Worth its weight - Fjallraven Kajka 65L Backpack

When I set out to purchase a new pack, I thought I'd try and branch out a bit and research a number of packs before I made my decision. I looked at a lot of different options before I stumbled on the Kajka. It's easy to see why there isn't a whole lot of information available for this pack. The Fjällräven name certainly comes with a heavy price-tag, there are very few retail stores that carry the brand (making it difficult to get a hands-on look at the products), and most of the informational videos are typically just short over-views made by the company themselves. Fortunately, I live relatively close to the Fjällräven retail store in Boulder, CO. So I made the journey to find out more about the Kajka. After looking at the pack, the only thing keeping me away was the price-tag. I had a few promotional codes and decided to purchase the pack online.
So here is what I've found with the Fjällräven Kajka 65L Pack after receiving it and testing it out in the Colorado Backcountry...
Upon removing the Kajka from its factory plastic wrap, the smell of linseed oil and birch remind you of the unique wooden frame that the Kajka features (if you're not familiar, it's a very good smell). I was a little worried about the durability of a non metallic frame but once I got my hands on it, all my doubts were resolved. The frame is solid. Fjällräven claims that the use of birch wood for the frame reduces the pack's carbon footprint by 90%. I'm all for a lesser impact on the environment as long as I'm not substituting it for lesser quality and in this case, there is no substitute.
The pack feels very well built. The thick polyester/vinylon-f fabric that the Kajka is made with, gives the pack the feel that it can hold up to the toughest conditions. Seams feel well constructed and rugged, and zippers/buckles appear to be of a very high quality and operate smoothly. It is apparent that higher weight comes from the quality of the materials used. When purchasing a pack, you need to consider the trade off between weight and durability. While some other fabrics offer a good balance between the two, the Kajka seems to be at the far end of the spectrum... Heavy Weight/Extreme Durability.
Moving on to its appearance, the Kajka looks fairly minimalistic. For my style, it is another aspect of the pack that pushed me towards purchasing it. Despite it's simple looks, however, the Kajka is full of features. It seems as though every aspect of the pack has been very well thought out. Two metal rods run the length of the main compartment so that the compression straps pull all of the contents easily. Expanding side pockets allow for extra gear when full, but can lay flat when not being completely utilized. Pouches on each side of the pack allow water-bottles to be stored at different angles for easy access. The waist belt has a heavy-duty mesh pocket on the right and a closed pocket on the left. The main compartment can be opened up from the side, making it simple to get to your gear and avoid "digging" for that something at the bottom. Looking at the Kajka, it's almost hard to believe that there are too many features to list in a short review but that is exactly the case.
I know I've been praising this pack but it wouldn't be an honest review if I didn't list the negatives. It's weight... at just over 7 lbs, the Kajka is one of the heavier packs out there. The excellent suspension system, comfortable padding, and adjustability for torso length and shoulder size (S, M, L) seem to make the extra weight disappear when you wear it but ounces are ounces. The other negative.. The cost. Whereas I believe that this pack is worth every penny, at $370, I still found myself searching for ways to chip away at the price-tag. However, after I made the plunge, I've never been happier with any other pack. This is the nicest pack I have had the privilege of using and it will be with me for years to come.

Cheers

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.