Fjallraven Kanken Classic vs Mini - What's the difference?
When first released in 1978, who would have guessed that the Fjallraven Kanken would achieve the global popularity it has today?
Well, once you get your hands on a Kanken it starts to become a lot clearer why the bags are so popular. High quality construction, an innovative shoulder strap design and a roomy main compartment that’s perfectly designed for school books and folders is a winning combination.
In recent years Fjallraven has released the Kanken Mini, a smaller version of the original Kanken Classic. But is the smaller size all there is to it?
In this Kanken Classic vs Mini backpack comparison we will have both backpacks side-by-side so that you can see exactly how they fit when worn, what fits inside, and all of the small, but important, differences that may not be obvious at first glance.
Curious about the Kanken Laptop? Check out our Kanken Classic vs Laptop comparison!
Video Review
Kanken Classic vs Mini Side-by-Side
What’s the same?
Some people might argue that the smaller Fjallraven Kanken Mini is made for kids, but that’s not true. The Kanken Mini has the same size shoulder straps as the larger Kanken models but is simply designed to hold less with a smaller footprint on the back when worn. Think of the Kanken Mini as an alternative to a purse, sling bag, or small tote that you would use for daily essentials.
Aside from a couple of small but important differences (more on that later), both the Kanken Classic and Mini have the exact same Vinylon F construction and even share the same zippers, Arctic Fox snaps, and stitch points.
The Kanken Mini even shares the same size webbing for the shoulder straps and handles as the Kanken Classic, making them feel very similar when carried. Another small but important detail is the X-webbing on the back that promotes even weight distribution when worn - the hallmark feature of any Kanken backpack.
In short, whether you choose the Kanken Classic or Mini, you will be getting the same exact high quality materials and number of pockets. So the real question you have to ask when choosing between the two is: How much do I need to carry?
Kanken Classic vs Mini: Size Difference
With an internal capacity of only 7 liters, the Kanken Mini is significantly smaller than the 16-liter Classic. Along with a smaller footprint on the back when worn, you'll find that the Kanken Mini feels more like a purse or small sling bag while the Kanken Classic feels more like a traditional backpack. Not only is the Kanken Mini lighter, but its footprint is almost comically small.
Price Difference
Fjallraven recently had a slight price increase across their products in recent years. It’s always best to check for the latest prices, but usually the Kanken Mini is cheaper than the larger Kanken Classic. We also recommend buying your Kanken from a reputable online retailer to avoid knock-offs and fakes.
Kanken Classic
Kanken Mini
Kanken Classic vs Mini: What fits inside?
Since the Kanken Classic and Mini share a lot of the same construction details, the biggest difference will be in what fits inside each. Consider this section the meat and potatoes of this backpack comparison.
The Fjallraven Kanken Classic was originally designed as a backpack for school children and was purpose-built for carrying notebooks and books. As a result, you can expect the Kanken Classic to fit large items like folders, binders, and notebooks inside the 16-liter main compartment. We were also able to fit a 13-inch laptop inside a padded case inside the Kanken Classic.
The Kanken Mini is too small for most larger school items such as binders and folders, but smaller composition notebooks (9.75" x 7.5") and smaller journals and planners will fit just fine. The same goes for laptops. The Kanken Mini is too small to fit most laptops, but you can fit a 10" iPad or other smaller tablet inside the main compartment just fine.
Although too small for A4 folders and papers, you could in theory be a brave soul and use the Kanken Mini as a school backpack if all you need to carry is a few composition notebooks and an iPad.
For travel packing, both the Kanken Classic and Mini can hold a surprising amount of clothing. We tested both backpacks with Men's Size Small t-shirts in order to find out how much each Kanken could fit.
The Kanken Classic can fit 20 t-shirts inside the main compartment, making it a good bag to use for a weekend trip (or more if you are a light packer). For travel, the Kanken Classic makes a great bag for a weekend trip or as a personal item backpack for airlines with strict carry-on size limits (we are looking at you, United Airlines).
Despite its itty-bitty size, we found that the Kanken Mini can fit 10 t-shirts inside its main compartment, which is actually a lot for a bag this small. Although the Mini may be too small for a weekend trip, it gives you enough room for at least a change of clothing.
Pockets and Compartments
Both the Kanken Classic and Mini have the exact same number of pockets. You can expect to find two flat side pockets and a front zippered compartment on each bag.
The front pocket on the Kanken Mini is tiny and too small to fit most smartphones. It's best reserved for very small items such as earbuds, chapstick, and phone charger cables. It can just barely fit pens, markers, and mechanical pencils.
The front pocket on the Kanken Classic can fit larger items such as a cell phone with a charger, plus smaller items like earbuds, chapstick, and pens and markers.
We tested the side pockets with a water bottle and an umbrella and found that the side pockets on the Kanken Classic can fit a 24oz water bottle and umbrella just fine. Although the fabric on Kanken backpacks does stretch and soften over time, don’t expect to ever be able to squeeze in a larger 32oz water bottle inside these side pockets.
The side pockets on the Kanken Mini are too small to fit a water bottle, but there is enough room to fit a slim travel umbrella.
The Biggest Difference: Shoulder Strap Design
One of the best features of any Fjallraven Kanken is the ability to switch between a backpack and a tote bag by tucking away the shoulder straps. This prevents dangling straps when carrying the Kanken by its top handle for a neater experience.
The Kanken Classic has a very simple shoulder strap design that allows you to switch between a tote bag and a backpack in seconds. Simply unsnap the strap at the bottom and adjust it as needed.
The shoulder straps on the Kanken Mini are much more complex and feel less intuitive to use. In fact, when you first get the Kanken Mini, you might ask yourself, "Wait, how does this work?"
On the Kanken Mini, there are two plastic D-rings on the top of the shoulder harness, through which the straps have to pass to free them. Once freed, you can adjust your shoulder straps to wear the Mini as a backpack. Unfortunately, you'll have to repeat this process in reverse when you want to turn the Mini back into a tote bag.
This is a small detail between the Kanken Classic and Mini that makes a huge difference in the day-to-day use of the bag. Unless you plan on only using your Kanken as a backpack, it's fair to say that most people will prefer the shoulder straps of the Kanken Classic.
Kanken Accessories and Ad-Ons
When comparing Kanken backpacks, people will rarely mention the ecosystem of Kanken accessories and add-ons that are available for each bag. These accessories allow you to customize your Kanken based on your needs and are a huge reason why the Fjallraven Kanken backpacks are so awesome to use.
Need to carry a large water bottle? The Kanken Bottle Pocket allows you to do just that. Is your Kanken becoming too heavy? The Kanken Shoulder Pads will give you extra padding.
There are many more Kanken accessories available for the original Kanken Classic than there are for the Kanken Mini. Below is a list of Kanken accessories available for the Classic and Mini.
Kanken Classic Accessories:
Kanken Shoulder Pads
Kanken Chest Strap
Kanken Rain Cover
Kanken Organizer
Kanken Bottle Pocket
Kanken Mini Accessories:
Kanken Mini Shoulder Pads
Kanken Chest Strap
Kanken Rain Cover
It’s worth noting that Fjallraven offers the most add-ons for the original Kanken 16L backpack. If customizing and upgrading your Kanken is important to you, then you may want to choose the original Kanken Classic over the smaller Mini version.
Which Kanken backpack is better?
Kanken Classic
Kanken Mini
Choose the Kanken Classic if… you want the full Kanken experience and the most packing space. The Kanken Classic is best for school, work and travel thanks to its roomy main compartment. Plus, the full-sized Kanken 16L allows you to customize the bag to your liking thanks to the wide variety of Kanken accessories and ad-ons.
Choose the Kanken Mini if… you need a daily backpack for just the essentials. The Fjallraven Kanken Mini can be best thought as a good alternative for a purse or sling bag. There is enough room for daily essentials like a water bottle, sunglasses and small notebooks but it won’t be large enough for school or travel packing.
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