#HTE

Bright Backpacks from Budapest

There’s one surfer bar in Budapest, Hungary, and it has a basement. In that basement is a guy in love with 70s polyester-heavy style, old school outdoor gear, and long lasting products. This guy is Balazs Lakotos, and he started making YKRA (pronounced eek-rah) bags back in 2011. Since then, he’s been committed to making bags that are simple, functional, less technical, and stitched on quality craftsmanship.

Marta Mini Khaki

We fell in love with YKRA bags first for their bright colors, second for the simple design, and finally, we were pleasantly surprised to see just how functional they are. Both bags we’re carrying (ha.ha.) have an inner zipper pocket and a 13’’ laptop sleeve. They’re made of quality canvas, which isn’t technically waterproof. However, we took the bags out into the elements and thought they did just fine. 

The packs are finished with cow leather, nickel brackets, and polypropylene rope. The colors will fade and the leather will wear in. Some time in the future, hikers and commuters will long not for gear from the 70s, but for some backpacks that came out of Budapest in 2016.

Marta Mini Blue fighting the rain

The two packs we have are the Sailor and the Marta Mini. The Sailor is a single strap bag with a rope for synching your goods. It’s classic canvas and rope bag perfect for casual day trips. The Marta Mini is a little sturdier—double straps, a synch rope, and a leather bottom. 

Lakotos said he was inspired by the early outdoorsmen - the likes of Yvon Chouinard and Jake Burton. Those guys went out there and didn’t have high tech gear. They just had passion, desire, and a spirit that was simply excited to be. He wanted these bags to recall those times. And we think he’s done well. We’re excited to have these bags in the shop and honor, as YKRA calls it, “Vintage Hiking." 

Sailor Pack Red doing the dang thing

Check out all the bags here.