Backpacks

Fjällräven Ulvö 30 Backpack | Review

A well-crafted daypack featuring an impressive new fabric from Swedish brand Fjällräven

Why We Chose The Fjällräven Ulvö 30 Backpack: Versatile design, durable, weather resistant

While the Fjällräven Ulvö 30 might look like just a fashionable backpack that someone goes to work with, the reality is that it’s actually techier than most hiking-specific backpacks out there. Why’s that then? Well, not only is this decked out with useful features, but it also uses a remarkably impressive fabric.

Just FYI, we’ve already previously tested out the Fjällräven Ulvö Rolltop. This version here is the one with a zipped lid closure instead.

Who Is The Fjällräven Ulvö 30 For?

This really is a very versatile pack, one that we can see being very popular with commuters who walk or cycle to work. It’s also ideal for just your everyday hiker who wants something that can accommodate all of the kit and food they’d need for a day trip and that’ll be comfortable and hardy enough to get them up from A to B and back.

From city to summit, the Fjällräven Ulvö can do the lot. Photo: Mike Brindley

Materials

This uses a material first developed by Fjällräven only a year ago called Bergshell and it’s impressive stuff. In fact, despite being smooth and soft to the touch, it’s waterproof and surprisingly durable. That’s all thanks to a PU-laminate (which is free from PFCs) taped seams and then an interesting construction where the ripstop threads are kept level with the main fabric so that they won’t scuff and wear down quickly, as can often happen with the normal type of ripstop threads which are raised above the main fabric. The fabric is rated at 400D overall, so it’ll easily see off any sharp stuff. What’s more its made from 31% recycled materials.

Features

The Fjällräven Ulvö 30 has plenty of adjustment potential which we always like to see on bags. Compression straps on the sides, for instance, allow you to cinch in the volume when you’re only carrying a small load. There’s also an easy-sliding sternum clip that holds well and fastens conveniently. Finally it has a removable hipbelt, which, although basic, does the job when you’re cycling or even running.

“I also found it to be surprisingly stable – even enough to run with.”

As for pockets, there are two stretch mesh ones on the sides, a zipped overlid and underlid and then you have a little zipped pocket down on your right kidney that you can access easily while on the move (this is perfect for stashing your phone in). Inside the bag, as well as that underlid pocket it also has a padded laptop sleeve that could double as a place to store a hydration bladder, two other mesh pockets for keeping small valuables and an internal gear divider.

The Ulvö is made from a waterproof fabric complete with taped seams. Photo: Mike Brindley

The sternum strap is easy to adjust and to clip or unclip on the fly. Photo: Mike Brindley

Ergonomic shaping on the harness. Photo: Mike Brindley

Tester’s Verdict

Will Renwick, Editor of Outdoors Magic

“Have I found this waterproof enough to hike or cycle with? Yes. The Bergshell fabric does live up to its description. What you need to make sure of, however, is that the storm flap is properly covering the zips. You’ll probably see some moisture ingress in really bad weather if it isn’t. Long story short, this definitely isn’t the kind of waterproof bag that you could, say, throw into a river and expect it to keep your stuff dry. If you want that, perhaps take a look at the rolltop version of this.

The Ulvo 30 joined us on a trip to the Lake District. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

“The back system is fairly basic, offering just a bit of padding and run-of-the-mill air mesh, but it is still comfortable even with a heavy load. Thanks to the ergonomically-shaped shoulder straps, I also found it to be surprisingly stable – even enough to run with.

“I like all the neat little touches,, like the little tab on the front where you can attach a bike light, and that small pocket on the side which can be reached when you’re cycling.

“The mesh pockets are deep enough to securely hold something like an insulated flask or a lightweight waterproof jacket. The only downside is that their mesh material does feel a little precious, which is a shame considering the durability of the rest of the pack.

The Bergshell fabric is surprisingly durable. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

“The 30L capacity is certainly enough for a day hike. I actually found it was overgenerous for the kind of load I carry, so I made use of the side compression straps. Another useful feature to have on a day pack.

“At 900g, it isn’t super-light, but that’s not to say it’s heavy. It would actually make for a useful bag to travel with as it folds down flat enough that it won’t take up too much space in your main suitcase.”

Trade Secrets

Answered by Svante Björkroth – Product Developer at Fjӓllrӓven

“We set out to create a functional backpack that really could accommodate the need of a typical everyday commute to work with enough capacity and compartments to be able to separate your work gear from your sports-kit or wet towels.

This a backpack that can do it all. Photo: Jordan Tiernan

“Besides being the result of 60 years of making backpacks, in the end it is about field testing. For this particular product we have relied a lot on our own experiences and feedback from our many colleagues that love the outdoors but are also regularly commuting to work by bike – regardless of season or weather. While some might cancel their hike because of rain or wet snowfall, that is not an option when you have to drop your kids off at school and still make it to the office in time for a meeting so having a pack that is reliably waterproof and easily fits in all your gear is essential. This backpack is also made of our Bergshell fabric. A waterproof and extremely durable fabric which is partly recycled and full of Fjällräven’s DNA, Bergshell was the result of several years of research and development.”