The Sandqvist ethos is that you shouldn't have three different bags cluttering up your house when one would do. Sportier looking than some of their other bags, the Otis still walks that versatile line between workday practicality and weekend fun. The clamshell zip means you can open it right up like a book, and inside you've got a range of mesh and zip pockets to keep everything super organised – including a 16" laptop sleeve. We're big fans of the separate external-access shoe compartment, which bolsters the Otis's functionality as both a gym bag and a weekend travel pack. Compared to the more city-focused bags in the Sandqvist range, the Otis has a lot more cushioning in the shoulder straps – and combined with the removable sternum strap and 34 litre capacity, this makes it a solid hiking bag, ideal for slightly heavier loads.
Fusing the style and creative energy of the Stockholm archipelago with the hard-bitten adventure of the Scandinavian mountains, Sandqvist's beautiful packs are as Swedish as cinnamon buns and that funny cod roe in squeezy tubes.
Founded in 2004 by three childhood mates living in Stockholm, the idea was to create bags that weren't tied to a single environment. Razor-sharp minimalist design to look stylish in the city, teamed with technical features and fabrics to perform in the backcountry. We could all do with less stuff in our lives, and Sandqvist's versatile packs will take you from fika in Södermalm to a red-painted summer cabin in the forest – all while looking just about as Grammable as it gets.
These are bags designed to do more with less – and that carries through into the materials and manufacture too. The durable polyester and nylon fabrics are 100% recycled from post-consumer or industrial waste, and supply chains are regularly audited for working conditions and environmental impact. The leather is a by-product of high-welfare Scandinavian meat and dairy herds, processed by independently certified tanneries – and in some cases they also produce vegan versions of their packs.
Speaking as inveterate Scandophiles, we reckon Sandqvist’s packs are everything gear should be. Sustainable, functional, versatile, and seriously good-looking.
