Last Updated: March 6, 2023
Why Is Fjallraven So Expensive? (Top 6 Reasons)
Wondering why Fjallraven seems to have such high prices and whether they’re justified? Then you’ve come to the right place because here we’ll take a detailed look into the company and its practices, to determine what makes their products so pricey!
Fjallraven is one of the more popular outdoor clothing brands that’s been around for more than half a century, and they’ve been famous practically since its inception. The Fjallraven Kanken backpack took the market by storm in the 70s, and it’s still one of the best-selling backpacks you can get your hands on.
Why that is, and whether the Fjallraven Kanken backpacks live up to the hype are some of the things we’ll explore here.
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When Was the Fjallraven Brand Established?
The Fjallraven brand was established back in 1960, so they’ve got a long history that spans more than six decades. The brand was founded by Åke Nordin, who came up with the idea for the backpack out of sheer necessity – he needed something that could fit a lot of gear, but at the same time feel comfortable on his back.
He created the first backpack some 10 years before the brand was launched. It had a wooden frame but otherwise was very similar to the Kånken backpack as it is today. A backpack was the first product Fjallraven launched at the inception of the brand, and it has remained their most recognizable item ever since.
The product range did expand quite a bit in the decade following the inception of the brand. It included sleeping bags, tents, jackets, and trousers. During the 1980s and the 1990s, the main focus of the brand was to expand geographically and introduce Fjallraven to countries all over the world.
Why Is Fjallraven So Expensive?
Durability
Fjallraven backpacks are incredibly durable. And I’m being literal here – it is unbelievable that such a simple-looking backpack can handle so much wear and tear and still look presentable. There are people who have owned and used these backpacks for decades at a time, without sacrificing any functionality of the bag.
The outstanding durability more than justifies the higher price points, in my opinion. Especially since Fjallraven isn’t an extremely expensive brand – yes they’re prices, but most of their bags are well under $100 which is perfectly fine if they’re going to last a decade!
High-Quality Materials
The main “culprit” for the outstanding durability of Fjällräven bags is the proprietary materials used in the manufacturing of these bags. Vinylon-F is the material used to produce Kanken backpacks, and Fjällräven Eco-Shell is another material they developed for jackets.
Materials used by this brand are of excellent quality and durability, and one of the key factors behind the higher prices. It costs the brand a lot to research and develop proprietary fabrics, and that is evident in the prices of their items.
Highly Functional
Fjallraven backpacks are surprisingly functional. They might not look like a lot, and I certainly don’t like the fact that they usually have just one or two pockets, but these bags can fit a lot of things.
The Kanken backpack was initially designed as a school backpack, with a padded insert that was supposed to function as both a back panel and a removable seating pad. Over time, people have realized that you can use these “school bags” for many other things. They work great as travel bags, they’re perfectly suitable as everyday carry bags, and you can even bring them on outdoor adventures.
That’s because the backpacks are extremely versatile, and that’s one of their major selling points. You get a hiking backpack, a travel backpack, and a work backpack in just one bag, and I’d say that such functionality is worth the slightly higher price point.
Eco-Friendly
Fjallraven is a Swedish company and Sweden has long been known as one of the world’s eco-friendliest countries. Because they are a Swedish company, it has been its long-term aim to be as sustainable as possible, from the very inception of the company.
The brand often uses recycled materials in the manufacturing of its products, and they even develop its proprietary fabrics with recycled polyester. They also manufacture products that will last for generations and are easy to service and repair.
Popularity & High Demand
The demand for Kanken backpacks is still very high, even decades after it was first launched. That’s one of the reasons why the brand is able to justify the higher price point – if you want it so bad, you’ll pay the extra money.
The sheer proof of high demand is that some colors sell out so fast that you won’t be able to get them unless you make it your life’s mission to track restocks so you can buy the exact Kanken you want.
Popular products tend to be on the expensive side, and Kanken is still extremely popular among travelers and young adults all over the world. However, popularity and demand are only partially at fault for the high prices – the excellent quality, performance, and durability are just as equally guilty, if not more.
Lifetime Warranty
Fjallraven offers a limited 2-year warranty for all their products. This warranty covers any manufacturing defects, so things as broken buckles or zippers, split seams, and buttons that are falling off. The warranty doesn’t cover any normal wear and tear, or accidental damage.
However, when registering your Fjallraven product, you will get the option of purchasing Forever Lifetime Coverage. This is available for all Fjallraven products with buttons, and it essentially entails the free replacement of the buttons on your Fjallraven product during its entire lifetime.
The warranty is very affordable ($10 SGD) but it doesn’t include repairs of anything else, so it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth it.
Are Fjallraven Backpacks Worth It?
I genuinely think they are, mostly because they are not that expensive when you compare them to other brands of similar quality. Osprey, Deuter, and even Samsonite backpacks are all in a similar price range, and they’re often even more expensive than the Fjallraven brand’s products.
Sure, a Samsonite backpack comes equipped with a plethora of features while the Kanken only has two pockets and some really thin backpack straps, but the durability and quality are perfectly comparable.
If you prefer simpler backpacks like the Kanken that don’t have as many features but allow you to fit more items inside, then the Kånken is certainly a worthy option. Especially if you can get it on sale, which happens pretty often. The backpacks are sometimes discounted by as much as 50%, and 50 Euros for a Kanken backpack is a very good deal if you ask me.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fjallraven A Luxury Brand?
Fjallraven is a high-end brand but they’re not necessarily a luxury brand. Yes, their products are pricey, but that’s because they’re manufactured from premium materials, they’re all insanely durable, and you get a good warranty on everything.
But the prices just aren’t high enough to make them a luxury brand. While they might have some very expensive jackets in their product range, these are still reasonably priced compared to the likes of Moncler and Canada Goose, which are actual luxury brands.
The Fjallraven luggage, on the other hand, starts to look pretty affordable when you compare the prices to Tumi and Rimowa – other actual luxury luggage brands.
Why Is The Kanken Backpack So Popular?
Nostalgia is a big reason why the Kanken backpack has managed to retain its popularity for decades. It reminds people of a different time, and there’s definitely something special about that.
Where Are Fjällräven Backpacks Made?
Fjallraven partners with manufacturing factories in China and South Korea, and they’re not even transparent about it. If you look hard enough you will eventually find this information, but if you look only on their website you won’t have much luck finding anything about where the items from this European brand are produced.
They go on and on about their Swedish heritage, the brand Fjällräven, and their various sustainable practices, it’s almost as if they don’t want people to know that they’re producing the items where the labor is the cheapest. The brand did explicitly state that they wanted to change the image that the items produced in Asian factories are inherently cheap and poor quality.
Fjallraven also claims that they ensure all their partners follow their own Code of Conduct, which ensures fair working conditions for all adult humans involved in the manufacturing process. So, even though the products are produced in Asian factories, you can rest assured that your backpack wasn’t sewn by a child.
Is Fjällräven Still in Style?
Fjallraven has been in style since the 70s, and it’s looking like that will stay the case for the foreseeable future. These bags are absolutely iconic and the nostalgic design is one of the reasons for their insane popularity.
How Can You Tell a Real Fjällräven?
It will be easy to tell the difference between a real and a fake Fjallraven backpack if you already own the original. But if you only have the fake, it will be that much harder because the fakes have gotten increasingly similar to the original thanks to newer technologies.
Durability is often the key factor that separates the fakes from the original, but that’s something you will notice only with time. Genuine Fjallraven backpacks are manufactured from Vinylon-F, which is an extremely durable and water-repellant material. Fakes are often manufactured from cheap polyester, and they’ll tear or wear out more easily.
The devil is also in the details, so take a good lake at the logo, the stitching, and the zippers. Genuine Kånken backpacks feature YKK zippers and double-stitched seams – if you compare the two on an original and a copy, the differences are immediately noticeable.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
