Only a few years ago, eco-tourism was a niche specialty, with most travelers giving nary a thought to the footprint of their emissions. Today, whether it’s buying carbon offsets for flights or choosing to rent a bike instead of hopping in an Uber, sustainable travel practices are not only common, but celebrated. This has also extended into what we travel with: Brands big and small are making huge strides in crafting sustainable luggage, adjusting both the production process and the final products themselves. Whether that means repurposing leftover fabric for new pieces or creating a unique material out of discarded plastic, what remains constant is that all of these duffels, suitcases, and backpacks are sturdy, stylish, and better for the environment. Read on for seven of our favorite sustainably-made pieces of luggage.
All products featured on Junyuanr are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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Paravel Aviator Grand Checked Luggage
Paravel’s goal is to become the first 100 percent sustainable travel brand by the end of 2021—a feat they plan to reach by offsetting emissions during every step of production and delivery, including each customer’s first trip with their bag. The company is also staying green by upcycling plastic bottles for materials, planting a tree through Eden Reforestation Projects with every order, and establishing a donation program to the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program, which addresses the disproportionate impact of climate change on communities of color. Test out the brand with the Aviator Grand, Paravel’s first 100 percent carbon-neutral piece of luggage, from materials, to production, to shipment. We love its super-smooth glide and the wide range of color options.
$315 at Paravel
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Tumi Nathan Expandable Backpack
Tumi may be known as the luggage of choice for fashionable frequent flyers, but there’s more to love about their products than just the sleek design. When it comes to sustainability, the company has a three-pronged approach: products are designed with materials that are made to last, rather than be replaced every few years; they’re continually expanding their recycled material collection; and with their global repair network, if something does break, the company can fix it, send it back to you, and keep bags out of landfills. Tumi's new blue camouflage colorway, available on everything from a tote to a variety of backpacks, is made out of post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and recycled nylon. Another favorite: the expandable Nathan backpack, which is roomy enough to store everything from your laptop to gym clothes, with pockets for everything in between.
$425 at Tumi
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Rothy’s The Weekender
You’ve probably seen Rothy’s knit shoes all over your Instagram feed, but did you know they’re all made out of recycled water bottles? And, more relevant for this story: Did you know Rothy's also makes a stellar line of sustainable luggage? So far, the brand has repurposed over 76 million water bottles to make their proprietary thread, which they use to create all of their products. We are big fans of the three-tone weekender bag, crafted entirely out of ocean-bound marine plastic. Its ample size is ideal for a short trip, but it’s chic enough for a daily commute as well. Plus, it’s entirely machine-washable, so don’t be afraid to take it camping.
$450 at Rothy's
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Patagonia Black Hole Wheeled Duffel 100L
Patagonia’s Black Hole duffels may be some of the hardiest products the company makes—which is really saying something, given the brand's reputation for making nearly indestructible bags (with a lifetime repair guarantee). Better yet, the pieces' body fabric, lining, and webbing are made from 100 percent recycled materials; over 10 million plastic bottles were used in this season’s collection alone. The duffels range in size from the backpack-sized 40L duffel to the gargantuan 100L. The latter is ideal for your most rugged of trips: the fabric is weather-resistant, the handles are reinforced, and its oversized wheels are built to tackle any terrain.
$349 at Patagonia
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Day Owl The Backpack
Day Owl’s mantra is people-first sustainability: The brand has created jobs in places like Haiti, Honduras, and Taiwan, hiring locals to collect plastic bottles which are then recycled into the brand’s sturdy waxed canvas fabric. The company only partners with manufacturers who are committed to environmental sustainability and making the retail industry a safe, fair place to work. Their smaller-sized backpack is one of our favorites to use as a daypack or personal item, especially in the spring-like pale pink shade. Other pluses of the pack include free repairs for life, an incredibly durable canvas fabric, and a spill-resistant water bottle pocket.
$149 at Day Owl
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Cotopaxi Chumpi Del Día
Each product in Cotopaxi’s Del Dia line is one-of-a-kind: They are all made from materials left over from larger companies’ production runs. Not only does this method keep all that extra fabric out of landfills, it means no one will ever have your exact bag. The Chumpi comes in virtually every color of the rainbow, but you’ll want to act fast once you see a colorway you love; once it’s gone, it’s gone. Other useful features: It can be carried as a duffel or a backpack, and has an external, zippered stash pocket that’s handy for storing keys or a phone.
$120 at Cotopaxi
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Fjällräven Samlaren Totepack
“Samlaren” means gatherer in Swedish and is the name given to Fjällräven’s latest collection, which features clothing and equipment created from leftover fabric from the company’s own mills. As this brand is already a favorite among outdoorsy folks and the fashion-forward alike (Kate Middleton and Olivia Wilde are fans), expect to see the Samlaren patch—a yellow circle which appears on all of these limited-edition products—on a trail or two this spring. The brightly colored Totepack, with its reasonable price of $45, may be our favorite piece. It’s perfect for a trip to the farmers’ market or carrying your stash of books to the beach, and the short and long straps add to its versatility.
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