If you’re a fan of the cult favourite TV series, The Good Place, you’ll be familiar with the notion that shopping ethically in this day and age can feel near impossible.
Despite a wealth of good intentions, it can often feel like a losing battle when you discover that the oat milk brand you tricked yourself into liking for environmental purposes has been whistle-blown for deforestation.
Part of the problem is that the onus shouldn’t be on us individual folk to become 100 per cent eco-conscious, forest-dwelling nomads. Rather, larger corporations and governments should be working to dismantle fast fashion and remove corruption from the inside. Not a simple task.
We hear you, it’s exhausting and it feels like we’re constantly stuck between a rock and a hard place. Luckily for us, there are trustworthy brands out there which are helping the world along in our sustainable journey. We can all do our bit to better the direction the world is headed in.
Whether it’s through grass-roots action, becoming a zero-waste household, going vegan, or making a conscious and dedicated effort to shop more ethically – there are a variety of ways in which we can plod along, happier in the knowledge that we’re doing something, anything to help. Whatever your eco-pursuit may be, you’ll need something to carry your tools for revolution – a reusable water bottle, flask, recycled notepad and pencil, etc. A good old backpack goes a long way.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the very best eco-conscious and vegan backpacks for all your adventures.
“Hackney” 2.0 Backpack | Medium
You guessed it, Kind Bag’s mission is to be kind to the planet. The brand seeks to empower the population to live a more sustainable life, without sacrificing style. The Hackney backpack is a new and improved, second-generation design fabricated with 100 per cent recycled and recyclable, water-resistant fabric. It’s also totally vegan.
The bag features a super versatile, roll-top closure – which is perfect for cyclists and hikers – long side pockets for your water bottle and extra padding to protect your back. We particularly love the elastic hook inside to keep your house keys nice and secure. With a variety of spacious inner and outer compartments, the Kind Bag will fit most 13” laptops in a padded pocket. You won’t catch this brand out, even the zipper is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic.
Since the brand’s naissance in 2019, Kind Bag has already rescued over 4.5 million plastic bottles from going to landfill or the ocean. Plus, 1 per cent of all the brand’s sales are donated to charity and 1 per cent to the planet. Kind Bag has really got it all, and looks good doing it.
Buy now £64.95, Kind Bag
The ReNew Transit Backpack
This super sleek and effortlessly cool backpack by Everlane is made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and has a water-resistant finish. It also kind of reminds us of a stormtrooper, in the best possible way.
Everlane describes this 15” backpack as their most functional yet, and we can’t help but agree. We’re obsessed with the exterior laptop zip-pocket, which allows you to slide your laptop or tablet out of your backpack with the utmost ease – no more rummaging and re-arranging necessary. This will be a lifesaver during airport security checks.
Unlike the Kind Bag, the zipper coil is not made from recycled material – but the brand has put a particular emphasis on the fact that it’s not recycled yet. Extra points for transparency. If you’re not into the Star Wars chic vibe, you can grab the ReNew bag in a range of other colours including grey, black, navy and brown.
Buy now £91.00, Everlane
Mumbai Med Vegan Backpack - Purity
Matt & Natt is a PETA-approved vegan company that crafts all its products with 100 per cent sustainable materials and ethical practices. This gorgeous, daffodil-yellow, vegan leather backpack features a drawstring closure, adjustable straps and an exterior back zipper pocket.
Interestingly, this backpack also has an interior smartphone pocket for those of us who are constantly losing our phones at the very bottom of our bags.
The outer body and lining are made from recycled materials – the latter consisting of 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles. If you’re in the market for a day-to-day, eco-friendly backpack à la mode for both work and play, we couldn’t recommend this more.
Buy now £66.00, Matt & Natt
Fjallraven Re-Kånken
You’ve probably heard of – or at least seen – the iconic Swedish Kånken backpack by Fjallraven. Loved by adults and schoolchildren alike, the Kånken is an all-rounder that comes in a variety of styles, prized for its ability to evenly distribute the weight of its contents across both shoulders so that it feels like you’re barely carrying anything.
This special edition Kånken is made entirely from polyester recycled from eleven plastic bottles. Very precise. Utilising the novel SpinDye technology, Fjallraven has drastically reduced the amount of water, energy and chemicals used throughout the production process. Like the Kind Bag, it’s also ready to be recycled again in the very distant future.
For the eco-conscious lot who are always on the move, the Re-Kånken comes with a removable seat pad that is stored in the inside back pocket, which also works to add some extra protection between your back and the contents of the bag.
Buy now £91.99, Amazon
Patagonia Fieldsmith recycled-polyester backpack
Best for: eco-friendly construction
This 100 per cent recycled polyester backpack by Patagonia has a whopping 30-litre capacity. For the adventurer who is always prepared, you’ll be able to fit enough in this bad boy to feed a small village. It’ll store all the essentials (15” laptop included), is totally waterproof and is also dyed with a method that reduces water consumption by up to 90 per cent.
If there’s an eco-conscious brand to get behind, it’s Patagonia. With the brand’s founder having recently given away the entire company in order to fight climate devastation, you can be sure you’re taking a step in the right direction in purchasing this backpack.
Buy now £49.95, Route One
Patagonia Atom Sling Backpack
Perfect for lovers of all things Gorpcore, the Patagonia Atom Sling Backpack is a retro-inspired daily accessory designed for packing the essentials. We’re big fans of the fact that the sling design makes reaching for items quickly while on the move an absolute breeze. The impressive eight-litre capacity is large enough for bringing lunch, water and a book into the office while preventing users from overloading the bag with superfluous items.
It's made from 100 per cent recycled polyester and has a water-repellent PU coating to protect against the elements, while the adjustable belt and compression straps keep the bag snug against your person. It’s also available in khaki and grey.
Buy now £55.00, Ellis Brigham
ROKA London Finchley A Small Sustainable Canvas Backpack
The ultimate sustainable rucksack, Roka’s roomy commuter bag is complete with roomy internal pockets, organisational sections and a padded sleeve for your laptop or tablet. It’s made with weather-resistant canvas with a matte nylon lining and has been crafted with the help of 12-15 recycled plastic bottles. It’s also offered in an array of eye-catching hues and varying sizes.
Buy now £64.95, Amazon
Cotopaxi Allpa 42L Travel Pack - Del Día
Best for: easy organisation and a weatherproof cover
For colour enthusiasts, this Cotopaxi backpack packs a punch both in terms of style and practicality. Though once again on the pricier side, this travel pack is a top-of-the-range, cabin-approved piece of kit that will serve you for many years of travels to come.
If you’re already a fan of the Cotopaxi range, you might be thinking - isn’t this just their classic Allpa pack? What’s the difference? For the eco-conscious, the Del Día version of the Allpa Travel Pack is made from re-purposed fabrics, making each and every model unique.
What sets this travel pack apart from the crowd for us is the fact that it has a suitcase-like, full-wrapper zipper which covers the entire circumference of the bag. This means that you can open up your backpack like a book, for easy organisation and even easier re-packing if you’re on the move.
With a weight-distributing harness system for pain-free carrying, four reinforced grab handles, padded sleeves for smart devices and laptops, internal mesh compartments, security YKK zippers and so much more - you simply can’t go wrong.
Buy now £200.00, Cotopaxi
Cora + Spink Poly Bag
The waxed canvas and recycled cotton handloom lining materials that make up the Poly Bag really made this backpack stand out for us. The unique water-repellent wax treatment – formulated in a 100 per cent natural and vegan process – already ensures the backpack is rainproof, but it can be further treated with additional Cora + Spink wax finishes.
It has an approximate capacity of 15 litres and is large enough to fit a standard 13” laptop. It’s double-zipped for extra security, has cross-over shoulder straps for even weight distribution and is 100 per cent Vegan. Winner winner (faux) chicken dinner.
Buy now £60.00, Cora + Spink
Verdict
The Kind Bag is a clear winner for us. Highly functional and incredibly good value, what really makes this bag stand out is the fact that it is well and truly 100 per cent recycled, ad 100 per cent recyclable.
