WIRED’s gear team tested dozens of bags designed to make commuting easier, withstand wear and tear, and protect against the elements. Some of our favorite eco-friendly bags are functional and durable, but made from recycled materials like plastic water bottles, old nylon, and even ocean-caught fishing nets.
It’s important to find ways to reuse waste that would otherwise pollute the oceans and end up in landfills forever. But first, ask yourself: Do you need a new bag? If you already have good bags at home, there’s nothing wrong with buying eco-friendly products. But if your current bags aren’t enough, the recycled bags we recommend below can give you some peace of mind. Not all bags are made from 100% recycled materials, but every little bit counts.
Bags are typically categorized by capacity, which we’ll cover in more detail in another article. For more recommendations, check out our guides to the best backpacks , best tote bags and purses , and best shoulder and crossbody bags . Be sure to check out our other sustainable product roundups, like the best recycled and upcycled products , best recycled clothing , and best reusable products .
July 2024 update: We’ve added the Kind Bag crossbody and reusable shopping bags, as well as the Skye Mini crossbody bag from Sherpani. We’ve also updated prices and links for all products.
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When it comes to products like bags, your (and our) preferences are determined by your personal style. That’s the first thing you’ll notice. We’ve tried testing several different bag styles. In addition to looking great, we also make sure they offer value for money in terms of comfort and durability.
When we get a new bag, we start using it as we normally would: carrying our purse to the grocery store or bar, stuffing our laptop and work gear into backpacks and totes, then heading to a coffee shop to work all day while stuffing clothes and shoes into duffel bags. We pay attention to what they hold, how they’re organized, whether the straps are comfortable or if they start to tighten over time. We also load them up with heavy items—sometimes just heavy items, sometimes just some other random product we’re testing—and throw them around. If the cords and straps start to stretch, they’re no longer usable. Whenever possible, we subject a bag to repeated use over months or years to test its durability, and we’ll update this guide if our feelings change.
The Carryall from United By Blue is a large tote bag that easily transforms into a backpack. The interior and exterior of the bag are made from 100% recycled polyester; the shoulder straps are made from 100% recycled nylon; and the lining is a blend of 60% recycled nylon and 40% recycled polyester. Even the zippers are made from 100% recycled nylon paracord.
It’s waterproof and has enough soft padding to protect a 15-inch laptop from damage caused by wind, rain, and drops. Inside, there’s a practical storage pocket in the front pocket, as well as two water bottle pockets. If you get tired of carrying it on one shoulder, you can unzip the back pocket and pull out the backpack’s handy straps. They attach to a sturdy D-ring at the bottom.
The Nouvelle Bag by Lo & Son (8/10, recommended by Wired) is made from recycled nylon and polyester, and uses cactus instead of leather. Its shape, material, and beautiful strap make it suitable for both formal and casual occasions. I’ll always choose this one again when I try it. It makes me feel elegant and versatile no matter what I’m wearing. I like the black with bronze hardware, but it’s available in a variety of colors and combinations.
It won’t fit your laptop, but it’s perfect for essentials like your wallet, phone, e-reader, and smaller items like lipstick and bobby pins. The inside pocket has three card slots, and the outside pocket fits my iPhone 15 and a few large keys.
This leather laptop bag from Cuyana is one of our favorites. This bag is low-key and casual, but still gorgeous. This crossbody bag is made from 100% recycled plastic from a landfill. It feels like canvas, is durable, and is machine washable in a mesh bag (but be sure to hang dry!) ​​so you can use it without any worries.
The lining on the bottom helps keep things organized, and the large size provides plenty of storage—I used it as a personal item while on vacation, and stashed a book, tablet, headphones, medication, and any knick-knacks I could find to bring with me. If you want to use it for work, or just need more storage, pair it with the Cuyana Tote (if it arrives, which we’re still waiting on). We used the extra large, but they also come in medium and small.
If you’re looking to save as much as possible, Targus is a brand you can trust for their zero-waste backpacks. It’s made from 20 recycled water bottles wrapped in recycled plastic packaging. Unroll the plastic roll and place it in the laptop pocket – not only will this support the structure of the backpack, but it will also better protect your expensive electronics. It also helps minimize packaging during transport. In addition to the main compartment, the backpack has two front pockets and two water bottle pockets. It also comes with two compression straps, making the backpack even thinner and lighter.
At the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the brand unveiled a new EcoSmart backpack. The Coastline backpack is slightly more expensive than the Zero Waste and is made from ocean-bound plastic.
Timbuk2’s Spark Mini Backpack, especially in the Eco Nautical Pop colorway, looks like it came straight out of the retro trend of the late ’80s and early ’90s. It reminds us that backpacking can be fun, but it should also be practical. What’s more, it’s made from 100% recycled nylon and polyester.
Although the main compartment is small, it’s large enough to hold my 13-inch MacBook Pro. The smaller pocket is better suited for a tablet or Kindle. The faux-fur-lined front pocket is roomy enough for a phone and wallet, and has a key lanyard. You can undo the straps and put your keys in the magnetic pocket on the back to carry the bag as a purse. Spark also offers smaller versions.
The Kind Bag reusable shopping bags are made from 100% recycled materials, with each bag containing six plastic bottles. When you’re done using the shopping bag, you can contact the company to recycle it. Each shopping bag is quite large, so I find them ideal for on-the-go shopping, whether it’s canned and packaged goods at the store or fresh produce at the farmers market.
There are a wide variety of beautiful designs and patterns to choose from, and limited edition signature prints are often available. I had the opportunity to try out two cat prints by artist Amy Hastings. Kind Bags is owned, designed, and operated by women, and a portion of the proceeds from each bag sold will go to support the Women’s Earth Alliance (WEA).
My favorite reusable shopping bags are from Kind Bag, and I also love their 100% recyclable waffle crossbody bag. The fabric, labels, and zippers are all made from recycled materials, and each crossbody bag is made from two and a half plastic bottles. They’re also machine washable.
I am a firm believer that bags and shoes should be as fun, quirky and unique as possible. In my opinion, they are the perfect accessories to complete an outfit. This bag really does that and reminds me of a 2000s popcorn cover. I love it and it is affordable, making being eco-friendly accessible.
I’ve been into small crossbody bags lately, and this Skye Mini Crossbody Bag from Sherpani is just the thing for me. It fits easily under your arm and is small enough to be discreet, but still holds all your essentials. If you prefer to wear it crossbody, it also comes with a detachable shoulder strap.
The Skye bag from Sherpani is made from 100% recycled materials, saving 10 plastic water bottles from ending up in landfills or the ocean. The recycled polyester is durable and water-resistant, and I think this bag will quickly become an everyday item. I don’t have to worry about it getting scratched or the threads unraveling. If that’s a concern for you, it also features RFID blocking technology.
This is our favorite laptop bag, with an exterior made from weather-resistant recycled nylon. According to Wired, the weight is magically distributed, and the many pockets keep things organized, including a slot for a 16-inch laptop. We’ve liked several of Moment’s camera bags, including the very similar Everything Tote, which doesn’t use any recycled materials.
★ Runner-up in the tote category: Bellroy’s Tokyo Tote ($129) is also one of our favorites thanks to its excellent storage feature—the entire interior is divided into multiple pockets that can hold a 13-inch laptop, cell phone, wallet, data cable, small notepad, and other accessories. “Expandable” pockets at each end allow you to stash a water bottle, small umbrella, or even flat shoes. The brand uses a range of recycled materials, from plastic bottles to nylon scraps left over from other Bellroy products.
Lojel’s Niru collection of bags, including this City Sling, are made from 100% recycled nylon and trimmed with genuine leather. The packaging is also biodegradable. This shoulder bag is virtually weightless, and snaps on the corners allow it to be folded and unfolded as needed. This shoulder bag holds my large wallet and my Beats headphones at the same time, and I love the softness of the straps.
Inside the main compartment are three small pockets and a key strap. There’s also a small zippered pocket on the back that can fit an iPhone with room to spare.
★ More from Lojel: I also tried the 3-Way Tote ($55), Day Backpack ($125), and Mini Day Backpack ($100). All are made from the same recycled materials. These backpacks only have side access to the main compartment instead of a top zip, and they also have side patch pockets. It’s not my favorite design, but I’ve gotten used to it. Like the shoulder bags, they have snaps on all four corners, allowing you to stretch or compress them.
Everything Verloop sells is incredibly cute, including this little bag made from leftover yarn. It can dress up any outfit if you don’t overload it with too many details. We also recommend this brand of slippers, which is recommended in our guide to upcycling clothes.
★ Another Mini Tote from Verloop: Verloop already uses scrap yarn, but the brand takes it a step further with the Scrap Stuffed Tote ($68). The tote is made from fine nylon and filled with recycled yarn from the brand’s mills, further reducing waste. It’s colorful, fun, and easy to organize your essentials. It also comes with a small bag.
We love the Baggu shopping bags, which are made from 40% recycled nylon. Each bag holds up to 50 pounds and can replace two to three plastic shopping bags. They’re cute, come in a variety of colors and patterns, and fold into a small cube for storage in your car. You can sometimes find them at Urban Outfitters, too.
Longchamp designer bags don’t look flashy or fancy, but if you’ve ever been around a college campus or high-powered business people, you’ve probably noticed plenty of people with one slung over their arm. This bag is made from recycled polyamide canvas, which is made from fishing nets and old carpets. It’s nice and sturdy, and while it doesn’t have a laptop pocket, it’ll easily fit a laptop. If you’re taking it on a trip as a spare bag, it folds up into a small rectangle (plus a shoulder strap).
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