Travel Brands I Love

Grayl – A travel essential: their water filtration bottles make it easy to drink safely anywhere, cutting out the need for single-use plastic bottles. Haven’t needed to buy a plastic bottle since 2018. I reached out to them on their Kickstarter launch and they were kind enough to rush me some bottles before my trip at the time. They also recommended BtB for the 1% for the Planet list and is India tested and approved! 😉

Waterhaul – Sunglasses made from captured ocean plastics and quality Italian glass. Durable, stylish, and perfect for the bright sun of long travel days. They donated some pairs when I learned of their mission and reached out. I can safely say their glasses are top notch.

Peak Design – The backpack I’ve trusted for the past 5 years or so. Probably the most functional travel bag I’ve ever owned. Made with bluesign®-approved recycled materials, it’s sustainable, durable, and designed with every detail a traveler needs. I call it the Ferrari of travel bags. 😅

Ethnotek – My go-to travel bag for 7+ years. Made with sustainable materials and cultural designs from artisan communities around the world. The name blends ethnic and technology. One of the first travel backpacks with a proper laptop slot, I was the envy of the dorms. Functional, durable, and full of meaning.

Tentree – Comfortable clothes for the road, with ten trees planted for every item. A simple way to pack light while leaving a positive footprint. Founded by some of my Canadian countrymen, Tentree was one my biggest inspirations for Beyond the Backpack!

Adidas x Parley for the Oceans – Shoes and apparel made with upcycled ocean plastic. Functional, comfortable, and one of the first bringing sustainability to the mainstream. I believe they started a sustainable revolution with their partnership.

4Ocean – Bracelets and gear that directly fund ocean plastic cleanup. A wearable reminder that every trip has an impact. Another inspiration of mine for BtB!

Patagonia – Gear that lasts, made by a company that leads in sustainability and activism. But more than that is the ethos of the company led by their founder, Yvon Chouinard who donated ownership to a trust to ensure profits would be used to fight climate change. A true role model.

Ecosia – My everyday search engine, planting trees with each search. Considering the amount of searches we do everyday, imagine the positive impact you can have. Having used it for a number of years, I’ve personally planted hundreds of trees by doing extra at all, and something you should start with right away. A true example of a circular venture like BtB and a way better option than Google or ChatGPT.

Gold Standard – The benchmark for high-quality carbon offsets. When I need to balance unavoidable flights and the inevitable impact I have on the planet, I donate to carbon capture carbon offsetting projects.

Pela Case – Compostable phone cases built to handle life on the road. Tough enough for travel, light enough for peace of mind, good enough to disappear from the planet when finished with.