Did you know over 50% of US consumers own a promotional bag? From daily commutes and weekly shopping trips to a much-needed weekend trip away, bags are an important part of our daily lives, so much so that a single branded bag can generate almost 6,000 unique impressions in its lifetime! With this level of brand exposure, bags are a great way to boost your company’s visibility and provide your event guests, staff, sponsors, or VIPs with something they’re sure to use regularly.
With the number of bag and backpack options available, finding one that checks all your features, functionality, and fashion boxes is easier said than done. Below we dive into some of the most popular options, materials, and add-ons to ensure your gift is the one that gets grabbed as your recipients head out the door.
Style
The style of a bag you choose really determines its functionality. Are you looking for something small and mobile to hold your recipient’s belongings while commuting to work or something bigger and capable of carrying multiple days' worth of outfits for their weeklong vacation getaway?
Totes: A longtime staple of the promotional bag world, totes are popular for their versatility. Because they’re available in a variety of designs, materials, and price points, it's easy to find a tote to fit your particular needs and budget.
Why we love it: Whether it's a trip to the grocery store or a weekend picnic, totes are the go-to option for lighter-load trips. Totes are becoming increasingly popular as more and more cities move away from plastic bags. Providing your guests with something that can help them be more sustainable in their daily routines (and save them a little money on plastic bag taxes while shopping) makes totes an easy choice when looking to boost your brand exposure.
When shopping: The versatility and cost-effective nature of totes make them a popular gift and it’s possible that your guests may already have quite a few totes at their disposal. Finding ways to make your pick unique can help make yours the one they reach for as they head out the door. Consider leaning into the sustainable nature of the tote by opting for a green material like rPET or organic cotton. Unique features like built-in insulation, foldaway carrying pouches for easy transport, or separate sections for bottle holders and cell phones can also help your bag stand out.
Drawstring: Extremely popular at sporting events or gym bags, drawstring bags offer a hands-free carrying option that is great for schools, trade shows, and quick hikes or trips to the beach. As one of the most cost-effective options on the market, this is a great way to give your recipients a branded bag without breaking the bank.
Why we love it: Aside from the simple, but versatile nature of a drawstring bag, the appeal here is just how easily drawstring bags fit into any budget. A drawstring bag might mean you or your sponsors can include even more branded swag for your recipients to enjoy. Imagine your guests’ delight as they receive a bag full of great promo items that are easily transportable at your event.
When shopping: Drawstring bags are simple in design, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t cool ways to make yours more unique! Look for options that are made of sustainable materials or have reinforced corners for a more durable product. Clear vinyl is a newer material for drawstring bags to easily comply with safety regulations at stadiums, airports, or schools and make an easy-to-use bag even easier!
Backpack: When it comes to high quality and universal appeal, backpacks can’t be topped. From moving a laptop to and from the office to carrying lunch and supplies to the top of a mountain, there really is a backpack for every occasion.
Why we love it: Backpacks are the perfect middle ground between totes or drawstring bags and a larger weekend or duffel bag. Their size makes them a practical contender for just about any occasion and allows for the inclusion of endless features. When your recipient breaks out their gifted Bluetooth cooler backpack on the hiking trail, it’ll be your brand that’s keeping the drinks cold and the tunes rolling. When they think back to this good time, they’ll also think of your brand
When shopping: Consider picking two features that give the backpack some additional functionality. These features don’t always need to synergize perfectly either! A padded laptop sleeve provides peace of mind on campus or at an event, while an integrated drinking pouch or Bluetooth speaker makes the backpack appealing during leisure time. The more opportunities your recipients have to use your bag, the more exposure for your brand!
Messenger Bag: Sometimes called courier bags or laptop bags, messenger bags are sleeker alternatives to the traditional backpack. Using a sling or briefcase style handle, messenger bags up the ante on protecting your important electronics or files at the cost of total carrying capacity. This trendy style is synonymous with the busy professional and is a great look for a more business-oriented bag.
Why we love it: Our laptops are vital to both business and leisure for many of us, so getting your device from point A to point B in one piece is extremely important. Knowing their electronics are safe in their branded messenger bag gives your recipient some peace of mind. This sense of security means one less thing to worry about at their next business meeting or sales presentation, and they’ll have your brand to thank for it!
When shopping: It makes sense that a bag with tech in mind would benefit from some integrated tech of its own! Keep an eye out for cool or clever additions like charging cables on the go power or telescopic handle/wheel combos for easy transport.
Fanny Pack: A retro bag that is back in a big way! Fanny packs aren’t just fast fashion, they’re functional for a variety of activities - from outdoor fun like biking or hiking to collecting swag at a festival or on the tradeshow floor.
Why we love it: Networking opportunities are one of the biggest draws for attendees at live events. What better way to facilitate some networking than by using the unique and retro look of a fanny pack to generate some conversation! Your recipient will be thanking you as they turn heads with one of these fun bags and you’ll be positioning your brand as hip and modern. For more ideas on how to put your promos to work for you in regard to networking, be sure to check out our Networking blog.
When shopping: With fanny packs blasting back onto the scene, a lot of name brands are getting in on the action. JanSport and Herschel are some brands with long tenure in the bag world that you can leverage to provide a high-quality product to your recipients. Like totes and drawstring bags, look for unique materials like clear vinyl or recycled post-consumer waste rPET for easy value adds.
Duffle Bags: Whether it’s an annual family vacation, a week-long business trip, or even just a trip to the gym, duffle bags are the perfect packing companion. Typically made with durable material for a long life and offering the biggest carrying capacity of any bag we’ve discussed, duffels are sure to be the go-to bags for your recipients’ bigger getaways.
Why we love it: Aside from providing extra space to all the chronic over-packers, the importance of a duffle bag is less about how frequently they’re used and more about the trips they’re used for. Pairing your brand with the relaxation of a much-needed weekend away or a week spent with family and friends at the beach because your bag streamlined the packing process is an awesome way to build brand equity while helping your recipient unwind.
When shopping: Just because duffle bags are great for long trips with long packing lists, it doesn’t mean they should be typecast as just for big trips. Modern sensibilities like backpack conversions or breakaway sections that double as messenger bags bring some more daily functionality to an already stellar bag.
Materials
What your bag is made of is an important part of what makes it unique. The weight, feel, and price point of your purchase, as well as how sustainable it is brings a lot of unseen value to your purchase. 
Organic Cotton: A renewable material that is a tried and true fabric most of us are familiar with.
Advantages: Cotton is machine washable for easy cleaning. The soft and comfortable nature of cotton makes it a great option for bags that are to be worn for an extended period of time.
Considerations: Cotton is not the most durable fabric and will degrade over time. It also doesn’t hold some decoration options as well as others, so screen-printed items will degrade over time as well.
Canvas: A material composed of layered cotton.
Advantages: Canvas is a durable fabric that is both machine washable and stretches relatively easily allowing for more design options.
Considerations: As a cotton-based material, canvas can be heavier and more expensive compared to other fabric options. It is slightly less eco-friendly than stand alone organic cotton, as its creation process is water intensive.
Linen: A material made from flax seed that is similar to cotton in feel, but considerably more lightweight.
Advantages: Lightweight and affordable, linen is also moisture-resistant and doesn’t harbor bacteria as readily as other materials.
Considerations: Linen options are usually more expensive than cotton or canvas. Like cotton, linen can degrade over time.
Jute: A durable fabric created from fibers extracted from the jute plant.
Advantages: When it comes to being eco-friendly, it doesn’t get much better than a jute bag. These pieces are 100% biodegradable, low-energy recyclable, and can even be used to compost your garden!
Considerations: Unlike cotton-based fabric, jute can be a little irritating to the skin if held against it for a long period of time. This material also doesn’t fold as easily as others, so storage can be a challenge. Colors are also typically limited to a golden hue.
Twill: A weaved cotton-based material easily identifiable by its textured surface of parallel ridges.
Advantages: The weaving process increases this material's durability and strength making it a reliable option for heavy loads. The textured look also makes it appear more high quality than standard cotton.
Considerations: Twill is harder to clean than normal cotton and significantly heavier. It is also less flexible and can be challenging to store when not in use.
Leather: While real leather is made from animal skin (usually cow), most bags use faux leather created from wax-treated plastic.
Advantages: Incredibly durable and increasingly fashionable, leather is a popular pick for high-quality bags with a high perceived value.
Considerations: The higher quality of leather comes with a higher price tag. Leather is also prone to cracking (which is not really a concern in other materials) and is harder to clean than other fabrics.
Nylon: A silk-like thermoplastic material used in everything from toothbrushes to stockings.
Advantages: Nylon is a very malleable fabric that can stretch and fold down easily for convenient storage and carrying power alike. Nylon is also water-resistant and surprisingly durable.
Considerations: The nature of nylon makes it especially prone to wrinkling compared to other materials and is highly susceptible to heat damage.
Polyester: A plastic that is commonly blended with cotton for a perfect blend of comfort and durability.
Advantages: Like other plastics, this material is durable and great for holding even heavy loads in a little package. The addition of cotton makes it a little more comfortable for the wearer.
Considerations: Even with cotton, this is not a green material. While durable, it is also one of the heavier material options.
Plastics: Materials like polyurethane, polypropylene, and PVC are plastic-based materials commonly seen in the bag world. When you see “non-woven” in a tote’s description, it is usually refers to one of these types of fabrics.
Advantages: Plastic is a durable material that is lightweight, easy to clean, and water-resistant. Plastic bags can be clear for easy security pass-through.
Considerations: Like other plastics, these materials are not eco-friendly and like leather, plastic can crack over time and are highly susceptible to heat damage.
Features
A bag needs to be able to securely hold and transport whatever your recipient fills it with, but there are some cool features that can improve a bag’s versatility and your brand’s value at the same time.
Insulation: By adding a thermal lining to your bag, you gain the functionality of keeping items either cold or hot. Smaller insulated bags like totes make great lunch bags or keep your groceries from spoiling on extended errand runs, whereas larger, insulated backpacks are perfect for picnics or keeping your hiking refreshments refreshing!
Why we love it: Imagine your recipient breaking out some cold ice water for their group after a long and strenuous hike with your branded bag to thank. Insulation makes this possible and allows for any bag to do a little more heavy lifting.
When shopping: Insulated bags, as a more specialized bag, tend to skew a bit more expensive than their non-insulated counterparts. Depending on your budget, opting for this feature may mean you have to downsize your total carrying capacity. As a compromise, look for bags that offer insulation in just parts of their design, like an insulated bottle compartment or can holder sleeve rather than an entire insulated unit.
Transportation Considerations: One of the biggest appeals of bags and backpacks is that it makes traveling easier. Leaning into this concept can help make your bag a go to option when deciding which bag to take on a trip. Nifty features like recessed wheels, clear exteriors for security checks, and trolley sleeves to connect a bag to luggage streamline transportation even more, they are sure to go over well with recipients who find themselves constantly on the move.
Why we love it: Have you ever tried navigating a crowded airport with your luggage in one hand, and a messenger bag in the other, while scrambling to get your ticket out of your pocket? Simple additions like a trolley sleeve turn a two-handed endeavor into a simple one handed solution. This synergy between bags will definitely have your recipient thanking your brand for your forward thinking!
When shopping: Sometimes streamlining travel means making concessions in other parts of a bag. While a clear bag certainly makes security a breeze, it comes at the cost of privacy when at a tradeshow or on the bus. Determining whether or not these types of trade-offs are worth it can be a tough decision, so trying to identify what type of problem you want your bag to solve can help narrow down your options.
Decoration: As with all promotional items, there are many ways to get your logo onto a bag or backpack. Everything from simple heat transfer to stylish embroidered design is available depending on which material you choose.
Why we love it: Just as important as a good-looking logo is a logo that’s good-looking for a long time. With the amount of brand exposure a bag provides, making sure that you or your sponsor’s logo is visible for the duration of the bag's life ensures you’re getting the most out of your purchase and ensuring your recipient looks great wherever they go!
When shopping: If you’ve ever shopped for promo items, you know that there are a variety of decoration methods at your disposal. Understanding the pros and cons of each can help you make an informed decision to ensure your logo looks great and lasts long. Check out our Decoration Method blog for the ins and out of each option!
Integrated Tech: We live in a digital age and bags that marry functionality with tech appeal are a great way to put a modern spin on a traditional gift. Everything from built-in Bluetooth speakers and USB chargers to simpler analog options like pass-through cable ports for headphones can turn a good backpack into a must-have travel companion.
Why we love it: Good technology makes our lives easier or more convenient. Imagine your recipient charging their phone right from their backpack during a long layover or listening to their favorite song during an afternoon on the trail without having to pack any speakers. These features elevate a bag just as much as they elevate your brand and are guaranteed to make your gift the one recipients think of when prepping for a day out.
When shopping: While tech features increase the functionality of a bag, they also increase the cost. As such, it’s important to understand the tech you’re paying extra for. A Bluetooth backpack that only has an hour of battery life doesn’t quite have the appeal as one with five hours - especially when they cost the same. Be sure to check out our How to Shop: Tech blog for a deep dive into must-know tech specs to ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck.
Let's Shop!
While we all likely have a closet full of branded totes at home, finding a bag that your recipient will be reaching for time after time is no small feat, especially with all the options and styles available. If you’re looking for some help getting started or to see some of the most modern or currently trending ideas, contact us and together we can get your next event giveaway all packed up!
