Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop 30L review: From office to hills in one pack

How often have you sat at your desk and dreamt of being in a green space? The Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop 30L aims to take you there, quite literally.

Blending commuting with exploring the outdoors, the Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop is a beautifully designed waterproof backpack which promises to take you from the office to the trails in an instant.

It comes in two colours, black and yellow, and has a sleek and minimalistic design, characteristic of the Scandinavian brand.

As the Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop is aimed at both day hikes and everyday use, it combines typical hiking features with every day (spoiler, a laptop sleeve).

Its waterproof, features thoughtful pockets and, thanks to a 30L capacity, is a great size for a hiking daypack. It’s also designed with the environment in mind as it's produced without PFAS.

Back system: Panel, frame and harness

The Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop has a supportive and soft back panel with perforations for ventilation.

The combination of the back panel and harness feels very robust and secure, offering a very comfortable fit. The shoulder straps are a nice width to ensure a comfortable fit and the waist belt is detachable, which is a nod to this pack’s adaptability for various uses.

However, this does also mean that the waist belt is quite thin and not that supportive. I'd prefer a thicker, more purposeful waist belt (perhaps with pockets, too). Of course, this would not look as cool when commuting.

There are small elastics which help secure the waist belt straps and stop them flailing around, which I thoroughly enjoy and there's also a chest strap, which helps create a secure and stable fit. Interestingly, while the waist belt can be removed, the chest strap cannot.

The pack sits close to skin, and even with the perforations on the back panel, ventilation is limited. It’s not a deal breaker but simply highlights the Ulvö is more of a casual pack rather than a serious hiking pack.

I’ve been testing the Ulvö under the Maltese sun which regularly hits over 30°C, and while a black backpack is not the wisest, I have been impressed at how the backpack has performed. It’s not the best ventilated, nor does it claim to be, but it does offer ample comfort and a great fit.

Back length and sizing

The Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop comes in one size which measures 49x27x18cm.

At 180cm, I had no issues with this size, however this pack could be too large for some wearers. It’s a shame that there aren’t a range of sizes on offer to cater for various heights, especially when considering the cost of £160 ($160) for a pack.

Volume, shape and weight

The Fjallraven Ulvö Rolltop 30L fits 30 litres of kit, which is ample for a day hike and you can also bring your laptop along for the adventure.

It’s also just about big enough (if you have lightweight kit) to fit a sleeping bag, bivvy, backpacking stove and pot, plus an extra pair of clothes and food, so you could, theoretically, channel your inner Alastair Humphreys and enjoy a microadventure post work. Oh, how Friday nights have changed.

Sitting close to skin, the Ulvö hugs the body and flexes to your shape, giving a very comfortable fit and shape.

The Fjallraven Ulvö weighs 1.04kg, which puts it at the heavier end of a typical hiking daypack, although it reflects the adaptability of the pack and durability of the main fabric.

The Bergshell fabric is the main culprit for the weight, but given that it’s recycled, waterproof and I’d happily drag it through a hawthorn hedge, I do think it’s a small price to pay for such good quality.

The Ulvö comes up trumps when compared to the Exped Skyline 30 rucksack (1.4kg), which is both heavier and a fraction more expensive.

Another option is the Rab Protium 27 (1.05kg), and the Ulvö is both more stylish, roomier and 10g lighter. However, ultimately, it’s a choice between the more technical features of the Rab Protium and the commuter friendly option of the Ulvö.

There are plenty of lighter but less spacious options such as the Lowe Alpine AirZone Ultra 26 (745g), which is a firm favourite of mine, however it doesn’t look cool when worn to the office, no matter how hard their marketing managers are trying to convince us.

Features: Lid, storage, straps and weather protection

Where the Fjallraven Ulvö pack really excels is in its durability and high-quality feel, thanks to its thick Bergshell fabric. While this may add weight, the waterproof Bergshell fabric in 100% recycled polyamide is excellent and feels endlessly durable as mentioned.

The pack has a roll top closure that can be secured either at the top or along the sides, preventing water from getting to your gear. There are compression straps either side and these can then be neatly tucked into the bottle holder pockets reducing the dreaded flap.

The Ulvö Rolltop also features two side bottle holders and a sometimes useless small, zippered mesh side pocket which is big enough to fit a phone and a purse.

This pocket sits within a water bottle holder pocket so it does come with one drawback that if you have a large water bottle in there you will be hard pressed to use the zipper pocket. This aside, it's a neat feature for quickly accessing a hiking snack, especially given the lack of pockets on the waist belt.

Given this is a pack made not just for hiking but also for everyday use, there's also an outside loop on the front where a bike light could be attached.

Inside the pack, the lining is light, meaning you can see what's inside – a small but genuinely important feature when searching deep within a rolltop, and unlike that of the Red Lightweight Waterproof Backpack 22L.

There's also a padded laptop sleeve which fits up to 15in, however in my experience this means a laptop not in a case, which is slightly misleading. There's also an inner zippered mesh pocket which is useful for valuables you don’t need on the go.

The Ulvö promises excellent weather protection and while I couldn't test this in torrential rain, my water tests concluded this pack is, indeed, very waterproof.

When subjected to simulated "rain" at all angles the pack keeps everything inside dry, and I was also impressed by the quick dry nature of the fabric.

Verdict

It’s difficult to blend everyday use with a practical hiking bag, without compromising too much, but the Fjällräven Ulvö Rolltop 30L excels in being both functional for hiking and daily life.

This isn’t a pack for a technical day out, or a long hike, but it's an excellent option for those looking for a pack that can go from office to hike instantly and, given its durable makeup, should last for a long time. Given it costs £160, you would hope as much.

About the author

Emma Cole is an adventurous freelance journalist, podcaster and copywriter with a passion for outdoor sports, international travel and sustainability. Whether she's testing gear in shifting climates – cycling through the deserts of Jordan or hiking in the UK – Emma brings first‑hand insight to her writing.

Her work regularly appears in Cyclist Magazine, Cycling Weekly, OutdoorsMagic, Cyclingnews, Lost Dot and The Sun, covering everything from UAE bike tours to the eco‑impact of the WorldTour calendar.