As a month, August means many things — but prepping for back to school (or work, for those lucky enough to have escaped for a week or two) is definitely high on the list. For anyone looking for a new backpack — preferably a vegan one — we’ve curated a selection that’s as ethical as it is timeless, both in design and durability.
Since durability often (though not always!) involves synthetics, these brands focus on using recycled materials sourced from post-consumer waste, while advancing their commitment to the circular economy. And for those who would rather avoid both nylon and PET, there’s cork — Portugal’s pride — which more and more brands are embracing.
You’re all welcome.
Gaston Luga (Sweden)
Founded by Carl Sundqvist and named after his childhood friend, Gaston Luga is a Swedish brand with the tongue-in-cheek tagline “Full-time art dealer, part-time backpack seller”. The brand positions its accessories as fashion staples, not just practical tools. Since 2019, Gaston Luga has operated as a carbon-neutral company and continues to prioritise responsible material choices, including the use of recycled PET across its collections.
VFR’s pick: Spläsh 2.0 – 16″ (recycled nylon, recycled polyester)
Regular price: €129,00
Ashoka Paris (France)
Ashoka Paris, a Parisian brand named after Ashoka, the first vegetarian emperor of India who banned the killing of animals for meat, has been known for its fabulous faux-fur outerwear since 2018, and has since expanded into clothing and accessories.
VFR’s pick: Navy Blue Lively (Apple Skin, recycled nylon)
Regular price: €195,00
Corkor (Portugal)
Founded by Natália Guerreiro and Vitor Lopes, Corkor is solely focused on promoting cork. Harvested and crafted from cork tree bark, cork leather is Portugal’s take on a sustainable, cruelty-free leather alternative — and it’s gaining traction fast. Each item is crafted in their own workshop in Barreiro.
VFR’s pick: Cork Backpack (cork)
Regular price: €170,95
Carter Bags (UK)
Carter, founded by Charlotte Carter during lockdown, designs sustainable, cruelty-free laptop bags for women. As a female-founded brand, they proudly collaborate with charities like Smart Works Newcastle and Gingerbread to support women in need.
VFR’s pick: Laptop Tote/Backpack in Pink (synthetic leather, recycled polyester)
Regular price: £140.00
Matt & Nat (Canada)
One of the most widely recognised vegan brands, Matt & Nat (short for Materials & Nature) was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1995. The Canadian brand was an early adopter of recycled materials, incorporating nylon, rubber, and even repurposed windshield resin. Each Matt & Nat bag contains approximately 21 recycled plastic bottles, with the brand recycling over 9 million bottles annually for bag production alone.
VFR’s pick: Iris Vegan Backpack – Vintage (synthetic leather, recycled PET)
Regular price: $280.00 CAD
Ucon Acrobatics (Germany)
This Berlin-based brand is a B Corp-certified company committed to advancing the circular economy, which they define as each sector taking responsibility for its own waste. They’re on a constant mission to incorporate as much recycled textile waste into their products as possible. Their efforts include upcycling and downcycling textile waste, using the resource-saving dope dyeing process, reducing water and CO₂ emissions, and, above all, championing transparent communication — warts and all.
VFR’s pick: Jannik Medium Backpack (PUrTEX∞)
Regular price: €139,99
Whistler Tree (UK)
Founded by Malcolm Dyl and named after the world’s largest and most productive cork oak tree – The Whistler Tree – the brand designs timeless pieces that transcend seasonal trends. Other materials include organic cotton for linings and all-natural vegetable dyes.
VFR’s pick: Silves Folded Backpack (cork)
Regular price: £125.00
Explore more vegan and sustainable bags and backpacks in our Directory.
