Swedish Design Museum’s Latest Exhibit Fits in a Backpack—and You Can Rent It for Free

Functionality and design meets tourism in the latest interactive show from the Swedish Design Museum, a virtual collective that only exists online.

The museum, which focuses on Swedish architecture, design, and fashion, just launched its “To Go” show, which asks visitors to Sweden to take part in fully experiencing what the country has to offer. Those interested in taking part in the exhibit can book one, or several, curated backpacks filled with items that allow patrons to “feel, smell, touch,” and put Swedish design to work.

According to the Swedish Design Museum website, “The backpack is filled with well-designed and useful items, carefully selected by local curators representing the creative industry in Sweden and with a big interest in design.” Patrons can rent a backpack curated by those who hail from the north, south, east, or west of Sweden, and use the items within the backpack, along with the curators’ personal tips and go-to spots, to immerse themselves fully in local Swedish culture.

For example, the items included in the “To Go—East” backpack include an Iris Hantverk bath brush and a Noy Roy towel that could be put to use in Hellasgården, where ice baths are a common activity to partake in. Then, fill up the water bottle provided by A Good Company and bop around the Bergius Botanic Garden or Gallery Tegel.

Or, if you’d rather head north, you can pick up your backpack, curated by Linnéa Therese Dimitriou, in Umeå and relax on the Woolpower Sit Pad while taking in the wonder of the Northern Lights.

Each backpack and its contents are free to rent and use, but must be returned within a week in order to let someone else try it out. And the Swedish Design Museum notes that they are just offering up the backpack and its contents for free—travel, lodging, transportation, etc. are not included in the experience.

This may just be the coolest way to experience a new place, and is definitely giving all of us a reason to head to Sweden before the exhibit ends in September. Head over to the booking site here.