The Ultimate Sustainable Packing List for Summer

As you gear up for your summer adventures, we’re here to help you pack! This list features ethical, sustainable travel essentials to make your trips more people and planet friendly. While we’re not suggesting you purchase everything on this list (that would not be sustainable), these are great options when you need to replace worn out luggage or clothing.

In this sustainable packing list for summer, we’ll share our favorite sustainable travel essentials including eco-conscious luggage, packing cubes, and our favorite ethically made clothes for men and women—featuring beautiful pieces from Passion Lilie and other ethical brands.

Why choose sustainable travel essentials?

Fast fashion and mass-produced travel accessories often rely on exploitative labor, cheap plastics, and environmentally harmful production. When you choose responsibly made travel gear, you’re reducing your environmental footprint, supporting fair wages, and encouraging a more conscious global economy.

Sustainable luggage for summer travel

• Samsonite Advance Eco Spinner
  Why it’s sustainable: This luggage collection is made from Samsonite’s Recyclex® fabric using 100% post-consumer recycled PET bottles. It’s durable, flexible, and responsibly made.
  
  Best for: travelers seeking a more mainstream option with sustainable upgrades.
  
  
• Solgaard Carry-On Closet
  Why it’s sustainable: Solgaard’s Carry-On Closet is made from recycled plastic, ocean-bound plastic, and recycled polycarbonate. Every purchase helps remove ~6lbs of plastic waste from coastal communities. Solgaard is also 100% carbon-neutral.
  
  Best for: organized packers who want to reduce their environmental impact.

Sustainable Packing Cubes to Stay Organized

We love packing cubes for keeping our suitcases neat, saving space, and simplifying unpacking. Next time you need a new set or a great gift for your traveling buddy, choose a set made with planet-friendly materials.

• Monos Compressible Packing Cubes
  Why they're sustainable: Monos is the first North American luggage brand to achieve Certified B Corporation® status. Their packing cubes are made from soft, anti-microbial, and 100% recycled polyester fabric.
  
  Best for: Organized packers who need to make the most out of their space. Monos’ compression zippers allow you to save space and compress height by up to 60%.
  
  
• Baggu Packing Cubes
  Why they're sustainable: Baggu uses recycled materials and designs their products to last. They create products that are timely and relevant without chasing trends. They avoid fabric waste by using a limited set of core materials, which allows them to focus on its social and environmental impact and long-term durability.
  
  Best for: Travelers who want fun prints and bold colors. These packing cubes are CUTE!

• Passion Lilie’s Seaside Organic Cotton Maxi Dress
  This flowy dress features a soft blue and white ikat print that’s breathable and perfect for warm climates. Our organic cotton fabric absorbs sweat and acts like natural air conditioning to keep you cool, wherever your adventures take you. Wear it with sandals or sneakers by day and dress it up with earrings for a night out.
• Passion Lilie’s Tranquil Blue Organic Cotton Pants
  These wide-leg pants are lightweight and easy to style with a tucked-in tee or a tank. They fold up small and resist wrinkling, making them ideal for packing. Perfect for daytime outings and for when the temperature drops after sundown.
• Tentree’s Hemp Laurel Romper
  Nothing says summer like a flowy romper. This cute Tentree style is made from TENCEL™ Lyocell and hemp with 100% coconut buttons. It’s breathable and easy to move in – ready for whatever your travels hold.
• Passion Lilie’s Peacock Teal Sarong
  This is sarong the most versatile piece in your packing cubes. It can be worn as a dress, skirt, wrap, scarf, or swimsuit coverup. Use it as a beach towel or a light blanket for shade on the beach. It folds up small, making it perfect to bring along on your travels.

For Men:

• Passion Lilie’s Campbell Organic Cotton Shirt
  This button-down is polished for dinners or events, and breathable in warm climates. Made from 100% organic woven cotton, wrinkles fall out easily – an important detail when packing!
• Outerknown Nomadic Stretch Shorts
  These shorts are made from recycled polyester created from post-consumer waste, which keeps materials like water bottles, industrial fishing nets, and used clothing out of landfills. They’re moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and perfect for everything from hikes to beach days.
• ONNO bamboo t-shirt
  This lightweight t-shirt is tailored – flattering, but not too tight. It’s silky and made for moving. It has thousands of positive reviews, with one reviewer summing it up: “my search for the ideal t-shirt is over.”
• PrAna Zion Pants
  Durable and stylish, these pants are made from recycled nylon and stretch fabric that moves with you. Great for long flights or city strolls.

Don’t forget the little things that make your trip more comfortable and simpler. They can be sustainable, too.

• Ethique Solid Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
  Skip the plastic and TSA hassle with solid haircare bars from Ethique. They last for months and are perfect for travel.
• Tentree Organic Cotton Hat or Recycled Wool Hat
  Keep the sun off your face with a breathable cap made from organic cotton, or a stylish recycled wool hat. Whatever your travel vibe, there’s a sustainable hat to keep your skin protected.
• Dr. Bronner’s Travel Soap
  Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Soap is legendary for its versatility. With so many uses, this soap is a travel must-have. Available in a TSA-friendly 2 oz bottle, it’s perfect for body wash, shampoo, laundry, dish soap, and general cleaning. A little goes a long way, so a small bottle can last through multiple trips. Plus, its plant-based formula ensures you’re leaving a minimal environmental footprint wherever you go.
• Moxlox Sunglasses
  We love this fellow New Orleans, woman-owned brand! Moxlox sunnies are made from all natural and biodegradable materials.

Pro Tips for Packing Sustainably

We love to travel, and we’ve learned a lot along the way. Here are some of our tips:

1. Plan outfits ahead: pack mix-and-match pieces to get more outfits with fewer items.
2. Roll, don’t fold: rolling saves space and reduces wrinkles.
3. Do a test pack: lay everything out beforehand to avoid overpacking.
4. Leave room for souvenirs: support local artisans and shop small wherever you go.

The Takeaway: You CAN Travel Sustainably

Traveling sustainably doesn’t mean compromising style or convenience. With a little planning, you can design a packing list that supports fair labor, minimizes environmental impact, and accomplishes the vacation looks you’re going for.

If you’re heading to a tropical paradise, exploring Europe by train, or just slipping away for the weekend, your summer travel can be a force for good. Choose ethical brands, invest in versatile pieces, and enjoy the journey.