From not having enough space or dragging heavy, bulky suitcases behind us everywhere we’d go, to the nightmares of misplaced or misdirected luggage, the good old days of travel were not always so good.
In the 19th Century, the leather steamer trunk dominated the leisure travel industry. Although the world found ways to downsize into a more manageable luggage option in the 1970s, suitcases were still an albatross for travelers.
It’s hard to believe that getting our luggage game right would take nearly a century.
Key Takeaways:
- Kickstarter has helped revolutionize the luggage industry by helping designers and manufacturers bring some of the most innovative designs to the market.
- Luggage products that got their start through crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter have gained significant media coverage, helping to boost their success.
- LaunchBoom can help entrepreneurs make their Kickstarter luggage campaigns go viral.
Eventually, updates that included 360-degree spinning wheels, interior organizational pockets, and expandable zippers made packing a more manageable, even pleasurable experience.
Technological advances have made moving through the world’s airports much easier and maneuvering city streets more accessible.
In the modern age, the luggage industry has gone through a revolution of sorts, with new, innovative designs and features making travel even easier.
Many of the most popular luggage designs and options have found their way to market through the popular crowdfunding website Kickstarter. In fact, Kickstarter has become the go-to place to find the latest and greatest in new luggage products, while it has become a top choice for luggage designers seeking funding for their creative projects.
Read on to find out how Kickstarter has revolutionized the luggage industry as we discuss what Kickstarter luggage is, whether or not Kickstarter is good for crowdfunding luggage, and highlight some of the most popular and successful Kickstarter campaigns.
Contents
- What is Kickstarter luggage?
- Is Kickstarter Good for Crowdfunding Luggage?
- What is the most backed luggage campaign on Kickstarter?
- The Best Luggage On Kickstarter
- G-RO: Best Carry-On Luggage Kickstarter
- SkyValet: Best Kickstarter Smart Luggage
- The NOMATIC: Most Durable Luggage
- Genius Pack Supercharged V1: Best Airline-Approved Powerpack
- Rollux: The Most Versatile Luggage
- The RetraStrap: Best Luggage Accessory
- Marlon: Best Travel Luggage On Kickstarter
- Where Can You Buy Kickstarter Luggage?
What is Kickstarter luggage?
Kickstarter luggage refers to luggage products funded through Kickstarter, a crowdfunding platform where designers and entrepreneurs raise funding from the public to fund new products. The platform allows creative minds to showcase their products to a broader audience.
When projects are successful, backers are rewarded with exclusive perks and early access to the product.
When crowdfunding on platforms like Kickstarter, designers, and manufacturers have access to immediate feedback from their backers. They can use this feedback to help improve their products and make them more appealing to potential customers before production and release.
Essentially, by crowdfunding their luggage through Kickstarter, businesses can minimize the financial risk of creating a new product by allowing them to test the market before investing significant money into production.
Is Kickstarter Good for Crowdfunding Luggage?
Kickstarter has proven to be a highly successful crowdfunding platform, allowing luggage designers and entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and prototypes to large audiences and potentially secure funding to bring their projects to life.
Many luggage brands have used the platform successfully to launch new products and expand their existing lines. Brands like Bluesmart, G-RO, and Trunkster have all successfully crowdfunded luggage products on Kickstarter.
As with any crowdfunding platform, there are risks involved in backing a crowdfunding campaign.
Backers should always do their due diligence before supporting a project. That includes researching the creator’s background and track record, reading reviews and feedback from previous backers, and carefully reviewing the project details.
For designers and manufacturers, launching a project on Kickstarter, whether alone or with the help of a crowdfunding agency, involves a significant amount of planning and effort, and there are risks involved for campaign creators.
Campaign creators must carefully consider their production plans, timelines, and other potential risks before launching a project on Kickstarter.
By launching a project on Kickstarter, luggage makers can gauge interest in their products and receive feedback from potential customers.
They can also build a community around their brand and gain exposure to a broader audience.
Furthermore, successful Kickstarter campaigns can generate significant buzz and media coverage, which can help to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
What is the most backed luggage campaign on Kickstarter?
One of Kickstarter’s most backed luggage campaigns was the Samsara smart luggage project.
Launched in 2017, the campaign quickly gained attention from travelers worldwide and exceeded its funding goal within hours of launching.
In total, the campaign raised over $1.3 million from more than 6,700 backers, making it one of the most successful campaigns in the travel category on Kickstarter.
So, what made the Samsara luggage project so successful?
One of the critical factors was the luggage’s innovative design and features.
The Samsara luggage was designed to be ultra-durable, lightweight, and packed with high-tech features, such as a built-in power bank, USB-C charging ports, GPS tracking, and a Bluetooth speaker.
The luggage also featured a modular design that allowed users to easily swap out components and customize their luggage to fit their needs.
The Samsara campaign also generated significant media attention and was featured in publications such as Forbes, Mashable, and Travel+Leisure.
The campaign’s success demonstrated the potential for innovative luggage products to capture the attention of a large and engaged audience on Kickstarter.
Despite its initial success, the Samsara project faced some setbacks and delays, with some backers reporting issues with product quality and delivery times. The company ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2019.
Nevertheless, the Samsara campaign remains a testament to the power of crowdfunding and the potential for innovative luggage products to capture the imaginations of travelers worldwide.
The Best Luggage On Kickstarter
Kickstarter has undoubtedly become the premiere platform for luggage designers and manufacturers to raise funds for their products.
Here are our top picks for the best luggage on Kickstarter:
G-RO: Best Carry-On Luggage Kickstarter
G-RO is one of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns in the platform’s history. The luggage was designed to be the ultimate carry-on for modern travelers, focusing on durability, functionality, and style.
One of the critical features of the G-RO luggage is its all-terrain wheels, which allow users to navigate uneven surfaces and stairs easily.
The luggage is also equipped with a built-in power bank, two USB ports, and a removable charging station, making it the perfect choice for travelers who need to stay connected.
The G-RO campaign generated significant media attention and was featured in publications such as Forbes, CNN, and Fast Company.
The luggage’s innovative design and high-tech features captured the attention of travelers worldwide, and the campaign exceeded its funding goal by over 1,000% within the first few days of launching.
Since its successful Kickstarter campaign, G-RO has become a famous brand in the travel industry, offering a range of high-quality luggage products that cater to the needs of modern travelers.
The brand’s success on Kickstarter has paved the way for other luggage brands to launch successful campaigns on the platform, and the G-RO carry-on remains one of the best and most innovative luggage products on the market today.
G-RO by the Numbers:
- Funds Raised: $4 million +
- Backers: 11,000
SkyValet: Best Kickstarter Smart Luggage
SkyValet is a smart luggage brand that has gained popularity through its Kickstarter campaign. The luggage was designed to cater to the needs of modern travelers, with features such as a built-in scale, GPS tracking, and a removable power bank for charging devices on the go.
One of the key features of the SkyValet luggage is its smart lock, which allows users to lock and unlock their luggage using their smartphone. The bags also feature a built-in Bluetooth speaker so users can enjoy their favorite tunes while on the go.
The SkyValet campaign generated significant media attention and was featured in Digital Trends and Travel + Leisure publications. Their innovative designs and high-tech features won the hearts of travelers, helping the campaign to exceed its funding goal by over 600% within the first few days of launching.
Since its successful Kickstarter campaign, SkyValet has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in the smart luggage industry. The brand’s success on Kickstarter helped SkyValet become one of the most popular makers of innovative smart luggage products.
SkyValet by the Numbers:
- Funds Raised: $300,000
- Backers: 800
The NOMATIC: Most Durable Luggage
The NOMATIC is a luggage brand that gained popularity through Kickstarter. The luggage was designed to be ultra-durable and equipped with high-tech features for the modern traveler.
One of the key features of The NOMATIC luggage is its durable construction. It is made from a tough polycarbonate shell and reinforced with aircraft-grade aluminum corners. The luggage is also equipped with a TSA-approved lock and an integrated laundry bag for added convenience.
The NOMATIC campaign gained recognition through major media outlets such as Forbes, Business Insider, and Men’s Health. The luggage’s innovative design and high-tech features helped exceed the original funding goal by over 2,000% within the first few days of its campaign launch.
Since its successful Kickstarter campaign, The NOMATIC has become a popular travel industry brand, offering a range of high-quality luggage products catering to the needs of modern travelers.
The NOMATIC remains one of the most durable and reliable luggage products available.
The NOMATIC by the Numbers:
- Funds Raised: $2 million +
- Backers: 12,000
Genius Pack Supercharged V1: Best Airline-Approved Powerpack
Genius Pack Supercharged V1 gained popularity through its Kickstarter campaign, with its innovative design catering to modern travelers who want to stay connected on the go.
A vital feature of the Genius Pack Supercharged V1 is its built-in power pack, which can charge smartphones and other devices up to four times on a single charge. The luggage also has an exterior pocket for quick access to essential documents and compression straps to maximize packing space.
The Genius Pack Supercharged V1 Kickstarter campaign was helped by stories about the product featured in publications like Travel + Leisure and Forbes.
The luggage’s innovative design and high-tech features helped the campaign exceed its funding goal by over 1,000% within the first few days of launching.
Since its successful Kickstarter campaign, the Genius Pack brand has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of what is possible in the luggage industry.
Genius Pack Supercharged V1 by the Numbers:
- Funds Raised: $1 million +
- Backers: 4,000
Rollux: The Most Versatile Luggage
Rollux was designed to cater to the needs of modern travelers who need a versatile luggage solution.
The popularity of Rollux was due, in part, to its unique design, which allows it to be used as both a full-size suitcase and a compact carry-on bag. The luggage also features a built-in garment bag for wrinkle-free travel and a detachable laptop case for added convenience.
The Rollux Kickstarter campaign generated significant attention from major media publications, including Travel + Leisure and Forbes, helping to exceed its funding goal by over 300%.
With its innovative designs and versatility, Rollux continues to innovate and push boundaries to remain one of the most versatile luggage products in the industry.
Rollux by the Numbers:
- Funds Raised: $150,000
- Backers: 500
The RetraStrap: Best Luggage Accessory
The RetraStrap is a luggage accessory designed to help travelers find a more comfortable and convenient way to carry their luggage.
The RetraStrap, which made its mark through a highly-successful Kickstarter campaign, helps to evenly distribute the weight of a heavy suitcase across the user’s body. In addition, it is adjustable, making it suitable for users of different heights and sizes.
Like other luggage crowdfunding campaigns, RetraStrap gained significant media attention for its innovative design and comfort-focused features, helping to exceed its funding goal by more than 300%. It remains one of the most innovative and popular luggage accessories to be crowdfunded through Kickstarter.
Rollux by the Numbers:
- Funds Raised: $30,000 +
- Backers: 500
Marlon: Best Travel Luggage On Kickstarter
Marlon is a luggage brand that flourished on Kickstarter by catering to travelers needing a high-quality luggage solution that can withstand the rigors of travel.
Marlon’s durable and lightweight design makes maneuvering through airports and other travel environments easy. The luggage is also equipped with TSA-approved locks for added security, and it is made from eco-friendly materials to minimize its impact on the environment.
The luggage’s innovative design and high-quality materials helped it to garner significant media attention, and Marlon has been featured in Forbes and Travel + Leisure.
Its Kickstarter campaign exceeded its funding goal by over 500% within the first few days of its launch.
Marlon by the Numbers:
- Funds Raised: $180,000 +
- Backers: 600
Where Can You Buy Kickstarter Luggage?
You can purchase Kickstarter luggage products through the Kickstarter platform. Still, many successful campaigns have continued production after their campaigns ended, allowing them to make their products available through other online marketplaces such as Amazon or their own websites.
Additionally, some physical retail stores have begun carrying these products as well.
Kickstarter is an excellent platform for anyone interested in finding unique, high-quality products that make traveling much easier and more enjoyable.
Do you have an idea for the next great Kickstarter luggage campaign?
Let LaunchBoom help you get started!
