Recently, I have been really into bags, from sling bags, messenger bags to backpacks. Ironically, I haven't been out much and certainly don't need multiple bags. Anyhow, I am getting my second shot of the vaccine, it means I will have more opportunity to use them, right?

While looking into the Fjallraven Kanken backpack, it led me to discover another brand called Doughnut, a Hong Kong company. They produced many different bags, and one of their most popular bags is their Doughnut Macaroon backpack. In a way, Macaroon's basic form and structure are very similar to the Kanken we are familiar with. The differences are the details and the materials they use.

It's like a spiral rabbit hole that I went down. After watching some YouTube reviews on video on the Doughnut Macaroon backpacks, I discovered another company called Himawari. Although they claimed Japanese designers designed the backpack, I highly doubt that, as the backpack itself looks 99% identical to the Macaroon backpack. Also, both companies have their bags made in China.

Since the Himawari backpack has a more affordable price tag, and it is readily available on Amazon, I decided to give it a try before buying the Doughnut and the Fjallraven. The one I purchased was the 13" laptop backpack in dark blue color. It has metal hardware and leather accents, and supposedly it was made with waterproof, scratch-resistant nylon fabric.

First, looking at the bag, I noticed it has a tag that clarifies that the bag is water-resistant but not exactly waterproof because water could still get in from the seams and such. Taking a closer look, the backpack is fairly well made; it doesn't have anything odd that stands out. The stitches are straight and even, and it doesn't have the stray end of threads everywhere. The metal hardware is solid on this bag, I don't think it can get damaged easily, and it will likely last a long time. The leather details do not look bad on the bag, but it is hard to tell if they were made with real leather. I suspect the bag's leather part will be the first thing that breaks after a long period of use. The nylon fabric feels smooth and durable, but I don't think I like its texture and feel. When I poured water over the backpack, most of the water did glide off the bag, and I could easily wipe it clean without leaving any stain.

If you are familiar with the Macaroon backpack, then there won't be any surprise for you regarding the design aspect. They are identical and have multiple compartments and pockets for your organization's needs. The buttons and zippers on this bag work as they should be. As I plan to use it to carry my camera around, they will help me organize the camera batteries, memory cards, and some accessories. The bigger front pocket upfront could be useful for keeping my hand sanitizer and my mask.

Even though I don't plan to use it to carry a lot of stuff, I feel like the size is small for me. For my next Macaroon bag purchase, I will likely get a large one and use it when I go camping. If I discover anything new when using this Himawari backpack, I will update it with a review!