When you buy through our links, we may earn fees from our affiliate partners. Learn more.
Whether you’ve just picked up photography as a hobby, are starting your own ethical and sustainable fashion blog and need some camera gear or just need one for a weekend trip away, these conscious brands are making ethical and eco-friendly camera bags that are designed specifically to protect your expensive investment.
1. WAYKS camera bag
German-Australian sustainable brand WAYKS produces modern and minimalist travel backpacks and camera bags for the conscious traveler. The WAYKS Cube is the brand’s camera bag which is made from recycled PET bottles and is responsibly produced in Vietnam by a Fair Wear Foundation recognised factory. The camera bag can also double as a cooler bag, and comes with a removable padded divider insert, detachable shoulder strap and hip belt for convenient carrying. Available in sand and black colour.
2. WANDRD
Launched by two photographer friends, WANDRD produces travel backpacks, sling bags and camera straps that are functional, stylish and built to last. Using long-lasting materials such as ballistic nylon and weather resistant YKK zippers and offering customers a limited lifetime warranty, WANDRD guarantees the quality of workmanship and the materials used in their products. All products are made in Vietnam by folks who they consider their “Vietnamese family”.
Whether you’re after camera cubes, lens cases, camera neck straps or just a travel backpack with well-placed pockets, WANDRD has a great range of photography gear to choose from. We’re especially loving the clever design of their camera sling bags with a pocket for expandable tripods – or water bottle!
3. kamrette camera backpack
After running a successful photography and design studio, photographer Kate Margaret decided to try her hand at creating a durable camera bag that was stylish but didn’t compromise functionality or overlook the needs of professional photographers. The result? High-quality camera bags that are made of premium ‘vegan’ leather, features the highest quality YKK zippers, super strong straps, and convenient compartments and pockets for storing away camera, lenses, iPads, and more.
Our pick is the Lyra Backpack (featured below) as it features a laptop compartment but for those laptop-free sightseeing days, there’s also the smaller Mina Daypack. Ideal for travel too, all styles come in three classic colours: black, tan and gray.
4. Sans Beast camera strap
For style-conscious vegan photographers, the Sans Beast Noir/Vanilla Recollect Camera Strap is an eye-catching camera strap constructed from heavy duty jacquard nylon webbing and finished with a patent alligator emboss “vegan Eco PU”. The strap is thick enough that the camera will remain secure around your neck and has been designed to attach to your camera’s webbing slots the way the standard strap does. Designed in Australia and responsibly made in overseas factories that uphold high labour standards.
5. Ethnotek camera backpack
Social enterprise Ethnotek produces a slow fashion range of colourful travel backpacks, laptop bags, camera bags and accessories that feature handmade textiles from artisans in India, Vietnam and other developing nations. All bags feature water resistant ballistic nylon and thus are vegan-friendly, are made by artisans who are paid fair and living wages and all bags come with a lifetime guarantee.
We recommend Ethnotek 30-litre Camera Backpack as there is currently a bundle deal where you also get a Raja Camera pack and a free camera sling so you save $129. There are also many vibrant colours/prints to choose from.
6. Kelly Moore camera tote bag
Tired of cumbersome camera bags that weren’t very appealing, veteran photographer Kelly Moore created a range of camera bags so that a photographer could look stylish on the job. The bags are designed with quality in mind; all details of the bags have been considered including the quality of leather, sustainability features, reducing waste and non-toxic vegetable tanning of leather. The tannery where the business sources its leather holds a Gold Rated certificate by Leather Working Group, a global multi-stakeholder group auditing leather tanneries against high environmental standards.
Check out The Daniela Tote (pictured below) which is the ideal bag for shooting at special events. The brand also produces a line of fashionable vegan-friendly camera bags.
7. Groundtruth camera bag
Responsibly manufactured by bluesign®-certified and Global Recycled Standard manufacturers, Groundtruth’s RIKR Range Camera Bag is one of the most sustainable on the market. Built for durability, the bag is made from a regenerated fibre sourced from 100% recycled PET bottles and high quality YKK zips; each camera bag contains 25 upcycled plastic bottles, comes in a biodegradable cassava packaging and is carbon neutral.
8. Crumpler camera bag
Australian company Crumpler company has been producing heavy duty, functional backpacks and bags since 1995. Its headquarters are in Melbourne, Australia and the brand also has an office in Berlin.
The Muli 2500 Camera Messenger Bag is made from a robust water-resistant nylon to help withstand rain, hail or shine. The camera bag also has internal dividers and padding to keep equipment safe. Designed to last the distance, the brand also offers a lifetime warranty and free repairs.
9. Personalised camera bag
If you’re after a camera bag to give as a gift, then you can’t go past this personalised handcrafted camera bag on Etsy. Made from top grain Italian genuine leather, this is a camera bag that oozes luxury. You can also have this classic camera bag customised with a name or initials for extra cost.
Disclosure: Details are correct at time of publishing. Opinions are that of the writer’s. This curated list does not fully take into account all the ethical considerations that are unique to each individual. Before making a purchase, we encourage you to do your own research paying particular attention to the supply chain and your own particular set of ethics. Click here to read more about our policies. Cover image via Kelly Moore.
![The Ultimate Guide to Ethical and Eco-Friendly Diaries, Planners and Organisers [2021 edition]](https://ecowarrior.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Ethical-and-Eco-Friendly-Diaries-Planners-and-Organisers-2021-edition-240x300.png)