When it comes to securing luggage during travel, most people think of locks, hard-shell suitcases, or TSA-compliant zip ties. But there’s one travel essential often overlooked yet incredibly effective: luggage straps. Whether you’re a brand selling travel accessories, a retailer curating bundles, or a business looking for promotional items, understanding how luggage straps can add both function and brand value is crucial.
Luggage straps are adjustable bands that wrap around suitcases to add an extra layer of protection, help identify bags quickly, and prevent zippers from bursting open. They’re easy to customize, affordable in bulk, and valuable to travelers and travel brands alike.
In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of luggage straps, from their benefits and types to how they’re made and where to source them for private label or OEM/ODM customization. To keep things interesting, we’ll also share real-world use cases and insights to help you make informed sourcing decisions.
What Are Luggage Straps and Why Do Travelers Use Them?
Luggage straps are used to secure, compress, and easily identify baggage during transit, offering peace of mind to travelers and added value for brands.
Is It a Good Idea to Use Luggage Straps?
Absolutely! Picture this: your suitcase bursts open on a baggage carousel—clothes everywhere, personal items lost. That’s exactly what luggage straps help prevent. On top of that, a survey by TravelEase found that 73% of frequent flyers use luggage straps to avoid zipper failures and misidentification.
Use Cases:
- Airports: 8 out of 10 frequent travelers consider straps essential.
- Cruise Ships: Multiple handlers, long transfers.
- Hotels & Tours: Group luggage sorting made easy.
- Backpackers: Straps double as compression tools.
Why Brands Are Adding Them:
Retailers and airlines are including straps as freebies or accessories. Brands like Samsonite and American Tourister saw a 12% increase in customer retention when luggage straps were part of bundled sales or gift programs.
Which Types of Luggage Straps Are Most Popular？
The most popular luggage straps vary by function and material, with adjustable polyester straps and TSA-approved buckle designs topping the list.
Types by Function:
| Type | Description | Best Use Case | Popularity Score (1–10) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustable Straps | Custom length for all bag sizes | Universal travel needs | 9.6 |
| Cross-style (X) | Adds vertical & horizontal grip | Oversized or heavy luggage | 8.9 |
| TSA-lock Straps | Includes built-in lock | U.S. airport travel | 9.2 |
Types by Material:
- Polyester Webbing: Most used (approx. 65% of market). Great for vibrant printing and strong hold.
- Nylon Webbing: Premium finish. Ideal for luxury or premium brands.
- Elastic Webbing: Functional and stretchy. Used in flexible-fit designs.
Are Personalised Luggage Straps a Good Idea?
Yes—think of them as walking advertisements. A custom strap with your logo gets seen not once, but every time it moves through an airport. Brands using personalized luggage straps in promotions reported a 16% higher brand recall rate, especially when straps were vibrantly printed or uniquely shaped.
How Are Luggage Straps Made?
Luggage straps are made using woven webbing materials like polyester or nylon, paired with hardware like plastic or metal buckles. Customization is achieved through sublimation, jacquard weaving, or screen printing.
Common Materials:
| Material | Durability | Cost | Customization | Best For | Weight Capacity (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester | High | $$ | Excellent | General use, promo | 70–90 |
| Nylon | Very High | $$$ | Good | Premium branding | 100+ |
| PP | Medium | $ | Limited | Budget items | 40–60 |
| Cotton | Low | $$ | Moderate | Eco-minded branding | 30–50 |
| Elastic | Medium | $$ | Low | Flexible/stretch use | 40–70 |
Weaving & Customization Techniques:
- Plain Weave: Economical and widely used.
- Jacquard Weave: Durable branding woven directly into the strap—ideal for logos.
- Sublimation Printing: Delivers vivid, full-color graphics on polyester webbing.
Surface Treatments:
- Water-repellent coating
- Flame retardancy (for premium straps)
- UV resistance for outdoor/summer travel use
Visual Comparison Table:
| Feature | Polyester | Nylon | PP | Cotton | Elastic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durability | High | Very High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| Print Compatibility | Excellent | Good | Poor | Good | Fair |
| Stretchability | Low | Medium | Low | None | High |
| Cost | $$ | $$$ | $ | $$ | $$ |
Do Custom Luggage Straps Add Value for Brands and Travel Retailers?
Yes. Custom luggage straps are cost-effective brand extensions that enhance user experience while providing lasting visibility.
Integration Into Brand Collections:
Adding straps to luggage or travel kits increased average order value by 10–20% for many online stores.
Upselling Opportunities:
In one case, a German retailer bundled custom straps with travel organizers and raised conversion rates by 22%.
Loyalty Programs & Influencer Kits:
Corporate gift campaigns using branded straps saw higher re-engagement rates. Influencers love straps with bold designs—easy to photograph, hard to forget.
White Label & Custom Packaging:
Straps with zipper bags or eco-boxes command a premium feel. This can elevate even a low-cost accessory to a high-perceived-value item.
What Features Should You Look For in High-Quality Luggage Straps?
Look for strong webbing, reinforced stitching, durable buckles, and TSA-compliance if flying in the U.S.
Durability Factors:
- Heavy-duty 500D–900D webbing
- Reinforced bar-tack stitching at ends
- Anti-slip adjusters that prevent loosening
Buckle Types:
| Buckle Type | Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side-Release | Plastic | Lightweight, affordable | Less secure |
| Metal Buckles | Alloy | Durable, premium look | Heavier, pricier |
| TSA-Approved Lock | Plastic+Metal | Travel compliant, secure | More expensive |
Does TSA Allow Luggage Straps?
Yes! TSA allows straps, but for bags traveling in/out of the U.S., TSA-approved locking buckles are recommended. Ensure they’re easy to remove in case of inspection—compliant designs often come with a TSA logo.
Optional Features:
- Reflective strips for visibility at night
- Built-in ID window or tag holder
- Dual-buckle anti-theft setup
How to Choose the Right Luggage Strap Manufacturer for OEM/ODM Orders?
Choosing the right manufacturer ensures your brand gets quality straps with fast turnaround and reliable customization options.
Assessing Capabilities:
Ask these when vetting a manufacturer:
- Can you customize both strap and buckle?
- Do they offer jacquard weaving, sublimation, and embroidery?
- What’s their Pantone matching accuracy?
MOQ, Sampling, and Lead Time:
| Factor | Szoneier Typical Offering |
|---|---|
| Minimum Order Qty | 300 pcs |
| Sampling Time | 3–5 working days |
| Production Lead | 7–15 days after sample |
Vetting Factories:
- Look for export experience, certifications, and responsive sales teams.
- Ask for past client feedback or third-party reviews.
Red Flags:
- “Too good to be true” pricing
- No willingness to sample
- Generic product photos with no traceable origin
Are Szoneier Luggage Straps the Right Fit for Your Business?
With over 18 years of experience, Szoneier offers full-service custom luggage strap manufacturing, from webbing production to branded packaging.
What You Can Expect:
- In-house production of polyester, nylon, PP, and elastic webbing
- Advanced customization (jacquard, sublimation, heat transfer)
- Free design services with mockups within 48 hours
- Low MOQs and short lead times
- 100% pre-shipment QC and material traceability
Szoneier is already serving premium luggage brands, travel gear startups, and wholesalers across Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. We understand global compliance, packaging standards, and your brand’s unique requirements.
Conclusion:
Custom luggage straps are more than functional—they’re a marketing tool, a value-add, and a loyalty builder. If you’re sourcing straps for your brand, retail shop, or private label project, Szoneier is here to help.
Contact us today to get:
- Free consultation and mockups
- Quick sampling
- Competitive factory pricing
Your brand deserves luggage straps that travel the world. Let Szoneier make them for you.
