JanSport

Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.

Last researched 2 November 2026 · 7 sources

US backpack brand selling school and everyday backpacks.

JanSport can't show that the workers who make its products in Bangladesh and Vietnam earn a living wage, which workers there are very unlikely to.

Better-graded bags and accessories

Graded higher than JanSport, selling the same kinds of things. Second-hand first.

15 op shops and resale platforms, Good by ruleBuying second-hand or refurbished: GlamCorner and Blue Spinach and 13 more · See them allGood JoyyaClothing & footwearFair trade organic tees and bagsIts own factories in India hold WFTO Guaranteed Fair Trade.GoodGoes Above and Beyond The Social StudioClothing & footwearSocial enterprise fashion labelIts own factories in Australia hold Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation.GoodGoes Above and Beyond The Social OutfitClothing & footwearSydney-made social enterprise fashionIts own factories in Australia hold Ethical Clothing Australia accreditation.GoodGoes Above and Beyond

Second-hand and refurbished goods create no new factory work, so they're Good by rule and come first.

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Why it's graded Lacks transparency

Not met: Meets 4 of 6 Good requirements.
Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.

How grades are decided

Good requirements 4 of 6

Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
Not met: Respects worker rightsJudged on where its products are made: worker rights are poorly protected in China, Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
Met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that listPublishes its supplier list
Met: High-risk raw materials (cotton and leather) traced or certified, or not a major part of its rangeOnly in a few products: cotton and leather

Red flags 1

Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage

Stars it would earn as Good

None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars

Where it's made

From VF's supplier list, which covers JanSport and its sister brands. JanSport publishes no breakdown of its own, so the countries shown are the group's. The rest is shown as where clothes and shoes are usually made.

Where it's made, and conditions there
Country	Worker rights	Legal minimum wage	Forced labour risk
China	No guarantee of rights	Below a living wage	Moderate
Bangladesh	No guarantee of rights	Far below a living wage	Moderate
Vietnam	Systematic violations	Well below a living wage	Moderate
Cambodia	No guarantee of rights	Far below a living wage	Moderate
Indonesia	No guarantee of rights	Well below a living wage	Moderate
IndiaUsual for the industry	No guarantee of rights	Well below a living wage	High
TürkiyeUsual for the industry	No guarantee of rights	Below a living wage	Very high
PakistanUsual for the industry	No guarantee of rights	Far below a living wage	High

Evidence

What we found

Uses cotton and leather in only a few products, so the raw-material check doesn't hold it back for Good. It doesn't show where they come from. The "Open supply chain" star needs all of them traced, certified or upcycled.
Publishes supplier list
Modern slavery statement
Independent social audits of all its main factories
Uses recycled metals or fibres

Research notes JanSport's bags are made by independent suppliers in parent VF Corporation's network of about 216 factories in about 24 countries, mainly Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia and China; no share by country or JanSport-specific split is published. VF publishes a combined factory list, audits factories before production starts and scored 46/100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report, but has no time-bound living wage target and has not signed the International Accord. About 80% of styles use recycled face fabric; some packs have suede leather bases.

What independent sources say

Source	Result	Details
Baptist World Aid Ethical Fashion Report	Listed	Owner VF Corporation scored 46 out of 100 in the 2026 Ethical Fashion Report (average 31.5), after 55 in 2024; Jansport Inc is listed as a VF subsidiary. View
Fashion Transparency Index (Fashion Revolution)	Listed	Parent VF Corporation scored 66% in the 2023 Fashion Transparency Index, well above the 26% average. View
UK Modern Slavery Statement Registry	Listed	Covered by VF's fiscal 2026 modern slavery statement: about 216 independent factories in about 24 countries, led by Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia and China. View

Sources and actions

Sources 7

Show all 7 sources

VF Corporation - Good Shopping Guide (ethical.org.au) · search the archive · 2026 Ethical Fashion Report: VF Corporation 46/100 (average 31.5); Jansport Inc listed as subsidiary; FTI 2023 66%; not an Accord signatory
US corporate human rights index: VF (BHRRC, 2025) · search the archive · Only 3 of 12 assessed VF supplier facilities passed a fair wage threshold in FY24; no living wage evidence
VF Corporation - Factory List · search the archive · Combined factory list for VF brands including JanSport, updated twice a year and on Open Supply Hub
JanSport Right Pack (Backcountry) · search the archive · Right Pack made of Cordura nylon with a suede leather bottom (basis for minorLeather)
VF Corporation - Policies and standards · search the archive · Factory Compliance Audit Program: no production before inspection

Published by JanSport or its owner

FY26 VF Modern Slavery Statement · search the archive · About 216 factories in ~24 countries; top countries Vietnam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, China; VF owns no factories
JanSport - Our Commitment · search the archive · 80% of styles use recycled main body face fabric (VF Higg calculation, not third-party verified); FSC packaging; repairs

Company details

Owned by: VF Corporation
Headquarters: United States
Last researched: 2 November 2026
Cite this page: Labour Lens, "Is JanSport ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/jansport, last researched 2 November 2026, accessed [date].
Method: Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means

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