by David Shedrack
- Outdoor gear company Sealand has partnered with travel company Wilderness to create a limited edition range of bags and accessories.
- They’re made from upcycled and recycled materials in Cape Town and designed for the type of high-end African safari trips and small-plane flights that Wilderness offers.
- Sealand will sell the range from its online and physical stores, and Wilderness will do the same from boutiques at some of its high-end African lodges.
- Here’s what they look like.
Cape Town-based outdoor gear and apparel company Sealand has launched a new range of upcycled travel gear in partnership with luxury travel operator Wilderness.
The collection includes a limited run of bags and accessories made from upcycled materials that they describe as “where urban meets wilderness”.
Sealand has made a name for itself by creating eye-catching backpacks, laptop bags, duffels, and other accessories from materials like upcycled yacht sails and recycled nylon.
The company makes its products in Hout Bay, Cape Town, from carefully selected waste materials. It has previously collaborated with others like cycle wear company Ciovita and the DHL Stormers.
The latest partnership with Wilderness, a luxury travel company offering safaris and related journeys throughout Africa, extends Sealand’s collaborative concept.
According to Wilderness’s Amanda Wilson, the collection will be “one-of-a-kind” and feature “design-focused eco-conscious gear”.
“Not only are we providing a solution around the most functional gear to bring on a Wilderness adventure, but we are doing so in a sustainable way that is closely aligned with our values”, says Wilson.
Central to this reference to functionality is the ever-present issue of luggage requirements on the small planes that connect travellers to many of Wilderness’s lodges.
Given that space is at a premium on these flights, most do not allow large, hardshell bags and request travellers to arrive with duffels or similar luggage. It’s a request that for whatever reason, many travellers ignore.
As such, the highlight of the collaboration is a co-branded version of Sealand’s “Dune Duffel”. It wouldn’t look out of place on a luggage rack in a lavish lodge but will withstand everything a lodge-hopping safari might throw at it.
The Dune Duffel comes in two sizes – with capacities of 55 litres and 74 litres – which is enough to sustain travellers on a typical trip through the continent. If not, it pairs well with the backpack also part of the new range.
This duffel has the same specs as Sealand’s existing duffel in that range, but the Wilderness version includes both logos and an additional colourway, along with a slightly higher price point.
Wilderness X Sealand “Dune Duffel”. Image: Supplied.
Wilderness X Sealand “Dune Duffel”. Image: Supplied.
Similarly, the Wilderness x Sealand range also includes a co-branded “Rowlie Backpack”, which has a capacity of 30 litres, a roll-top closure mechanism, a laptop sleeve, and two water bottle pockets.
Wilderness X Sealand “Rowlie Backpack”. Image: Supplied.
There’s also a version of the smaller “Toastie” bag.
Wilderness X Sealand “Toastie” bag. Image: Supplied.
A tote.
Wilderness X Sealand “Swish Tote”. Image: Supplied.
And a “Poka Set” with three smaller accessory bags that to declutter drawers and bags.
Wilderness X Sealand “Poka Set”. Image: Supplied.
There’s also a branded key organiser for travellers who already have all the bags they need but still want in on the collaborative action – or to take home something smaller as a reminder of their African safari.
Wilderness X Sealand keyring. Image: Supplied.
Sealand co-founder Jasper Eales says the two brands’ coming together may surprise some, but it’s a good partnership given they both “strive for uniqueness”.
“Purpose is at the forefront of Sealand; offering sustainable gear to another purpose-led organisation in the business of travel couldn’t be a more exciting or aligned partnership. It has been a true collaboration, with product and story integration from both teams. We look forward to being able to offer functional and sustainable gear to a new global audience,” says Eales.
Although many new items are available without the co-branding and at a lower price point, Wilderness says their collaborative items are limited and exclusive. There are also plans to add items to the collection later in the year – a new-to-market wheelie duffle bag and a cross-body sling bag are in the works.
The range is available from the Sealand website and its physical outlets in South Africa. And Wilderness will sell select items in the exclusive boutiques of some Botswana lodges – presumably also enabling travellers to ditch the cumbersome hardshell suitcases for something far more chic and practical while on safari.
