BACKPACKS VS APPAREL FOR EMPLOYEE GIFTS: WHICH IS THE BETTER CHOICE?

Choosing the Right Employee Gift Matters

Employee recognition gifts play a critical role in:

• Retention

• Morale

• Company culture

• Employer brand perception

Two of the most common options organizations consider are:

• Custom apparel (hoodies, sweatshirts, jackets)

• Custom backpacks

Both are popular—but they serve very different purposes. This guide breaks down the pros and cons of each so you can choose the best option for your team, budget, and goals.3

At-a-Glance Comparison: Backpacks vs Apparel

Why Custom Backpacks Often Win for Employee Gifts

Custom backpacks have become one of the fastest-growing employee recognition gifts, and for good reason.

🎒 1. No Sizing Required (The Biggest Advantage)

Sizing is the #1 pain point with employee apparel.

Backpacks eliminate:

• Size surveys

• Incorrect orders

• Exchanges and reprints

• Leftover inventory

This makes backpacks ideal for:

• Large organizations

• Hospitals and health systems

• Universities

• Remote or distributed teams

If you don’t know everyone’s size—or want to avoid the headache—backpacks are the clear winner.

🎒 2. Universally Useful

Not everyone loves wearing branded apparel—but everyone uses a backpack.

Employees use backpacks for:

• Commuting

• Travel

• Work gear

• Gym or personal items

• Conferences and training

This leads to higher long-term use and stronger brand exposure.

🎒 3. High Perceived Value

A well-made backpack feels like a premium gift—especially when customized with clean embroidery.

Compared to a basic hoodie or t-shirt, backpacks:

• Feel more intentional

• Are seen as practical investments

• Appeal across age groups and departments

🎒 4. Consistent Brand Visibility

Backpacks are used in public spaces:

• Offices

• Campuses

• Airports

• Events

• Commutes

This means your logo is seen far more often than apparel that may only be worn occasionally.

When Custom Apparel Makes Sense

Custom apparel still has an important place in employee gifting—especially when done right.

👕 Best Use Cases for Apparel

• Smaller teams where sizing is easy

• Casual work environments

• Cold climates

• Spirit wear or culture-focused initiatives

• Optional employee swag programs

👕 Strengths of Custom Apparel

• Emotional connection (favorite hoodie factor)

• Strong internal culture building

• Flexible price range

However, apparel always comes with logistics complexity that backpacks avoid.

Hidden Costs of Apparel for Employee Gifts

While apparel may seem simple, it often includes:

• Time spent collecting sizes

• Size changes and follow-ups

• Reorders for incorrect sizing

• Excess inventory

For large organizations, these hidden costs can outweigh the per-unit savings.

Why Many Organizations Choose Both

Many of Underground Printing’s customers use a hybrid approach:

• Backpacks for guaranteed-fit employee recognition

• Apparel as optional add-ons or store-based selections

This approach:

• Reduces risk

• Increases satisfaction

• Offers employee choice

Why Underground Printing Is the Best Partner for Either Option

Whether you choose backpacks, apparel, or both, Underground Printing makes the process easy.

✔ Nobody Sells More Custom Backpacks

Our scale and experience allow us to offer unmatched selection, pricing, and consistency.

✔ 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

If something isn’t right, we fix it—no exceptions.

✔ No Minimums on Select Items

Perfect for individual recognition or small departments.

✔ Free Professional Design Review

Every logo is reviewed by experts before production.

✔ Fast Turnaround

Ideal for recognition timelines and events.

✔ 30+ Campus & Community Locations

Local support, in-person pickup, and real people—nationwide.

✔ Easy Online Ordering

Designed for HR teams, administrators, and managers.

Which Is Better for Your Organization?

Here’s the simple rule:

Choose Custom Backpacks if you want:

• No sizing headaches

• Easy distribution

• High perceived value

• Maximum daily use

• Zero exchange risk

Choose Custom Apparel if you want:

• Culture-driven swag

• Optional wearability

• Smaller group gifting

• Seasonal warmth

And if you want the safest, most scalable solution? Start with backpacks.

Ready to Build a Smarter Employee Gift Program?

If you’re deciding between backpacks and apparel, our team can help you choose—or build a program that includes both.

👉 Explore custom backpacks here: https://undergroundshirts.com/collections/custom-backpacks