Canvas Duffel Bags and the Slow Fashion Movement

Need a new canvas duffel bag? Before you tap Buy Now on a trendy duffel that can arrive at your doorstep in two hours by drone, take a beat to consider what you’re actually purchasing. Is it a well-made, dependable bag, or something designed for a single use or trip?

If you have a hunch that the fashionable duffel’s days are numbered, you’re not alone. Many camping and outdoor accessories, from gear to tents, are built for convenience and appearance rather than longevity. However, if you want a consciously made product built to last, we encourage you to consider canvas duffel bags and to join the slow fashion movement.

What is Slow Fashion?

To understand slow fashion, it helps to know what fast fashion is. Fast fashion means clothing, accessories, and other items that are made in large amounts and bought quickly to keep up with changing trends.

Fast fashion might be stylish for a hot second, but it is an alarming and growing environmental problem. Luckily, for every action there is a reaction. And the slow fashion movement is pushing back against this.

The slow fashion movement is all about buying ethically, sustainably, and responsibly. In a nutshell, slow fashion is about choosing quality over quantity and generally buying less, well, stuff.

Take canvas duffel bags, for example…

How Canvas Bags Support the Slow Fashion Movement

Duffel bags, totes, and other canvas styles help support the slow fashion movement in several ways.

Here’s how they do it.

Rugged Durability Means a Longer Lifespan

The rugged durability of canvas bags means they will stand the test of time. Canvas is typically made of cotton, hemp, or a poly-cotton blend, sometimes with a waterproofing treatment or waxed treatment to shed water and help keep it clean, too.

And the thicker the canvas, the more it can take on wear and tear, and the longer it tends to last. In turn, this reduces the need to replace your bag.

Recyclable, Eco-Friendly Materials Reduce Waste

And even if your duffel bag does need to be replaced, an organic cotton or hemp canvas is far more eco-friendly than other materials.

Unlike plastic, polyester or nylon duffels that shed microplastics, canvas duffels are woven with strong cotton fibers that are still biodegradable. Not to mention, canvas scraps can be recycled and reused into something else, reducing further waste.

A Timeless, Versatile Style That Surpasses Trends

Canvas duffel bags have been around for ages. From their original use as military duffels to your standard gym bag, duffels will never go out of style. A duffel bag’s spacious compartment and shape give it endless versatility that can be used for everything from a stylish carry-on luggage to an emergency go-bag.

In other words, if it doesn’t suit your style one season, you can simply utilize it another way or “retire” it for more rugged adventures. Within time, it’ll be “on trend” again and considered “vintage.”

Ethical Production and Trustworthy Brands

The production of canvas duffel bags can affect communities and the environment.

Good, eco-friendly brands think about how their products are made and how long they’ll last. Rather than making lots of bags at once, a sustainable brand makes each duffel as it’s ordered. Using materials like canvas and leather from the USA also means less shipping and lower carbon emissions.

And instead of hiring low-paid sweatshop workers, an ethical brand supports fair wages and hires artisans within local communities.

Join the Slow Fashion Movement With a Quality Duffel Bag

We’re not telling you to get rid of the duffel you already have. That would go against everything we’ve just talked about. That’s not the point.

But if you are thinking about getting a new duffel bag, pay attention to what you choose. Look for the sustainable, long-lasting features we mentioned and buy from a brand you trust that makes durable canvas duffels.

And just so you know… here at Beckel Canvas, we also make repairs. That means if you have a personalized duffel bag that tears or rips at the seams, you can ship it back and we’ll fix it. Bottom line… this keeps one less bag out of landfills and saves your favorite cherished duffel.

Whether it’s duffel bags, totes, or tents, products made from high-quality canvas offer a timeless style and rugged durability that outlasts the alternatives.