Aussie-made bags made from recycled canvas are built tough for the bush

It’s no longer easy to find Aussie-made products that are built to handle our harsh conditions, which can be a challenge for a bloke like me who wants to know the products I buy for my year-round travels won’t expire before I do.

While travelling through the Kimberley region I recently discovered the brand Downunderlust Canvas and its range of handmade bags and accessories. 

Downunderlust Canvas founders Kimm and Matt have an extensive four-wheel driving and camping background, and they saw the need for custom products while travelling on the road many years ago. Starting with a little sewing machine to make their own bags in Broome, their friends soon saw how great the products were and began asking for their own. Roll onto today and they are now sending custom orders all over Australia. 

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Based in the remote Kimberley region, Downunderlust Canvas is a small Australian-owned and operated company that specialises in recycling old canvas products into useful bags, pouches and more. Kimm and Matt source old swags and canvas material offcuts either online or locally to make their range of products. As well as the gear available on their online shop they accept custom orders. Kimm sewed up a large duffel bag for me, as well as some smaller bags to use while touring, and I can definitely say these things are as tough as nails. 

The secondhand canvas is washed and dried prior to being used and while some of it may retain some marks and blemishes from its previous life, I reckon that gives it a fascinating backstory. 

The straps are made from new seat-belt-style webbing material as these components can be the first to degrade in Australia’s harsh climate. The larger duffel bags have flaps that fold over the zips for added protection and so far I have had no water or dust get into any of my bags while travelling.

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As they are not mass produced, every product is unique; when ordering a custom made bag you can request contrast stitching, a zip upgrade or even a custom colour depending on what canvas is on hand at the time of manufacture. 

I discovered Downunderlust Canvas at Mount Barnett Roadhouse on the Gibb River Road, where Matt and Kimm are managing the operation. Here you’ll find a range of bags in different configurations for sale, or you can order custom made bags.

Pricing 

• Small Storage Bag: $35
• Regular Storage Bag: $50
• Firewood Carrier: $65 
• Duffel Bag: $165