Kantolaukku

Kantolaukku is Finnish for a bag that is carried by hand or worn over the shoulder. The term denotes a generic carrying bag rather than a specific product category, and it can describe a wide range of bag designs used in daily life, work, travel, and leisure.

The word is a compound of kantaa, meaning to carry, and laukkku, meaning bag or pouch.

Design and features: Kantolaukku typically has handles or straps and a main compartment, often with closures such as zippers, magnets, or flaps. Many models include pockets, padding, or organizers for valuables, and materials vary from leather and canvas to nylon and other synthetics. Some kantolaukku are specialized for tasks such as shopping totes, messenger bags for commuting, or laptop and camera bags; others are general-purpose.

Materials, care, and usage context: Leather items require conditioning; textiles may be washed or wiped; synthetic bags can be spot-cleaned. Durability and weather resistance depend on material, construction, and stitching. In Finnish usage, kantolaukku sits alongside more specific terms like reppu (backpack), salkku (briefcase), or laukku (bag), with kantolaukku emphasizing the carrying aspect rather than a fixed form.

See also: Laukku, Reppu, Salkku.