We were thinking, wouldn't it be lovely if you could have the stylish design of a smart city bag, paired with the build quality of the more technical outdoor packs we love so much here at WildBounds? And then we came across Sandqvist – a Swedish brand with one foot in the mountains and the other in urban Stockholm. This Hege backpack is definitely towards the smarter end of their range, constructed in a mix of organic cotton canvas and top-quality leather. They've gone for a traditional double roller-buckle closure, with inner and outer zip pockets to help keep your bits and bobs organised. The 15-litre capacity is pretty much bang-on for work or just mooching about town, and there's a laptop compartment that'll take most machines up to 16". Sleek and streamlined, it's got simple webbing shoulder straps with slider adjustment, plus a convenient leather grab handle.
| Capacity | 15 L |
| Main compartment | 31 x 42 x 15 cm |
| Inner laptop compartment (W x H x D) | 28 x 29 x 2 cm |
| Weight | 1.06 kg |
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.
