10 Best Vegan Leather Luggage: Totes, Duffels, Backpacks, and More

Going vegan means a lot more than just changing up your diet. IYKYK. But while you want to do right by our furry friends, sometimes it’s a real challenge to find all the traveling gear you need (Vegan’s Version). We’re here to help. We’ve sifted through all the research to weed out the animal leather and built you a list of the top 10 best vegan leather luggage—from totes to duffels, backpacks, and more.

How do you know if a bag is vegan?

Unfortunately, shopping for a vegan leather bag isn’t as easy as it seems. Too often, when you type in a simple query for vegan leather (for example, on Amazon or Google), dozens of animal leather products will pop up in the search. Sigh. To know if a bag is really vegan, you need to read the list of materials carefully. If you see synthetic leather or cork leather, know that these are considered vegan materials. But if you see anything that notes “real” or “genuine” leather—thank you, next. “Real” or “genuine” leather is not vegan.

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10 best vegan leather luggage options for 2024

1. Best vegan leather tote: Arden Cove

A good travel tote is the #1 essential for all women on the go. It can help you transition from work to play; it fits perfectly under the airline seat in front of you; and it can even double as an overnight bag for a short weekend away. Finding a good-looking vegan leather tote, however, isn’t always easy, but we think we found a win in Arden Cove’s Victoria Tote. Made out of water-resistant nylon with a microfiber faux leather front pocket, this vegan leather tote can’t be beat when it comes to organization. You get a laptop compartment, a water bottle loop, a wallet pocket, key rings, and a trolley sleeve. It even folds down to a 1” height for easy storage in your carry-on suitcase. 

Price: starting at $399

For more insight, read our full review of The Victoria Tote here.


2. Best vegan leather backpack: Calpak

The benefits of going hands-free at the airport can’t be overstated. So if you want to juggle a coffee, your phone, and a book, this is your cue to treat yourself to the Kaya Laptop Backpack from Calpak. With a 15” laptop sleeve, multiple interior pockets, and a luggage trolley sleeve, this vegan leather backpack checks all the boxes when it comes to function. And when it comes to fashion, do they give you options! With 21 different colors available, from flirty Cranberry and Dragonfruit to classic Caramel and Navy, you’re sure to find your favorite hue—and stand out in the crowd come boarding time.

Price: starting at $138


3. Best vintage-inspired vegan purse: Steamline Luggage

We love the look of a retro handbag … But it’s hard to find old-world-inspired fashion in animal-friendly vegan leather. That’s why we’re currently obsessing over The Alchemist Mini Bag from Steamline Luggage. This vintage-inspired vegan purse is square-shaped, complete with elegant trim and gold latches to give off serious Jackie O. vibes. But don’t worry—it’s still got all the modern essentials a modern girl needs. An adjustable shoulder strap makes it easy to sport this vegan retro bag over your shoulder or as a travel crossbody, while a ruched interior pocket keeps all of your small items secure and in place.

Price: starting at $280


4. Best vegan leather duffel: Kenneth Cole

For quick weekend trips, it’s much more comfortable (and chic) to pack a simple travel duffel bag than a clunky, wheeled suitcase. And with the Kenneth Cole Reaction Port Stanley Duffel, you can guarantee you’ll arrive at your destination feeling organized and sophisticated in a travel outfit that exudes quiet luxury in all the right places. Available in your choice of timeless black or brown, this vegan leather duffel bag has a subtle pebbled texture that will play well with all the pieces in your travel capsule wardrobe. Wear it over your shoulder with the removable, adjustable shoulder strap (featuring a non-slip shoulder pad), or carry it low by the top handles to draw attention to your favorite travel skirt. That’s a look that will never go out of style. 

Price: starting at $70


5. Best vegan leather backpack purse: Matt & Nat

For day jaunts to the city, sometimes a full-sized backpack feels oppressive and gawky. That’s where the Tatum Backpack from Matt & Nat steps in to save you from looking like a first-day-of-school freshman with an overstuffed backpack. With a convenient drawstring opening and two zippered pockets, this vegan leather backpack purse gives you room to organize your travel day must-haves without weighing you down with a heavy load. Shop it in five earth-toned hues (we’ve got our eye on Vineyard Green and Citrine), and walk with confidence knowing you’re not only looking good but doing good: Alongside the vegan leather, all Matt & Nat linings are made from 100% recycled water bottles. 

Price: starting at $155


6. Best vegan leather fanny pack: Freshly Picked

Fanny packs have made a huge comeback in the last few years … And we’re totally on board. Particularly, we’ve fallen head over heels for this vegan leather fanny pack from Freshly Picked. The Classic Park Pack is made out of durable, high-end vegan leather with a water-resistant lining (the perfect companion for outdoor treks when you’ve got to pack a tube of travel sunscreen and hope it doesn't spill). There’s an easy-open magnetic clasp to give you quick access to what you need but a hidden zippered pocket to keep would-be pickpockets away from your valuables. Available in 15 different pastel shades, like Sage, Stone, and Fig, this is a favorite addition to our minimalist travel capsule wardrobe.

Price: starting at $69


7. Best vegan leather crossbody: Mali+Lili

If a fanny pack is a little bit too small for you but you still want something you can wear close to the body for protection against pickpockets, look to the Josie Triple Zip Crossbody Bag from Mali+Lili. With a vegan PU leather exterior and a striped fabric interior, this vegan leather crossbody is easy to wipe clean with just water so you can always stay fresh and selfie-ready on the go. And don’t let its small size fool you—this crossbody has a three-section zipper closure to let you divide and conquer as you organize your daily essentials. The hardest part? Choosing from the 14 different color options. 

Price: starting at $35


8. Best vegan leather wallet: Corkor

It’s one staple that often goes overlooked when packing for a trip, but don’t board that plane without first grabbing yourself a vegan leather wallet. We like this pick from Corkor, the Cork Front Pocket Wallet. Why cork? Unlike some synthetic vegan leathers, cork leather is highly resistant to moisture and abrasion. It’s also soft and flexible, i.e., no more pinching and pulling to try to get your credit card out of a stiff leather wallet. And do you think cork leather has to be bland-looking? Think again. This plastic-free vegan leather wallet is available in eight natural hues, including prints like Zebra and Trunk. 

Price: starting at $44


9. Best vegan leather luggage set: urecity

If you’re a modern gal with old-fashioned style tastes—you can have it all. At least when you travel with the Vintage Luggage Set from urecity. This luggage set is not only giving the elegance of the Victorian era, but it’s giving love to the planet and our animal friends with its vegan leather and PP materials. And although this vegan leather luggage set looks straight out of your favorite black-and-white movie, it’s got the modern conveniences women on the go have come to rely on: an aluminum frame for strength and support; a clear, protective covering for extra durability; and a telescopic handle and spinner wheels for easy mobility. That’s what we call the best of both worlds. 

Price: starting at $209


10. Best vegan leather camera bag: Fintie

If all of your walls are plastered with Polaroid pictures from your favorite around-the-world travels, then it’s time to protect that Polaroid camera with a dedicated camera bag. For all Fujifilm die-hard fans out there, we love the Fujifilm Instax Premium Vegan Leather Bag Cover from Fintie. Custom-made to fit the Fujifilm Instax Wide 300 Instant Film Camera, this vegan leather camera bag sculpts like a glove around your precious Polaroid camera to keep it safe from dust, scratches, and damage during your travels. The best part is, you never have to take your camera out of the case to flash a photo. Just remove the top cover with two button snaps, and snap away! Then, sling your camera over your shoulder with the removable, adjustable strap so you’re always ready to grab the next shot when you need to. 

Price: starting at $109


Common FAQs

What luggage and suitcase materials are considered vegan?

To be considered vegan, luggage and suitcases must be made out of synthetic or plant-based materials, i.e., no leather, suede, or other animal skins welcome here! For example, most vegan luggage and suitcases are made out of synthetic leather or cork leather.

What travel brands have vegan options?

There is more vegan leather travel gear on the market than ever before … But it can still be hard to find good-quality vegan leather options amidst all the plastic-y, pleather-y knock-offs. Our go-to travel brands for premium vegan leather are Adren Cove, Calpak, and Steamline Luggage.

Does vegan leather feel like real leather?

Shopping for vegan leather is actually a lot like shopping for real leather: Quality counts. Even real leather can feel plastic-y and just plain icky if it’s low quality. But if you find high-quality vegan leather, like cork leather, it can really feel like the real deal, though it’s not likely to be as durable.


Meredith Shubel

Meredith Shubel is a freelance writer and blogger. A few years ago, she quit her 9-to-5 desk job in PR … and has never looked back. Now she takes her expert knowledge and experience from writing all over the world to give fellow travel junkies the inside scoop on the best tips for satisfying a life of wanderlust. Talk to her on Twitter @merryshoebell.

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