Multi-functional gear, top-quality pieces, and lightweight items are currently trending in the world of luggage. Travel is starting to pick up again—and as a result—people are looking for value and longevity when it comes to travel items and accessories such as duffels, backpacks, carry-ons, messenger bags, portfolios, and luggage tags. Whether it is for business or pleasure, consumers want to make a strong statement with their baggage.
According to Carrie Lewis at BIC Graphic, bags that fold flat are popular because they take up little space and weight when they are collapsed but can be expanded into spacious luggage. “This is especially convenient for travelers living in small spaces, or to use as an extra bag for the return trip home,” she notes. “Vacation travelers are embracing what business travelers have always known—packing light is the best way to go. Carry-ons and upscale duffels offer plenty of room for all the essentials without the hassle of full-scale luggage. Multi-function accessories that provide organization are essential for ‘lightweight’ traveling.”
The penchant for multifunctionality is also apparent at IMAGEN Brands/Crown and Vitronic. Lindsey Schultz notes that today’s pieces are timeless with a high-quality value, so they can be used longer. “Since business travel is becoming less and less expensive, people are traveling more, which creates a need for a long-lasting bag.”
Sweda USA’ Campbell Brownkorbel is also in agreement. “The top three travel gear trends are truly multifunctional gear, smaller, luggage pieces, and branded items,” he says. “With skyrocketing baggage fees and the fear of lost bags, everyone is looking for a bag they can carry on, which often means that backpacks are no longer just holding laptops—they are also being used to hold a quick trip’s worth of gear!
“When it comes to multi-function, customers don’t just want a suitcase to hold clothing, now it should also organize your gear, keep wet swimsuits separate from dry clothes, safely house tech items, and of course look amazing,” Brownkorbel continues. “We see a lot of influence from the retail sector from brands like Away, who really changed the game by adding a power bank to their rolling carry-on. We’ve seen a big growth in our new multi-function bags; anything that serves more than one purpose has done really well.”
Another trend Sweda USA has seen is a huge growth in the demand for branded travel gear. The company’s two exclusive brands, Eagle Creek and 5.11, have been growing like crazy in the promo industry, Brownkorbel maintains. “Both are well-recognized retail brands known for highly-functional and well-designed gear,” he states.
Bright accents, patterns, and colors are replacing the traditional dark and neutral palette for luggage, BIC Graphic’s Lewis adds. “That doesn’t mean you need to get rid of the old to upgrade with pops of color,” she comments. “A vibrant luggage belt can transform a neutral piece of baggage, ensure security, and make bags easier to spot at the airport.”
Over at Bel Promo, Alan Tabasky notes that current trends are pointing toward items with mixed media/materials such as cotton and canvas, or cotton and suede—especially with messenger bags, planners, and portfolios. “We have new items arriving soon that feature some higher end materials, but in low volume to help keep the price point very sharp,” he adds.
Rugged outdoor wear is a growing trend, asserts Dave Porter of Sportsman Cap & Bag, for both the serious outdoorsman or trendier consumer looking to blend fashion with function and performance fabrics. “Inspired by the elements, these casual pieces are ready to conquer whatever the weather or terrain may throw at them,” he elaborates. “We’re at a point now where the blending of fashion and serious outdoor wear/gear is definitely hot in the promotional products industry.”
Fortunately, promotional products suppliers have “rolled” out some exciting new products to entice consumers. New from BIC Graphic is the #26038 KAPSTON™ Pierce 19” Foldable Carry-On—compact carry-on luggage that easily folds flat for convenient storage, and features a retractable handle, adjustable shoulder strap, and top/bottom handles that make it easy to carry while the vertical exterior pocket provides additional storage. The #15852 KAPSTON™ Stratford 4-Wheeled 22” Carry-On is perfect for an overnight trip or weekend getaway, Lewis says. It is an upright four-wheeled carry-on that is constructed with durable polyester fabric with a TSA recognized lock. The retractable handle and two exterior zippered pockets add convenience while the interior straps and zippered compartment keep everything in place, Lewis explains.
BIC has also introduced the #AP9004 Atchison® Fashion Roll-Up Cosmetic Case—a fashionable way to organize cosmetics and makeup brushes while traveling. It has an exclusive geometric design on the interior with four clear zippered pockets and attached metal hanging hook.
The BIC #26095 4-Color Process Luggage Belt for business professionals and travelers is an adjustable luggage belt that ensures security with an optional lock and name tag, Lewis points out. “The vivid four-color process imprint helps differentiate luggage easily to help save time at the airport,” she comments.
Sweda USA’s popular Basecamp® Beast of Burden (BC7102) hybrid duffel/backpack is designed to be carried as a duffel or a backpack, depending on user preference, Brownkorbel explains. “Of course, we packed it full of retail-inspired features like a separate wet/dry pouch, removeable interior dividers, padded tech pockets, and air-mesh padded backpack straps,” he adds.
Bel Promo has introduced a messenger bag, AMB021, that has been very popular with its 600D Canvas material and leather trim, Tabasky notes, adding that the company has received a great response from its fabric line of planners.
Sportsman Cap & Bag’s Dri Duck Traveler is a new backpack that features necessities such as padded straps, a variety of compartments, and a padded laptop sleeve. “It’s functional, yet also stylish, with its canvas composition and military-inspired colors,” Porter notes. Dri Duck also offers the Expedition—a large duffle bag that offers several storage options, a couple different carrying options, and customization opportunities.
Porter adds that that anything that can serve dual purpose is now a hit. “For instance, Champion’s Concrete 22” Duffle can be used as a duffle bag or a backpack,” he says. “It features adjustable and removable straps to customize the piece any way the consumer sees fit.
Duffel is also popular at IMAGEN Brands/Crown and Vitronic, with current best sellers its AP3180 Westbridge Leather Duffel and AP3190 Westbridge Leather Business Case.
Promotional products suppliers recommend that distributors emphasize the quality of these pieces when presenting them to clients. “Regardless of the customer or the situation, the difference between cheap gear and higher quality luggage can make the difference between a frustrating travel experience and a very pleasant trip,” Brownkorbel at Sweda USA states. “You never want your brand to be associated with a bad experience!
Expanding on Brownkorbel’s sentiments is Schultz of IMAGEN Brands/Crown and Vitronic. “It is important to communicate the value of a quality piece that will last years upon years,” she says. “Leather is a great example of this.”
Sportsman Cap & Bag’s Porter recommends utilizing a bag in presentations. The company uses its new duffle in all its presentations, packing it with a number of caps and other bags to showcase at the meetings.
Tabasky of Bel Promo adds that luggage items do great in business settings such as board rooms, company offsite management training, and new employee hiring/on-boarding. “We are all part of the promotional industry—our employees will feel part of that too if they receive valued and useful promotional items as they are on-boarded in an organization.”
At BIC Graphic, Lewis believes that spring is an opportune time of the year to promote luggage products as people are planning for summer vacations. “Develop a ‘getaway’ campaign including a carry-on, travel bag/accessory case, luggage belt, and ID tag to include all the latest category trends.”
Case Study
Lindsey Schultz, IMAGEN Brands/Crown and Vitronic
A distributor was looking for a high-quality travel piece for a National Sales Meeting and chose the AP3710 Leather Relaxed Carry All Bag with a debossed logo. The bag features a magnetic snap flap that covers a zippered main compartment, perfect for travel and to keep sales meeting notes and learning materials in one place.