12 Best Sustainable and Eco Friendly Backpacks

Sustainability: Recycled packaging, Bluesign Certified supply chain, and transparency into every step of the production process, Climate Neutral Certified partner.

Size options: 20L to 40L

Best for: Backpackers and one-bag travel

Pricing: $49 to $249

Tropicfeel are a cult travel brand who have launched several wildly successful Kickstarter campaigns for their range of travel products. Their most recent product range is travel backpacks.

They offer smaller and larger packs, with a focus on versatility. Their Shell Backpack system comes with multiple packing cubes, and even an expandable wardrobe insert that you can use to pack all of your clothes. It’s ideal for backpackers or anyone looking to travel using a single bag.

The backpack can expand from a 22L day pack into a larger 40L pack when you take advantage of the extendable pockets.

We’ve tested the Shell Backpack and can thoroughly recommend it from a size and quality perspective.

They also offer a smaller, waterproof backpacks, which are ideal for a day trip or shorter adventure.

The brand only works with bluesign certified suppliers, incorporates recycled materials like recycled spandex, and regenerated nylon. As well as that, they’ve partnered with Climate Neutral to offset all of their carbon emissions.

Sustainability: Donate 1% of profits to nature conversation projects, Certified B Corp, support climate action groups, use a variety of innovative sustainable materials

Size options: 18L to 55L

Best for: Durable day packs and technical backpacks

Pricing: $79 to $179

Patagonia doesn’t need much introducing. If you’re looking for a sustainable bag that’s durable, robust, and looks good, it’s hard to go wrong with Patagonia backpacks.

The brand offers a range of eco-friendly packs ideal for a short day out or with enough room for a longer trip away.

The bags use materials like 100% recycled polyester, 100% recycled nylon, all of which come from bluesign certified factories.

Their rucksacks always have multiple pockets, often including a laptop slot, and outside pockets to easily access your essentials.

Sustainability: Seahive partner, fabric from recycled single-use plastics, Climate Neutral certified

Size options: 30L

Best for: Minimalist travel backpacks

Pricing: $295

Pakt make high-quality backpacks that are perfect if you’re looking for a large and versatile travel backpack but with a minimalist, modern look.

Pakt is working to eliminate single use plastic from their supply chain, and have partnered with Seahive, an organization helping companies replace plastic packaging with sustainable alternatives.

The backpacks and duffels come with a lifetime guarantee, so no need to worry if something goes wrong.

The classic Pakt Travel Backpack is 30L, giving you enough room to pack most of your essentials. There’s a range of compartments both internally and externally, and the outer material is waterproof, made from rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate). The backpacks are carry-on approved, so no need to worry about having to check them into the hold when you fly.

Sustainability: Recycled nylon, recycled plastic, and natural rubber. Trees planet in the Amazon through every purchase. B Corp Certified.

Size options: 25L

Best for: Storing your laptop

Pricing: $85

Meet the Javy Ju “JJ” backpack, the latest offering from sustainable sneakers brand Cariuma. The brand has its roots in Brazil, and Javy Ju represents the word for Good Day in Tupi-Guarani, the Indigenous Brazilian language.

The JJ rucksack is made entirely from recycled and natural materials, including a recycled nylon outer, which reduced GHG emissions by 92% compared to virgin nylon.

The JJ recycled backpack features a laptop sleeve to fit any laptop between 13-17”, a reusable water bottle sleeve, and a supportive chest strap.

Currently, the JJ comes in three cool colors. Plus, Cariuma will plant one tree for every backpack sold as part of its reforestation initiative.

Read our full guide to Cariuma’s sustainability here.

Sustainability: Sustainable leather sourcing, use recycled plastics, recycled packaging, lifetime repairs to keep products out of landfill

Size options: 10L – 34L

Best for: Everyday city backpack

Pricing: $195 – $745

Troubadour makes stylish backpacks and rucksacks for men and women. These packs are minimalist, and stylish.

Despite the focus on aesthetics, there’s no compromise when it comes to performance. Troubadour’s backpacks use vegetable-tanned waterproof leathers, have robust and concealed zips, and incorporate multiple compartments for laptops, water bottles, books, and electronics.

The leather used is a byproduct of the farming industry, and other fabrics, including vegan leather, are made from recycled plastics.

There’s a variety of size options, and if you’re looking for a luxury but sustainable backpack that will last years, it’s hard to go wrong with Troubadour.

Sustainability: B Corp, meal donating program, GOTS Certified organic cotton, Fair Trade certified production, carbon offset initiative

Size options: 8.5L to 15L

Best for: School and everyday usage

Pricing: $55 – $65

Terra Thread keeps things simple: two sizes of backpack in a range of vibrant colors designed for school, work, and everyday use.

The brand was started by a father-daughter duo, and today, Terra Thread is a Certified B Corp (under the parent company name, Gallant International), partners with Feeding America to help provide meals for people in need, and uses a range of sustainable materials.

We’ve tested the brand here, and love the quality of their bags.

The cotton these backpacks are made from is organic and GOTS certified, and completely carbon neutral as Terra Thread offset all emissions created.

The bags are Fairtrade Certified and vegan.

Overall, these bags are a perfect option if you’re looking for a durable, classic backpack that has a positive impact on the planet.

Sustainability: 100% vegan, sustainable and recycled materials, lifetime guarantee, ethical supply chain, Certified B Corp

Size options: 9L to 25L

Best for: Running errands or as a small cabin bag

Pricing: $78 to $98

United By Blue is a Certified B Corporation creating a wide range of apparel and bags, including a range of rucksacks, in GOTS-Certified factories.

The brand also removes one pound of ocean and waterway trash for every product purchased, which is an excellent initiative.

Their backpacks are made with almost all recycled materials, incorporating recycled plastic bottles and recycled nylon. There’s a range of extra straps for optimal support, and more than enough room inside the backpacks for all of your essentials, like a laptop or water bottle.

We also love that the bags come with a lifetime guarantee to avoid you needing to throw an old bag out when it could be fixed and re-used by you, or someone else in need.

Finally, it’s great to see that United By Blue recognize the importance of avoiding greenwashing, and they do this by publishing a detailed Impact Report every year.

Sustainability: Over 50% usage of eco-friendly materials, including recycled polyester fabric, organic cotton canvas. All leather is from a gold-rated status tannery.

Size options: 10.8L to 35.5L

Best for: Sustainable luxury backpacks

Pricing: $238 to $658

Lo & Sons is an Asian-American owned family business that was founded after Helen Lo couldn’t find any sustainable travel bags. She convinced her two sons to help her on the journey, and the rest is history.

They create a range of men’s and women’s sustainable backpacks in a variety of sizes, from 10.8 Liters to larger, but still compact 35.5 Liters. In terms of colors, you can choose from a range of bold but simple options that all look great.

Each one has a sleek, minimalist look, but doesn’t compromise on functionality. Most of the bags include a padded laptop sleeve, a range of small and large pockets, and most are waterproof.

They offer backpacks made from a variety of materials, including leather.

They’re on the more expensive side when it comes to pricing, but, the quality is second to none.

Sustainability: B Corp Certified, award grants to nonprofits through the Cotopaxi Foundation, use leftover materials, strict supplier code of conducts

Size options: 12L to 42L

Best for: Bright vibrant colors and unique designs

Pricing: $75 to $200

Cotopaxi is a sustainable brand making vibrant, unique, and durable packbacks from eco friendly materials.

What makes them eco friendly? Well, Cotopaxi take leftover fabric from other companies’ production runs. Then, they turn them into one-of-a-kind, high-performance backpacks.

You can choose from small day packs to larger, 42L backpacks that will hold enough for a longer campaign trip or weekend away.

Cotopaxi is a Certified B Corp, and is fully transparent about which factories they use, even sharing the code of conduct they use to vet their factory partners so you can see if it aligns with your values for an ethical brand.

Sustainability: Ban on harmful chemicals, recycled and sustainable materials

Size options: 1.5L – 100L

Best for: Everyday backpacks for college or errands

Pricing: $30 – $425

Fjällräven are well-known for their Kanken backpack, but did you know their backpacks are eco-friendly?

The brand has a strict ban on harmful chemicals, and stick to using materials like recycled wool, TENCEL, organic hemp, and recycled polyester.

Fjällräven is also a member of the Sustainable Apparel Coalition as well as being part of the Fair Labor Association. They also have a goal to be completely carbon neutral by 2025.

You’ll probably already recognize their iconic Kånken, which they’ve been improving since 1978, but they also offer a range of other smaller and larger backpacks for trekking, mountaineering, and general day-to-day use, ranging from 1.5 Liter hip bags to 100 Liter mountaineering backpacks.

Sustainability: Recycled backpacks from upcycled cement and feed bags

Size options: One size

Best for: Running errands, day trips, and standing out in a crowd

Pricing: $48 – $60

TORRAIN’s bags are made from upcycled feed, rice, malt, and cement bags that would otherwise be thrown to landfill. But, unlike other brands, TORRAIN’s designs don’t shy away from the origin of the materials. They lean into them, sticking with the original designs, cutting them into highly unique, standout bags.

The bags are assembled by Cambodian artisans, with a small selection being made in Portland.

For every purchase, $1 is donated to supporting sustainable initiatives and communities worldwide.

They stock a range of backpacks and sling bags (as well as wallets), which all have interior and exterior pockets to keep your valuables safe on the go.

We’re a big fan of both the concept behind the brand, and the designs.

Sustainability: Materials from eco-friendly sources including GOTS organic cotton and hemp. 20 Trees Planted for every product purchased+ 420 CO2e offset.

Size options: mini, medium 13-15L and large 18-23L

Best for: Crisp autumn hikes in the countryside, and/or communting

Pricing: $105-$272

Bearmade hand-makes its robust eco-friendly, waterproof canvas backpacks in the UK from environmentally conscious materials such as GOTS organic cotton and hemp.

Their Gouthwaite backpack is perfect for taking on countryside strolls or commuting to the office.

To keep your gear safe and secure, this pack features a cool Cobra buckle – which is one of the strongest in the world.

Bearmade’s bags are built to last, and a lifetime guarantee covers each product.