The Swedish LK-35: The Bushcrafter’s Workhorse Pack
I’ve carried my LK-35 many thousands of kilometres through forest, tundra, muskeg, and winter trail, and I still consider it one of the best bushcraft packs ever designed. It’s small enough to stay nimble, strong enough to haul firewood and steel tools, and simple enough to repair in the field with a needle and waxed thread. It is a rucksack built during a time when military gear was expected to be repaired, not replaced.
Origins & Military Use
The LK-35 was issued widely to soldiers in the Swedish Armed Forces from the 1970s into the late 1980s. The name is straightforward:
- LK = Commonly understood in surplus circles as “Liters Komplett” (complete litres)
- 35 = 35 litre capacity
The model replaced older Swedish rucksacks like the m/39 series and served across Scandinavia for decades. The most commonly known manufacturer associated with the LK series is Haglöfs.
Construction & Build Quality
The LK-35 is built on a distinctive green-lacquered steel external frame with a lower cargo shelf. This shelf is a defining feature — it allows the user to haul awkward loads that internal-frame packs cannot manage.
Typical Specifications:
- Capacity: ~35 litres (more when the lid is extended)
- Empty Weight: ~2.3 kg / ~5 pounds
- Frame Dimensions: ~60 cm tall × 32 cm wide
- Body Material: Heavy cotton canvas (early) or PU-coated nylon/Cordura-type fabric (later)
- Hardware: Metal buckles and strap adjusters (no plastic to break in winter)
The design is elemental: fabric + steel + straps. There is nothing to fail that you cannot fix yourself.
Why Bushcrafters Love It
1. The External Frame
The frame rides well, provides airflow in summer, and transfers load efficiently. Most importantly, it lets you lash tools and firewood without deforming the pack.
2. Simplicity
One large main compartment. No zippers. No fragile pockets. You build your own organization system.
3. Field Repairable
Canvas and webbing can be repaired anywhere with:
- Sail needle
- Awl
- Waxed linen thread
- Patch scraps
How I Have Mine Set Up
Over the years I’ve refined my LK-35 into a pack that feels like an extension of my own body:
- Wide cumberbund-style hip belt with pouches — allows real weight transfer to the hips
- Sheep-pile sewn onto the shoulder straps — prevents pressure bite and hot spots
- Two external utility pouches — one for water and cup, one for cordage and fire kit
- Axe strapped to the frame side; folding saw rides on the shelf
These modifications are common in the bushcraft community and are part of why the LK-35 has such a following — it is a platform you can make your own.
Drawbacks (Honest Assessment)
- Heavier than modern packs — the steel frame adds weight, but also durability
- Stock straps are minimalist — best solved with padding or replacements
- No built-in organization — you must establish your own packing system
These are not flaws so much as design philosophy. The pack is a blank canvas.
Final Thoughts
The LK-35 remains one of the most practical and reliable military rucksacks ever issued. It is an honest, durable tool that rewards understanding, modification, and long-term use.
In a world of ultralight gear designed to be replaced every season, the LK-35 stands out as a pack that grows better with age — a companion you come to trust.
Sources (For Those Who Will Ask)
- Haglöfs military contract archive references (1970s–1980s issue)
- Swedish Armed Forces surplus supply nomenclature & depot inspection stamps
- Varusteleka (Finland) — LK-35 material and production variation notes
- MilitaryMart UK — generational differences in construction
- Floby Överskottslager (Sweden) — dimensional measurements and frame specifications
- BushcraftUK forum — long-running LK-35 modification documentation
- MCQ Bushcraft (YouTube) — widely-referenced mod examples for straps and belts
- Personal field use — thousands of kilometres carried through varied terrain
Have questions or want to see my modified LK-35 setup? Leave a comment below — I always enjoy talking gear.
