Stuff - UK (2020-05)

The sturdy Swede

Fjällräven Re-Kånken

As ’90s dance-pop outfit Aqua proved with

Barbie Girl, plastic is the perfect material for

a Scandi classic. Same goes for this eco

version of Fjällräven’s best-selling sack:

with all the functional style of the standard

edition, its polyester shell is crafted from

recycled plastic bottles. It’s fantastic.

£90 / fjallraven.com

The trucker’s tote

M-24 Medium Rolltop

If it’s tough enough to cover the sides of

lorries, it stands to reason that tarpaulin can

handle some hardcore hauling in backpack

form. M-24 trims down old tarps, gives

them a good scrub and forms them into

rolltop companions that can go the distance.

The straps are made from cargo webbing.

£75 / m-24.co.uk

The ripstop roamer

Finisterre Packaway Rucksack

Surplus is a natural part of crafting clothes.

That’s why the garment-making gang at

Finisterre started their fabric use-up project,

turning scrap material into useful gear – like

this 25-litre foldaway rucksack, made from

100 % recycled ripstop material that was

originally meant for jackets.

£35 / finisterre.com

The raincoat rambler

66 North Backpack

Trim fabric for a raincoat and you’ll end up

with lots of little leftovers. You could use

them to make a matching mac for your pet

mouse... or, like 66 North, you could create

a rugged daypack. It’s less cute, but – with

a waterproof shell, 15-litre capacity and

quilted lining – a lot more practical.

€130 / 66north.com

The heritage hauler

Patagonia Arbor Classic Pack 25L

Patagonia’s been recycling polyester for its

gear since 1993. Celebrate that record with

this retro-chic sack, made from fabric

weaved using plastic bottles, factory waste

and old garments. Its exterior is waterproof

and harbours a sleeve that’ll take both

laptops and hydration packs.

£65 / patagonia.com

The green guardian

Pacsafe Vibe 25 Econyl

Fabricating a backpack from banana leaves

might sound right-on, but one swipe from

a thief’s blade and your ethical possessions

will be history. For more secure sustainability,

try Pacsafe’s slash-proof pack. Its reinforced

shell is formed of nylon sourced from fishing

nets, carpet tiles and industrial plastics.

$120 / pacsafe.com

Ready to carry the weight of

the world on his shoulders,

Chris Rowlands straps into

nine eco sacks for a more

ethical everyday carry

The fretful flyer

Bellroy Transit Backpack

Forced to fly? Use this 28-litre sack

as your carry-on and its water-resistant

shell – fabricated from recycled plastic

bottles – will at least offset some carbon.

Its main compartment can take a weekend’s

worth of gear, while external pockets make

stashing your necessities a cinch.

£215 / bellroy.com

The woke wanderer

Lefrik Capsule

Reprocessing tech is now so effective you

can’t tell recycled polyester from the normal

stuff. So this two-strap from Lefrik makes

things clear with a sewn message: “I used

to be a plastic bottle.” Divided inside for

handy stashing and equipped with a back

pocket, it’s ideal for a greener daily grind.

£56 / lefrik.com

1 Shut it

Closure is a key consideration when selecting a

sack. Want easy packing access? Bag a zipped

number... but clips offer extra security, while

rolltops promise added water-resistance.

2 Lump it

Unstructured straps might be lighter and less

bulky, but padded ones bring greater comfort.

If you’ll be schlepping far, choose a bag with

contoured bands that sit well on your shoulders.

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RECYCLED

BACKPACKS

HOW TO

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