Sustainable backpacks are alternatives to conventionally manufactured backpacks. The materials range from recycled polyester to vegetable tanned leather to more natural cotton. Numerous trend brands now offer fair and sustainable backpacks. But if you have the choice, you are spoiled for choice - here are tips on how to find the best backpack for your type and the best brands for sustainable backpacks.
Sustainable backpacks: hallmarks
There are a lot of backpacks out there, but only a handful are sustainable. What criteria are there for fair and sustainable backpacks? Basically, the same applies as for clothing: If the backpack is too cheap, it cannot actually have been produced ethically. Productions that are sustainable and socially justifiable are more costly and time-consuming than those of fast fashion. A backpack is therefore sustainable if it has one or at best several of the following properties:
- Use of a sustainable and natural materials
- Water, energy and CO2-efficient and resource-saving production
- Good ergonomics and therefore good for the body
- Fair trade and fair working conditions
Benefits for sustainable backpacks
Here are even more reasons why you should choose a sustainable backpack:
- Longevity due to high quality materials and processing
- Climate protection by dispensing with toxic adhesives and dyes
- Adequate working conditions and payments for artisans
Find the right sustainable backpack - this is how it works:
The first question to ask yourself when buying a sustainable backpack is: What do I need this backpack for? As an everyday companion or as an elegant statement piece for the office? Should it be suitable for a short vacation or for a multi-day hiking trip in the wilderness? Different backpacks meet different needs. The following numbers therefore provide an overview of how much capacity a backpack should have in which situation:
- School as well as the university: A daypack with a capacity of 20 to 40 liters fits this.
- Gym: 10 to 35 liters are best here and the more sports equipment you need, the greater the capacity.
- To travel: A hiking backpack with a capacity of up to 80 liters is required for this occasion. These are far more ergonomic than daypacks and designed for longer wearing times.
Materials for sustainable backpacks at a glance:
There are a wide variety of sustainable backpacks materials. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of recycled plastic, natural materials such as cotton or linen, organic leather and vegan leather:
Sustainable backpacks: top 9 brands for every type
Whether sustainable backpacks for women, men or children - there are now many manufacturers on the market. Therefore, be sure to order directly from the manufacturer and save on middlemen. Here are our most beautiful brands for you:
- Ecoalf
- Patagonia
- Sandqvist
- Ucon Acrobatics
- pinqponq
- Ethnotek
- Papero
- Oh my bag
- Satch
- Vaude
1. Ecoalf
Ecoalf is a well-known label for sustainable fashion. The brand's range includes a huge selection of fair and sustainable backpacks in terms of size, occasion and design. Ecoalf works with recycled polyester from plastic bottles and recycled cotton. The company has been B-Corp certified since 2018 and is among the top 5% worldwide with its rating score.
Source & Copyright by Ecoalf
Company location: Spain
Highlights: The Ecoalf Foundation, which is committed to the (re) recycling of all types of waste
Where to buy: Im Ecoalf Online shop and in our own flagship stores worldwide
2. Patagonia
Patagonia is one of the most well-known outdoor equipment brands and a pioneer in sustainability. From daypacks to hiking backpacks, everyone will find something suitable. The backpacks from the Black Hole collection are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Other backpacks are made from recycled nylon. In addition, all backpacks are dyed with a solution that produces 96 percent less CO2 than conventional dyes.
Source & Copyright by Patagonia
Company location: USA
Highlights: Patagonia is Fair Trade certified and donates more than one percent of sales to charity
Where to buy: Im Patagonia online store as well as in our own stores worldwide
3. Sandqvist
Sandqvist bags and backpacks are meant to be worn for a lifetime. That is the declared goal of the Swedish company. That's why there are repair shops where an outdated Sandqvist backpack can either be repaired or handed in for recycling. The design of the sustainable backpacks is timeless and varied at the same time. Sustainable cotton and vegetable-tanned leather are used as materials.
Source & Copyright by Sandqvist
Company location: Sweden
Highlights: The company's own repair shops
Where to buy: Im Sandqvist online shop with international delivery
4. Ucon Acrobatics
Ucon Acrobatics is a German start-up that produces vegan, minimalist backpacks from sustainable materials. You are an official partner of PETA, work together with the children's rights organization "Save the Children" and focus on sustainable entrepreneurship. Only ecologically recycled PET materials without AZO dyes and heavy metals are used. The backpacks are available in many different sizes, with capacities from 1 to 33 liters. This also includes casual cross-body bags in numerous colors.
Source & Copyright by Ucon Acrobatics
Company location: Germany
Highlights: Minimalist style with a focus on sustainable entrepreneurship
Where to buy: Im Ucon Acrobatics online shop with EU delivery
5. Pinqponq
Pinqponq is a sustainable backpack and clothing brand from Cologne. In addition to responsibility, the design is characterized by high quality and functionality. Sustainable production and transparency within the supply chain are particularly important here. The sustainable backpacks are made from 100% recycled PET bottles. Also free from PFC and vegan, using an innovative method for dyeing the textiles.
Source & Copyright by Pinqponq
Company location: Germany
Highlights: Timeless design, vegan, recycled material
Where to buy: Im Pinqponq online shop can be ordered directly
6. Ethnotek
Ethnotek is a social business with the aim of preserving the traditional culture of handmade textiles from extinction. With their designs, they want to show the skills of artisans from Vietnam to a large audience. The company is B Corp certified. No harmful chemicals are used and all sustainable backpacks are vegan. Social responsibility is also evident in a cooperation with Social Water Viva con Agua.
Source & Copyright by Ethnotek
Company location: Germany
Highlights: Design reflects craftsmanship, vegan, fair
Where to buy: Im Ethnotek online shop Order directly and save on middlemen
7. Papero
That's the winner of the German Design Award and Green Product Award: A backpack made of paper. Unisex, washable and tear-resistant. Kraft paper is the basic raw material for this. Thus, pulp which is obtained from FSC-certified wood. The pulp is mixed with natural latex and gives the bags robustness and washability. The young brand's first delivery of bags was sold out within three months. With every purchase, donations are also made for the reforestation of forests.
Source & Copyright by Papero
Company location: Germany
Highlights: Made of cellulose, chemical-free, washable and recyclable
Where to buy: Im Papero online shop Order directly and save on middlemen
8. O My Bag
If you are looking for a noble leather backpack, you have come to the right place. O My Bag Amsterdam offers leather backpacks for men and women. Fairly made leather bags and accessories that respect the planet as well as people. The brand connects producers in small communities with the global market and thus creates fair working conditions. Promotion of women and 100% traceability as well as climate-neutral shipping.
Source & Copyright by O My Bag
Company location: The Netherlands
Highlights: Noble leather backpacks, fairness and transparency
Where to buy: Im O My Bag online shop
9. Satch
Here's something for kids. This sustainable backpack for school children is a real eye-catcher. The brand combines function and design. Satch's ergonomic concept shifts weight to the stable pelvis, so that the back is protected. With the your-size system, each backpack can also be adjusted to fit your body size. You take responsibility with environmentally friendly and recycled materials. The brand group also includes Ergobag and Affenzahn, which offer backpacks for other young age groups.
Source & Copyright by Satch
Company location: Germany
Highlights: Ergonomic concept and grows with you
10. VAUDE
The environmentally friendly backpacks from VAUDE Rucksäcke are made from recycled materials and are 100% PFC-free. The durable and sustainable backpacks can be used for any activity, be it hiking, trekking, traveling or just biking through the city. The offer ranges from unisex to men, women and children.
Source & Copyright by VAUDE
Company location: Germany
Highlights: Large offer for every activity and fit and online backpack advisor
Where to buy: Im VAUDE online shop
Conclusion - purchase criteria for sustainable backpacks
In addition to the right size and the associated comfort of a backpack, there are a few things to consider so that you can enjoy your new backpack for a long time. The style should match your own style and be easy to combine. Most of the time, signs of wear and tear on backpacks appear first on the shoulder straps and straps. There should therefore be stable double seams there. At best, a manufacturer should be chosen who gives a guarantee on the backpack. The material from which the backpack is made should suit the occasion. So if you ride a lot of bicycles and like to get out in the rain, you should stay away from backpacks made of cotton and linen.
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