Sandsea Bags

Sandsea began quite organically during a mountain bike trip. While cycling together in the mountains, founders Miena Chase and Lee-Anne Palmhert found themselves talking about a South African bag brand they both loved and wondering why nothing similar existed that was truly rooted in Namibia. That conversation sparked a simple idea: why not create something local, inspired by the places they love to ride and explore?

The idea took shape in February 2024. At first, it was just a bit of fun, starting with the logo. The name, Sandsea, comes from the Namib Sand Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean. Once the logo was complete, it was impossible to stop. The six months that followed were spent refining and perfecting designs before the first products were ready to be sold.

The original goal was to create something useful for travellers to take home: a practical, long-lasting gift that represents Namibia and can be used every day, whether at home or while travelling. Choosing the right materials was important, so Sandsea began working with ripstop canvas, a fabric closely associated with Namibia through the tents many travellers sleep in while exploring the country. The idea was to take a small, meaningful memory of Namibia with you.

From the start, local production mattered. Sandsea began with a single seamster working from home in Otjomuise, and every product carries a “Handmade in Namibia” label. This remains integral to the brand. As the idea grew, so did the commitment. After a year and a half, an industrial machine was purchased and a second seamster employed full-time.

Today, Sandsea supplies a selection of lodges and shops, as well as being showcased at the Namibian Craft Centre in Windhoek. What started as a simple idea has grown into a locally made collection of moonbags, handbags, crossover bags and cycling handlebar bags, designed for both everyday use and life on the move.

Many Sandsea bags are lined with fabrics inspired by local Namibian cultures, including Ondulela and Nama textiles, alongside selected shweshwe textiles. Some products are also upcycled, giving new life to existing materials and reducing waste. Sown by hand, each bag is carefully checked for functionality, neatness and quality. Whether on the bike or off it, every Sandsea bag carries more than essentials; it carries the freedom of open spaces, the warmth of the desert and a uniquely Namibian story.

Sandsea. Every nomad needs a bag.