Materials

We centre our creative process around material research to challenge the norm that bags eventually become waste. As a certified B Corp, our vision is regenerative: eliminating waste and pollution through a closed-loop supply chain. We design our functional everyday goods for biological circularity, using plants instead of plastic. This means thinking about the end of a product’s life before it even begins. We employ "zero waste pattern" designs to eliminate fabric scraps during production. Furthermore, our products are engineered for easy separation, so at the end of their lifespan, natural components can safely biodegrade while non-biodegradable parts can be detached and recycled.

Bananatex®
Our circular technical fabric originates from the Philippine highlands, where Abacá banana plants are regeneratively grown in a natural ecosystem. Cultivated without pesticides or extra water, the plant stalks are processed into high-tensile yarn and woven into a dense canvas. This process yields a highly resilient, naturally water-resistant shell that supports local farmers, promotes reforestation, and remains fully biodegradable.

Organic Cotton
We source GOTS-certified organic cotton cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Grown in carefully managed agricultural systems that prioritize soil health and water conservation, the fibers are woven into sturdy canvas models and protective bag linings. This ensures our everyday goods remain highly breathable, durable, and completely safe to compost at the end of their lifecycle.

Cottonshell
Cottonshell is an innovative fabric made entirely from sustainably grown organic cotton. It is produced using a specialized, ultra-high-density weaving technique. When exposed to moisture, the tightly woven cotton fibers naturally swell and seal the fabric. This provides excellent weather protection and breathability entirely through its physical structure, eliminating the need for any synthetic, plastic-based waterproof coatings.

Bananatex Sleeve for Macbook 14" – All Black - QWSTION

Felt
Our felt is made from pure merino wool, sourced from responsibly managed flocks. The raw wool is mechanically pressed and processed without synthetic binders to create dense, shock-absorbing sheets. We use it to construct our laptop compartments and provide structural support, replacing conventional foam to ensure our padding remains entirely plastic-free and fully compostable.

Shopper – Black Leather Canvas - QWSTION

Leather
We source premium cowhide from Egypt, strictly utilizing hides that are a by-product of the local food industry to ensure resources are fully utilized and no animals are harmed solely for leather production. We process it using traditional vegetable tanning methods. This natural production cycle utilizes plant extracts (like tree bark) instead of harmful heavy metals such as chromium. We deliberately use this leather for handles and high-stress points because it offers exceptional longevity, ages beautifully, and avoids the microplastics found in synthetic "vegan leathers."

Bananatex® Backpack – Granite - QWSTION

Hardwear
Our hardware is engineered from recyclable metals, including custom aluminum adjuster buckles. Manufactured for maximum durability and load-bearing strength, these components are designed to withstand years of heavy use. Because we design for circularity, they are integrated in a way that allows for easy detachment, ensuring they can be cleanly separated and melted down for recycling.

Travel Pack – Granite - QWSTION

Tencel
We use Tencel® sewing thread, spun from 100% renewable wood pulp, to connect the individual parts of our bags. This ensures that even the smallest structural details remain completely plastic-free and naturally biodegradable, supporting a fully circular product life.

Small Bucket – Heron - QWSTION

BioLight
BioLight is crafted from responsibly sourced organic cotton that is woven into an ultralight, high-density fabric. During production, it is treated with a natural, PFC-free wax coating rather than synthetic plastics. This creates a flexible, lightweight material that provides reliable water and weather resistance while ensuring the entire shell can naturally biodegrade.

Backpack – Organic Washed Black - QWSTION

EVA Foam
For areas requiring high-performance protection, we use high-density EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) foam. While our primary focus is on plant-based materials, this closed-cell synthetic foam currently provides unmatched lightweight shock absorption for our laptop compartment paddings. It is manufactured to be exceptionally durable, ensuring it won't flatten or degrade over years of daily use. True to our circular design principles, we integrate these foam components so they can be easily separated from the natural shell materials and properly recycled at the end of the product's lifespan.

Travel Pack – All Black - QWSTION

Zippers
We exclusively use premium YKK® zippers with sturdy brass teeth to ensure smooth operation and extreme longevity. Recognizing that zippers are often the first point of failure in conventional bags, we invest in heavy-duty metal solutions. They are built to withstand years of daily use and, like our other hardware, are engineered to be easily detached and recycled at the end of the product's lifespan.

Tyvek
We use Tyvek® to safely store and protect our bags during transport and warehousing. While it is a synthetic material, this lightweight, highly durable, and breathable spunbound fabric is reusable and fully recyclable. Utilizing this material helps us entirely eliminate single-use plastic polybags from our packaging and storage processes.

Medium Bucket – Desert Hawk - QWSTION

Nylon
For specific products requiring exceptionally strong drawcords or structural strings, we utilize high-tenacity nylon. While our primary focus is on plant-based alternatives, nylon currently provides the unmatched abrasion resistance and tensile strength needed for these specific heavy-wear components. Consistent with our circular design principles, these cords are easily removable for proper recycling.

Packaging

We extend our circular design principles beyond our products directly into our packaging. By completely eliminating single-use plastic polybags, we protect our bags in reusable, recyclable Tyvek® sleeves and ship them using minimalistic, FSC-certified materials. Our entire packaging process is designed to minimize waste and reduce our footprint from our workshop to your door.