If you’re looking for a great vegan backpack, there’s never been better selection of options. I found a number of brands that make stylish and functional backpacks with faux leather and vegan leather, as well as other animal-friendly materials, like cork, hemp, and jute. Whether you’re looking for backpack that you can take hiking or a dressier style for work, here are some options from topnotch brands that will suit your needs.
1. MATT & NAT Stylish Vegan Backpacks
Multiple colors: fire red, dark red, lavender pink, black, sage green, tan, white, and bone
MATT & NAT’s vegan backpacks, handbags, shoes, and other accessories are redefining how the fashion industry views luxury style. Completely cruelty-free from their origins, MATT & NAT also focuses on making their products in the least environmentally harmful way possible.
The name MATT & NAT is derived from the words “materials” and “nature.” And as the origins of their name implies, MATT & NAT uses natural, plantbased, and recycled materials in their designs whenever possible. Natural materials include cork and natural rubber; and recycled materials include recycled nylon and recycled rubber.
MATT & NAT offers so many lovely faux leather backpacks that it was impossible for me to pick a favorite. So, be sure to visit to their Amazon store to see their collection.
MATT & NAT’s faux leather backpacks are available in a variety of colors, including fire red, dark red, lavender pink, black, sage green, tan, white, and bone.
To see MATT & NAT’s stylish handbags, check out my post on vegan purses.
2. GUNAS Vegan Backpacks
GUNAS is a PETA Approved 100% vegan brand that makes stylish backpack in faux leather and a variety of other animal-friendly accessories.
3. Red Maus Faux Suede Backpacks
I featured Red Maus in my post about vegan purses. They also make some super cute vegan backpacks with a distressed vegan leather that reminds me of suede (without hurting any animals.) These bags come in a few different colors:
4. AGT Handmade Vegan Leather Backpacks
You can ditch the Italian leather because All Good Things (AGT) Handmade is here! From their workshop in Olbia, Italy, AGT makes beautiful bags in classic designs but with fashion-forward materials. Their backpacks and other bags are handmade with beautiful vegan leather and quality fasteners. Color include black, brown, tan, and burgundy.
5. Corkor Cork Leather Vegan Backpacks
Corkor is an environmentally-conscious brand that makes a line of high-quality, stylish vegan accessories from all-natural and sustainable cork.
The Corkor team are advocates for animal welfare and protecting the planet. I love this brand because they’re truly breaking ground in the fashion and accessories world by showing that you don’t need something to be made of animal skin to be sleek and high-quality.
Corkor’s non-leather backpacks are made in Portugal by local artisans. They are ethically-made and PETA Approved Vegan.
To see more sustainable accessories from Corkor, check out my posts on vegan belts and eco-friendly messenger bags.
6. Malandro Cork Backpacks
These stylish backpacks are also made with all-natural cork. Cork bark is a sustainable material that doesn’t harm the tree when it’s harvested. In fact, harvesting the cork enables the tree to absorb even more CO2 from the atmosphere. Cork forests are also home to a number of endangered species, so purchasing products made from cork helps to ensure that cork forests are not cut down.
Malandro offers cork backpacks in a variety of colors and patterns.
7. Leafling Cork Backpack
This cute backpack shows the world that you’re a nature lover to the core. It’s made with PETA Approved vegan cork leather. Other colors are available.
Measurements: 8″ x 9″
8. Black Vegan Cork Backpack
This versatile and stylish black backpack is made with sustainable and natural cork. It’s waterproof, so will protect your belongings on rainy days. The main compartment has snap closure, plus there’s a front compartment with a zipper closure. And there are other pockets and sections to keep your things organized.
Measurements: 17” x 12.2” x 4.7”
9. Herdentier 100% Vegan Backpack in Piñatex Pineapple Leather and Cork
Herdentier is a 100% vegan brand, based in Hannover, Germany. They make backpacks and other bags in Piñatex pineapple leather and cork
10. Corkadia Vegan Backpacks
Corkadia is a new brand I discovered from Coimbra, Portugal that makes vegan backpacks and other accessories out of cork. With colorful prints, these packs are standouts and the perfect size – not too big and not too small.
11. Maravillas Bags Piñatex Pineapple Leather Backpacks
Maravillas hand makes sustainable handbags in their workshop in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. (They do create some styles in traditional leather, so be sure to look for the designs that are made with 100% vegan materials.)
This stylish backpack is made with sustainable and vegan Piñatex pineapple leather.
It measures 12.6” tall x 10.6” wide x 6.7” deep.
You can see more accessories and shoes made with pineapple leather in my post about Piñatex.
And you can see purses by Maravillas in my post about vegan handbags.
12. Solo Re:claim Backpacks
Solo’s Re:claim collection offers a variety of backpacks made with synthetic materials, including some made with recycled plastic bottles. With a sleek, minimalist design, these bags are perfect for recreational travel, business trips, or everyday use.
13. Johnny Urban Backpacks
Johnny Urban is a brand that makes a variety of vegan backpacks that are made from recycled materials. The straps are vegan faux leather and the material is water resistant.
These backpacks have magnetic snap fasteners and a zipper pocket under the front flap. Plus, there’s a padded compartment for your laptop.
Measurements: 17.7” x 12.2” x 4.7”
Price: ~$29.95 – $49.95
14. Fjallraven Convertible Backpacks
This minimalist convertible pack can be worn as a backpack or carried by its sturdy handles. It’s made with recycled synthetic materials.
This backpack measures 14.9″ x 10.6″ x 5.1″.
15. Alchemy Goods Reclaimed Tire Inner Tubes Backpack
Alchemy Goods hand makes cool bags and accessories out of reclaimed bicycle inner tubes in their workshop in Seattle, Washington. To date, they’ve kept over 500,000 inner tubes out of the landfill. This practically-waterproof backpack has two easy-access exterior zipper pockets and two inside pockets. Plus, it has a padded laptop sleeve that will easily hold a 15″ laptop. In addition, it has adjustable, padded shoulder straps.
All of Alchemy Goods’ products come with limited lifetime warranty.
Measurements: 18” x 12” x 4.5”
16. Upcycling by Milo Newsprint Backpack
Upcycling by Milo makes unique accessories from a wide variety of reclaimed materials, including candy wrappers, old prints, vinyl records, and billboards.
This backpack is 100% vegan and made with upcycled newspaper. The newspaper is cut into strips and then laminated to protect the print and your belongings inside.
This backpack has two internal pockets, including one for your phone and a zipper pocket for other valuables. It has a magnetic closure.
You can order this cute backpack in small or large:
- The small size measures 9.7″ wide x 10.8″ tall x 4.8″ deep.
- And the large measures 11.4″ wide x 12.6” tall x4.8″ deep.
You can see more unique designs by Upcycling by Milo in my posts about eco-friendly messenger bags and iPad cases.
17. Sheet Music Knapsack
Another unique design by Upcycling by Milo, this vegan-friendly backpack is made with upcycled sheet music.
It’s also available in small and large sizes.
- The small size measures 9.7″ wide x 10.8″ tall x 4.8″ deep.
- And the large measures 11.4″ wide x 12.6” tall x4.8″ deep.
18. Terra Thread Organic Cotton Vegan Backpacks
Terra Thread is a socially conscious company that makes backpacks, duffels, and other bags with GOTS certified organic cotton canvas. Plus, all of their products are Fair Trade and, with each bag they sell, Terra Thread donates meals to people.
Here’s video demo of one of their packs:
19. Dime Bags Pure Hemp Backpack
Dime Bags makes vegan bags with pure hemp. This hemp backpack has adjustable side straps and contoured shoulder straps to create a comfortable fit. It has four different compartments plus two holders for your reusable water bottles.
This bag also comes with a removable pouch that doesn’t release odors to hold secret things. You can also remove the Velcro label to be a little more incognito.
Available colors: black, brown, white, heather black, Kelly green, olive green, royal blue, turquoise blue, or hot pink
Measurements: 18” x 11” x 7”
To see more pure hemp bags from Dime Bags, check out my posts on messenger bags and vegan handbags.
20. Dime Bags Mini Hemp Knapsack
If you’re looking for a cute mini vegan backpack, this style from Dime Bags will fit the bill. It has adjustable side straps and contoured shoulder straps to get the perfect fit, plus a handy top handle.
There’s an outside zipper pocket and an inner a secret pocket, plus internal organizers in the main compartment. And you can also remove the Velcro label to be more incognito.
Available colors: black, brown, heather black, olive green, turquoise blue, or hot pink
Measurements: 8” x 3” x 9” inches
To see more pure hemp accessories from Dime Bags, check out my posts on vegan handbags and vegan wallets.
21. Jute Rice Bag Backpack
This unique backpack is made with upcycled jute rice bags. Each bag is handmade and one-of-a-kind. It has a top snap flap and is fully lined. There are three outside pockets that have button closures and adjustable straps. There’s also a back loop on the pack, so you can hang it up.
And one more just because it’s so pretty!
22. Unique Embroidered Backpacks
If you love color and ornate designs, check out these embroidered vegan backpacks by Goodhan. The embroidery is on cotton canvas. These pretty backpacks come in a variety of colors.
Measurements: 11.4’ x 9” x 5”
