Looks-wise, the Timaru has more than a touch of the Wes Anderson movie about it – with a kind of vintage scouting look and some nice retro colour options. But take a closer look and you’ll find there’s nothing old-fashioned about this fully-featured daypack. The padded and contoured shoulder straps are mesh-lined with a removable sternum strap, and the pack is stacked with crafty little pockets and compartments. There’s a padded laptop sleeve and an internal zip and mesh organiser, plus a roomy front pouch, side mesh pockets and a slim compartment in the lid. Flip it over and you’ll even find a super-secret hidden zip pocket in the back panel. You can get into the main compartment via a classic cinch and lid closure, but there’s also a side zip so you don’t have to unpack the whole thing if you accidentally bury your lunch right at the bottom
Now here’s an origin story for you. Back in the early nineties, fishing boat skipper Barry Barr was fed up with wearing cheap trucker caps that got snatched off his head in storms, never to be seen again. He decided to make a super-durable cap that wouldn’t blow off whatever the weather, and he did it by stitching the webbing material from a Teva sandal all the way around the crown. Turned out his ‘Strapcap’ was a hit, and KAVU was born.
From humble beginnings flogging Strapcaps out of the boot of his car in Seattle, Barry’s since expanded to produce a whole array of durable outdoor kit with a laid-back, van-lifer vibe. The KAVU range takes in everything from sling bags to swim shorts, and while they’re serious about producing great gear that’s made to last, they’re also not afraid to have a laugh. Their prints are bold, playful, and in some cases so loud that they’ll take some considerable chutzpah to carry off – but that’s what makes them so much fun.
-Joseph, Verified Buyer
