You're looking for a vegan weekend bag. Durable enough for real travel. Good-looking enough to carry through the week. Made from materials you can stand behind. Sounds straightforward – it isn't.
This article explains why. And helps you make the right choice.
What a vegan weekend bag actually needs to do
A weekend bag isn't just a travel bag. It needs to do several things at once:
Enough space without going overboard – two to three days of clothing, a toiletry bag, shoes and maybe a laptop. Everything should fit without the bag becoming a burden to carry.
Material that holds up – a weekend bag travels a lot. Trains, overhead lockers, luggage racks, wet pavements. It needs to handle all of it, not just the first time.
Thoughtful construction – solid handles, a clear main compartment, easy access to essentials on the go. Not a bag that collapses the moment you try to pack it seriously.
Material with integrity – vegan doesn't mean the same thing across all brands. Recycled PU, plant-based alternatives, bio-based leathers – the differences in quality, origin and environmental footprint are significant.
The surprising truth: plant-based material is not all the same
Before we get to the brands – one important finding from our research:
Of the 7 brands on this list, three use plant-based leather alternatives for details and trim. But the percentage of plant-origin content, the certifications and the transparency vary considerably:
- Viridis® (Plant Inside): up to 69% plant-based raw materials, independently certified by Oeko-Tex, FSC® and USDA BioPreferred
- Bio-based leather (Will's Vegan): 62–66% plant-based raw materials, carbon-neutral certified, produced in Italy
- Oleatex® (Souleway): 73% biomass from olive oil residues, claimed by the manufacturer to produce up to 94% less CO₂ than cowhide – without external certifications
All three are vegan leather alternatives. But for anyone who cares about independent verification, the differences between them are real.
Comparison: 7 vegan weekend bags
|
Brand |
Material |
Dimensions |
Price |
Made in |
|
Plant Inside |
Canvas (organic cotton) + Viridis® (69% plant-based) |
53×30×22 cm |
€175 |
Poland, EU |
|
Will's Vegan |
Canvas (100% cotton) + bio-based leather (62–66% plant-based) |
not stated |
€202 |
Portugal, EU |
|
Souleway |
Canvas (100% cotton) + Oleatex® (73% biomass) |
55×28×28 cm |
€269 |
Design: Germany, Production: Bulgaria, EU |
|
Matt & Nat |
Recycled vegan leather |
51×29×25 cm |
€230 |
Asia |
|
Kapten & Son |
63% PU + 37% recycled PET |
50×30×24 cm |
€179 |
not stated |
|
Doshi |
Microfiber PU |
45×35×25 cm |
€88 |
audited factories |
|
Von Holzhausen |
Technik-Leather |
51×28×28 cm |
€595 |
Global |
7 brands in detail
1. Plant Inside
Plant Inside is a Polish family business that hand-sews vegan bags in small batches – in workshops in Malbork, Elbląg and Nowy Sącz. The Weekend Bag is made from heavy-duty canvas in 100% organic cotton (Oeko-Tex Standard 100). Handles, edges and logo patch are crafted from Viridis® – plant-based leather made from corn and wheat, with up to 69% plant-based raw materials from European, non-GMO crops. Certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100, FSC® and USDA BioPreferred. Lining: organic cotton tartan.
Three colours: Black Nubuck, Navy Blue Matt, Dark Brown Nubuck. Dimensions: 53×30×22 cm, approx. 1.2 kg. All products 100% vegan and cruelty-free. 1-year warranty.
What sets this bag apart from every other option on this list: it's the only one combining fully certified plant-based leather, European handcraft and a price in the accessible mid-range. For a full breakdown of materials, colours and care, see our vegan weekend bag guide 2026.
2. Will's Vegan
Will's Vegan is a British brand making vegan shoes and accessories since 2012 – hand-finished in Portugal under EU employment law. The Weekend Bag is made from 100% cotton canvas with trim in Italian bio-based leather (62–66% plant-based raw materials, produced using water-based, solvent-free processes). The supply chain is carbon-neutral certified, packaging is plastic-free.
A full-length metal zip curves down at each end so the bag opens flat along its back – practical for packing. Weight: 1.68 kg. Exact external dimensions are not stated on the product page. Price: €202. Colours: grey, black, beige.
Best for: Anyone who prioritises European production, bio-based leather and a carbon-neutral supply chain – and can live without stated dimensions.
3. Souleway
Souleway was founded in Hamburg in 2017 by Flemming and Hagen. Design: Hamburg. Production: a specialised workshop in Bulgaria (EU). Materials are sourced in Turkey – the short geographic route from Turkey through Bulgaria to the German warehouse is part of the brand's stated sustainability approach.
The Classic Weekender in the Oleatex® edition: body in 100% cotton canvas, treated with a PFAS-free Repellan finish (water and dirt-repellent). Trim from Oleatex® – a material made from olive pomace, a byproduct of olive oil production that would otherwise be discarded. According to manufacturer Oleago: 73% biomass, only 27% PU as a binding agent, up to 94% less CO₂ than cowhide. No external certifications are stated. Production in small batches following a less-waste principle.
Dimensions: 55×28×28 cm – slightly more voluminous than Plant Inside. Price: €269. Also available as a plain canvas version without Oleatex® (€159).
Best for: Anyone who wants the highest biomass percentage and a strong CO₂ focus – and is comfortable without external certifications.
4. Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat is a Canadian pioneer brand in vegan accessories since the late 1990s. The Andro Vegan Weekender (Vintage edition) is made from recycled vegan leather with a distinctive vintage finish. Lining from recycled plastic bottles. Production in Asia.
Structured main compartment, inner zip pocket, detachable shoulder strap. Dimensions: 51×29×25 cm. Price: €230 (regular), often available at a discount.
Important note: The material is recycled faux leather – not a plant-based material in the sense of bio-based raw materials.
Best for: Anyone who wants an established vegan brand with urban design and appreciates the recycled-material approach.
5. Kapten & Son
Kapten & Son is a German lifestyle brand known for minimalist accessories. The Storen Weekender in All Black is made from 63% PU and 37% recycled PET – no plant-based material, but a recycled component. No production details are provided.
Dimensions: 50×30×24 cm – comparable to Plant Inside. Price: €179.
Best for: Anyone who wants a clean, all-black design and is already a Kapten & Son customer.
6. Doshi
Doshi was founded in California in 2017 by Paras Doshi. All materials – including adhesives – are vegan. Partner factories are regularly audited for environmental and labour standards. Doshi is structured as a Benefit Corporation, putting community benefit before profit.
The Andro Weekender in microfiber PU: lightweight, structured, easy to clean. Dimensions: 45×35×25 cm. Price: €88 – by far the most affordable option on this list.
Important note: Microfiber PU is not a plant-based material. Doshi's strength is transparency and ethics – not bio-based leather.
Best for: Anyone who wants a solid vegan bag with a genuinely ethical business behind it – at a fair price.
7. Von Holzhausen
Von Holzhausen is an American premium brand with its proprietary Technik-Leather – lightweight, water-resistant and claimed by the manufacturer to be biodegradable. The Duffel: structured, timeless, with a well-thought-out interior. Dimensions: 51×28×28 cm. Price: €595 – nearly four times the price of Plant Inside. Production: global.
Best for: Anyone willing to pay a premium price for a premium material and a strong brand aesthetic.
What this means for your decision
If you're looking for a vegan weekend bag, these questions are worth answering honestly:
Does the material matter to you? Plant Inside (Viridis®, 69% plant-based, fully certified), Will's Vegan (62–66% plant-based, carbon-neutral) and Souleway (Oleatex®, 73% biomass) all use plant-based leather alternatives. Plant Inside is the only one with independently verified external certifications. Souleway has the highest biomass content but no external certificates.
Does European production matter to you? Plant Inside (Poland), Will's Vegan (Portugal) and Souleway (Bulgaria) all produce within the EU. Everyone else on this list produces outside Europe or does not disclose production origin.
What's your budget? Doshi from €88, Plant Inside and Kapten & Son at €175–179, Will's Vegan at €202, Matt & Nat at €230, Souleway Oleatex® at €269, Von Holzhausen at €595.
Explore the Plant Inside Weekend Bag in our vegan weekend bag collection – three colours, hand-sewn in Poland.
FAQ
Which vegan weekend bags use plant-based materials?
Of the 7 brands on this list, three use plant-based leather alternatives: Plant Inside (Viridis®, up to 69% plant-based raw materials, certified by Oeko-Tex, FSC® and USDA BioPreferred), Will's Vegan (bio-based leather, 62–66% plant-based) and Souleway (Oleatex®, 73% biomass from olive oil residues). Matt & Nat, Kapten & Son and Doshi use PU-based materials.
Which brands make their weekend bags in Europe?
Plant Inside produces in Poland, Will's Vegan in Portugal, Souleway in Bulgaria (designed in Hamburg). All three operate under EU standards. Matt & Nat produces in Asia, Von Holzhausen globally. Kapten & Son and Doshi do not disclose specific production origins.
What's the difference between recycled faux leather and plant-based leather?
Recycled faux leather (as used by Matt & Nat) reduces the use of virgin plastic, but is still fundamentally fossil-based. Plant-based leather alternatives (like Viridis® or Oleatex®) replace fossil raw materials with renewable plant-origin inputs. For a full breakdown of materials, types and real-life tests, see our guide what is vegan leather.
How long does a vegan weekend bag actually last?
It depends on the material and construction. Viridis® products from Plant Inside have been used daily for over 4 years with no cracking, peeling or deformation. Real-life test results after 2–4 years of daily use are covered in our article how durable is vegan leather.
Does a weekend bag fit as cabin luggage?
Most models on this list fall just within the standard cabin luggage dimensions of European network airlines (55×40×20 cm). Plant Inside (53×30×22 cm), Matt & Nat (51×29×25 cm) and Kapten & Son (50×30×24 cm) generally fit. Low-cost carriers often set tighter limits – we recommend checking your airline's policy before you travel.
Is the cheapest bag the worst?
Not necessarily. Doshi (€88) scores highly on ethical business structure and supply chain transparency – the material is PU, however. Plant Inside (€175) is the most affordable option with certified plant-based leather and European handcraft. Affordable and good are not mutually exclusive – but the material differences are real.
→ Explore the Plant Inside Weekend Bag – hand-sewn in Poland from organic canvas and Viridis® plant-based leather – in our vegan weekend bag collection.