Sustainable Vegan Backpacks (for eco-friendly travels!)

Whether you are hiking in the hills or back-packing around Europe, choosing a sustainable rucksack is a good investment to last years, when time comes to replace. These are better choices than nylon (a synthetic material made from virgin oil) or leather (often made in countries with poor animal welfare laws).

You can usually just wipe-clean rucksacks. Launder synthetic materials in a microfibre filter. Donate unwanted rucksacks to small charity shops (that don’t test on animals). For items that are worn out, ripped or stains, place in local textile banks (materials are shredded to make industrial  goods).

Willow Earth (canvas and vegan leather rucksacks)

Willow Earth (Sussex) is a company that makes beautiful rucksacks from strong cotton canvas, with natural cork logos. It uses offcuts to make pretty wallets and purses, so there’s no waste.

Cork is a ‘vegan leather’ that is made by stripping the bark of trees in Spain and Portugal every nine years or so, but the trees are not cut down. Keeping the cork industry alive (in a world of plastic wine corks) is a good way to save these forests from being cut down for development, which in turn protects local wildlife that use the forests for food and shelter.

This brand also makes vegan leather backpacks, made from an eco-leather that is partly made from recycled pineapple waste, from the fruit industry.

It has a strong metal clasp at the front, a zipped pocket and multiple interior pockets. And easily can fit a 13in laptop.

Junkbox Apparel (recycled polyester rucksacks)

JunkBox Apparel (Wales) was created to make eco-rucks, by a keen traveller who wanted something fun and comfortable:

The Everyday is a fun mustard roll-top bag, small and compact. It has a zip pocket for glasses and keys, a front zipped organiser for wallet, keys and pen – plus a padded back panel and shoulder straps.

The Adventurer features a padded laptop compartment and a small front zipper pocket for your keys, phone and wallet. Plus a padded back panel and base, with adjustable shoulder straps.

8000 Kicks (durable hemp backpacks)

8000 Kicks are made from industrial hemp, which is an anti-bacterial fabric that needs almost no water to grow, is durable and restores nutrients in soil as it grows. Hemp is so strong that Henry Ford even built a car out of it! These amazing backs are even waterproof!

A roll top backpack (from recycled plastic bottles)

This roll top backpack is made from up to 40 recycled plastic bottles, designed by the company that makes wheat straw biodegradable phone cases.

Due to its previous use, this backpack is waterproof, and features adjustable straps and 18L storage. Ideal for going about town, college or the office – or even backpacking abroad.

The main compartment has an inside padded laptop pocket, a secure Velcro strap and organiser pockets. Perfect for taking your goods from here to there!

LaBante vegan ladies green backpack

LaBante’s vegan ladies backpack is the perfect faux leather accessory for your everyday needs, whether for work or travel. With double inner spacious compartments, it has two fastening belts so it’s easy to adjust to fit.

An attached chain from the centre zip puller adds a touch of style and femininity.

Mopak (backpacks made from recycled plastic)

Mopak is a London bag that makes funky bags and accessories, from recycled plastic, rather than it going to landfill. The company recycles over 700 tonnes of plastic bottles each year, and also only uses vegan leathers for accents, to help barnyard friends (most leather is made in the far east, with poor animal welfare laws.

All items are top quality, and go through rigorous testing, designed to last for years.

The range includes:

• Backpacks
• Pouches
• Duffel bags
• Sling bags
• Tote bags

The Air Convert Totepack offers  a chameleon choice, which morphs to whatever you want it to be – a backpack or sling bag. And others are designed to stand upright, or use with your bicycle.

Paguro (backpacks from upcycled military canvas)

This lightweight and compact backpack is made from upcycled military canvas and recycled inner tubes. Ideal for daily commutes, travel or exploring, it’s spacious inside with a padded interior sleeve for a tablet or small laptop, and smart compartments to keep your essentials organised.

The streamlined design has adjustable cushioned shoulder straps to avoid strain, the perfect companion for a holiday for the weekend. It’s water-resistant and easily folded away.

Also features a double zip top closure, padded interior slip pocket and front/back zip compartments for easy access. And a top grab handle. Also easy to wipe clean. Capacity 10 litres.

All items are made by a social enterprise in the UK, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, helping craftsmen worldwide to make a profit, while living a good life. A portion of profits are donating to charities transforming lives and cleaning up our oceans.

This urban backpack has many compartments and zip pockets to keep belongings organised, and comfortable wide adjustable shoulder pads with breathable mesh, to avoid shoulder strain.

This durable and water-resistant backpack can tackle any weather or adventure your throw its way. The padded inside compartment is perfect to safeguard a table or laptop.

There is also a quick-access external back zip pocket for travel essentials and a hook top with Velcro top, for added security. Just wipe clean for lasting use.

This backpack/tote is made from a blend of upcycled military canvas and recycled inner tubes. Inspired by the old French name Jewell (meaning ‘generous’), this truly lives up to its name. It effortless transitions from a chic tote to a comfortable backpack, making it the perfect companion for commuting, travel or work.

The compact silhouette includes a padded laptop compartment, multiple zip pockets (including a double zip top closure), side slot pockets for bottles, and a top grab handle. It also has concealed trolley sleeves and a secure internal sleeve for your tech essentials.