Are Inner Tube Bags Durable, Odour-Free and Easy to Clean? Your Questions Answered

Bags and wallets made from recycled inner tubes look and feel a lot like leather - but people often ask us the same practical questions before they buy. Here are our honest answers, after more than 13 years of making and selling them.

What are inner tube bags made from?

Ours are made from truck and bus inner tubes - the thick rubber tube that sits inside a large tyre. Older trucks and buses still use them across South East Asia, so when the tubes can no longer be repaired, our artisan partners in Indonesia rescue them before they're burned or dumped. The rubber is cleaned, cut and stitched by hand into bags, vegan wallets and purses and accessories.

The leather-like grain you see isn't stamped on - it's the natural texture of the tube itself, so every piece is slightly different.

Truck inner tubes vs bicycle inner tubes

Many recycled rubber products are made from bicycle inner tubes, which are thin and stretchy. Truck inner tubes are much thicker and tougher, so they hold their shape and stand up to daily use - closer to the feel of leather than a bike tube.

Are inner tube bags durable?

Yes. Inner tube rubber was made to hold air under pressure on the road, so it's naturally strong, flexible and hard to tear. Because it's solid rubber all the way through - not a plastic coating on fabric like PU 'vegan leather' - there's nothing to peel or crack. With normal use, our bags and wallets last for years.

Do inner tube bags smell of rubber?

A little, at first - and we'd rather be honest about it. Our artisans clean every inner tube with sage oil, so a brand-new piece has a noticeable scent that's a mix of the natural oil and the rubber. It fades over the first weeks of use and fresh air, leaving just a faint hint of rubber.

If you'd like it to fade faster, wipe the bag with a damp cloth with a few drops of your favourite essential oil added.

How do you clean an inner tube bag?

• Empty the bag first.
• Wipe the rubber with a damp cloth. For marks, use a drop of mild washing-up liquid, then wipe again with clean water.
• Let it air dry.
• Don't machine wash, and avoid harsh solvents.

No waxes, conditioners or special treatments are needed.

Are inner tube bags waterproof?

The rubber itself is waterproof, so the bags shrug off rain. We describe the finished bags as water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, because the stitching and zips aren't sealed. For extra protection in heavy weather, a waterproofing spray for tents works well.

Is an inner tube bag fully vegan?

Yes - not just the rubber. Our linings are fabric (recycled polyester in our wallets, cotton in bags such as Anna and Reina), the glue we use is animal-free, and fastenings are zips or press studs. The Ben wallet uses a plastic press stud, so it's suitable for anyone with a metal allergy.

Is it really better for the planet?

Every bag gives a material that already exists a second life, instead of making new leather or new plastic. That's the simplest way to reduce waste: use what's already here. Read more in our guide What is vegan leather?, or meet the makers behind each piece.

Ready to choose yours? Browse our vegan bags and vegan wallets - handmade, one of a kind, with free UK delivery over £50.