I am a sucker for Kanken bags but wanted something a bit more functional. So I picked up a Skule 20 and ran a quick test to compare what the three bags can fit!
TLDR: All three bags could hold pretty much the same amount of stuff, with the Kånken Original struggling when it came to the water bottle and laptop. Packing cubes are cool for organisation but they mess up the space available and make the bags feel too stuffy.
The three bags
- Kånken Original (16L) - top left corner in blue
- Kånken Laptop 15" (18L) - bottom in yellow
- Skule 20L - top right corner in grey
I already own the two Kånkens and use them as my personal (and only) item when I travel. I have been looking for something slightly comfier so picked up the Skule 20 to compare them when it comes to packing. They should all work just fine as personal items in European budgets airlines.
What I packed
Large Thule compression cube
- Jeans (1)
- Shorts (1)
- Cashmere cardigan (1)
- Crochet top (1)
- Button-up shirt (1)
- Lace top (1)
- Crop top (1)
- Striped tee (1)
Medium Thule compression cube
- PJ set
- Underwear (5 pairs)
- Bras (2)
- Socks (4 pairs)
Toiletry Bag
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Makeup: Nars creamy concealer, Mac lipstick
- Skincare: sunscreen and moisturiser (I'm fine using whatever shower gel is available to wash my face)
- Other: solid shampoo bar from Lush, small pot of hair mask, comb, tweezers, deodorant
Electronics
- MacBook Air 13" (not pictured)
- Digital camera
- Phone charger and adapter
- Portable battery
- AirPods
- Phone
Other
- Sunglasses
- Keys
- Small notebook and pen
- Water bottle
- Umbrella
- Jacket
Attempt 1: With Thule compression cubes
The Kånken Laptop 15" and the Skule 20 both handled everything minus the laptop. The Kånken Original fit everything minus the laptop and the water bottle. All three bags felt very bulky and filled to the top.
Kånken Original (16L): Really tight fit — absolutely no room left. No way I could have fit a laptop. The water bottle didn't fit in the side pocket, but the umbrella did. I used the top handle for my jacket.
Kånken Laptop 15" (18L): Pretty tight fit — absolutely no room left. I didn't want to force the laptop into the laptop compartment because I was afraid of breaking it, but technically I could have. The water bottle was an extremely tight fit in the side pocket, but the umbrella fit fine. I used the top handle for my jacket.
Skule 20 (20L): Pretty tight fit, but some room left in the front compartment and the top pocket for small items. The laptop would not have fit at all. Bottle and umbrella fit in the side pockets perfectly, and I used the bungee for my jacket. A bit uncomfortable to carry because it felt so bulky.
I swear there's a bag under the jacket (Skule 20)
Attempt 2: Without Thule compression cubes
I decided to ditch the packing cubes and shove everything into the main compartment for each bag. Same results, but this time both the Kånken Laptop 15" and the Skule 20 were able to fit the laptop in their laptop compartments. They still felt pretty stuffed, but somehow the clothes shifted around better and they were easier to carry. The Kånken Original (16L) was not able to fit a laptop and the bottle was still a no.
So, how do they compare?
Either of these bags will probably work fine for trips of up to a week. Next time I travel, I'll ditch the compression cubes and let the main compartment do the compression job itself.
To really test things in the experiment, I made a point to pick extra bulky items — like crochet and jeans — when in reality anything chunkier I would probably wear while travelling. I also tried to pack both a laptop and a huge camera which is not something I frequently do when travelling.
Which bag am I keeping?
I already own the two Kånkens and will probably keep the Skule 20 because its organisation, bungee, and comfort are so much better than either of the Kånken bags. While it was a bit too bulky on the first attempt, getting rid of the compression cubes really helped.
The Original's straps are straight-up painful when you carry too much weight, although I love how light and breezy it feels when not fully packed. I have taken it on trips but the moment I have to walk for more than a few minutes, I start regretting my choice. I will definitely keep it for day-to-day carry as long as I don't need a laptop or anything heavy.
The Kånken Laptop is the one I'll probably get rid of. I have a love hate relationship with this bag. It definitely feels the roomiest of the three due to the big pocket, but it's clunky and makes me too warm due to the lack of breathability in the back panel. In the past, despite it's larger capacity and padded shoulder straps, I've usually opted for the smaller Original because I hate the back panel so much.