon F and recycled Polyamide 210D and 500D, the Kajka 35 is sturdy and retains its form even when overpacked. With six pockets in whole (seven when you don’t use a water reservoir), there are many choices for group and easy accessibility.
In the event you want more room, you possibly can strap a aspect pocket to every aspect. (I used one for extra inner group; extra on that later.)
Relating to match and stability, the Kajka has an simply adjustable body with stays created from birch wooden. The selection to go together with birch wooden was each interesting and efficient, as birch is sturdy and flexes properly. This pack additionally has a heavy-duty, detachable hip belt with an extra storage pocket and a spot to hold climbing gear.
For a 35L pack, I discovered the hip belt overkill and eliminated it after my first journey out. That is the place the load lifters got here in helpful, as I might pull the load up and nearer to my shoulders.
One key characteristic that I preferred for journeys to the bathe was the detachable lid. I saved my toiletries, medicine, batteries, and the like within the lid and unclipped it from the pack’s physique after I headed off to make use of the amenities. That is one thing I’ve loved in regards to the packs I selected to camp and backpack with for years. It makes issues simpler than dragging the entire pack round.
Folks on longer treks with a number of legs to their journey may gain advantage by utilizing the lid as a messenger bag in the event that they went into city for a chew to eat.
Within the Discipline
In 4 months, I went on three in a single day journeys and multiple-day hikes with the Kajka 35. I by no means felt that the pack was too huge or too small. I exploit a variety of inner pouches to arrange my gear, make my setup extra environment friendly, and enhance the benefit of entry.
Once I initially picked up the pack, I additionally snagged a aspect pocket from Fjallraven. I might simply have connected it to the entrance or aspect of the bag, however as a substitute used it inside as a detachable pouch for my water air purifier, camp towel, and utensils.
Except for clothes and meals, I introduced a Terra Nova Southern Cross 2 two-person tent that I saved within the pack. The tent took up your complete size of the within of the pack and will have simply been lashed to the skin with the compression straps.
Nevertheless, I wished to be as streamlined as attainable, and because the tent solely took up a 3rd of the width and depth of the principle compartment, it was high quality for my wants.
I thought of bringing my Sierra Designs Backcountry Mattress sleeping bag and pushed it to the underside of the pack subsequent to the tent. Nevertheless, I saved that for late fall and winter as I are likely to run scorching. So, I relied on my Klymit Nest Sleeping Bag Liner and my Therm-A-Relaxation NeoAir XLite NXT sleeping pad.
Because of its lengthy tube form, the Kajka 35 is simple to load the fitting means, so you are taking up the area accessible to you with out it being unruly or off-kilter.
Kajka 35 Cons
My two gripes with the pack are the hip belt and the reservoir sleeve. Neither of those are deal breakers for me, however they’re value noting as a result of they modified my method to packing and utilizing the Kajka 35 general.
The hip belt is created from high-density foam. It offers you nice help; nonetheless, when you have a little bit little bit of a stomach, it is going to be uncomfortable. Additionally, as with virtually each pack with hip belts, carrying something in your pants belt received’t be an possibility when you use the hip belt. The pocket is nice for holding gadgets like a headlamp or a compass, however you lose fast entry to a handheld GPS system or belt knife.
The difficulty with the reservoir sleeve is a bit more annoying. The way in which it’s positioned within the pack’s most important compartment causes the bladder to sit down decrease. When the Kajka 35 is absolutely packed, every part is pushed down and in opposition to it so as to’t suck water out of the tube with out blowing out a lung.
Due to this, I used the sleeve for a smaller photo voltaic panel and introduced a water bottle. This wasn’t a super resolution, and I might most likely must convey two water bottles with me or lash one thing like this to the entrance for midsummer adventuring in drier environments.
In Conclusion
Although I bumped into a few snags with the hip belt and water reservoir sleeve, I don’t need that to detract from the general construct and capabilities of the Kajka 35. It’s a glossy, sturdy backpack that, when you pack it proper, can give you a number of days and nights of backpacking. It’s additionally extremely comfy, contouring to your shoulders and again.
Contemplating the pack is nearly 5 kilos and solely has a capability of 35L, I do know some people will dismiss it proper off the bat for being heavy. I respect individuals who take the ultralight method till they sacrifice issues like security and reliability. I might hate to see them skip over a bag just like the Kajka as a result of they deemed it too heavy.
Although I take my time on the path, I’m not doing it to keep away from obstacles. My pack must get by some thorny brush or stand up to sliding down some rocks. With all due respect to a few of the ripstop supplies on the market, Vinylon F performs prefer it was initially issued to troopers throughout WWII. It’s beefy, which aids in its abrasion and climate resistance.
The Kajka 35 isn’t going to tear open like a bag of chips if I get hung up on a department or one thing. To me, that’s peace of thoughts.