5 Branded Merch Trends You Can’t Miss
From custom drinkware to fashion-forward headwear, these are the merch moments your brand needs.
Branded merchandise is having a moment — but not the kind you toss in a swag bag and forget. Today’s best merch is about design, intention, and utility. Whether you're launching a campaign, onboarding new hires, or surprising your team, these five trends are defining the next wave of high-impact, high-retention branded products.
1. Sustainability That Goes Beyond the Buzz
Consumers are done with greenwashing — they want merch that’s actually sustainable and transparent. Think products made from recycled materials, with sourcing traceability, reduced packaging waste, and visible certifications.
Why it matters:
Eco-conscious swag sends a message: your brand stands for something. It’s a value-add, not an afterthought.
Trending Picks:
Recycled apparel with QR-code traceability
FSC-certified journals or bamboo items
Plant-based or biodegradable mailers
Track and validate the impact created from the product origin to consumer purchase.
2. Performance Hats with a Vintage Twist
Headwear is evolving. Performance fabrics with laser-cut ventilation and moisture-wicking tech are being paired with retro-inspired silhouettes — trucker caps, rope-brim styles, pigment-dyed colorways.
Why it matters:
It’s wearable, sporty, nostalgic — and most importantly, it gets used long after the event ends.
Trending Picks:
Laser-perforated panels for breathability
Rope brim caps with modern brand placement
“Dad caps” in garment-dyed tones
Performance cap with laser cut details.
3. Quilted Puffer Bags & Soft Textures
Soft-touch utility is in. Puffer-style totes and crossbodies are becoming the new merch MVP — functional, fashion-forward, and lightweight. Paired with tonal or textured branding, these items offer instant “cool” factor.
Why it matters:
They feel retail. These are products people want to use, not feel obligated to.
Trending Picks:
Quilted laptop sleeves or sling bags
Neutral puffer totes with embroidery
Subtle “camp-core” branding aesthetics
Stay on-trend with a quilted puffy tote.
4. FreeSip-Inspired Dual-Function Drinkware
Hydration is more than a habit — it’s a lifestyle. Dual-function drinkware is in demand, letting users sip or swig from the same lid, just like in retail-favorite bottles.
Inspired by brands like Owala and their patented FreeSip™ lid design, these bottles offer versatile drinking options and modern aesthetics — and they’re making a major impact in branded merch programs.
Why it matters:
Drinkware remains one of the highest-retention products in branded merch. When the design is this smart — and the branding is sleek — your logo goes everywhere.
Trending Picks:
Dual-function sip & chug lids
Soft-touch matte finishes in muted tones
Silicone bases + premium details for a retail feel
Owala® originated the patented FreeSip™ lid design — a dual-function innovation that’s inspiring a wave of branded drinkware trends.
5. Custom Kitting That Feels Curated
No more tossing loose swag into a bag. Thoughtfully designed kits with branded packaging, inserts, and QR-linked content create full brand experiences. From employee appreciation to influencer mailers — kitting is the new unboxing standard.
Why it matters:
The presentation is part of the product. It builds connection, and it builds brand love.
Trending Picks:
Custom-printed boxes with brand-color crinkle paper
Insert cards with product stories or scan-to-view videos
Layered product reveals for surprise and delight
Endless possibilities for custom kitting and packaging options.
Your merch should reflect your brand — elevated, intentional, and unforgettable. These trends aren’t just stylish — they’re strategic. Let us help you bring them to life.
