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Frankly, before I wrote this blog post, I wasn’t that familiar with hobo bags. After some research, I’ve realized that hobo bags are a type of handbag characterized by a crescent shape, a slouchy posture, and a long strap designed to wear over the shoulder.
Apparently, the name ‘hobo’ was attributed to the bags because they resemble the shape of a bindle on a stick, which hobos are seen carrying in both drawings and cartoons. But relax, you’re not going to look hobo-like with one of these bags.
Hobo bags are super fashionable and rarely fall off trend. In addition to being oversized, hobo-styled bags have a chill, cool aesthetic making them perfect for daily use.
What to look for in vegan hobo bags?
The most important thing you should consider before buying a hobo bag is the fabric. I don’t want to sound like I’m exaggerating here, but many of the hobo bags I’ve found are made of leather.
Instead, you want to look for bags that use some form of faux-leather, like synthetic nubuck, or bags that use more sustainable fabrics. Upcycled billboard vinyl is one example. While I admit it’s hard to find companies mass-producing sustainable bags at affordable prices, you can still find platforms where individual merchants sell handmade (and yes, vegan) hobo bags.
That’s why I’ll mention vegan hobo bags from those individual sellers, especially because they’re doing it in a platform that is truly credible.
Is faux leather ideal?
Faux leather is a name companies use for synthetic fabrics used to replace leather.
Among synthetic fabrics, there are two primary types: polyurethane (“PU”), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC – “Vinyl”). PU is typically softer, more flexible, and breathable, so it’s commonly used for high-wear products, like clothing, handbags, and upholstery. PVC is not as breathable as PU but is ideal for products that need to repel moisture, like cases for electronic devices.
However, faux leather is not necessarily a better choice. Yes, it’s kinder to animals, but it can still be dangerous because some types of faux leather make use of petroleum-derived materials.
PVC, for instance, poses a serious threat to humans and the environment. The production, use, and disposal of PVC results in the release of toxic, chlorine-based chemicals that build up in the water, air, and seafood. Studies show that the chemicals released by these plastics are linked to severe health problems like infertility, immune system damage, impaired childhood development, hormone disruption, cancer, and many other harmful symptoms.
Unfortunately, you ingest PVC through food or water contaminated with PVC, or food wrapped in PVC packaging or containers. You can also inhale emissions derived from manufacturing or incinerating PVC, or landfills. Or even touching products made from PVC.
Therefore, no, faux leather is not ideal, but it’s still kinder than buying products made from genuine leather. In addition, faux leather has its advantages.
Benefits of faux leather.
Besides being kinder to animals, faux leather is also more affordable than genuine leather.
It’s also durable and long-lasting. It can withstand scratches and scrapes, and it’s not prone to crack or peel, like genuine leather. Faux leather is also low-maintenance, so most products can usually be wiped clean with a cloth and warm water. Unlike genuine leather, faux leather does not retain moisture, so the items rarely get warped or cracked. Some of the new high-performance faux leather can remove ink or food stains only using a dry cloth.
On top of all those benefits, faux leather looks like genuine leather, but without the unnecessary killing and skinning of the animal. Conversely, faux leather does not stretch, tear or wear like leather. Despite being very durable, it does not develop the same patina over time.
Naturally, as a vegan, this is a no-brainer.
Can I find vegan hobo bags with fabrics more sustainable than faux leather?
Definitely. We now know that plastic-made materials are not only bad for human health, but also for the environment. That’s why, when possible, we should go for the most sustainable fabrics.
More sustainable fabrics include:
- Pinatex (Pineapple leather)
- Muskin (Mushroom leather)
- Organic hemp
- Organic cotton
- Organic linen
- Jute
Not all of these fabrics seem to be used to make hobo-style bags. In fact, what I found was hobo bags made from polyester (PU), and cotton canvas. While kind to animals, these are not the most environmentally-friendly fabrics/materials.
Unfortunately, hobo bags made from truly sustainable fabrics are hard to come by, yet you can probably find a few if you look hard enough.