A Guide to UPSO Backpacks

What makes an UPSO backpack different isn’t just how it looks.

The materials have already lived a life. Instead of being discarded, they’re cut, cleaned, and rebuilt into something new. That history stays with the bag. It shows in the texture, the marks, and the small details that make each one unique.

Every UPSO backpack has had a previous life. Fire hose that’s seen years of service on the front line. Truck tarp that’s travelled thousands of miles across Europe - or on occasion, even further afield. And in some of our bags, seatbelts that have seen school runs, summer holidays and supermarket shops.

These materials were built to endure and have now been repurposed into something new. Something useful for an everyday trip to work, or something for a special journey at the weekend.

No two UPSO backpacks are ever the same. But each one will be useful, durable, and perhaps most excitingly, completely distinctive.

Here’s a closer look at the range, ordered from largest capacity to smallest.

Corley Cabin Bag

Capacity: 37L
Best for: Air travel or weekends away

Sized to work as a cabin bag, the 37L Corley is a cabin bag built for short trips overseas. Just enough space for a few days away, without the need to check anything in.

Like the rest of our range, it’s made to handle the realities of travel, overhead lockers, train floors, a squally rain shower - these are the kind of bumps, scraps and dousing with water that our tough upcycled backpacks are designed to take.

Burtonwood Backpack

Capacity: Up to 26L
Best for: Travel, flexible loads

Rolltop backpacks - the one bag to rule (roll) them all! With a decent amount of space when tightly rolled and up to 26L when fully expanded, the Burtonwood upcycled backpack has the room to carry whatever the day turns into. Pack it light in the morning, head home with it fuller.

Built from thick, weather-resistant tarp and fire hose, mean you don’t have to think twice about where you put it down or what the weather’s doing.

Inside, the entirety of the bag is lined. There’s one main section and two smaller areas. One inner pouch and one slip pocket - ideal for a phone.

Naturally, the Burtonwood bag may exhibit marks and imperfections that reflect the tarp's past experiences on the road, but these details and patina of the material are what make each one truly one-of-a-kind.

Bridgwater Backpack

Capacity: 20L
Best for: Everyday use, commuting or getting around 

The newest addition to our upcycled backpack collection, the Bridgwater, is the first to feature two external pockets alongside one main compartment. There’s an external bottle holder measuring 14x23cms [5.5”x9”] and an external zipped pocket measuring 15x18cms [6”x7”] - the ideal spot for stashing a phone, wallet or passport.

Like the Burtoonwood, the roll-top closure of the Bridgwater gives you flexibility when you need it, and the external pockets keep things within easy reach. On the back, we’ve added some breathable padding to make longer days on the move more comfortable.

Burtonwood Backpack – Small

Capacity: 17L
Best for: Light carry, everyday essentials

The Burtonwood Small keeps the same character as the regular Burtonwood, just in a tighter form. 17L in capacity, it carries what you need for daily chores. Still tough like all our backpacks and still adaptable, like the larger Burtonwood, just a little easier to live with if you prefer to travel light.

This one’s a good option if you like the Burtonwood, but don’t need all the space of a large backpack.

Birch Backpack

Capacity: 11L
Best for: Work, school, college

The 11L Birch is our recycled laptop bag. With its inner pouch designed to take a 15” device, the overall size of the bag isn’t too large, but it has enough space for work and daily essentials, without feeling bulky or over-engineered.

It’s a straightforward bag, really. Reliable, adaptable, and easy to live with. The large guage zipped closure feels reassuringly snug when closed, giving you comfort that your belongings will be safe inside.

Peterborough Pack

Capacity: 6L
Best for: Minimal carry, short journeys.

The Peterborough is a recycled backpack, pared back to the essentials. Its slim, oblong shape means that, when packed correctly, it fits nicely on your back and is comfortable to wear.

It’s a small pack for the days when you don’t need much, just the basics - say a rain jacket and a lunchbox. Lightweight and easy to carry, whether you’re on foot or on a bike, the Peterborough still carries our UPSO DNA: reclaimed materials, hard-wearing construction and built to last.

Choosing the Right Recycled Backpack

There’s no single “best” recycled backpack, just the right one that fits you and your lifestyle.

If you carry a lot or want something for flying, the Corley is built with you in mind. 

If you want something dependable for daily use, the three B’s have you covered: Bridgwater Burtonwood and Birch.

If you prefer to travel light, the Peterborough keeps things simple.