By Shelley Budd
On the west coast, we love camping. But we also love style. Fjällräven combines the two, making sturdy, functional packs that are designed to go beyond the hike. Made with easy-dry materials in great colour combinations, the fun backpacks can go on a hiking trip, to and from classes or work, or to the pub. It’s the perfect Vancouver pack, taking you from the sunny Sunday morning ride around Stanley Park to a romp through Chinatown, to the afternoon showing of Inception – and it doesn’t look like ‘camping gear.’

The Swedish company, started in 1950 by an adventurous 14-year old boy-child who was sick of his sack breaking his back, has been selling this particular pack since 1978. Apparently 80% of the Swiss population has some piece of Fjällräven apparel, which can be found in Vancouver at Home Werx on Davie St. (between Thurlow and Burrard), and more hard-core camping gear can be found online. The colours are awesome and the design reeks of cult-following – I doubt these could ever go out of style.