Tuesday, January 20, 2026

This Eco Luggage Is Designed to Go the Distance

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These eco luggage brands are meant to go on every journey you take and then some.

As the global population increases, travel is expected to increase, too. The global luggage industry is expected to hit close to $200 billion before the end of 2025; 49 percent of that growth will come from APAC region as income levels rise, according to Technavio.

That means more luggage is being produced to meet the increase in travel, whether it’s air travel or by other means. One of the ways the luggage industry is responding to the climate crisis is by reducing luggage weight to meet airline industry regulations. Travelers are more interested in lighter-weight bags and suitcases than ever before.

Investing in quality luggage reduces the need for replacements, and when it’s made sustainably, you’re also reducing your impact on the planet from the start.

There’s every reason to want to reduce your travel footprint. The travel industry produces about 2.5 percent of all CO2 emissions. The good news is that airlines and even cruise ship companies are working to reduce their carbon footprints, use more sustainable fuel, and encourage consumers to offset their trips by efforts such as tree plantings.

Courtesy Paravel

Luxury luggage brands are looking to a number of sustainable options including recycled materials such as upcycled plastic bottles and even recycling old luggage parts. Some are working with post-industrial materials such as offcuts. Others are looking to work with sustainable materials such as plant or fungi leather and other bio-based materials.

Luggage handling is getting an overhaul, too. In 2021, the Dutch-based software company BagsID Network partnered with the Netherlands Airport Consultants on the Green Bag Alliance, a computer baggage identification system to help reduce luggage’s environmental impact. The effort will see research and tools implemented aimed at making the system more sustainable and efficient.

And even airlines are getting in on the action. The Dubai-based Emirates launched a line of luggage made from refurbished aircraft in a bid to support a circular economy. There are also a number of luxurious, sustainable hotels and destinations you can make part of your trip, and many more are on the way.

Eco luxury luggage brands

Of course, the most sustainable luggage is the suitcase or bag you already have in your closet. Use those until they are no longer usable. And then when it’s time, upgrade with these sustainable luxury luggage options from conscious brands.

Horizn Studios

Launched in 2015, U.K.-based Horizn Studios is our top choice for its focus on sustainable solutions to drive the future of travel. The company designs luggage for the smart, urban traveler for daily commute and globetrotting alike. Horizn created the world’s first luggage with a built-in removable charging function. And, it was the first to collaborate with NASA astronaut Alyssa Carson on space luggage that debuted in 2019.

Last year, Horizn launched Circle One, what it’s calling the world’s most sustainable luxury luggage made entirely from plant-based and biodegradable materials. The eco luggage is also designed to be repaired, instead of replaced, so it lasts through all of your adventures and can be handed down to future generations along with your travel stories.

Horizn offers a range of sizes and colors for all of your travel preferences.

Monos

From Canada comes Monos, a sustainable, carbon-neutral certified luggage brand committed to quality and style. Each hard case is made from aerospace-grade polycarbonate. The company’s motto is mindfulness, which it says makes for better, more responsible travelers.

“Mindfulness – being fully immersed in the here and now – is at the heart of our philosophy on traveling and living well. We believe that when we are present in the moment and mindful in our travels – when we are passionate wanderers – the deeper beauty of the world reveals itself,” reads the Monos website.

Patagonia

If you’ve been conscious about traveling sustainably, it’s likely you already own Patagonia luggage. The outdoor gear giant has been making sustainable luggage for years. Whether backpacking, carry-ons, or checked luggage, Patagonia makes something for everyone.

The company is a certified B Corp and takes its carbon footprint seriously, using low-impact materials, including a large percentage of recycled and bio-based materials. Patagonia is also a fierce protector of the environment, committing to conservation efforts with the recent ownership switch. And it offers lifetime repairs and replacements so you can keep your luggage indefinitely.

Lo & Sons bag.

Lo & Sons

Founded by a mother and her two sons, Lo & Sons blends family values with thoughtful design, resulting in luggage that’s both refined and responsible. The brand offers sleek duffels, weekender bags, and carry-ons crafted from recycled poly, organic cotton canvas, and eco-friendly materials. Every detail — from water-resistant linings to laptop compartments — is designed for comfort, convenience, and conscious travel.

What sets Lo & Sons apart is its minimal aesthetic paired with intelligent storage design. The Catalina Deluxe, for instance, remains a bestseller for its practical structure, making it ideal for quick getaways or road trips. Its use of upcycled and renewable materials across collections reflects a larger ethos of reducing fashion’s waste footprint without compromising polish.

Lo & Sons also prioritizes ethical labor practices, working only with factories that meet international labor standards. Their packaging is 99 percent plastic-free, and they operate a take-back program for customers ready to retire their gear.

Solgaard 

Solgaard masterfully packs in the priorities like you’ll pack your gear into the brand’s gorgeous suitcases. The products are more than just sustainably made, they give back. For every item sold, Solgaard keeps 229 plastic bottles out of the oceans. Ocean-bound plastic makes up the base of the luggage design along with recycled metals, and interior fabric which is also made from upcycled plastic.

But your mind won’t be on any of that when you wheel your Solgaard from flight to destination. All you’ll be thinking about is how easy and accommodating the luggage is—and that you should probably travel more.

Roam suitcase open.

Roam

Roam is revolutionizing luggage by making customization its hallmark. Every suitcase is handcrafted in the U.S. and can be personalized down to the trim, zipper, wheels, and shell color, offering a level of individuality that’s rare in sustainable travel gear. But beneath the design is a solid commitment to reducing waste: Roam uses partially recycled polycarbonate shells and fabric made from recycled bottles.

The company operates on a made-to-order model, which significantly limits overproduction and warehouse waste. By crafting each piece specifically for the customer, ROAM bypasses many of the inefficiencies of traditional manufacturing. And for travelers, that means they’re not only investing in longevity — they’re buying something unique.

The brand also offers a repair program and backs its luggage with a lifetime warranty. ROAM’s clean silhouettes and punchy colorways appeal to a fashion-conscious traveler who wants sustainability without sacrificing visual impact.

SMMT Outdoor tote bag

SMMT Outdoor

Sometimes, your travel needs can be met without wheeled luggage. And this bag from SMMT Outdoor is just the thing. It’s roomy and stylish and you can carry it multiple ways, as a tote carry or over-the-shoulder carry for on the go. The bags are made from recycled materials across the interior, exterior, and insulation. It’s manufactured with a BlueSign Certified Partner, and one percent of all sales go to support the Summit Land Conservancy.

Monarc duffle bag.

Monarc

Monarc may be one of the newest names in sustainable travel gear, but it’s already making a significant impact. It’s the first travel brand to achieve Plastic Negative Certification, meaning it removes more plastic waste from the environment than it uses. Its flagship product, the Settra Duffel Backpack, is made from 25 recycled plastic bottles.

The brand’s aesthetic skews tactical — dark colors, heavy-duty zippers, and modular straps make Monarc ideal for outdoor lovers and digital nomads alike. The hybrid backpack-duffel design is extremely versatile and built for high performance in unpredictable conditions.

Monarc is also committed to circular design. It encourages repair over disposal, and the materials used — from water-resistant ripstop to reinforced stitching — are chosen with endurance and environmental consciousness in mind.

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All products featured on Ethos have been independently selected by our editorial team. When you buy something through our links, Ethos may earn an affiliate commission.

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