It’s super easy to get tripped up by greenwashing, where brands throw around words like “earth-friendly” without actually backing it up. So watch out if you’re shopping for backpacks made of washable kraft paper because they’re not all made to the same standard.
What should you look at if you want eco friendly backpacks that genuinely do some good (and actually last)? Here are the main things to examine:
The stitch density
Standard sewing needles and loose stitching can easily rip through washable paper under pressure. The sewing has to be very precise to make a paper bag hold a heavy laptop without the seams popping.
That’s why you should look for eco friendly backpacks with high stitch density. Here at Rockside, we sew every bag with a tight, dense stitch pattern. This distributes the weight of your belongings evenly across the seams, making the bag super robust while keeping the stitch lines looking clean and premium.
The shaping process
The cool curves and rounded edges on eco friendly backpacks made of washable paper shouldn't look creased or wrinkled. That’s why here at Rockside, we soak the kraft paper in water first to make it pliable enough to form into distinctive shapes. We then dry each piece in a controlled environment for eight hours. This lets the paper naturally "remember" its new shape while staying strong.
Eco-friendly heavy-duty hardware
There is no point in buying biodegradable eco friendly backpacks if the zippers and buckles are cheap plastics that will break in a month. Our bags here at Rockside use high-quality, environmentally sustainable hardware specifically chosen to match the lifespan of the tough paper body, so the closures won't fail you over time.
Ready to shop?
All these bags from Rockside are made of the toughest German washable kraft paper:
The Base
You’ll love the cool, two-tone vibe with a black bottom section. We’ve lined the inside with heavy canvas to make it extra tough. It also closes with these double buckles, so it’s a great pick if you want something that looks a bit more structured and secure for work.
Northshore
Hate rummaging around for your keys or water bottle? You’ll love this one because it has a built-in bottle pocket and a bunch of handy zip pockets inside. It’s also super easy to clean—you can literally toss the whole thing in the wash when it gets dirty, which is awesome if you travel a lot or commute daily.
Seaside
Do you walk a lot? The padded back panel makes this comfortable to wear for hours. It also has a black canvas top and external side pockets, so you don't have to unzip the whole bag just to grab your water bottle.