More and more people are hitting the road (or the skies) on a traveling adventure, whether for a weekend jaunt or a lengthier vacation. We checked in with Melanie, one of our promotional travel bag experts, for the latest trends and tips.
“Travel is back, and videos showing you how to pack are all over social media,” Melanie said. “I love watching the ‘How I Pack my Bag’ reels. There is something mesmerizing in seeing people organize their stuff into little packs and pouches and neatly fitting it all into a backpack or a duffel. As someone who is organizationally challenged, videos like this make it look so easy.”
Here are four viral promo travel bag trends and several giveaway options to push your employees, customers and prospects into travel pro status.
The one-bag traveler
Traveling with just a carry-on or personal item is becoming increasingly popular. It saves time and money by not having to check a bag. “Product videos and tips to pack efficiently and minimally are steering this trend,” Melanie said. “More and more people are opting to travel lightly and pack everything they need into one bag. Whether it’s to save money or not get bogged down with additional luggage, these bags offer space for laptops plus organization panels for cords and accessories, but they also have a large compartment to pack your clothing and toiletries in.”
The Work Anywhere 15″ Laptop Backpack has a large main compartment with a padded laptop sleeve plus a removable storage pouch that can hold toiletries, cosmetics, cords or other gear. The Nomad Weekender Duffel Backpack has a padded 15″ laptop compartment and two large clothing compartments that open flat for easy packing.
Refining the fanny pack for efficiency
“Fanny packs are cropping up everywhere as a great gift idea and the perfect travel companion,” Melanie said. “Wear some like these across your body for hands-free travel and a more secure way to carry your things.” The Wherever Belt Bag is based on a popular retail model and can hold a phone, wallet, keys, cash or other small items. The Goods Waist Pack is a bit larger and can carry more items in the zippered main compartment and interior pocket.
Handy gear for the road
“These products are designed to make packing cosmetics and toiletries easy—and they look good while doing it,” Melanie explained. The Trendsetter Lay Flat Toiletry Bag features a zippered main compartment that folds flat for easy packing, and several interior pockets stow all their necessities.
The Easy Hang Travel Organizer holds full-size toiletry bottles and unfolds into four zippered compartments that can hang for easy use. Travelers are sure to appreciate the two zippers on the middle compartment—it opens from the top or bottom!
The Luggage Travel Cup Holder is a clever way to carry a water bottle or coffee cup while luggage is being pulled through an airport. It fits over a suitcase handle and provides spots for two beverages and other quick-access items.
Garment organizers and packing cubes
A few tricks and tools can help a promotional travel bag hold more. Melanie spoke from experience: “Rolling clothes can maximize space and allow you to pack more in a smaller bag. I used packing cubes for the first time a few years ago and successfully packed for two and a half weeks overseas in just two carry-ons, including cosmetics, clothing and shoes.”
Packing cubes are great for organizing clothing (whether clean or dirty) and are handy for storing kids’ toys, blankets, books, cosmetics, hair tools and more, Melanie explained. The Excursion Packing Cube Set is ideal for trying out the versatile packing cube concept and makes an affordable gift for staff, travel agencies and on-the-go customers. It includes two packing cubes and a shoe bag.
The RuMe Garment Travel Organizer is a cross between a garment bag and packing cubes. Each compartment can be used to organize a daily outfit. “I’ve also seen videos with parents packing their children’s daily outfits into those hanging shoe bags and then just folding it down and packing in a suitcase. When you get to your destination, just pull it out and hang up in a closet,” Melanie said.
Trendy promo travel bags
Tap into one or all of these promotional travel bag trends to help them hit the road in style, get organized and do more with less. Turn their next getaway into a trip to remember!