Made in Britain

Handmade locally

We are proud to be able to say that our Turtleback* and Terrapin outdoor swimming bags are handmade just up the road with quality, recycled materials by expert bag makers with decades of experience. The factory has been manufacturing bags for outdoor adventures since 1932.

When we set out designing the bag, finding the right manufacturer was really important. Carradice is based up in Nelson and their factory is full of highly skilled makers who handcraft each bag that leaves the workshop.



If you’ve got a Turtleback or Terrapin yourself, you may have noticed a label signed by the very person who made your bag. In fact, knowing who made the bag means a lot to those who have already purchased one:

👏 Thank you Tammy - you made the orange Turtleback bag I bought my husband for his 50th last month. We absolutely love it. Brilliant product, brilliant business 💚
@runninggirlsam

Thanks Sue, I love my bag.
@debbiegeorgeartist

Thanks Andrea for my fantastic Turtleback. It’s great to see it being made in the picture.
@andrew.farquharson738

The team at Carradice played a vital role in the development of the Turtleback, allowing us to test and refine different elements of the design. Time and consideration went into making sure it was fit for purpose. Being wild swimmers ourselves meant we knew exactly what was required, we just had to work out how to make it a reality. 

*The Turtleback Bag is a unique protected UK registered design under the Registered Designs Act 1949 

Made in Britain

Carradice is a member of Made in Britain and so is Swim Feral. We were keen to work with a local company carrying this marque, knowing that they work to the very highest standards. The quality and durability of our bags is critical as we know they will be put to the test and face some tough situations — wild swimmers don’t do things by halves and we need our kit to be as durable as we are!

Wherever possible we want to support and work with independent, ethically-focused organisations and individuals who align with Swim Feral’s values and outlook. All of our Turtlebacks, Terrapins and Spots are made with care and precision — so all you need to worry about is where you’re going swimming next… 

Read more about why we are members of Made in Britain here.

Made to last

The Turtleback is a one off purchase made to last, we believe a higher quality product will have a lower impact on the environment in the long term than a product of inferior quality. We hope our bag will be reducing single use plastic bags.
Please note - there may be some tiny needle holes in the fabric of your bag - these are marking out holes made in the making process and in no way affect the integrity of the bag. They will not fray or get bigger in size.

Recycled materials

The insulated mat in our Turtleback Bags and Spots are made from recycled lorry tarpaulin and the mat in our Terrapin Bags are made from recycled banners – all of which would otherwise go to landfill. The material has been throughly treated and cleaned but will have some residue marks. These may include textured surface (non-slip) where where strapping has been removed, scuff marks or even tiny holes - these are just left over scars from a tough life on the road and do not comprise the integrity of the bag or Spot. We like to think scars have character. Each product is as unique as its owner!

We look to use recycled materials wherever possible, not only that but the sewing machines that make your bags are powered by solar energy.

Bag Care

Look after the things you love. The easiest way to clean your bag is to dry it out and brush off any loose mud, for stubborn stains use warm water and a sponge / nail brush or similar. Never use detergent or put it in the washing machine as this corrodes the waterproofing. Always let your bag dry out after a wet adventure - empty out the contents to speed up the process. If bags are left damp for a prolonged period of time they could become prone to mildew. Wipe clean your bag regularly.

Guarantee

If your bag is damaged (we don't mind how or where) within a year of you purchasing it from us, we'll repair it for you, completely free of charge. You'll cover the cost of posting it back to our repairs team, and we'll cover the postage cost to get it back to you once fixed.

Sustainable Packaging

We use 100% bio degradable bags for posting and use good old card for labels.