Welcome aboard, brand explorer. ✈️

If you’re planning rooftop mixers, beachside activations, or outdoor trade shows, your branded merch needs to travel just as well as you do.

So we built your summer merch itinerary: a curated, on-the-road-inspired guide to the top branded products for summer 2025.

And guiding this journey? None other than David Mock, our Sourcing Manager and resident product scout. David spends his days hunting down the good stuff, testing what works, and only keeping the items that make your brand look incredible. His picks are rooted in real experience…and he’s got opinions.

Throughout this guide, you’ll see David’s unfiltered thoughts on what makes each product memorable, functional, and worth your brand real estate.

Let’s hit the road.

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Your Event Merch Itinerary

Each stop highlights one of 2025’s top-performing promotional products, complete with real use cases, SEO-savvy tips, and David’s field-tested commentary.

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Stop 1: The Backyard Bash

Tiki Speaki™ Wireless Lantern Speaker
Best For: Branded retreats, employee picnics, happy hours

Add ambiance and audio with this faux-flame Bluetooth speaker. It’s waterproof, easy to hang, and pairs for surround sound.

“It’s a waterproof speaker that looks like a tiki torch and sounds shockingly good. Backyard party starter.”

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Stop 2: The Selfie Spot

Fujifilm Instax Mini 12 Camera Bundle
Best For: Booth activations, content stations, VIP kits

Encourage instant engagement with a branded photo booth tool your guests will line up for. Instant film = instant user-generated content.

“Point, shoot, and boom, a photo pops out in five seconds. It comes in cool colors and is simple to use. It’s kinda impossible not to smile while using it.”

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Stop 3: The Hydration Station

Pelican Porter 40 oz Shimmer Tumbler
Best For: Event speaker gifts, wellness kits, eco-conscious swag

With a shimmer finish and double-wall insulation, this is hydration that makes your brand shine,  literally. Keeps drinks hot or cold for hours and feels luxe in hand.

“Built like a tank but feels fancy. The shimmer finish catches the light and makes the lasered logo pop. And it keeps your drink frosty or piping hot”

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Stop 4: The Beach Party

Koozie Olympus Cooler Backpack
Best For: Field teams, outdoor events, large-scale giveaways

A backpack cooler that holds 36 cans without leaking? Yes, please. Comfortable, durable, and perfect for summer activations.

“Love that it can be carried by handle or on your back. Holds 36 cans, keeps everything cold, and doesn't leak. Throw it on your back and you’re beach ready.”

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Stop 5: The Tailgate Takeover

Igloo KoolTunes Bluetooth Cooler
Best For: Client gifts, tailgate events, brand activations

Cooler meets speaker meets retro flex. Your booth or party just became the cool hangout spot.

“Retro vibe without trying too hard. It holds 26 cans, and the battery lasts all day. Cooler + speaker = just cool.”

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Stop 6: The Fire Pit Happy Hour

Ignight™ Portable Fire Pit
Best For: Executive gifts, team retreats, glamping-themed kits

Sets up in seconds and folds into a bag. Lightweight, tough, and an unforgettable piece of branded swag.

“This guy brings the heat…literally. It packs up like origami and sets up anywhere in seconds.”

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Stop 7: The Swag Table 

Outrider Mirrored Sunglasses
Best For: Trade shows, employee kits, concert-style events

Affordable, wearable, and not the throwaway kind. UV-blocking and universally flattering.

“These look good on pretty much everyone, and they actually block UV. Toss ’em in your bag and you’re set.”

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Stop 8: The Trade Show 

E-Z Breezy Neck Fan
Best For: Outdoor expos, brand ambassadors, festival staff

Keep your crew cool — literally. USB-powered, bendable frame, and surprisingly stylish.

“They look stylish, so everyone will think you’re cool…which, you are (because it’s a fan).”

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Stop 9: The Sand-Free Zone

Sand-Proof Sublimated Beach Towel
Best For: Resort activations, influencer kits, employee gifts

Quick-dry, sand-repelling, and fully sublimated for edge-to-edge branding.

“I didn’t even know sand-proof towels were a thing until I found this. They dry fast, offer full-color print, and won’t bring home half the beach. Total game changer.”

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Stop 10: The Road Trip

The RipStop Packing Cube Kit
Best For: Corporate travel teams, onboarding gifts, executive kits

Lightweight, colorful, and super packable — perfect for branded travel kits.

“Summer = vacation. This makes packing way less chaotic.”

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Stop 11: The Festival Drop Zone

Sublimated Bucket Hat
Best For: Gen Z events, street teams, brand activations

They’re trendy again (don’t fight it). Full-color print and easy fit = instant brand moment.

“No idea why these are so popular again, but they are. These hats are comfy, lightweight, and you can go wild with full-color designs.”

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Stop 12: The Beach Bundle Basecamp

15” Small Beachcomber Bag
Best For: Poolside giveaways, bundled kits, family-friendly events

Light, waterproof, and breathable; it keeps sand out and your stuff dry.

“No idea why these are so popular again; it must be the full-color designs. Either way, people love them, and they make a statement.”

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Stop 13: The Grillmaster Moment

Grillfriend Portable Charcoal Grill
Best For: Summer contests, executive gifts, camping kits

It folds like a briefcase but cooks like a pro. Unexpected, unforgettable.

“I didn’t know I wanted a suitcase grill until I met this thing. It’s got a solid build, cooks like a champ, and is always a conversation starter.”

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Stop 14: The Mood Setter

Lumens 2-in-1 Pop Up LED Flame Lantern
Best For: Nighttime events, glamping giveaways, wellness retreats

Switch between bright LED and cozy flicker mode  with branding that glows.

“It’s useful without being overcomplicated.”

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Final Stop: Custom Kits That Travel Well

These products don’t just show up — they show off. And when paired together, they create unforgettable event experiences. Here are a few kit ideas:

• “Field Team Essentials” → Cooler backpack, neck fan, sunglasses
• “Branded Beach Day” → Towel, bucket hat, beach bag
• “Welcome to the Retreat” → Shimmer tumbler, packing cubes, fire pit
  
  

Your Merch Deserves a Better Itinerary.

You don’t need more stuff. You need the right stuff; the kind that supports your brand goals, shows up at events looking dialed-in, and doesn’t end up in the trash.

That’s where we come in.

At Brandit, we don’t just source products, we build branded experiences. Whether you’re planning a client event, an outdoor activation, or a full-scale summer roadshow, we help you create merch kits that look sharp, feel premium, and actually get used.

If you’re ready to build a summer kit that travels well and performs even better, we’re packed and ready when you are.

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