EXTEND THE LIFETIME OF YOUR FAVORITE BACKPACK

We’re not quite sure when it happened, but Kånken has become a trusted essential for millions of people around the world. It’s the backpack you take with you on adventures, shopping, to school or work.

It’s a simple bag, but with the right care it can last for many adventures to come.


CARING FOR KÅNKEN

Whatever you do, don’t put Kånken in the washing machine. Instead, wash dirty marks with lukewarm water, mild detergent and a soft brush or sponge. And when it comes to drying, you should hang up Kånken in a well-ventilated area that’s not exposed to direct sunlight. As it is drying, your bag may need some gentle hand reshaping. Because our warranty doesn't cover stains or discoloration of an item from use, we recommend regular cleaning and maintainance.





These cleaning tips apply to Kånken Classic styles, made from Vinylon-F. Cleaning Kånkens made from G-1000 (like the No. 2) is a similar process, but we recommend waxing the bag after cleaning to prolong the life of the item. *Kånkens made from G-1000 canvas can/should be waxed using our Greenland Wax. Please refer to the Materials Specification section on the product pages to determine if your Kånken can be waxed.


To get those really vibrant colors, we use a special dying technique. But this means there’s a chance the colour can rub off on your clothes – particularly light coloured clothing. So we recommend soaking Kånken in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes before you start using it. Keep in mind that color transfer can go in both directions. Color from dark colored clothing can transfer to Kånken as well (for example, indigo dye from a new pair of jeans).

 

ADDITIONAL TIPS

Don’t overfill Kånken. We have many size options, so if you want to carry more, we recommend sizing up. The standard Kånken Classic backpack has a 16-liter volume, and although we don’t have an official max weight-limit, you should keep it to just a few pounds.

Don’t put a laptop in a regular Kånken, either. That back pocket is made for folders, note pads, perhaps a tablet computer, but not a laptop. It puts too much strain on the straps and zips. Get a Kånken Laptop instead. There are three Kånken Laptop sizes to choose from, so you can find one to suit you. If you are in between laptop sizes, please size up to avoid putting strain on the item.

If you get something stuck in Kånken’s zips, avoid yanking it free. If you can’t gently work the obstruction free, the item may need to be repaired. 

If rips, tears, or cuts occur, make sure you fix them straight away. The longer you leave them, the bigger they’ll get and the harder they become to repair.

LEARN HOW TO REPAIR YOUR GEAR

And finally, don’t leave Kånken in direct sunlight. The color will fade and develop a patina naturally over time, but direct sunlight will fade the fabric faster. Kånken prefers shade or indirect sunshine.