We can minimize our fossil fuel use and support makers near us by buying more from local makers (and a lot less from big stores). I want to keep highlighting amazing makers in the US, and I feel like my Etsy links can get caught in the more mainstream shuffle. So let's look at some of the best stuff together. 

from Intericon

Lots of people are starting their back to school shopping. Be sure to check out this list of back to school essentials (hello recycled paper and pens!), but here are some of my favorite book bags I have seen in my research. If you can find a good backpack secondhand, that is really the ideal solution, if not ethically-made nearby is the best you can do.

Some are definitely for grown-ups (see- very expensive and will need years of use), and some are more kid-friendly!

from Oliday

1. Oliday

 One of my favorite Etsy stores. Gorgeous laptop bags, camera bags and diaper bags all made in Los Angeles.  Right now, their bags are all made for at least high school age students and adults, but they have offered kids bags in the past, so I would check.

 We have been using an Oliday diaper bag for three years, so I can vouch for how well these bags are made. The bag still looks great, and my love for them has only grown.

The Curious Catbird

2. The Curious Catbird

This store screenprints adorable animals onto otherwise neutral backpacks. So cute, and perfect for an elementary schooler if you don't want them to grow out of it immediately. Some are more grown up geekery, so they might be perfect for a gym bag.

3. Stitchcrafty4u

For little kids' backpacks, my favorites are these adorable ones from Stitchcrafty4u. Super cute and handmade. They have a great selection of toddler back packs, but it looks like they are starting to make Big Kid ones too.

from Intercon

4. Intericon

 Mostly simple, but beautiful bags, and they are handmade in Hawaii! Most are between 70 and 100 dollars, and they also make super affordable lunch bags (you may just see them again on that list!). These sometimes have "hipster" in the title, but don't stress- they look effortlessly cool and great for kids.

from Medium Control

5. Medium Control

This store sells over 100 backpacks, all with exceptionally cool printing on them. I mean, what high schooler is going to school with a Bauhaus symbol on their bag? At least one, and that kid is way cooler than I was at that age (I mean, that's true of most high schoolers, but the Bauhaus kid is setting an even higher bar). Bags vary from 35 to 50 dollars, so well within affordable and actually cheaper than the LL Bean bags everyone has (that are made in China).

There are even more gems there! Check out the beauties from Bagamie, CanopyVerde, and christystudio.

If you are brave, you can even get sewing patterns from IThinkSewBags.



Happy school shopping! Where is your favorite place to buy a backpack?