KAJKA - Fjällräven apply unique wooden frame to decrease carbon footprint of award winning backpack.

Spacious, ergonomic and packed with functions – Fjällräven’s Kajka has become a favourite among hikers and has received top placements in several backpack tests. For summer 2013, the model is being updated with an innovative, Swedish-produced wooden frame construction. The new backpack frame is made from light, strong and tough Finnish birch, and it has a 90 percent lower carbon footprint than its aluminium predecessor. The new Kajka also has a number of improved features and has already been named Best New Outdoor Product in North America.

The first Kajka model came in summer 2008 and its robust design, great ergonomics and large capacity made it one of Fjällräven’s best-selling backpacks. It has been praised by hikers and repeatedly been a favourite in tests conducted by the outdoor media. Kajka is being upgraded for summer 2013 with an innovative, environmentally friendly frame made from wood. Kajka’s new frame is made from tough, strong and lightweight Finnish birch, which is laminated using a proven technique used in the furniture-making industry.

– Wood is functionally a fantastic material and has real environmental advantages. By using wood, we have reduced the environmental impact of the frame by over 90% compared to using aluminium, while still keeping strength without adding weight, says Henrik Andersson, Hardware Product Developer at Fjällräven.

Kajka is made from Fjällräven’s durable backpack fabric Vinylon F. The carrying system is designed for heavy loads and the user-friendly Perfect Fit Adjustment System allows the pack to be easily adjusted to different body types – in addition to the length of the back being adjustable, the shoulder straps have three width settings. The hip belt is generously padded and secured to the adjustment straps in two places so their angle can be easily adjusted.

The storage space is well planned with a large, dividable main compartment and a practical Wet/Dry compartment at the bottom that is perfect for separately storing wet or dirty clothing and equipment. Two compression rods run down the front of the pack and help to compress the backpack evenly with only two compression straps on the sides. This means that the side pockets are always accessible, even when the backpack is compressed. The top lid has been enlarged and just as with the earlier version, it can be detached and used as a chest or hip bag. The side pockets, hip-belt pockets and rain cover have all also been improved for even better functionality.

Kajka was named Most Interesting Product and won the award “Gear of the Show” at North America's largest outdoor show, Outdoor Retailer in Salt Lake City.

The pack is available in women’s and men’s models in sizes between 55 and 100 litres. There is even a junior model, although it is without a frame and has fewer features. New KAJKA is available in stores in summer 2013.