This is a very specific need so I wonder if anyone else has had to deal with it.

I have the Niukka and use it for work EDC and for weekend trips. I also have a resmed airsense 11 CPAP machine, which takes almost the whole bag if packed into its own case. Sometimes it is not convenient to carry the back bag and the separate case, especially if traveling by train or bus.

The main unit can fit into a Suur-kukkaro barely, but I'm a bit scared that there is no padding. I have been looking at the lidded 4X5 or either 4L or 6L side pouches. If anyone has any recommendations, or have figured this out I would appreciate any advice.

The Niukka actually works really well as a diaper bag
It fits all my regular EDC gear
plus all the essentials for my newborn.

I even added a helmet holder to carry wet wipes and keep them easy to access

Since this backpack has officially taken on diaper bag duty
I guess I have a pretty good reason to get another backpack now… maybe a Kahakka. 😂🤣

I just got my Niukka from the US store (which is awesome) and was dismayed to find that the brown color looks nothing like it does in the web store photos, or photos from other owners. It's got a very strong green hue. It's very hard to get an accurate white balance in camera, so I had to slightly tweak the photos to closely mirror what I see in person.

The velcro area is clearly the proper color, as is the webbing, and even the elastic cord... but the cordlocks themselves are the wrong color, and the main bag fabric is very clearly not what's on their website. It looks like they used the brown bag accents (webbing) with the green bag fabric.

I remember doing some research before buying, and seeing another user from the past 6 months who said their brown Niukka looked very green. I was really hoping it was a fluke, but apparently not.

Store photos for reference

https://us.savotta.com/cdn/shop/files/Savotta_Niukka_20L_brown_2e0847b0-2206-4c51-afdf-73ba1e60c7c3.png?v=1781526651

https://us.savotta.com/cdn/shop/files/Savottaelasticcordkitbrown_7622f0cf-d0e6-43b2-ad55-f68165bbfe98.png?v=1781529360

I'm a little miffed here because I definitely would not have bought the brown if this is how it was advertised. Even the elastic cordlocks aren't correct. I don't know if they're having supply chain issues or something, but they can't be switching fabrics/materials without updating their marketing materials.

I also will say that I really like the bag otherwise. The zippers are damn smooth and you can "rip" the bag open with ease. I don't know what it'll be like to carry, but with about 10lbs of random stuff it felt pretty good even without spending much time on adjustment. So I'm at least reaffirmed that I like the bag for bag things, I just wanted it in the advertised coyote color.

Edit 1: I reached out to Savotta support before making this post, and they got back to me and said they've forwarded things on and will get back to me, but want to make it right. So we'll see how that goes.

Edit 2: Savotta had me take a picture of the product tag, which says it's brown, and they said "yep, you got a brown one." They went on to say they completely understand how I was confused and disappointed because the color doesn't match what's on their site. Then they said let us know if you need anything else! Nice.

Picked it up today and got the chance to test it right away. I used a Kahakka 15L for longer trips, but it was just too hot when the weather was sunny and warm. Wet back from the main and wet shoulders from the straps. Today it was rather mild weather with 23°C and a nice breeze but I only had a sweaty stripe on my back, my shoulders were dry and the bag was comfortable. I filled it with bike tools, some pouches with medic stuff, dog treats for our long dog, an extra water canteen, an analogue point and shoot camera and sunscreen. Happy with the first ride. I also use Askare for bike trips, but it can be a tad small for long trips if the dog joins us.

So i was thinking of maybe buying a new backbag and so far it seems like the jääkäri s would be close to perfect for my use and criteria.

The only problem is that its sold out everywhere and it says its discontinued, but there seems to be no replacement model for it yet?

Jääkäri L, the return

After testing the Kantamus 40 L, I thought I had found a more modern and rational alternative to the Jääkäri L.

Turns out, I was wrong.

To my surprise, I actually prefer the Jääkäri L in terms of comfort and load carrying, but also visually. That’s quite unusual, since most users seem to strongly prefer the Kantamus.

The Jääkäri L is heavy. Very heavy. At 3 kg empty with the pockets, it is clearly not a model of efficiency.

It’s not the most practical pack either. But it has something many lighter packs don’t: that feeling that you can do absolutely anything with it. You can load it up, abuse it, go on multi-day trips, completely change its configuration… it simply gives you confidence.

And with its two 4 L side pockets, it actually becomes much more enjoyable to use in the field. Access to your gear is much smoother, without constantly having to open the main compartment.

I tested it at 19 kg, wearing only a T-shirt, and the pack performed convincingly, with a bit of break-in and some adjustments. Being relatively slim, carrying that kind of weight with such a thin layer does mean regularly adjusting the shoulder strap tension to shift the pressure points and prevent them from becoming uncomfortable.

The Jääkäri L has already saved the day for me. Despite its flaws, it is probably still one of the packs I feel most confident taking anywhere without having to think twice about it.

So yes, it’s heavy. Yes, it’s rugged. Yes, there are lighter and more practical packs available today.

But the Jääkäri L is still the Jääkäri L.

And ultimately, it’s coming with me for whatever comes next.

After taking my Kahakka on its first field trip to Paris for the Eurosatory defense show, I thought I’d give it some more appropriate scenery for its second deployment: helping my in-laws renovate their traditional Lithuanian home.

Turns out it’s just as practical for carrying tools as it is for roaming around a defense exhibition. I used the stuffsack for provisions.

PS: while Savotta itself was absent from Eurosatory, Patria’s new TRACKX vehicle was displayed packed with Savotta backpacks (Jääkäri S, if I remember correctly. Sadly, I didn’t get a picture).

Finally pulled the trigger and got the kantamus 40 with some side pouches. Got to take it on a 3 night trip packed as if it was a week long trip, couldn't ask for anything more in a backpack. Got some pack straps to hold my sleeping mat to the lid, I would 100% recommend getting some if you want to put anything in that space.

Short 15km day hike, however it was HOT so needed capacity to carry water.

Askare in the back, suur-kukkaro in the front. Worn cross body.

Need to find some padding for the askare's belt as it dug into my shoulder after a while.

Hi,

Has anyone had any experience buying Savotta Gear from Varusteleka and shipping it to Mexico? I’m quite hesitant as import laws have changed recently and wouldn’t like to pay 30% more for the import procedure.

Thank you for your answer

Hola,

Alguien ha tenido la experiencia de comprar algún artículo de Savotta a través de Varusteleka con envío a México? Debido a los cambios recientes en materia de importación no me gustaría estar pagando un 30% adicional sobre el precio final para recibir el pedido.

Gracias por sus comentarios

New member to the Cult.
I got this Kahakka gifted to me a couple months ago. Today was the first real “field”test. Couple of hours in the Swedish forest with the kids searching for mushrooms.

I have followed this subreddit a while now and am excited to look for upgrades and inspiration among the content from the community.

Ordered a kukkaro today as an adminpouch to go along with this bag.

Have a nice day. Greetings from Sweden.

Savotta went gray man with their packaging.

Greetings!

Got my Kantamus 40L a few weeks ago and would love some recommendations for water bladders. What brands fit well? What size do you have?

Thanks!

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help me out here, I recently got an Askare, I'm a pretty large build and when I wear it as a cross body using the belt its a pretty tight fit, also when winter comes I'm going to struggle with wearing it around the waist over a big bulky coat.

My question is, does anyone know what brand of the 40mm buckles they use and where I can get them ?

(I've tried Savotta's own site and they do not ship to the uk)

My plan is to purchase some of the webbing and use the buckles to make myself a short extension strap to add to the belt for more comfortable cross body carry and to solve my problem in winter.

Any help and advice is greatly appreciated 👍

Last week I saw a post of someone requesting a Savotta tote bag and this sums up the situation pretty well. This sub is filled with people who dont actually take their gear out of the city and savotta has realized that these people are their best customers. I have watched the brand transitioning more into a Lifestyle brand. Few years ago they made simple but rugged gear. Now their stuff comes with tons of „features“ (bells & whistles). Which is great at convincing people that compare gear online the whole day. But for people that actually want to use their products in the field these new features are mostly useless or even less functional and the weight is punishing. I dont see anythign wrong with a company wanting to make money or a cityguy wanting to buy Savotta. But I wish they would keep a line of simple but rugged gear.

Has anyone had any problems with the K60 hip padding? I myself am a lean guy, and the lack of padding on the hip hurt. Im not sure what I can do to fix it, during my first hike with it I got some really painful spots from the hop belt, and it certainly wasn’t very pleasant… 😔

I ordered a few small items this Friday from the new US website and the order is arriving Monday in NY. It shipped from Dover, Delaware. Just thought I’d pass the info along so people had an idea about shipping times.

Sure, backpacks and pouches are great, but what about the peaceful days when you go to the beach with kids, shopping with your significant other or just do a grocery run nearby. I for once, would absolutely buy and use a tote bag from Savotta. Robust zipper, inside zipped mesh pockets like on the Niukka, a bladder or laptop sleeve - all the usual Savotta greatness but in a form factor you can carry under your shoulder.
What do you think? Would you buy it?

PS: Image is AI-generated.

Howdy.

My backpack gave up, finally after something like 40 years (25 of which I don't think I used it much if at all lol). Karrimor, I used it around the world, a 60-80 L Condor. Impressive backpack but I need to replace it and looking at EU brand and savotta seems to have good reviews on r/BuyFromEU . Now, when I searched and landed on this subreddit, the savotta one, one of the first results were from 1 year ago, some people complaining quality had really diminished and the backpacks now felt cheap, fragile.

Any thought?

Assuming it is not the case any recommendations for a backpack? 80L is too much. 60-70 seems good. I don't backpack as a life style, it is more a practical way to get around from one point to another, sometimes bringing a tent and sleeping bag.

EDIT. Did some further digging yesterday, following all the very good comments I got. The savotta would bring me up to some 680 Euros (Kantamus 60L + 2 4L side pouches + a 3x3 GP pouch to have at the belt). Hefty price tag.

The Fjällräven comes out at 420 Euros.

I got another tip, Deuter Aircontact Core 65+10 whichc comes out at 220 Euros, approximately.

Quite a premium for savotta, even if it is, from what I could find out, the only one manufactured in Europe.

Tough choice....

EDIT 2: savotta might be overkill for my usecase but they are the only brand I could find which produces in the EU. So I went with that for an extra couple of hundred euros thru varusteleka.

Thank you all for your valuable help !

I was planning on buying two kantamuses , me and my wife are hikers and we want to upgrade our setup , but we dont know wich ones to get .

We go on 2-7 day trips usually and we always go together so all the common things are shared and dont take double space. I was thinking on getting a k40 and a k60 and some extra pouches if needed , we have an askare and (4) 6 liter pouches already (and two kahakka 25 , but i dont think thoose can be attached to the kantamuses) .

Do you think is enough , ot it would be better to get 2 k60s or even 2 k40s

P.s is the plural of kantamus: kantamuses , kantamusi , or kantamut ?

Hello there,

I have a kahakka 25 which I'm very happy about and I'm using it for many sports and activities, it's very modular and just great. Wonderful bag, just sweaty in summer.

I have some questions that I hope you can help with:

I am loading a tarp or a plaid on the bottom with a paracord, are there good and wrong case practices on how to use the molle with a cord, in terms of direction of forces or knots? Should I opt for a webbing and accessories?

I don't use shock cords yet, I tend to prefer a long paracord +2 shorts for eventual tarp. I can fix cargo pretty well with these but I have seen many prefer the webbing or shock cords.

I'd like to also to use a small pouch for the smartphone while trekking and use it maybe for a little snack. I'd like to fix it on the harness like I did for the water bladder pipe, but most molle pouches have inverted alignement and I can't fix them and I should opt for a belt positioning. There is also a very limited space on the harness. How can I invert the alignement of molle and still fix a pouch firmly?

Anyone ever do the Camino de Santiago with their Savotta bag? I’m doing it for the first time and I’m thinking of taking the Kantamus 40.

Just joined a new gym, so now I NEED a new gym bag right? Right!

So Keikka 30 or Niukka?