Waxed canvas backpacks: the ultimate adventure companion?

Are you ready to embark on your next adventure? Whether you’re hiking through rugged mountains, navigating busy city streets, or walking the dog down the same path that you take every day, the right bag or backpack can make all the difference. Waxed canvas backpacks combine durability, style and practicality with sustainability and simple design. The waxed canvas fabric not only protects your things from the weather but also ages beautifully, with every mark and scuff adding to the story of your bag. Made to last, rolltop canvas backpacks are made for adventures of every type, whether they’re totally wild or just a little bit wildish. 

Needless to say, we’re a fan of waxed canvas backpacks. Read on to find out why!

The waxed canvas material

Waxed cotton canvas has been used as a reliable, durable, weatherproof material for centuries, and it’s still widely used today. It’s made by treating canvas fabric with a layer of wax. The waxed cotton canvas in Wildish bags like our Gouthwaite 18-23L is a little bit different to most waxed canvas materials. It’s made with organic cotton, and it’s a dry-waxed canvas - the wax and fabric are treated at high heats so that the wax impregnates the fibres of the bag rather than making a less-durable layer on top of the canvas. This means it stays weatherproof for much longer.

The wax makes the material waterproof, so that rain rolls right off. It’s not fully waterproof, but it’s as close as you can get without using plastic or toxic PFCs. This also makes it more breathable than other rucksack fabrics and, combined with a roll top design, creates an effective shield against the elements.

Finally, waxed canvas just gets better with age. As you wear your backpack out and about in all weathers, throw it over your shoulder, or the back of a chair, or down a mountain, or cram it into a bus or a train or an aeroplane, it’ll hold up to being beaten up and collect characteristic scuffs and marks along the way - without ripping or breaking. A waxed canvas bag tells the story of your travels much better than a synthetic one could.

High durability

For the reasons listed above, waxed canvas is an incredible durable material. Thanks to the thick, tightly woven cotton, it’s very difficult to rip or tear, and if it does break it’s easy to repair. It’s an ideal choice for outdoorsy pursuits, or for anyone who wants to purchase a bag that will last a very, very long time.

Waxed canvas backpacks can also be re-waterproofed using a wax bar or a spray. Straps, buckles and other fixings are typically as durable as the fabric is too. Durability and weatherproofing aren’t the only benefit of waxed canvas bags, however…

Sustainability and low impact

In a time when we’re thinking more and more about the products we buy and consume, waxed canvas backpacks offer an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic materials. The primary component of waxed canvas is cotton, a natural and renewable resource. Unlike synthetic fabrics that rely on petroleum-based products, cotton is biodegradable and has a lower environmental impact. The wax used in making waxed canvas material is often naturally derived from substances like beeswax. By choosing a waxed canvas backpack, travelers can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to a more sustainable future.

The durability of waxed canvas also plays a significant role in its sustainability. A well-made waxed canvas backpack can last for many years, reducing the need for frequent replacements. This not only saves resources but also minimises waste. In contrast, synthetic backpacks often have a shorter lifespan and are more likely to end up in landfills. The ability to repair and maintain waxed canvas backpacks further extends their lifespan.

Making anything creates waste and has an impact on the environment, but this impact can be lowered even further by using local materials. Our waxed canvas is dyed and waxed in the north of the UK, and all of our British made roll top backpacks are made by hand in the UK too, which makes them an even more sustainable choice.