The Best Sustainable Luggage Pieces for Spring

Frequent travelers are notoriously rough on luggage. So, do you seek out the toughest suitcases you can find, choose a piece that features a self-repair option, or replace a bag when it looks haggard? For anyone who embraces a sustainable lifestyle, that last option is indeed the last resort. Luggage brands were among the earliest adopters of sustainability initiatives and have continued to enhance and upgrade those efforts in recent years. We’ve rounded up debuts from five popular brands, each of which puts sustainability front and center in its messaging.

Solgaard

Carry-On Closet Original

Solgaard’s Carry-On Closet Original / Photo: Courtesy of Solgaard

Solgaard bills its suitcases as unbreakable, thanks to a hard-shell exterior made of recycled polycarbonate over a lightweight aluminum frame. New York-based Solgaard’s team is also comprised of people who love global travel, and that extends to the company’s passion for sustainability. Not only are interior components crafted from ocean-bound plastics, but the company also prioritizes a sustainable supply chain and, with each product purchased, funds the cleanup of plastics from coastal communities.
$325, at solgaard.co

Bric’s

Positano 27” Spinner

Bric’s Positano 27” Spinner / Photo: Courtesy of Bric

How can you not love something named for one of the most magical places on the planet? Bric’s has been handcrafted in Italy’s Lake Como region since the 1950s, so the brand knows how to imbue its pieces with an air of romance. The hard shells are made from 100-percent recycled polycarbonate, with a splash of extra sheen purely for a touch of Italian glamour. Designed to create a tone-on-tone effect, the light-blue hue is among the brand’s newest colors. It offers an 83-liter capacity and weighs just 7.9 pounds. Other features include an aluminum handle and cover.
$475, at bricstore.com

Monos

Check-In Large

Monos’ Check-In Large / Photo: Courtesy of Monos

Luggage brand Monos continues to collect awards for both design and sustainability, which is only more impressive when one considers that “unbreakable” is prominently positioned in its messaging. Last summer, Monos launched Sage Green as its newest limited-edition colorway, inspired by a hue prominent in the American desert. The six available sizes in Sage Green include this Check-In Large style, which offers a 99.2-liter capacity. Crafted from aerospace-grade, partially recycled materials, the hard shell is indeed billed as unbreakable, while the lining is crafted from recycled polyester.
$385, at monos.com

Montblanc

#MY4810 Cabin Compact Trolley

Montblanc’s #MY4810 Cabin Compact Trolley / Photo: Courtesy of Montblanc

Fans of Montblanc understand that the company is rooted in honoring Mont Blanc, which straddles the borders of France and Italy. And if those nations agree on anything, it’s a blend of craft and respect for the planet. Montblanc embraces a philosophy that minimizes environmental impact, and that extends to its #MY4810 collection, which takes its cue from Mont Blanc’s height. This Cabin Compact Trolley, seen here in pewter and black, is a 34-liter carry-on in lightweight polycarbonate. Details include a handle crafted of recycled steel.
$1,005, at montblanc.com

Away

The Trunk

Away’s The Trunk / Photo: Courtesy of Away

Away introduced an update to its Classic collection, leaning in on streamlined details while amping up its commitment to sustainability. The latter is rooted in an effort to increase the recycled components and reduce the virgin material needed for each piece. Among the debuts is The Trunk, now offered in colors that include this Sorbet Orange. And for anyone who isn’t a fan of suitcases that split space equally, The Trunk has a 30/70 split, which is terrific for packing everything you plan to bring to that conference, saving the smaller half for the stuff you’ll be handed on the convention floor.
$435, at awaytravel.com