Groundtruth was founded in 2017 and is run by three sisters with a passion for sustainability and innovative gear. The Scott sisters create bags and accessories that are 100% recycled and that focus on an ethical and transparent manufacturing process from start to finish. This process also adheres to the bluesign standard of manufacturing and includes a whole bunch of positive social impact outcomes to match.

For example, Groundtruth’s bags are made by a family-run manufacturer in Jakarta where there’s gender pay equality and 85% of the female employees are in management roles. They also employ workers from the local area to prevent family separation – which is common in the fashion industry – while also providing access to training, healthcare and access to education for the worker’s children. 

The carbon footprint of the whole manufacturing process (including business travel) is also offset through projects such as Wildlife Works and the Mai Ndombe project. You can even choose to offset your own carbon footprint at the checkout when purchasing Groundtruth products online. Not bad, not bad at all. 

But what about the bags themselves? Do they cut the mustard? Are they up to the task? 

Well, this here is Groundtruth’s UNDA 25L Roll Top Dry Backpack and I’ve been putting it to the test. Most recently, I’ve been using it day-to-day, on trips to the beach, on bike rides and for the odd bit of outdoor swimming too. So far, I’ve been impressed with its performance, so much so that we decided to include it in our Greener Gear Guide at Outdoors Magic this year. 

In particular, I like how tough it feels, and noticed that it handles abrasion well. The versatility is a big selling point for me, and I can see this being a great bag for activities ranging from day hiking and cycling, to commuting and even canoeing and kaying. The impressive waterproofing abilities also make it ideal for outdoor days here in the UK where you’re never 100% sure what the weather’s going to do.

I found that the features were pretty nifty too, especially the bungee cord at the front which was the perfect spot for my waterproof sandals. There’s also a handy luggage strap that enables you to attach this daypack onto your suitcase handles, while the modest dimensions of the bag make it an ideal carry-on companion for flights abroad. 

During my hikes I found that the back system wasn’t the most breathable option out there, though that’s generally the price you pay for a fully water submersible backpack. Regardless of whether it was packed right to the brim or barely packed at all, it still felt stable and evenly distributed across my back, even when twisting and turning out on the trail. 

Another interesting thing to note about the UNDA roll top is the patent-pending GT-OCO-CO2 hardware that’s used in the zip pullers and D-rings. This, as I understand it, is the world’s first upcycled hardware that uses recycled polypropylene that captures CO2 emissions – and it contains them within the plastic itself. 

Groundtruth also claim that adding the captured CO2 into the plastic not only combats climate change by reducing the overall carbon footprint, but it also increases the performance of the recycled plastic by 40% compared to virgin plastics. 

All in all, Groundtruth are definitely a brand to keep your eye on. The new UNDA waterproof range is certainly a game changer in terms of its manufacturing process and carbon footprint, and I’m very intrigued to see what they come out with in the future.