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Review: Kulkea Käydä: The Travel Backpack That's Ready To Go

Kulkea has done it again, this time with a bag meant for air travel for the adventure-seeking soul. This bag is aptly named the Käydä, which means "to go."

Phil and I take a lot of long trips, mostly in the SS Pugski, so we use big gear bags that can carry a month's worth of belongings. The big bags are too much when we hop on a plane for a quick trip, though, so when Kulkea came out with this backpack, it piqued my interest.

When the Käydä arrived, it seemed smaller than I'd remembered, so I was skeptical that it would be big enough for a week-long trip, but I was excited to give it a try. I had planned to visit my family during shoulder season, and we all know packing for multiple weather conditions can lead to overpacking. I started laying things out and then sorting and culling them in order to find the right balance. As soon as I began, I realized that I really didn't need to pack as light as I did because this carry-on holds a deceptively large amount of stuff.

KulkeaKäydä Main Packed.jpeg

Kulkea Käydä Straps.JPG
Now that we've talked about the sizzle, let's get down to the meat of things. In true Kulkea fashion, the sturdy backpack straps and removable waist belt are padded for comfort, and an adjustable chest strap keeps the shoulder straps in place.





Kulkea Käydä electronic attach.JPG


The detachable travel kit has a handy spot to run a charging cord for a tablet and your other handheld tech devices. It also comes with a cross-body sling so you can keep it with you or quickly click it on the Käydä. I used it for toiletries during my trip.





The main body of the Käydä has an area for shoes or other things you want to keep separate from your clothing; this space has a waterproof zipper with a bonus 1-in. expansion. A front apparel panel has dual access with zippers and two utility pockets for toiletries or other essentials.


Since I was traveling during Covid-19, I used this compartment for things like extra masks, cough drops, and antibacterial wipes.


Kulkea Käydä Waterproof compartment.jpeg
Kulkea Käydä Front.JPG


Other handy features to make your travel easier include zippered passport and laptop pockets, a magnetic-closure water bottle holder, a stowable helmet holder, and sturdy handles on top and side for those quick grab moments. All of these features are packed into a bag that fits in the overhead quite nicely.

Kulkea Käydä Helmet holder.JPG
Kulkea Käydä Passport:laptop zip.JPG
Kulkea Käydä Carry On Compliance.JPG
Kulkea Käydä Overhead.JPG


After one trip with this Käydä, I'm confident it will be my "go to." Don't wait to get one: contact Kulkea and order yours "to go."

Kulkea Käyda To Go.JPG
About author
Tricia
Pugski Tester Tricia
Height: 5'5"

Weight: 145 lb

Years skiing: 30+

Days per year: 75+

Home mountains: Mt Rose, Palisades Tahoe, Alpine Meadows

Preferred terrain: Trees, of course, but making tracks in fresh corduroy brings a smile to my face, too.

Skiing style: Finesse

Preferred ski characteristics: I like a ski that is strong enough to hold an edge but soft enough to bend with some energy and feedback.

Boots: K2 Anthem Pro 120, Lange RS Purple Haze Heritage Boot, Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 115 BOA, Salomon Supra BOA,

About me: "Do what you love, love what you do" are the words I live by. Skiing became my passion from the moment I turned 18; a little over 25 years later, I moved to the Lake Tahoe Basin to make skiing my life and career. Along with helping skiers face to face, I am the site manager and owner here on pugski.com and review product for various manufacturers, both hardgoods and softgoods as well as work with manufacturer focus groups to help improve ski gear for women.

Replies

Phil and I have done more traveling, and this bag is always ready to go for us.
Love the tech pack for cords and chargers, multiple compartments and easy to carry, not to mention that its durable as all get out.
 
I’m curious if it has enough space for ski boots (26.5) plus additional stuff. The pictures show a tight fit with what seems like short height boots.

I had ordered the dbjourney strom 30L. In the pictures it showed ski boots fitting easily. In reality, it is a very tight fit which distorts the shape of the bag a bit. The top section can fit the goggles but not in their hard case (smith 4d mag). No space for the helmet. The 50L is a bit too big for carry-on. Plus I don’t like some design elements on the 50L.
 
I’m curious if it has enough space for ski boots (26.5) plus additional stuff. The pictures show a tight fit with what seems like short height boots.

I had ordered the dbjourney strom 30L. In the pictures it showed ski boots fitting easily. In reality, it is a very tight fit which distorts the shape of the bag a bit. The top section can fit the goggles but not in their hard case (smith 4d mag). No space for the helmet. The 50L is a bit too big for carry-on. Plus I don’t like some design elements on the 50L.
I fit my size 28.5 boots in mine. It’s seems slightly distorted when I put them in but settles in once I put it on my back. I’ve flown with four different boot bags as a carry-on and the Kulkea Kayda is hands down the best.
 
I fit my size 28.5 boots in mine. It’s seems slightly distorted when I put them in but settles in once I put it on my back. I’ve flown with four different boot bags as a carry-on and the Kulkea Kayda is hands down the best.
Thanks Stephen. I did end up ordering it and I agree, it has enough space, and then some.
 
Used this bag for a week long ski trip to Red Mountain, BC. Packed ski boots in it, along with enough ski wear to get me thru incase my ski bag (Dakine Fall Line Ski Roller Bag) got delayed. I was able to pack for a week long trip between the 2 bags. Made for any easy airport and shuttle commute. The Kayda is an awesome travel bag. Fully packed I was at about 30#, and it never felt heavy. I lovee the detachable bag on top. It is perfect for an iPad, charging cables, and all the little extras you want to have handy while traveling. It also fit nicely into the airplane seat pocket.

BTW, the Dakine Fall Line Ski Roller Bag with the internal (boot) bag was perfect addition. I wish the Kulkea Ski bag came in a smaller (<175) size as I would have given that try.
 
Thanks for the review, Tricia! Two questions for Kayda owners:

1) Can this bag fit under the airplane seat in front of you?
2) The ads show a sunglasses pocket near the top, but the sunglasses are naked inside. Would this pocket still fit sunglasses in a protective folding case?

Thanks again!
 
Thanks for the review, Tricia! Two questions for Kayda owners:

1) Can this bag fit under the airplane seat in front of you?
2) The ads show a sunglasses pocket near the top, but the sunglasses are naked inside. Would this pocket still fit sunglasses in a protective folding case?

Thanks again!
It would be a tight fit under the seat. it is basically the size of a carry-on bag, and fits nicely in the overhead.
the sunglass pocket is lined, and may fit a case depending on the size of the case.

I just used the bag again for a week one trip to Snowbird. Fit ski boots, gloves, socks goggles, base layers, shell jacket and pants (shell); everything I needed for a day of skiing. -albeit a tight fit, and careful packing...
 

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