The promotional products industry is full of cool, fun gadgets, and comfortable, fashionable apparel – as well as neat gear and pretty playthings. There’s such a wide variety, in fact, that it can be overwhelming to choose from all the products available.
Of course, there are the tried-and-true products and the perennial bestsellers (looking at you, bags, shirts and pens!) but check out these cool and quirky products with the potential to star in memorable promo programs or as must-have merch.
These are the coolest products in promo. The full list is available here.
Coolest Bottle That Looks Like A Toy
The Asobu Bestie Bottle from Ad N Art appeals to the kid in everyone with its variety of cute animal head lids. Of course, this is promo, so you can also opt for custom character designs to transform the BPA-free, vacuum-insulated stainless steel bottle into your client’s brand mascot or a favorite character. The sweat-free exterior is pleasant to the touch, and the bottle fits comfortably into your hand.
Ad N Art / PPAI 236926, Standard-Plus
Coolest T-shirt To Save The Planet
With all the sustainability claims and certifications out there, it can be hard to decide what’s the greenest garment. The Unisex Regular T-Shirt from Organic Tee Star checks a lot of the right boxes with the company’s commitment to sourcing products responsibly and decorating sustainably. Made of 100% certified organic, fair trade cotton, this ring-spun jersey tee offers a casual fit for anyone in 30 colors and sizes XS-4X.
Organic Tee Star / PPAI 821574, Standard-Base
Coolest Gadget That’s Also A Recycling Program
Not only does the handy Nimble CHAMP Lite pack more power than chargers twice its size – a little larger than the average pack of gum – it’s made with 72.5% post-consumer recycled plastic. Even better, each recipient can recycle up to 1 pound of e-waste for free through Nimble’s One-for-One Tech Recovery Project. Users get up to three fast, full phone charges per cycle and can charge two devices at the same time.
Hirsch / PPAI 221823, Gold
Coolest Pet-friendly Promo For Who People Who Grew Up In The 2000s
Dogs are part of the family and we’ll do anything for them! Started by a veterinarian and an engineer, PupLid Trucker Hats for Dogs has been making its patented, in-style hats to provide sun protection for dogs since 2017. New to PPAI, PupLid now offers customizable dog hats (plus matching human hats) so brands can engage with dog lovers in their community like never before. If you are seeking a new, vet-approved promo option, PupLid has you covered.
PupLid / PPAI 824681, Standard-Base
Coolest (Warmest) Jacket That Feels Like You’re Wearing A Teddy Bear
The super-snuggly Horizon Fleece Jacket from family-owned Fossa Apparel offers warmth in a lightweight shell that feels like a hug from your favorite stuffed animal. Its plush boucle fleece is made with 20% recycled polyester fibers, so each cozy jacket diverts 12 plastic bottles from landfills, and zippered side pockets and a snap button chest pocket add utility and style.
Fossa Apparel / PPAI 330885, Standard-Base
Coolest Gift For Don Draper Types
This Branded Decanter Set from Swanky Badger includes a custom-engraved decanter and matching glasses perfect for that Mad Men aesthetic. Made of lead-free glass, the hefty 3-pound bottle begs to be displayed and holds up to 28 ounces. Gift packaging is included, with the option to upgrade to a custom wood box. And unlike Don, Swanky Badger is all about human connection and donates a portion of each sale to children’s hospitals across the U.S.
Swanky Badger / PPAI 813397, Standard-Base
Coolest Combo Tool For The Scout In Everyone
Be prepared for any fix-it job with this Brightworks LED Lamp Toolbox from HPG that includes an LED table lamp, 40-inch tape measure and an assortment of screwdrivers, screws and other tools and hardware. It’s all conveniently housed in a molded case that keeps the components in place and easily accessible for fuss-free use, and three replaceable AA batteries are included.
HPG / PPAI 110772, Platinum
Coolest Hoodie That Fights Climate Change
Rising global temps can’t be good for the hoodie market, but promo has a place in efforts to combat climate change. The affordably priced Future Fleece Hoodie from Lane Seven is made using 100% regenerated poly-cotton yarn from post-consumer waste and scraps left over from the cutting stage of the garment manufacturing process. Because the yarn is repurposed, it’s already been dyed, which reduces consumption of energy by about 80%, water by about 75% and chemicals by about 90%. The material face is 100% cotton for decorating, with less than 6% shrinkage guaranteed.
Lane Seven / PPAI 630869, Standard-Base
Coolest Cheese Board For Mermaids
Bring the spirit of the sea to any table or poolside picnic with an Acacia Cheese Board from woman-owned Lynn & Liana Designs. Each board is handcrafted in Canada and features a splash of eco-friendly resin in Ocean Vibes, Caribbean Blue (shown) or another of 10 available colorways. Laser engraving adds elegant personalization or branding. Use the back of the board for cutting and the front for serving to avoid scratching the resin. Hand wash.
Lynn & Liana Designs / PPAI 811786, Standard-Base
Zoch is associate editor at PPAI.
