Since its inception in 2013, our beloved Kastrup backpack has traveled the world, becoming a favorite among celebrities and urban professionals. This iconic piece brilliantly combines elegance and practicality. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons behind its enduring success. 

From the beginning, WANT Les Essentiels has aimed to meet the needs of professionals on the go, naming models after airports to reflect this global perspective. Many of us travel daily for work—by train, car, bicycle, subway, bus, or on foot. These perpetual commutes between home and office, with detours to meet friends, attend events, or run errands, demand accessories that are functional, robust, and refined, easily adapting to our modern lifestyle. 

When WANT Les Essentiels launched the Kastrup backpack in Spring 2013, it was with the goal of offering "a streamlined, event-chic backpack that promises to be your favorite new way to house your essentials." The first model was crafted from our signature organic cotton with high-quality smooth leather details. Inside, it featured a padded laptop sleeve, interior zipped pockets, and additional privacy pockets to safely store your phone, tablet, keys, and other personal items. The success was immediate.

Publications such as The New York Times, Hypebeast, Details, and GQ quickly spotlighted the Kastrup, and it was soon seen on notable figures like basketball player Russell Westbrook, who sported the limited-edition model from a collaboration with Barneys New York, as well as creative director and photographer Jake Rosenberg, and actor Eric Rutherford. New York content creator Caleb Thill is devoted to his black leather model, which he considers "definitely work and business appropriate while having a bit of edge." This is the strength of the Kastrup: a perfect balance of style, minimalism, and function that grants it great versatility.

The Kastrup became a core model for WANT Les Essentiels and was the subject of another collaboration in 2015, with the brand Liberty. In response to its popularity, it was adapted for women in a more compact version, the Piper, which won over tennis player Maria Sharapova, as well as content creators Lisa Dengler and Nathalie Suarez (@nathalieoffduty), to name just a few.

What’s New in 2024? 

Considered a classic of WANT, the Kastrup will be one of the star pieces in our new Journey collection for Fall-Winter 24-25. It will soon be available in pebble-grained leather in four colors: Brown, Black, Orange, and Charcoal Gray. 

Follow @wantlesessentiels on Instragram and stay tuned for a sneak peek of our new collections.