Standard Kathmandu Backpack – Dhaka Design (34x27x10cm)

The smaller of the two Kathmandu backpacks in Dhaka design, built from cotton and hemp with hand-woven Dhaka fabric panels in a blue geometric colourway. At 34cm tall, 27cm wide, and 10cm deep, this is a compact day bag — sized for essentials rather than everything. It fits a water bottle, wallet, phone, keys, a light layer, and a paperback without the bulk of a full-sized pack. Made in Nepal. Why the Smaller One The 34 × 27cm footprint sits closer to the body than the large version, which makes it noticeably more comfortable on a smaller frame. If the large Kathmandu backpack feels like it's wearing you rather than the other way round, this is the one to choose. At 10cm deep, the bag keeps a slim profile. It doesn't stick out far from your back, which matters in crowded spaces — public transport, busy markets, narrow shop aisles, festival crowds. You're less likely to knock things over or bump into people. The reduced depth still fits a surprising amount. Think of it as a day's carry, not a weekend's: the main compartment holds what you'd take on a city walk, a gallery visit, or a day out without needing to pack strategically. Front and side zippered pockets keep small items accessible without opening the main compartment. Phone, keys, cash, and cards stay separate and reachable — the compartment layout works the same as on the larger bag, just scaled down. The Dhaka fabric panels carry the same hand-woven geometric patterning as the large version, in the same blue-dominant colourway. The smaller surface area means less visible pattern, but each panel is still individually woven and unique. Cotton, Hemp, Dhaka Cloth The bag's structure is cotton-hemp blend, with Dhaka-woven cotton panels on the exterior. Dhaka is a weft-faced textile — the coloured threads that create the visible pattern run horizontally and cover the structural warp threads beneath. This is what gives Dhaka cloth its dense, almost tapestry-like surface. The patterns are geometric: diamonds, zigzags, stepped borders, and repeating motifs that vary from panel to panel because each section is woven individually on a narrow handloom. The blue colourway is part of the contemporary Dhaka palette. Metal zip closures on all compartments. Adjustable shoulder straps. Stitched seams throughout. The cotton-hemp blend softens with use — expect the bag to feel slightly more relaxed after a few weeks of daily carry, without losing its shape. Where It Goes This bag suits errands, commuting, casual day trips, and any situation where you want your hands free but don't need to carry much. It works as a personal item on flights alongside a larger bag. It's light enough for all-day wear at a festival or market without shoulder fatigue. It is not waterproof. Cotton and hemp will absorb water in sustained rain. For light drizzle it's fine; for anything heavier, a waterproof liner or cover is worth carrying. Spot clean with a damp cloth — don't machine wash, as the Dhaka panels can distort and colours may bleed. Air dry flat. Small Loom, Small Bag Dhaka weaving uses looms that are deliberately narrower than standard textile looms. The fabric comes off in strips rather than wide bolts, which means products made from Dhaka cloth are always assembled from panels — you can see the seams where strips are joined on the bag's exterior. This panel construction is not a limitation; it's how Dhaka has always worked. The narrow loom allows individual weavers to work alone at home rather than in a factory setting, which is why the craft has remained a household and cottage industry across Nepal's hill regions rather than centralising into large workshops. The practical effect for the buyer is that the pattern on your bag is determined by whichever section of cloth was cut for each panel. Two bags from the same batch will share the same colour palette and motif vocabulary, but the exact placement of diamonds and borders will differ. This is one of the few products where the phrase "each one is unique" is literally and verifiably true. Size and Specs Approximately 34cm tall × 27cm wide × 10cm deep. Made in Nepal. Materials: cotton, hemp, Dhaka-woven cotton panels, metal zips. Barcode: 5056368364723. As a Gift The standard size is often the better gift choice when you're not sure about the recipient's build or carrying preferences. It's proportional on most body types and doesn't look oversized on anyone. The Dhaka patterning gives it the kind of visual character that makes it feel considered rather than generic — it's clearly not a mass-produced nylon backpack. Suits students, day-trippers, market browsers, and anyone who carries light but wants a bag with more personality than a tote. Common Questions How does this compare to the large Kathmandu backpack?It's 5cm shorter, 1cm narrower, and 3cm shallower. The depth difference is the most noticeable — 10cm vs 13cm means a slimmer profile on your back. The large version is better if you need to carry a