The Best Non-Toxic Luggage & Travel Bags
Upcoming trip? Pack your suitcase without the extra worry of toxic chemicals by using non-toxic luggage. Opt out of using travel bags that have a Prop 65 warning label with this roundup of suitcases, weekender bags, toiletry bags and more.
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Whether you’re traveling solo or with the whole family, using non-toxic travel bags will give you peace of mind that you won’t be exposed to harmful chemicals in your luggage like phthalates, BPA and PFAS. Look no further for the best non-toxic luggage and travel bags for the whole family, including suitcases, weekender bags, backpacks, toiletry bags, passport holders, purses, travel accessories and kids travel bags.
Are you traveling with kids? Check out our non-toxic travel gear for kids– you’ll find everything from strollers to travel cribs to car seats to luggage and more!
If you need new luggage, don’t just grab any old suitcase from the nearest big box store. Read the label closely and you’ll probably see a Prop 65 warning label. Find out below why it’s best to avoid this label when it comes to suitcases and travel bags.
What Material Are Suitcases Made From?
The majority of brands on the market today use hard plastic, usually polycarbonate, that’s infused or coated with harmful chemicals like phthalates, BPA and PFAS. All of these chemicals are endocrine disruptors that can adversely affect your health. Endocrine disrupting chemicals can interfere with normal hormonal function, potentially leading to a range of health issues such as reproductive problems, thyroid disorders, and even neurological effects.
You can also find aluminum suitcases, and although they don’t contain plasticizers, aluminum alloys may contain lead or chromium.
Softer luggage can be made from many different types of fabric, including leather, cotton canvas, nylon, polyester, polypropylene and other materials.
What To Look For When Purchasing A Non-Toxic Suitcase
Check the luggage tag (don’t forget to check the fine print too) and avoid travel bags with a Prop 65 Warning label.
There are several brands that I’ve personally checked into and emailed to make sure their luggage doesn’t have the Prop 65 warning label. I also asked each company if their luggage contained PFAS, and all of the brands I recommend below do not contain PFAS either.
What is the Prop 65 Warning Label?
Proposition 65, is a California law that requires businesses to provide warnings to consumers about exposures to chemicals (above a certain threshold) that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
This warning label serves to inform consumers in California about potential exposure to these chemicals so they can make informed decisions about their purchases and use of the product.
Why Does my Luggage Have a Prop 65 Warning Label?
It is super common for labels on luggage to have a Proposition 65 warning label. When I went to Homegoods to look for suitcases, I noticed that all of the luggage with a Prop 65 warning label noted that it contained Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP).
Why are phthalates added to suitcases? Adding phthalates to plastics can increase their durability and resistance to wear and tear and can also make plastics more flexible and less likely to crack or break under stress.
- Phthalates have been linked to adverse health effects such as endocrine disruption and reproductive harm.
Polycarbonate may also contain BPA (bisphenol A) to give the material strength and durability. BPA has been linked to health concerns, including potential hormone disruption.
Your luggage may also be coated with PFAS to make it stain resistant or waterproof. PFAS, short for Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of fluorinated chemicals that have water repellant, nonstick and stain resistant properties. Exposure to PFAS chemicals has been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, ulcerative colitis and other health problems like decreased vaccine response in children and small decreases in infant birth weight and weight gain in adults.
Here is my school of thought on buying anything with a Prop 65 warning: try to find a product without the warning label if possible – why not use a product without harmful chemicals if it’s available?
- In some cases a Prop 65 warning cannot be avoided- you’ll find that appliances have Prop 65 warning labels that pertain to the material inside the electrical cord- there is no reason you should come into contact with this material since it’s inside the cord, so in this case, the label warning cannot be avoided.
Recycled material is another material that may contain harmful chemicals like phthalates, BPA and PFAS. Although these harmful chemicals may not have been added by the manufacturer, they may be inherently present in the original material that has been recycled for a second use as a travel bag.
Quince does make some travel bags out of recycled material, and when I emailed them, they let me know that they use third party testing on their products and have very strict standards about what chemicals are not allowed in their products. They have no Prop 65 warning on their luggage and travel bags and do not use PFAS coatings on their products.
State makes non-toxic luggage, and there are only a few items that carry a Prop 65 warning label (all of their coated nylon products). They also do not use PFAS coatings on their products. I only selected State bags below that do not contain oil-coated products.
Monos’ products do not contain any materials listed on the Prop 65 Warning Label, and they do not use PFAS coatings on their travel bags and suitcases. The vegan leather Metro Weekender is the only bag with a Prop 65 warning.
Terra Thread bags are made using 100% organic cotton canvas and do not have Prop 65 warnings and do not use PFAS coatings .
Non-Toxic Luggage For The Whole Family
Hard Shell Suitcases
Quince has a mission to create products of equal or greater quality than the leading luxury brands at a much lower price. Quince Luggage is less than half the cost of name brand luggage, and the quality is just as good. All of their suitcases and travel products have been tested and verified to be free of harmful chemicals, and they do not carry a Prop 65 warning label. Their suitcases feature a super sturdy polycarbonate shell, interior compression panels, a removable laundry bag for your dirty clothes, Japanese-crafted Hinomoto 360 degree wheels, TSA-approved lock, smooth gliding telescopic handle, and YKK zippers.
Cost Range | $99 – $219
Travel Products | Carry-on Suitcases, Check-In Suitcases, Kids Suitcases, Weekender Bags, Backpacks, Travel Accessories
Standouts | Quince Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase, Quince Front Pocket Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase, Quince Check-In Hard Shell Suitcase
Monos luggage is designed to be a timeless classic, with an understated aesthetic that stands the test of time. Monos Luggage does not carry the Prop 65 warning label and is not coated with a PFAs coating. The vegan leather Metro Weekender is the only bag with a Prop 65 warning. The interior lining is a silver ion-coated anti-microbial lining, made from 100% recycled polyester. Monos suitcases are dent-resistant, impact-friendly and virtually unbreakable. They feature an ultra-sturdy telescopic handle, TSA-approved lock, whisper-quiet wheels, vegan leather details, and all-premium materials.
Cost Range | $255 – $435
Travel Products | Carry-on Suitcases, Check-In Suitcases, Kids Suitcases, Weekender Bags, Backpacks, Travel Accessories
Standouts | Monos Carry-On Hard Shell Suitcase, Monos Check-In Medium Hard Shell Suitcase, Monos Check-In Large Hard Shell Suitcase, Monos Carry-On Pro Hard Shell Suitcase
Weekender Bags
Monos Weekender Bag
Cost | $250
Highlights | A spacious interior offers plenty of room for all your essentials, plus room for a few more, and features multiple interior pockets to organize and store smaller items. In addition to the main compartment, an outer sleeve fits up to a 16-inch laptop, and a zippered lower storage area is made with a water-resistant TPU coated interior that’s ideal for packing a few pairs of shoes, or separating wet items.
Terra Threads Eco Duffel Bag
Cost | $77
Highlights | Made with Certified Fairtrade Organic cotton canvas, this duffel bag is the perfect size for a spontaneous weekend getaway or when you need a little more room to haul daily gear for work or athletics.
Lo & Sons Duffel & Carry On Travel Bag
Cost | $178
Highlights | They carefully and consciously source high-quality canvases that are not only made to be kinder for the planet, but also better for you. Lo & Sons carry on duffel bags for traveling are soft, lightweight, and designed to last.
Quince Revive Nylon Duffel Bag
Cost | $120
Highlights | With seemingly endless pockets and zippered compartments, it’s got an everything-in-its-place sort of vibe. Recycled nylon with Nappa leather trim- includes two front pockets with zipper closures.
Backpacks
Terra Thread Backpack
Cost | $77
Highlights | Made with 14-oz Certified Fairtrade Organic cotton canvas, Made in a Fair Trade Certified™ Factory, Approximately 16L capacity, Internal sleeve fits 13” – 15” inch laptop, Internal hanging pocket, Large zippered external pocket, Two external water bottle pockets, Lead-free YKK metal zippers and fasteners.
Monos Metro Backpack
Cost | $200
Highlights | Features a main compartment that’s optimized for streamlined packing and accessibility, with thoughtfully-designed pockets that keep all your essentials organized. A 15-inch laptop sleeve allows easy access without needing to open the whole bag, and a built-in trolley sleeve fits securely around the handle of any Monos suitcase for seamless pairing.
Quince Revive Nylon Backpack
Cost | $100
Highlights | Added mesh laptop sleeve and a front pouch with two zipper compartments, it’s got an everything-in-its-place sort of vibe.
State Lorimer Diaper Bag
Cost | $198
Highlights | Equipped with an insulated bottle pocket, a changing pad, a slip pocket for your phone, easily adjustable straps that attach to your stroller, a luggage sleeve to make travel just a bit easier, and side bottle sleeves. The back compartment inside the bag fits a 15” laptop as well as a back mesh pocket for all the dirty stuff while the main compartment has all the right pockets for the necessities- diapers, wipes, pacis, bibs, and toys.
Packing Cubes
Quince Eco Compression Packing Cubes
Cost | $50 (set of 6)
Highlights | Crafted in durable, water-resistant twill, this packing cube system features a space-saving compact design so you can pack more and stay organized. Each packing cube can be compressed by up to 60%, so you never have to worry about overpacking again.
Monos Packing Cubes
Cost | $90 (set of 4)
Highlights | These compression packing cubes feature tear-resistant nylon twill with breathable mesh top panels so you can easily see what’s inside without unpacking, while the anti-catch zippers ensure your packing is always snag-free.
Canvas Packing Cubes
Cost | $6-$10 per cube
Highlights | These handmade bags are made of thick durable cotton fabric. These cotton bags are free of chemicals and are made of natural and environment friendly material only.
Linen Packing Cubes
Cost | $49-$89
Highlights | Handmade with Linen, Full grain leather, YKK zippers.
Toiletry Bags
State Benson Toiletry Kit
Cost | $68
Highlights | This tri-compartment zip-around hanging dropp kit is perfect for family travels.
Quince Nappa Leather Toiletry Bag
Cost | $70
Highlights | Made from high-quality nappa leather, this soft yet durable bag is designed to last. Its spacious interior features a main compartment large enough to hold full-sized bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and other grooming products, while the smaller pockets are perfect for storing smaller items like razors, toothbrushes, and cologne.
State Hart Toiletry Kit
Cost | $78
Highlights | This sophisticated nylon toiletry kit is expandable and perfect for both short trips or long vacations.
Monos Metro Toiletry Kit
Cost | $60
Highlights | The main compartment is spacious enough to store all your toiletry essentials, and is secured with a smooth two-way zip closure. Organization is effortless thanks to two internal pockets – an open slip pocket and one with a zippered closure
Passport holders
Quince Nappa Leather RFID Blocking Passport Holder
Cost | $30
Highlights | Made from 100% premium top-grain nappa leather with RFID blocking technology to keep personal details and passport info secure.
Fjallraven Passport Wallet
Cost | $80
Highlights | Sized for passport. Can hold credit cards, business cards and bank notes. Zippered coin compartment. 100% leather.
Leather Passport Holder
Cost | $40
Highlights | Handmade from luxury full grain leather with YKK zippers, has a smooth, soft and luxurious feeling in your hand. RFID blocking wallets can perfectly block unwanted RFID scanners, keep “chip” cards, personal and financial information safe from unauthorized scans.
Deuter Security Wallet
Cost | $28
Highlights | Fits snugly against the body and is ideal for discreetly storing essential documents in the Velcro pocket and credit cards or money in the integrated zippered pocket.
Purses
Quince Italian Nappa Leather Belt Bag
Cost | $60
Highlights | This belt bag holds the exact right amount of accessories and can be worn like a belt, or across your body. It’s made from buttery-soft 100% Italian Leather.
Quince Revive Nylon Camera Crossbody Bag
Cost | $70
Highlights | This super functional and stylish crossbody bag has space to tote all your necessary essentials thanks to two double-zip front pockets and a back slip pocket perfect for your phone.
State Bennett Crossbody Bag
Cost | $195
Highlights | A leather crossbody bag that’s the perfect elevated travel accessory.
Kolo Organic Shoulder Bag
Cost | $195
Highlights | The double-layered wax organic cotton canvas is water- and abrasion-resistant. Features a 100% wool tweed lining from Scotland.
Travel Accessories
Quince Nappa Leather AirTag Key Ring
Cost | $30
Highlights | Handmade from quality top-grain nappa leather, this piece features sleek saddle stitching, a stainless steel key ring, and comes in a pack of two. Designed to last—quite possibly longer than your actual AirTag.
Travel Supplement Organizer
Cost | $11
Highlights | Made of solid food grade odorless PP material.
Quince Nappa Leather Luggage Tags
Cost | $30
Highlights | Equipped with a retractable privacy sleeve to discreetly safeguard your details during travel.
Wet Dry Bag
Cost | $10
Highlights | With zippered closure. 100% polyester with embedded TPU for waterproofing.
Sleep
Avocado Organic Mini Pillow
Cost | $64
Highlights | Soft and breathable, we stuff our Organic Mini Pillow with renewable materials: GOTS-certified organic kapok fiber and GOLS-certified organic latex. We stitch it together using a gentle GOTS-certified organic cotton cover. Protect your pillow with the Avocado Organic Mini Pillowcase.
Loop Silicone Ear Plugs
Cost | $29
Highlights | To block out airplane noise.
Quince Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask
Cost | $20
Highlights | Block out light with silk fiber that contains 18 kinds of amino acids for skin nourishment, and naturally thermoregulating to help maintain body temperature.
Essentia Organic Travel Neck Pillow
Cost | $100
Highlights | GOLS Certified Organic Latex Foam travel pillow features an ergonomic design with the perfect balance between softness and firmness to fully support your neck. Comes with a washable GOTS certified organic cotton pillow cover and a quick-release clasp.
Kids Luggage
Quince Carry-On Kids Suitcase
Cost | $100
Highlights | Features two interior compartments: one with an elastic strap for securing items in place, and the other with a zippered flap closure and a mesh exterior pocket for added organization. Exterior front pocket features slip and organization pockets for markers, pens, notebooks, and other travel activities. Zip-up side pocket with strap to hold water bottle or stuffed animal.
State Logan Carry-On Suitcase
Cost | $220
Highlights | The Logan Carry-On is perfect for short trips and long weekends. Designed with traveling families in mind, every pocket, side strap and compartment was thoughtfully created to travel with ease… and style.
State Logan Check-In Suitcase
Cost | $385
Highlights | Large enough for over a week away and designed with traveling families in mind, every pocket, side strap and compartment was thoughtfully created to travel with ease… and style.
Terra Thread Zem Mini Backpack
Cost | $66
Highlights | This backpack is small but mighty and has all the durability and organizational features needed for school, work or outdoor activities.
Quince Kids Double Pocket Backpack
Cost | $45
Highlights | With spacious compartments, utilitarian details, and padded, adjustable straps, it offers plenty of room for kids’ essentials.
State Kane Kids Travel Backpack
Cost | $105
Highlights | This backpack is the perfect companion for family vacations, school trips and beyond (polyester).
Extra Travel Accessories
Honest Sanitizing Wipes
Cost | $14 for 2 pack
Highlights | The perfect non-toxic way to tackle any germ-infested situation with ease.
Apple AirTag
Cost | $79 for 4
Highlights | Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app.
Dr. Bronner’s Organic Hand Sanitizer
Cost | $18 for 2
Highlights | This hand sanitizer is formulated with only 4 ingredients, and it’s USDA certified organic.
Organic Cotton Canvas Zipper Pouches
Cost | $14 for 4 pouches
Highlights | Crafted from 100% high quality organic cotton fabric ; They are washable and reusable as well. Featuring a zippered design that keeps everything neat, secure and organized.
Pet Travel Carrier
Quince Pet Travel Carrier
Cost | $80
Highlights | This TSA-approved pet carry-on is designed to ensure a cozy and calming experience for your furry friend. This carrier features a spacious and breathable interior, a comfy removable travel pad and a trolley sleeve for easy airport navigation.
More Non-Toxic Inspiration
