Frequently Asked Questions

We’re currently focused on developing our first product, the Vela Sling which is a premium everyday carry sling designed for work, travel, and daily movement.

Vela is intended to become our first core carry collection. Over time, we’re exploring ways to expand the collection with additional sling sizes, a backpack or two, a duffel, a tote, and smaller travel accessories. Each product will need to earn its place through real usefulness, durable construction, and a clean, timeless design.

We’re also beginning to explore future collections, including Terra, an earth-inspired collection with a more outdoor-ready and durability-forward feel, and Aura, a lighter, airier collection designed around ease, movement, and everyday versatility.

For now, our priority is simple: build the Vela Sling well before expanding too quickly.

Vela means sail in Latin.

We chose the name because our first collection is inspired by the strength, movement, and weather-ready nature of sailcloth. The Vela Sling uses a sailcloth-inspired technical fabric selected for durability, structure, recycled content, and a high level of water resistance.

The name also reflects how we want the product to feel in use: light, capable, and ready to move through work, travel, and everyday life without feeling bulky or overbuilt.

Vela is our starting point for refined everyday carry and built with purposeful materials, thoughtful organization, and a clean design made for modern movement.

The best way to stay updated is to join our email list. We’ll share occasional product updates, behind-the-scenes notes, and launch information as we get closer to releasing the Vela Sling.

We won’t flood your inbox. Just thoughtful updates when there’s something worth sharing.

SustainGear is based in the United States. At launch, we will ship within the U.S. only.

We are starting with U.S. shipping so we can keep the ordering experience clear, reliable, and manageable as a small company. As we grow, we hope to explore additional shipping options for customers outside the U.S.

Not yet. SustainGear is based in the United States, and at launch we will only ship within the U.S.

As a small company, international shipping is difficult to offer in a way that feels clear, reliable, and fair. Shipping costs, customs duties, taxes, tariffs, and delivery requirements can vary widely by country, and current international rates are often too costly for both us and our customers.

We hope to explore international shipping as we grow, but for now we are staying focused on serving U.S. customers well.

Our expectation is that all orders will ship within 2 business days.

Once your order is on the way, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information. As a small company, we want to pack and ship orders carefully, communicate clearly, and set realistic expectations from the start.

If you need to change or cancel an order, please contact us as soon as possible.

We will do our best to help before the order has shipped. Once an order has been packed or handed off to the carrier, we may not be able to make changes or cancel it.

If your order has already shipped, you can return it to us in new, unused condition within 30 days for a full refund. Customers are responsible for return shipping unless the item arrives damaged or we made a mistake with the order.

If an item sells out, we will share restock updates as clearly as we can.

Because SustainGear is starting small, some products may be made in limited quantities. We do not want to create unnecessary urgency, but we also may not be able to restock every product, color, or version right away.

The best way to stay updated is to join our email list. We will share product availability, restock updates, and future launch information there first.

Once your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with tracking information.

You can also log in to your SustainGear account to view your order history and track your order. If you need help finding your tracking information, email us at service@sustaingear.com with your order number and we’ll be happy to help.

We want you to feel confident ordering from SustainGear.

If your item is not the right fit, you can return it within 30 days of delivery for a full refund. Items must be returned in new, unused condition with original tags and packaging included when possible.

Customers are responsible for return shipping unless the item arrives damaged or we made a mistake with the order.

Once we receive and inspect your return, we will issue a refund to your original payment method. Original shipping charges, if any, are not refundable.

We do not offer direct exchanges at this time.

If you would like a different color, size, or product, the best option is to return your original item within 30 days of delivery and place a new order for the item you want.

Items must be returned in new, unused condition with original tags and packaging included when possible. Customers are responsible for return shipping unless the item arrives damaged or we made a mistake with the order.

As a small company, this helps us process returns clearly and make sure inventory stays accurate.

To start a return, email us at service@sustaingear.com within 30 days of delivery with your order number and the item you would like to return.

Returns are available for items purchased directly from SustainGear. Your order number helps us confirm the original purchase and review your return request.

We will send return instructions once your request is approved. Items must be returned in new, unused condition with original tags and packaging included when possible.

Customers are responsible for return shipping unless the item arrives damaged or we made a mistake with the order. Once we receive and inspect your return, we will issue a refund to your original payment method.

Customers are responsible for return shipping unless the item arrives damaged or we made a mistake with the order.

If your item arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, please contact us at service@sustaingear.com with your order number and a few photos so we can review the issue and help with the next step.

For standard returns, we recommend using a trackable shipping method so you can confirm the return arrives safely.

Our materials vary by product and collection, but every SustainGear product is designed around the same priorities: quality, durability, responsible material choices, and long-term use.

Wherever practical, we prioritize recycled, lower-impact, and more responsible materials that still meet our standards for performance and durability. We do not choose materials only because they sound sustainable. They need to feel good, perform well, and help the product stay useful for years.

For our first collection, Vela, we are working with sailcloth-inspired technical fabrics selected for durability, structure, recycled content, weather resistance, and a premium feel. We also focus on reliable zippers, refined hardware, durable linings, and clean construction.

Future collections may use different materials based on their purpose. Some may be more rugged and outdoor-ready. Others may be lighter, softer, or more flexible. Across all products, our goal is to choose better materials, build with care, and create gear worth keeping.

Many SustainGear products are designed with water resistance in mind, but they are not fully waterproof.

For our first collection, Vela, we are using sailcloth-inspired technical fabrics and water-resistant zipper construction to help protect your everyday carry from light rain, splashes, and daily weather. That said, the bag should not be submerged or exposed to heavy rain for extended periods.

Water resistance may vary by product, material, and collection. We will always do our best to clearly explain the level of weather protection on each product page.

For everyday care, wipe your bag with a soft, damp cloth and let it air dry naturally.

Avoid machine washing, dry cleaning, bleach, harsh detergents, or high heat. Do not place your bag in a dryer. If the bag gets wet, empty it, wipe away excess moisture, and allow it to dry fully before storing.

For tougher marks, use mild soap with water and gently clean the affected area. Avoid scrubbing aggressively, especially around coated fabrics, zippers, hardware, and printed or molded details.

Like any product made for real use, your bag may develop marks, scuffs, or signs of wear over time. That is part of long-term ownership, not necessarily a defect. Our goal is to build products that perform well, age honestly, and stay useful for years.

Yes, wherever practical, we prioritize recycled and more responsible materials.

For our first collection, Vela, we are working with technical fabrics that include recycled content, along with other components selected for durability, performance, and long-term use. Our goal is not to use recycled materials just for the sake of a claim. The materials also need to meet our standards for quality, structure, weather resistance, and everyday reliability.

As we grow, material choices may vary by product and collection. We will continue to look for better options that balance sustainability, durability, function, and a premium feel.

SustainGear products are designed for long-term use and backed by our 8-Year Limited Warranty.

Our warranty covers defects in materials, workmanship, and construction for 8 years from the original purchase date under normal intended use. Built to Last is our design standard. Backed for 8 years is our warranty promise.

Our 8-Year Limited Warranty covers defects in materials, workmanship, and construction under normal intended use.

This may include issues like defective stitching, hardware failure, zipper failure, strap or attachment issues caused by construction, or material defects that affect the product’s usability.

Depending on the issue, we may repair the item, replace a part, replace the product, offer store credit, or provide another reasonable solution. Our goal is to keep good gear in use whenever practical.

Our warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, cosmetic changes, misuse, accidents, improper care, overloading, lost or stolen items, unauthorized repairs, or damage caused by extreme conditions.

Normal wear may include scuffs, scratches, stains, fading, fabric softening, coating wear, zipper lamination wear, hardware marks, or other signs of regular use over time.

SustainGear products are built for real life, and real use leaves marks. Wear from daily carry is not automatically a defect. If something fails before it reasonably should under normal intended use, we are happy to review it.

To submit a warranty claim, you may submit the claim with our online claim form or email us at service@sustaingear.com with your order number, a brief description of the issue, and a few clear photos of the product and affected area.

Warranty coverage applies to the original purchaser and requires proof of purchase from SustainGear or an authorized seller. Once we review your claim, we may ask for additional information to help determine the best next step.

If the issue is covered, we will work with you on a repair, replacement part, product replacement, store credit, or another reasonable solution.

Whenever practical, yes. We prefer repair over replacement when it makes sense.

Repair helps extend product life, reduce unnecessary waste, and keep good gear in use longer. Some repairs may restore function without returning the product to its exact original factory condition, especially if a part, color, or version is no longer available.

If repair is not practical, we may offer a replacement part, product replacement, store credit, paid repair option, or another reasonable solution based on the situation.

For SustainGear, sustainability starts with building better products that stay useful longer.

We believe quality, durability, and responsibility are connected. A product that lasts, performs well, and does not need to be replaced quickly is a more responsible choice than something designed around short-term use or trends.

Sustainability also means choosing better materials where practical, reducing unnecessary product churn, supporting repair when possible, and being honest about what we can and cannot claim. We do not believe sustainability is about perfection. It is about making better decisions over time.

We are careful with the word sustainable because no physical product has zero impact.

Our goal is to build more responsibly by using durable construction, recycled and lower-impact materials where practical, and designs that remain useful for years. We avoid vague claims like “100% sustainable” or “planet-saving” because we do not think those promises are honest or helpful.

Instead, we focus on practical responsibility: better materials, longer use, fewer replacements, and continuous improvement as we grow.

Durability is one of the most practical forms of sustainability.

When a product lasts longer, it can help reduce unnecessary replacement, waste, and disposable buying habits. That is why we design around long-term use, reliable materials, reinforced construction, and timeless utility.

For us, durability is not just a quality feature. It is part of how we think about responsibility. Better products should earn their place and stay useful through years of everyday movement.

We choose materials by balancing durability, performance, feel, responsibility, and long-term usefulness.

Wherever practical, we prioritize recycled, lower-impact, and more responsible materials. But a material also needs to perform well. It needs to be durable, reliable, comfortable to use, and appropriate for the product it is part of.

We do not choose materials only because they sound sustainable. They need to support the purpose of the product and help it stay useful over time. Different collections may use different materials, but the standard stays the same: quality, durability, responsible choices, and products worth keeping.