Bearmade
Rated: Good
Price: $$
Location: UK
Quick verdict
Bearmade (now trading as Wildish) is best for outdoor enthusiasts seeking heirloom-quality, handcrafted bags made entirely in the UK with genuine environmental commitments. The brand stands out for GOTS-certified organic dry-waxed cotton canvas, PFC-free waterproofing, intentionally capped production (~25 bags per week), a lifetime guarantee with free repairs, and a take-back program. Caveats include premium pricing (£215–£315), limited product range (primarily bags), and micro-brand scale without independent sustainability ratings.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Lofthouse, Harrogate, Yorkshire Dales, UK
- Founded
- 2019
- Product categories
- Accessories
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- GOTS (organic cotton canvas); Ecologi carbon offset partner; PFC-free waterproof coating
Bearmade sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
GOTS-certified organic dry-waxed cotton canvas with PFC-free waterproof coating, recycled wool felt padding, AustriAlpin Cobra buckles, and all-metal fittings. All materials and components sourced domestically in the UK. Intentionally avoids synthetic materials where possible.
100% made in the UK by named artisan makers (Amy in Suffolk, Rowan in Glasgow). Small team of 6–8 people in a husband-and-wife-led micro-enterprise. Production intentionally capped at ~25 bags per week to maintain quality and working conditions.
Carbon offset through Ecologi (7,563 trees funded, 142 tonnes CO₂e avoided). Plants 20–25 trees per bag sold with a long-term goal of 300,000 trees. Take-back program (returned bags exchanged for 10% credit, then disassembled/recycled). Lifetime guarantee extends product life indefinitely.
Transparent pricing breakdowns on product pages showing exact margins. Names individual makers. Detailed documentation of materials, sourcing, and environmental commitments. Exceptionally open for a micro-brand despite the lack of formal third-party assessment.
Premium pricing (Jorvik £315, Gouthwaite £215) reflects handcrafted UK production and certified organic materials. Lifetime guarantee and free repairs deliver exceptional long-term value. Customer reviews are outstanding (4.97/5 from 114 reviews).
What they do well
- 100% UK-made artisan production — Every bag handcrafted by named makers (Amy in Suffolk, Rowan in Glasgow) using domestically sourced materials. Production intentionally capped at ~25 bags per week to maintain quality.
- Lifetime guarantee with free repairs: All bags carry a lifetime guarantee with free manufacturing-defect repairs, designed for decades of use. Take-back program accepts returned bags for 10% store credit, then disassembles for recycling.
- Exceptional environmental commitments: Carbon offset through Ecologi (7,563 trees, 142 tonnes CO₂e avoided), plants 20–25 trees per bag sold (goal: 300,000 trees), and 10% of all profits fund The Wildish Club CIC for free outdoor community activities.
- Radical pricing transparency: Product pages show exact pricing breakdowns with margins disclosed. Exceptionally rare in fashion and a genuine trust-building practice.
- Outstanding customer satisfaction: On-site reviews average 4.94–4.97/5 across 130+ reviews. WIRED awarded "Best for Durability" (2021/2022).
Room for improvement
- No independent sustainability rating or B Corp certification: While practices are exceptional, they lack third-party verification at the brand level.
- Carbon offsetting rather than reduction: Environmental impact mitigation relies on Ecologi offsets and tree planting rather than measurable emissions reduction within the supply chain itself.
About Bearmade
Bearmade (now trading as Wildish) was founded by Oscar Kent Boatfield (a former England fly fishing competitor) and Dr Nell Marguerite Wharton (a qualified veterinarian). The product concept launched in February 2019 as "Bear Minimal": a small fly fishing bag born from Nell's frustration with bulky outdoor gear, Based in Lofthouse in the Yorkshire Dales, the married couple run the brand as a genuine micro-enterprise with ~6–8 team members.
Everything is 100% made in the UK: primary production by Amy (master bag maker in Suffolk) and Rowan (Glasgow), with all materials and components sourced domestically. The signature material is GOTS-certified organic dry-waxed cotton canvas with a PFC-free waterproof coating, recycled wool felt padding, AustriAlpin Cobra buckles, and all-metal fittings. Production is intentionally capped at ~25 bags per week. The brand also operates a physical coffee shop in Pateley Bridge, Yorkshire Dales (opened July 2022).
Environmental commitments go beyond materials: carbon offsets through Ecologi (7,563 trees funded, 142 tonnes CO₂e avoided), 20–25 trees planted per bag sold, and a take-back program where returned bags are exchanged for 10% store credit then disassembled and recycled. 10% of all profits fund The Wildish Club CIC: a community interest company running free outdoor activity chapters (walks, fly fishing, foraging, stargazing) across 10 UK locations, promoting mental health and community connection.
Product highlights
Jorvik Backpack 30L
Full-size rolltop backpack in GOTS organic waxed cotton canvas, PFC-free waterproofing, recycled wool felt, AustriAlpin Cobra buckles
~£315 (~$400)
Flagship product; handcrafted entirely in the UK with transparent pricing breakdown and lifetime guarantee
Gouthwaite Backpack 20L
Compact rolltop in GOTS organic waxed canvas with all-metal hardware and lifetime guarantee
~£215 (~$275)
4.97/5 from 114 reviews; appeared in the Christmas film This Is Christmas. WIRED "Best for Durability"
Angram Messenger Bag 12L
Crossbody messenger in organic waxed cotton canvas with all-metal fittings
~£185 (~$235)
Most accessible bag in the range; versatile everyday carry maintaining artisan construction standards
Brimham Backpack 8L
Compact day pack in GOTS organic waxed canvas, ideal for light carry and day hikes
~£95 (~$120)
Most affordable entry point to the range; same premium materials and lifetime guarantee as larger models
![24 Ethical & Sustainable Clothing Brands UK [2026]](/images/blog/sustainable-brands-uk.webp)
