It’s almost been a year since I bought my Fjallraven Mini Kanken while visiting Canada. That trip was so fun; I can’t believe it’ll already be a year ago in July. Since I’ve had my Kanken Mini for a year, I thought I’d do a follow up review on the bag, how it’s holding up, and if it’s worth it to buy.
ABOUT THE FJALLRAVEN KANKEN MINI
The mini Kanken is super similar to the classic Kanken; the only real differences are the adjustable straps, and the size.
All Kanken backpacks have a unique squared-off shape; the foam insert for cushioning and shape is removable. The bag is made of a vegan water-resistant Vinylon F™ fabric that is really durable.
There are two top-carry handles that snap together, and the shoulder straps are in a criss-cross pattern which is supposed to help distribute the weight in your bag and reduce impact to your back. The straps are adjustable and the ends snap together to keep the bag from looking sloppy. This video shows how to make the adjustments at first which can be a little tricky:
The bag measures approximately 11.5″ high x 7.75″ wide x 5″ deep, and can hold quite a lot. There is one large two-way zip-around compartment, a small size-zip pocket in the front, and two side pockets on either side of the bag.
MY KANKEN MINI
I bought my mini Kanken backpack at the Fjallraven store in Banff. Apparently, there are a lot of sellers on places like Amazon or eBay that sell fake Kanken bags; so be careful to check reviews if you are buying on those sites. I bought my bag in the color “putty” which is a warm grey/tan neutral color which I really love. I am pretty sure this color is discontinued now, but Fog is a similar color, only more cool toned. You can find authentic Kanken bags at the official site, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, and other major retailers.
I had used a hobo-style shoulder bag as a purse for years, and was moving away more towards being hands-free. I already had the larger-sized, classic Kanken which I used everyday for two years, but I wanted to get the mini size to be more of a purse.
I personalized my bag with some special pins and buttons. I have a maple leaf that I got in Banff, two pins from Disneyland (Tinkerbell, and a Small World mystery pin), a San Diego rainbow pin from Pigment, and a button from Land’s End. I only put pins through the thicker, nylon handle/detail material because I don’t want holes to hurt the bag at all. I used these locks on my pins so the backs don’t fall off inside my bag or so my pins don’t get pulled off without me knowing.
I love that this bag is slim and lightweight; I can grab it easily and be out the door. I wear the Kanken Mini as a backpack, but you could easily carry it by the top handles, or just carry both straps over one shoulder.
I especially love the design and how cute the mini looks. The square shape is really distinct and I love how the zippers are more in the front of the bag (rather than through the middle), so I can open it almost down to the bottom and really see what’s inside.
WHAT FITS INSIDE MY KANKEN MINI
I don’t carry too much with me anymore which is why the mini Kanken works so well for me as a purse. Here’s a look at what I carry in my bag everyday, and also some ideas for what you could fit in your bag:
Daily Carry
Every day, I have the essentials with me for if I’m running errands. I’ll keep my card case and AirPods in the front zipper pouch. I can’t fit much in the side pockets, so I’ll just have my keys in there, and maybe I’ll squeeze my phone in but it is a snug fit (I have the iPhone 8 Plus with a thick glitter case). In the main compartment, I have my sunglasses in a hard case, a 17oz. water bottle, and a zipper pouch with some extras (small external battery, lip mask, lip balm, discount cards/ID cards).
Day Trip to Disneyland
We recently went to Disneyland for a day trip and, in the main compartment, I brought: a 17 oz. water bottle, sunglasses in a soft case (smaller), large external battery, an extra pair of socks, a hat, my instant camera, and there was still room for some soft/small souvenirs. In the front pouch, I had my card case, annual pass, a lip balm, and my AirPods. I didn’t put anything in the side pouches for safety, and I just carry my phone since I’m using it a lot for photos and using the Disneyland app.
Beach Day
For a day at the beach, I pack some sunscreen, a beach towel, a 25 oz. water bottle, a hat, a light sweater/beach cover up, and a snack in the main compartment. I keep my sunglasses in the side pouch (without a case) for easy access, and my keys in the other side pouch. And I keep my card case, AirPods, and a lip mask in the front pouch.
Busy Day – Miscellaneous
If I’m going to be out and need to be ready to take care of things on the go, I’ll keep my card case and AirPods in the front zipper pouch as usual. In the main compartment, I’ll take: my 9.7″ iPad Pro in a case with Apple Pencil, Erin Condren Life Planner in a planner folio with stickers, my photo printer, 17 oz. water bottle, snack, soft zipper pouch with extras (small external battery, pens, cards, lip balm, lip mask, and a usb storage for iphone. In one side pouch, I’ll keep my large external charger for easy access.
SECURITY
Whatever I happen to be carrying that day, I like to secure all my zippers together with one of these little s-binner clips so that I know nothing is happening to my bag while it’s on my back. If you’re in a congested area like a theme park, a packed subway/bus, or city environment, you may not be able to feel if someone tries to unzip your bag, or they just bump you and your stuff is exposed. I just like not having to worry about that.
Also, in situations like that, I’ll make sure that I don’t have my keys or anything in those side slots as well.
THOUGHTS AFTER 1 YEAR — IS IT WORTH IT?
I’ve been using and loving my Kanken Mini more and more each day, but it’s not going to be worth it for everyone. Basically it comes down to if the size is right for you.
Quality
The Kanken mini is super durable and strong; I really like the water-resistant material. The handles and the straps have also held up really well without any fraying or tearing. Mine has also kept its squared-shape nicely.
I am especially happy with the coloring. On my classic Kanken in the Graphite color, white “scuff marks” started showing up on the bottom of the bag which was a little annoying since the bag was a darker color. This lighter Putty color looks great still with hardly any stains.
Size
This is where you’ll have to decide if the mini Kanken is right for you. The Kanken Mini is small but, as you saw in my pictures, I can fit a lot of different things into it. It’s great for me as a light-weight, hands-free purse, but it wouldn’t be my choice for a school backpack or an overnight bag. If you think you need more space, the classic Kanken may be better for you. See my post on the classic Kanken here.
Look and Style
If you are looking into the Kanken mini because you think it’s cute, it definitelhttps://go.magik.ly/ml/16kwh/y is in person too. There are a lot of gorgeous colors to choose from and the square shape is very cool. I really love the design and aesthetic. I really like personalizing it with cute pins and buttons that are special to me.
Overall, I think the Kanken Mini is a good investment if you already love the design, because the quality is great. The main consideration you have to think about is the sizing for you and your needs. It’s great for me as a purse. I recommend first measuring out the dimensions and seeing if the sizing is right for you!
