Recycled materials without compromise
Environmentally friendly materials are becoming more and more popular with consumers and are also playing an increasingly important role when it comes to choosing the right camera bag. Oberwerth therefore offers a range of bags made from particularly environmentally friendly recycled nylon, known as ReLon®. The company is thus setting an example for a conscious move away from the pure production of synthetic fibersat a time when awareness of sustainable consumption and environmentally friendly materials is on the rise. The Oberwerth ReLon® line is the perfect choice for environmentally conscious creatives who want sustainably manufactured products without sacrificing the protection and style of a premium brand.
If you don't just like the idea of sustainability, but really want to live it in your everyday life, the best place to start is with a compact setup: The ReLon® Bag S is pleasantly light to carry, but remains a fully-fledged camera bag. Thanks to the FIDLOCK® fasteners, it can be opened with a flick of the wrist, an adjustable divider on the inside keeps things tidy, and a hidden AirTag® compartment provides extra security, especially in the city. Ideal if you're heading out spontaneously and still want to have everything neatly organized.
Upcycling instead of waste
Everyone is talking about recycling and at Oberwerth we have also been thinking for a long time about how we can make our range particularly sustainable. The bags in the Relon® line are therefore designed in such a way that they not only last a particularly long time and can be used again and again, but are also based on the idea of upcycling . The term stands for the idea that, for reasons of sustainability, not only should existing objects be reused, as would be the case with second-hand items, but that the aim should be to genuinely recycle raw materials. For example, high-quality bags are created here from industrial waste materials that significantly exceed the value of the original objects.
For the bags in the Relon® line, the nylon that forms their raw material is obtained from various scrap and waste materials. These include, for example, remnants from carpet production such as offcuts or old carpeting, as well as so-called industrial plastic from textile production. In addition, so-called ghost nets can be used, i.e. old fishing nets that drift on the world's oceans and pose a particular threat to various species of fish, andif nylon is to be newly produced, this requires crude oil, which is extracted with negative consequences for nature and the environment. If used nylon is then to be recycled, it is simply shredded and melted down in conventional processes, which generally leads to a loss of quality. The special feature of the so-called ECONYL®process, as used by Oberwerth for its bags, is that the material is chemically depolymerized, whereby the plastic is first broken down into its basic chemical building blocks and then all impurities are removed. A completely new yarn can then be spun from the purified nylon, which is chemically identical to new nylon in all its properties and therefore offers significant quality advantages.
By using the ECONYL® process, the ecological footprint of sustainable camera bags made from recycled nylon can be massively reduced. Compared to conventional nylon, the production of bags in the ReLon® range saves around 90% of the CO₂ emissions that would be generated in the production of conventional nylon bags. This is mainly due to the fact that the energy-intensive processes of oil extraction and processing are eliminated. Thanks to their specially treated nylon, the bags not only meet the highest quality standards, but also satisfy the high ethical and environmental demands of conscious consumers. At the same time, the bags score points in the usual Oberwerth manner with their great feel, elegant look and particularly long durability.
Advantageous properties of ReLon®
Even though topics such as sustainability and conscious consumption are becoming increasingly important, other aspects such as practical handling and the durability of the bags should not be lost sight of, especially when choosing the right camera bag. This is why an Oberwerth ReLon® Recycled camera bag is much more than just a "green" statement. The material has many advantages that make it particularly suitable for tough use on long photo adventures.
As the bags are made of nylon, they are incredibly light, but at the same time remain robust and hard-wearing. As a photographer, you sometimes lug heavy equipment around with you for several hours, especially when, for example, several cameras with different lenses are used and different tripods and additional batteries may be required. With such a heavy load, you will be happy about every gram that the bag itself saves and should perhaps take a closer look at the bags in the ReLon® range. If you regularly travel with two lenses, accessories and a second body, a format that grows with you without appearing bulky makes sense: The ReLon® Bag M combines the messenger character with a soft padded main compartment and freely adjustable divider pads - so every item sits where you blindly expect it to at the crucial moment.
Nylon is also characterized by its particularly good durability and the finely woven structure of the ReLon® material is extremely tear-resistant and abrasion-resistant. The robust material also has excellent water-repellent properties. To ensure that the bag can withstand any weather and protect the valuable equipment inside from rain, dust and dirt, Oberwerth has combined all this with a well thought-out design that ideally combines beauty and practicality.
Design meets intelligent features
If "recycled plastic" makes you think of a cheap feel, the bags in the Oberwerth ReLon® line will prove you wrong. The material seduces with its elegant, silky sheen and has a high-quality feel. Oberwerth also combines the high-tech fabric with characteristic applications and high-quality fittings, giving the bags their typical handcrafted character.
If you are specifically interested in one of the bags from the ReLon® line, you have a choice of different sizes. From the compact XS for small system cameras to the spacious XL, which can even accommodate professional medium format systems or several DSLRs, everything a photographer's heart desires is included.
As soon as travel equipment is added to the camera and lenses, a bag that not only has volume but also structure pays off: The ReLon® Bag XL has a separate zippered compartment and is particularly suitable for flying and traveling thanks to a trolley holder. At the same time, the interior remains under control thanks to the customizable division, instead of becoming a "bag with contents", and a hidden AirTag® compartment is also integrated here, which can be a reassuring detail, especially on trips. Thanks to its flexible interior lined with soft felt or velour with adjustable dividers, the layout of the bag can be individually adapted to the respective needs.
The bags have also been designed with security in mind, as they feature innovative magnetic fasteners with the so-called FIDLOCK® system, which close absolutely securely but can still be opened with one hand. This is a real advantage when you need to get to the camera quickly at a crucial moment. Many models also have a hidden compartment for an AirTag so that the bag can be located in the event of loss or theft.
Conclusion
Choosing a sustainable camera bag from the ReLon® series is a statement against the throwaway mentality. Not only does Oberwerth remain true to its promise of creating products that last a lifetime and can be repaired again and again even when worn out, it also creates a completely new, sustainable product based on environmentally friendly materials. Recycling here does not mean "second hand", but high-end engineering. By transforming waste from the world's oceans and industry into luxurious everyday companions, every purchase helps to close the material cycle. For environmentally conscious photographers who not only want to capture the beauty of nature, but also want to contribute to its preservation, the bags in the ReLon® range offer the perfect lightweight and robust option.
