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The Fjallraven Skule 28 is a 28-liter daypack made from G-1000 HeavyDuty Eco S – Fjallraven’s signature cotton-polyester blend that can be waxed for water resistance. At roughly $110 with a 4.7★ rating across 560+ reviews on Amazon, it’s Fjallraven’s answer to the question “what if the Kanken grew up and got a real frame?” The Skule has a wooden frame sheet for back support, a padded laptop sleeve, hip belt, sternum strap, and the kind of durability that comes from a fabric designed to be re-waxed and used for decades.
Top Pick
Material G-1000 Eco S
Laptop Up to 15″
Frame Wooden sheet
Fjallraven’s structured daypack in waxable G-1000 fabric with a wooden frame sheet, padded laptop sleeve, hip belt, and a top-loading design built for decades of use.
G-1000 Fabric
G-1000 is Fjallraven’s proprietary fabric – a blend of 65% recycled polyester and 35% organic cotton in the Eco S version. The cotton gives it a matte, textured look that’s distinctly different from the slick nylon and polyester used in most backpacks. The polyester provides abrasion resistance and structure. Together they create a material that ages well, developing a patina rather than looking worn.
The waxing option is G-1000’s party trick. Apply Fjallraven’s Greenland Wax (a beeswax/paraffin blend sold separately) to the fabric with a heat source, and the material becomes water-resistant. The wax fills the cotton fibers and creates a barrier that sheds rain. Over time, you re-wax high-wear areas and the fabric builds up a layer of protection that gets better with use. Most synthetic backpacks rely on DWR coatings that degrade after a year or two of washing. G-1000’s wax system is renewable indefinitely.
Structure and Frame
The wooden frame sheet is an unusual choice in a market dominated by plastic and aluminum stays. It sits flat against your back inside the pack, providing structure and weight distribution. The wood keeps the pack from sagging or collapsing when partially loaded – a common problem with frameless daypacks in this size range. It also prevents hard objects in the pack (a laptop, a water bottle) from poking into your back.
The top-loading design is traditional hiking-pack style. A drawstring closure under a buckled top flap seals the main compartment. A side zipper gives you access to the main compartment without opening the top – useful when you need to grab something from the middle of a packed bag without unpacking from the top down. The front pocket handles quick-access items. Two side pockets fit water bottles.
What It Carries
At 28L, the Skule holds a full day’s gear plus a laptop. The padded laptop sleeve fits up to 15″ and sits in a separate compartment against the back panel. The main compartment is a single open space – no internal dividers or admin panels. You’re packing it like a traditional top-loader: laptop in the sleeve, clothes or gear in the main compartment, small items in the front pocket.
The hip belt and sternum strap transfer weight to your hips on longer carries. If you’re walking more than a mile with a full pack, the hip belt makes a noticeable difference. For shorter commutes or airport walks, you can tuck the hip belt behind the back panel and use the shoulder straps alone.
Skule 28 vs. Kanken
The Kanken is Fjallraven’s most famous product – the boxy, handlebar-topped backpack that became a fashion item. The Skule is its outdoor-oriented sibling. Here’s where they differ.
The Kanken is 16L with no frame, no hip belt, no sternum strap, and minimal padding. It’s a fashion daypack that carries books and a light jacket. The Skule is 28L with a wooden frame, hip belt, sternum strap, and enough structure to handle a loaded day hike or a full work commute with a laptop. The Kanken costs roughly $80. The Skule costs roughly $110.
If you want a Fjallraven backpack for city use and light daily carry, the Kanken is the right pick. If you want a Fjallraven that functions as a real daypack for hiking, travel, or heavy commuting, the Skule is the upgrade that justifies the price difference.
- G-1000 fabric ages well and can be re-waxed for water resistance
- Wooden frame provides real structure and back support
- Hip belt and sternum strap for loaded carries
- 28L fits a full day’s gear plus a 15″ laptop
- ~$110 is premium for a daypack
- Heavier than nylon packs at similar volume (~2.2 lbs)
- No internal organization beyond the laptop sleeve
The Fjallraven Skule 28 is a buy-it-for-life daypack. The G-1000 fabric gets better with age instead of worse, the wooden frame adds structure that frameless packs can’t match, and the 28L volume handles everything from a work commute to a day hike. Pay more upfront, use it for 10+ years.
FAQ
Is the Fjallraven Skule 28 waterproof?
Not out of the box. The G-1000 fabric is water-resistant but will soak through in sustained rain. Applying Fjallraven’s Greenland Wax improves water resistance – the wax fills cotton fibers and creates a barrier that sheds rain. Re-wax as needed over time.
What is G-1000 fabric?
Fjallraven’s proprietary blend of 65% recycled polyester and 35% organic cotton (in the Eco S version). It’s designed to be durable, breathable, and waxable. The cotton gives it a matte, textile feel. The polyester adds abrasion resistance. The fabric can be treated with Greenland Wax for water resistance, and the treatment is renewable – you re-wax as the coating wears off.
How does the Skule 28 compare to the Kanken?
The Skule is 28L vs. the Kanken’s 16L. The Skule has a wooden frame, hip belt, sternum strap, padded laptop sleeve, and top-loading design. The Kanken has none of those features. The Kanken is a fashion-forward city bag. The Skule is a structured daypack for hiking, commuting, and travel.
Can I use the Skule 28 as a travel backpack?
For day trips and urban travel, yes. The 28L capacity holds a laptop, a change of clothes, snacks, and travel essentials. For multi-day travel where you need to pack everything in one bag, 28L is tight – most one-bag travelers prefer 35-45L packs. The Skule works well as a daily carry bag during a trip where your main luggage stays at the hotel.
Is the Skule 28 comfortable for all-day wear?
More comfortable than most daypacks at this size. The wooden frame distributes weight evenly across the back panel, the hip belt takes pressure off your shoulders on loaded carries, and the sternum strap prevents strap slippage. At 2.2 lbs empty, it’s heavier than frameless nylon alternatives, but the added weight goes directly into comfort features.