Must-Have Sustainable Travel Gear

In recent decades, significant advancements have been made in eco-friendly travel gear, with renowned brands like Columbia, the North Face, Osprey, Patagonia, and REI at the forefront. However, sustainability isn’t limited to the big names. Here, we spotlight 13 lesser-known brands that are making it easier to invest in the planet's future with their eco-conscious products.

A tip on upcycling and how it can enhance your sustainable shopping approach: Before buying new items or discarding your old gear, think about purchasing secondhand clothing and equipment, participating in a clothes swap group, or organizing a swap of your own. Geartrade simplifies the process: This organization motivates outdoor enthusiasts to upcycle their gear, allowing it to embark on new adventures. Explore the site for a variety of items, including ski and snowboard gear, hiking equipment, and paddling essentials.

Eco-Friendly Travel Gear and Luggage

1. Paravel

Last year, Paravel committed to becoming the first fully sustainable travel brand by the end of 2021, successfully achieving this goal: The luggage brand received Climate Neutral Certification in July 2021. Crafted from upcycled water bottles and recycled vegan leather, the Cabana Tote is entirely carbon-neutral, as Paravel offsets all CO2 emissions linked to sourcing, manufacturing, shipping, delivery, and the average first trip taken by customers with their luggage. So far, the brand has offset more than 2,200 initial trips.

2. Cotopaxi

This Climate Neutral Certified brand is dedicated to producing all its items with repurposed, recycled, and responsibly sourced materials by 2025, while also safeguarding human rights throughout its supply chain. Make packing effortless and enjoyable with the Cubos Travel Cubes. Available in three sizes—2L, 3L, and 10L—these cubes are crafted from 100 percent remnant materials, preventing waste and ensuring they stay in your carry-on.

3. Urban Originals

Operating from Sydney and Los Angeles, Urban Originals creates 100 percent cruelty-free vegan bags, including clutches, beach bags, totes, and backpacks. When you’re out and about, simply pack all your essentials into the canvas Astro Tote, looking stylish while enjoying the security of its waterproof design and zippers that keep your belongings safe. Urban Originals donates 10 percent of all online sales to organizations combating modern slavery and human trafficking.

4. Voited

Voited is committed to achieving zero waste and minimal environmental impact by utilizing recycled materials for all of its lightweight, packable products. Rest easy under the stars knowing your Voited blanket is crafted from recycled plastic bottles, offering durability along with water and stain resistance. This versatile blanket snaps into a sleeping bag and folds back into a pillow, making it ideal for camping, hiking, picnics, and beach days.

5. Ananday

As a Climate Neutral Certified brand, Ananday produces yoga products that are completely biodegradable and recyclable, free from plastic. Take your downward dog anywhere with its travel yoga mat, which conveniently folds to fit in your bag. Made from jute and natural tree rubber, it offers a nonslip and sweat-resistant surface. For each mat sold, the company plants 10 trees in partnership with Trees for the Future.

6. Hibear

Switching from single-use plastic bottles to a reusable bottle is one of the simplest ways to enhance sustainability while traveling. Hibear, a Climate Neutral Certified brand and member of 1% for the Planet, refers to its insulated All-Day Adventure Flask as the “Swiss Army knife of insulated bottles.” It holds 32 ounces and includes a cocktail shaker, filter, and thermal core for making pour-over coffee, cold brew, and cocktails. You can even decant red wine directly into the flask.

Sustainable travel clothing and apparel

7. Jack Wolfskin

The German outdoor brand Jack Wolfskin has recently launched in the United States, bringing over 40 years of history and numerous pioneering sustainable initiatives across its apparel collection. In the last decade, the brand has ensured that all of its backpacks and clothing are 100 percent PFC-free, uses Responsible Down Standard–certified down, and employs 100 percent organic cotton for its cotton products. Jack Wolfskin is a member of bluesign, Fair Wear Foundation, and ZDHC, demonstrating a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The brand encourages transparency, allowing customers to track the manufacturing facilities behind each product using the codes found on the white tags of the items.

Additionally, Jack Wolfskin has pledged to eliminate PFCs from its footwear line by 2025. This spring, the brand introduced the Terraventure Texapore ($180), an almost entirely recycled hiking shoe that is PFC-free, breathable, and waterproof. Products like the Pack & Go Windshell are also made from recycled polyester.

8. Revv Swim

Embrace sustainability with this stylish one-piece bathing suit from Revv Swim. Created by lifelong swimmer Cristina Aguayo, this swimsuit combines cuteness and style with eco-friendliness. Rather than using virgin plastic materials like nylon, polyester, and spandex, the swimsuits are designed and crafted in New York City from 100 percent recycled Italian nylon, which is machine washable, chlorine resistant, and features quick-dry technology.

9. Crap Eyewear

Despite its amusing name, Crap Eyewear takes its commitment to the environment seriously and proudly maintains its Climate Neutral Certified status. Crafted and tested on the beaches of Los Angeles by surfers, skaters, musicians, and artists, these sunglasses are not only fun and fashionable but are also made from bioacetate, a biodegradable, plant-based frame material. The brand is actively developing more upcycled packaging and innovative lens materials.

Sustainable travel toiletries

10. Jack59

Say goodbye to plastic bottles and the hassle of TSA’s liquid limits with Jack59’s solid shampoo and conditioner bars. These sulfate-free shampoo bars are pH balanced, 100 percent vegan, silicone-free, and offer more than 80 washes. Based in Alberta, Canada, Jack59 produces its products locally using ethically sourced ingredients and a zero-waste manufacturing process. Since its founding, the company has kept over 500,000 plastic bottles from ending up in landfills. For easy transport, we recommend Matador’s Flatpack soap bar case ($13), crafted from waterproof material that allows moisture to evaporate through the fabric.

11. Baesix

Maintain your vegan, organic, cruelty-free, and eco-friendly skincare routine with Baesix’s #Thisiseverything kit. This kit includes all six skincare essentials—like face wash, sunscreen, and more—packaged in biodegradable or fully recyclable materials. The bottles are crafted from corn starch and bamboo, the tins are aluminum, and the refill sachets are made from sugarcane. Additionally, the company supports wildlife and forest conservation, as well as social equality initiatives.

12. By Humankind

With hand sanitizers here to stay, why not opt for one that's beneficial for both your skin and the planet? By Humankind offers pocket-sized aluminum bottles that help cut down on single-use plastic. Their moisturizing sanitizing gels—available in eucalyptus, grapefruit, and unscented—keep your hands clean and soft. The brand offsets its entire carbon footprint, including all customer orders, by investing in forest preservation initiatives. They also collaborate with Plastic Bank to help customers offset their plastic footprint—approximately 22 pounds of ocean-bound waste each month—for just $8 a month.

13. Sun Patch

Enjoying beach and pool days is simpler with UV protection for your under eyes and nose from Sun Patch. These waterproof patches adhere securely while swimming and feature UPF 50+ infused silicone, blocking 99 percent of UVA/UVB rays to keep you safe while having fun, even for those with sensitive skin. Plus, they are reusable and ocean-friendly.