Stylish, Ultralight Travel Gear from Queer-Owned Businesses
You can choose to utilize luggage, totes, bags and carry-ons that are fashionable, functional, and also support our community.
Here are some innovative, stylish, durable and functional must-have items from LGBTQ-owned brands and businesses that provide quality, road-tested luxury travel gear at good prices. We hope you enjoy six of our favorite picks!
Gossamer Gear
Increasingly, it is becoming a wise and economical choice to travel with carry-on only. Now, we’ve found an LGBTQ-owned brand that is stylish, well-made, functional and almost weightless, perfect for carry-on and day-pack use. Gossamer Gear is an ultralight backpacking brand committed to the philosophy that lighter gear means better adventures. Since 1998, the brand has designed award-winning gear that strips away the unnecessary to help hikers go farther, faster, and more comfortably. These featherlight packs are built for efficiency, durability, and as convenient for miles on hiking trail as they are for weekend away, city tour or any sojourn where you need to be expedient and efficient.
With the philosophy of take less, do more, we can recommend as our Editor’s Pick the Aero Jet—an ultralight 35L carry-on built to handle extended trips with ease. Thoughtfully engineered inside and out, this pack offers smart organization, travel-ready comfort, and subtle security features that keep you moving smoothly with all your essentials neatly stowed such as tablet, laptop, wallet, documents, hydration vessel and multiple changes of clothes. Stash the Aero Jet in the overhead bin or under the seat in front of you—and when you’re on the go you’ll find it’s the snuggest, most body-hugging backpack as it’s designed to keep up with making your connections or fast layovers.
We also like the Fast Kumo 36 Fastpack—with a vest-like fit and easy access storage to keep up with you at your fastest speeds on the road or in the wilderness; and the Vagabond Jet—made from recycled 210D Robic nylon, and readier than ever for lightweight urban adventures, office commutes, and stylish travel. Be part of the Gossamer Gear family and be ready for your next travel adventure. Whether you’re camping, cycling, driving, flying, hiking, boating or walking, here is a brand that understands that travel can be as much about endurance as it is about pleasure.
Gossamer Gear is proudly based in Austin, Texas, handmade in Vietnam—and can be spotted on trails around the world. These are quality, low profile items that won’t add to your load and have plenty of room for all your travel things, and they also will not take up any room in the closet when you’re not traveling.
Brandon Blackwood
Brandon Blackwood is based in Brooklyn, NY and has been making luxury leather bags since 2015. The designer strives to maintain peak functionality while staying true to classic style. The line is inclusive, luxurious yet affordable, and on the cutting edge of what is sleek and trendy. The current Spring/ Summer 2022 collection is the absolute height of glamour and sophistication with gorgeous bright colors, beaded patterns and metallics present throughout. Travelers can make good use of his backpacks and totes as carry-on luggage.
Eclectic
This French label blends traditional men’s tailoring with activewear in both design and function. Many of their styles are made with cutting edge technical fabrics that provide exceptional breathability, stretch and wind resistance. The same is true for their travel collection “voyage”. The bags in this collection combine classic style, elegance, and durability. Although a bit on the pricey side, you can be assured that you are paying for true fabric engineering and quality. See the collection here.
Roverlund
“Born out of a passion for exploring endless cityscapes and the awe-inspiring great outdoors, Roverlund is a collection of durable, design-forward gear for pets and their people. Our products are made for adventure-seekers and city-slickers alike—those who value pet companionship, design and utility as much as we do. With clever design cues and built-to-last materials, our products are designed to enrich your adventures time and time again.”
As the quote from their website alludes to, Roverlund was created out of a perceived need for airline friendly pet carriers. It is the brainchild of Vogue alum Jamie Knowles who launched the brand in 2019. This unique brand enables you to match your weekend bag to your pet carrier!
Telfar
Created by Telfar Clemens in New York in 2005, this brand strives for inclusivity first by operating under the motto “not for you, for everyone.” Famous for the “shopping bag” design based off the three dimensions of the Bloomingdale’s brown bags, Telfar provides a minimalist assortment of handbags, duffel bags, tote bags, hats, shoes and activewear to the masses. Designed with elegant simplicity and run in a multitude of colors, you’ll be hard pressed to catch many of the designs in stock on the website due to soaring demand. Take a look at the assortment here.
Nicole Zizi Studio
“We are focused on sustainability, materials science, and innovations in contemporary gender-free streetwear, accessories, and home essentials. We’re about progressive design focusing on developing new products through materials science. We focus on developing products with recycled, alternative, and natural materials. We aim to develop products that uplift our communities and minimize the negative environmental impact”
This is the mission statement of the Nicole Zizi Studio. Their sheik, casual designs look right at home in any urban landscape. We absolutely love the vegan leather crossbody bag. It’s the perfect and most stylish way to hold your ID, cash, and credit cards while navigating airport security.
