Canadians looking for a backpack made in Canada can choose from a range of Canadian brands that produce backpacks from rugged outdoor options to stylish urban bags. When companies manufacture backpacks in Canada, they support Canadian manufacturing and the economy. While there are Canadian companies that have outsourced manufacturing overseas, others have kept the full manufacturing process in Canada.
Below, we have highlighted Canadian companies that design and manufacture backpacks on Canadian soil.
Canadian-Made Backpacks
Nanuk 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Terrebonne, Québec
Where To Buy: Online and authorised dealers
Key Details:
- Made in Canada
- Canadian-owned company
Nanuk is a Canadian company known for its durable, protective backpacks and other bags. The company was founded in 1984 and over the decades has earned a reputation for impact-resistant, waterproof cases, popular among outdoor adventurers and photographers. While some of the materials are sourced from overseas, all the bags are made in Canada from design to assembly to ensure the high quality of each bag.
Herschel 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Internationally
Where To Buy: Online and in stores
Key Details:
- Canadian-owned
- Globally recognised brand
Herschel was founded in 2009 by two brothers and has quickly become one of the most recognisable lifestyle brands to emerge from Canada within this millennium. Based in Vancouver, Herschel designs functional backpacks and travel accessories that often blend vintage-inspired styles with modern practicality.
Red Canoe 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Canada and overseas
Where to Buy: Online and stores in Ontario
Key Details:
- Founded in 1999
- Aviation-inspired designs
Red Canoe, a Canadian company best known for its aviation and exploration-inspired designs, was founded in 1999 by a Toronto-based designer, Dax Wilkinson. The company’s backpacks are functional and feature sturdy canvas construction, leather trims, and distinctive embroidered logos such as RCAF and NASA.
GRACE Design 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Victoria, British Columbia
Where to Buy: Online and in stores
Key Details:
- Female-owned company
- Canadian-made backpacks
Grace Design is a Canadian, female-led company based in Vancouver, BC. The company’s range includes ethically made backpacks, all made in Canada. GRACE Design uses sustainable, high-quality fabrics and ethical production practices to minimise impact on nature and ensure fair treatment of people. Because of their commitment to ethical practices and the environment, the brand is a worthy option for eco-conscious Canadians.
Cocotte Équipement 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Montreal, Quebec
Where to Buy: Online and retailers
Key Details:
- A Montreal-based company
- Handmade backpacks
Cocotte Équipement, based in Montreal, QC, is a Canadian company focusing on functional and durable backpacks and other accessories for bikers. Their backpacks are especially designed with bike messengers in mind, but are equally suitable for anyone who commutes by bike. The company is dedicated to sustainable practices and uses recycled and eco-friendly materials whenever possible.
Trace of Grey Designs 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Where to Buy: Online
Key Details:
- Handmade backpacks
- Woman-owned company
Trace of Grey Designs makes beautifully crafted leather goods, including backpacks, in Vancouver, BC. Every bag is made in-house from the first design drafts to the final finishing touches. The company’s owner, Monique Ouellette, emphasises quality leatherwork, durability, and intentional details in her designs.
YNOT Made 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Toronto, Ontario
Where to Buy: Online and retailers
Key Details:
- Durable urban backpacks
- Made in Toronto
YNOT Made is a Canadian company based in Toronto, designing and manufacturing backpacks for urban life and cyclists. Focusing on rugged and versatile bags, YNOT crafts each backpack in-house at its Toronto workshop. The company utilises functional designs and waterproof materials to ensure its bags are reliable, comfortable, and durable, making them perfect for cyclists and other urban commuters.
Boutique of Leathers and Open Road 🍁
Manufacturing Location: Calgary, Alberta
Where To Buy: Online and in stores
Key Details:
- Family-owned company
- Canadian-made leather goods
Boutique of Leathers & Open Road is a Canadian, family-run company that was born out of a passion for leather and rugged style. It has been producing leather goods in Calgary, AB, since 1971, starting with leather jackets and evolving to include a wide range of leather goods. Their designs are crafted to last and built for individuals who seek leather goods that endure for many journeys, not just a single season.
Northern Ultralight 🍁
Manufacturing location: Nelson, British Columbia
Where to buy: Online and in stores
Key details:
- Handmade in Canada
- Ultralight materials
Northern Ultralights is a Canadian company specialising in minimalist, high-performance backpacks designed for adventurers and hikers. The company is based in Nelson, BC, where it handcrafts each bag using top-quality technical fabrics and components to ensure reliability and durability. Northern Ultralight designs are known for their smart functionality and comfort, even on long-distance treks.
Opolaire 🍁
Manufacturing location: Waterloo, Ontario
Where to buy: Online and select stockists
Key details:
- Handmade in Canada
- Recyclable and sustainable materials
Opolaire is a Canadian lifestyle brand based in Waterloo, ON, that manufactures backpacks made using sustainable, recyclable materials and ethical production methods. Their bags, which are made in small batches to ensure quality, are designed for modern living. The choice of materials and local production ensure that Opolaire’s backpacks are both environmentally friendly and ethically responsible.
