10 Best Sustainable Backpacks for Eco-Travel

Are you planning a weekend hike or an adventure across the globe and looking for the best daypack to keep your belongings safe and dry? This article offers an in-depth overview of the best sustainable backpacks that will help you travel the world whilst making your time outdoors more eco-friendly.

It is hard to explore the world without a backpack! 

Backpacks are incredible for carrying our gear across the globe and keeping them secure and protected throughout our travels.

But why not look for sustainable alternatives?

Sustainable backpacks can help us pack our travel essentials and enjoy the outdoors whilst respecting the planet. They are practical and kind to the environment – a perfect combination for any mindful traveller.

However, not all adventurers and digital nomads are the same, and with different ways of exploring come different needs.

Finding a backpack adapted and suited to your requirements and travel style is essential. In this article, I give everything you need to choose the perfect green daypack – a reliable companion that will follow you everywhere! 

I have selected the best eco-responsible outdoor backpacks (for women and men) that will allow you to explore the world in any season (from winter to summer) whilst protecting your equipment from the cold and rain and with less impact on the environment. Enjoy!

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Our top pick:

The best sustainable & recycled backpack

Osprey Archeon 24L – recycled materials, PFC-free & Bluesign©

A durable and adaptable backpack for all outdoor adventures.

Overview: best sustainable & ethical backpacks

Sustainable backpacks for travel & hiking

1- Osprey Archeon 24L

A durable and adaptable backpack for all outdoor adventures.

The Archeon 24 is a versatile solution for sustainable outdoor life designed to support you from city exploration to summit expedition. This durable backpack comfortably carries your hiking essentials while making weekend getaways easier with a padded laptop sleeve and internal organiser. 

Made from 1880D Recycled Nylon Canvas and coated in a PFC-free DWR, this Osprey daypack is friendly to the environment, long-lasting and water-resistant, keeping your belongings safe and dry during unpredictable weather conditions.

It is the ideal waterproof and eco-friendly backpack for any outdoor activity, from gentle walks to camping trips and trekking adventures, perfectly adapting to your lifestyle thanks to its minimalist and hybrid features. A must-have for all travellers!

• Volume: 24L
• Weight: 1.2kg
• Fabric: 1880D Recycled Nylon Canvas
• Green features: GRS-certified recycled materials, PFC-free & Bluesign© approved
• Best use: Travelling, hiking & everyday use

2- Jack Wolfskin Kingston 30L

A lightweight and multifunctional pack ideal for hiking and camping.

Do you love the outdoors? Enjoy your thrilling activities with the safety and confidence that Jack Wolfskin gives you.

The Kingston 30 is a lightweight and multifunctional rucksack made from recycled materials with a sporty design. It is exceptionally versatile, robust and well-ventilated – perfect for explorers seeking a dynamic and flexible backpack solution. 

And thanks to its waterproof function, adaptable design and back system that ensures good freedom of movement, the Kingston 30 pack is suitable for travel, hiking and leisure. Therefore, you only need one daypack for all your adventures, from international travel to weekend trips and everyday use.

• Volume: 30L
• Weight: 930g
• Fabric: Polyester
• Green features: Made of recycled materials, PFC-free, Bluesign© certified & Green Button certified
• Best use: Camping, hiking & everyday use

3- Cotopaxi Luzon 24L

A durable yet lightweight backpack with a one-of-a-kind design.

Made from 100% repurposed Ripstop Nylon fabric, the Luzon 24 is a versatile, adventure-ready backpack tough enough to keep up with you on any experiences in Europe and across the globe. 

This eco-responsible pack features ultralight mesh shoulder straps, which are very comfortable to carry, and thanks to its spacious main compartment, it can store everything you need. Plus, it presents a zippered space to keep dirty clothes or muddy shoes separate from the rest of your gear and two mesh pockets to keep your bottles close at hand.

And to top it all, each Luzon Del Dia product is one-of-a-kind as it is proudly made in the Philippines by an employee who has total creative control over the stylish design and colours. No two are the same!

• Volume: 24L
• Weight: 420g
• Fabric: Repurposed Nylon
• Green features: Made of repurposed materials & empowering employment
• Best use: Travelling & everyday use

4- Mammut Trion Nordwand 38L

A lightweight and rugged alpine backpack for general outdoor use.

The Mammut Trion Nordwand is a versatile and robust alpine backpack, offering maximum comfort when carried thanks to the anatomically shaped, soft padded hip belt and shoulder straps.

Made from a tough 100D Cordura Nylon throughout the main body and a highly abrasion-resistant 210D Nylon on the base, it presents a long-lasting water-repellent coating designed to withstand any conditions. Therefore, it is perfect for all outdoor activities, from scrambling to mountain climbing. 

In addition, it has received valuable and extensive input from the athletes of the brand to ensure it is as reliable as possible. The pack includes a reinforced side ski attachment, two ice axe attachment points, a trekking pole carrying system and a rope fixing strap under the lid. The perfect ethical backpack for adventure enthusiasts and thrill seekers!

• Volume: 38L
• Weight: 960g
• Fabric: 100% Polyamide
• Green features: PFC-free DWR finish & Fair Wear
• Best use: Hiking, trekking & climbing

5- Vaude Jura 24L

A compact and innovative hiking backpack for short or long trips.

The Vaude Jura 24 is a highly adaptable hiking pack offering plenty of space for everything you need on a trip. Its ergonomic shoulder straps ensure optimum freedom of movement and extra comfort for your next adventure, from travelling to climbing and hiking. 

Made with high-quality Polyester from recycled PET bottles and an eco-friendly finish applied to the outer fabric free of environmentally harmful fluorocarbons (PFCs), this pack is functional and sustainable, protecting your gear from the rain whilst keeping the planet clean.

In addition, it has practical pockets, a fixation for trekking poles, and innovative Aeroflex suspension systems that provide excellent ventilation and stability wherever you take your daypack.

• Volume: 24L
• Weight: 970g
• Fabric: 100% Polyester 
• Green features: Made of recycled bottles, PFC-free & VAUDE Green Shape Label
• Best use: Travelling, hiking & everyday use

6- Stubble & Co Adventure Bag 42L

A tough, durable and highly functional travelling backpack.

Sturdy, long-lasting, weatherproof and made from 100% recycled plastic, the lightweight yet practical Stubble & Co Adventure Bag is ideal for travel and nature lovers.

The eco-friendly backpack makes it easy to travel whilst respecting the planet and is an all-in-one accessory you can rely on, whatever your destination. It is lightweight, extremely comfortable and has a perfect roomy size. Plus, it is soft-sided with compression straps, meaning you can use it as a carry-on on any airline. 

But it is not all! The all-black “go-anywhere-do-anything bag” is excellent for weekend getaways, camping trips or city breaks, thanks to its waterproof features, padded pocket for a laptop and nine compartments for organised storage.

• Volume: 42L
• Weight: 1.8kg
• Fabric: Ripstop Recycled PET
• Green features: Made of recycled materials
• Best use: Travelling & camping

7- Fjällräven Ulvö 30L

A versatile daypack in award-winning waterproof Bergshell fabric.

Fjällräven Ulvö 30 is lightweight and adaptable whilst offering space and a double compartment inside for easy organisation and separation of equipment. The backpack also features a padded laptop sleeve, a zippered mesh pocket, and a space to attach a bike light to the front.

Made from Fjällräven’s own waterproof and durable Bergshell fabric, it can handle any situation and works perfectly for your weekend hikes, everyday adventures and travels across the globe. And with 100% recycled Nylon, the Ulvö 30 is not only built for exploration but is also kind to the environment.

If you are looking for a sustainable and versatile daypack, the Ulvö 30 is for you! Finished with the classic Fjällräven logo, it is the perfect pack for outings and outdoor activities.

• Volume: 30L
• Weight: 900g
• Fabric: Bergshell® 400D 100% polyamide
• Green features: Made of recycled materials & fluorocarbon-free impregnation
• Best use: Travelling, hiking & everyday use

8- Haglöfs L.I.M 25L

A backpack perfectly balancing weight, durability and comfort.

Despite its Less Is More mantra, the Haglöfs L.I.M 25 does an excellent job of balancing weight, durability and comfort. It is a great daypack ready for all kinds of adventures.

Crafted in Diamond Rip-stop Polyamide fabric, this hiking backpack is incredibly light and practical. And an Airback suspension system with a specially designed back panel provides essential ventilation as you pick up the pace.

In addition, all your essentials stay in place no matter the activity, packed in an ultra-useful way. The bag also comes with adjustable side pockets, a fixed lid with a decent-sized compartment, and an elasticated cord compression to reduce movement when not filled. It is a fantastic and minimal backpack for gentle walking to mountain hiking.

• Volume: 25L
• Weight: 900g
• Fabric: 70D*140D Diamond Rip-stop Polyamide
• Green features: PFC-free & Bluesign® approved
• Best use: Travelling & hiking

9- Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32L

A strong backpack perfect for your adventures across the globe.

The Patagonia Black Hole Pack 32 is a perfect travel accessory, robust enough to take around the world. Made with a sturdy 100% recycled Polyester and highly weather-resistant Black Hole fabric, it protects your gear from scratches and miles of rough handling. 

The large main pocket opens quickly with a half-moon zipper. Internal features include a padded sleeve that protects your laptop, a mesh pocket equipped with a key clip and an organiser panel to hold small everyday items.

And with padded shoulder straps for maximum comfort and a moulded back panel that wicks moisture and allows a cooling airflow, it is an ideal sustainable backpack for all activity levels.

• Volume: 32L
• Weight: 810g
• Fabric: 100% recycled polyester 
• Green features: Made of recycled materials, Fair Trade & Bluesign® approved
• Best use: Travelling & everyday use

10- Klattermusen Edda 20L

A durable and easy-to-use daypack with all the core functions you need. 

Created from 400D Retina® material made from recycled Econyl® yarn, the Klattermusen Edda is highly durable and the perfect companion for outdoor hiking adventures or any other daily activity.

This recycled daypack has shaped shoulder straps for a comfortable fit and a lid that opens easily using the bungee and hook. The main compartment has a large zipper opening and extends all the way down on one side for easy access even when carrying the bag.

Inside, you will find several compartments, including a laptop sleeve and a pocket for your personal belongings. And on the outside, there is a large front pocket covered with a lid that is expandable for extra items you might need to access quickly and a sleeve on the right that is ideal for water bottles or trekking poles.

• Volume: 20L
• Weight: 468g
• Fabric: 400D Retina® material made from recycled Econyl®
• Green features: Made of recycled materials, PFC-free & Bluesign® approved
• Best use: Travelling, hiking & everyday use

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What is a sustainable backpack?

A sustainable backpack is created from sustainably sourced, natural materials and is kind to the environment, in accordance with green business practices.

Looking to go hiking with your amazing backpack? Check out this article:
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Why buy a sustainable backpack?

The items you take with you outdoors are as important as your actions. 

Being an eco-conscious traveller starts with the things you bring on your trip. That is why choosing a sustainable backpack is essential. 

Buying an ethical daypack will have several benefits:

• To protect the environment & wildlife: sustainable backpacks are kind to the environment as they contain no harmful chemicals and are free from animal products. 

• To encourage green business practices: sustainable backpacks are produced by companies with high ethical standards and transparent supply chains.

• To reduce your expenses: sustainable backpacks are built to last longer. Therefore, you will not have to waste any product or your money on a new bag every month.  

Going to the beach this summer? Check out this article:
Sustainable Beach Guide: 10 Easy Eco-Tips

What to look for in a sustainable backpack?

Choosing the right backpack for you and your activity level is essential. However, there are a few things to look for when investing in any sustainable daypack: 

Sustainably sourced, natural/recycled materials

Most backpacks listed above are made from recycled polyester or nylon, considered two of the most sustainable fabrics due to their durability and weather resistance. These materials are non-toxic or harmful to the planet and are high-quality – therefore, long-lasting.

Recycled polyester and nylon are not the only materials you can expect in a sustainable backpack. You can also find other recycled materials like plastic bottles or natural materials like organic cotton canvas, locally sourced and vegetable-tanned leather and banana fibre.

Fair wages and transparency

Look for brands with transparent practices that are committed to paying their employees a living wage for their work whilst providing other benefits like healthcare and education.

You can also look for certifications such as Fair Wear (support workers’ rights) and Fair Trade (focus on workers’ rights and fair labour).

Green certifications

A brand creating sustainable backpacks does not have to be certified, but researching eco-friendly credentials can still be helpful.

Before buying a product, always look on the website for more information, and be careful of greenwashing. If you are unsure, ask questions.

In addition, when searching for an ethical bag, you will come across the word: Bluesign. Bluesign eliminates harmful substances at every stage of the supply chain. It certifies that textile products are safe for the environment, workers and customers. 

Quality and durability

Quality and durability are essential characteristics of a sustainable backpack. Fashion is a sector particularly affected by waste, which is why these attributes are a must to reduce your impact on the environment.

When looking for a high-quality and eco-friendly backpack, make sure you choose one suited to your needs that will last forever! 

water repellent PFC-Free

To protect your belongings from the rain, backpacks are usually treated with synthetic chemicals called perfluorochemicals (PFC). The problem is that these chemicals are harmful and can enter our water systems, contaminating wildlife and our bodies. 

That is why you need to look for backpacks with PFC-free water-repellent coatings. They will keep your gear safe and dry without harming the planet.

Want more inspiration for your next trip? Check out this article:
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The sustainable travel checklist

Get exclusive eco-travel tips + download your free sustainable travel checklist ↓

Eco-responsible backpacks – FAQ

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Shop the editable travel packing list

And you, what is your favourite sustainable backpack? 
Let me know in the comments below!

With love ♡
Lucie