Must-Have Summer Swag for Employees and Events

Branded insulated drinkware is a must-have for summer swag campaigns—combining function, style, and high-impact visibility at outdoor events.

Summer is prime time for engagement. Between outdoor team-building, corporate picnics, trade shows, client outings, and remote workforce morale boosters, summer swag offers an excellent way to show appreciation and build brand visibility. Whether you're planning a beach event with beach balls and umbrellas or mailing out insulated drinkware and sunscreen to your remote team, summer promotional products make a lasting impression.

The right seasonal promotional merchandise doesn’t just show up-they stand out. And in the heat of summer, swag that’s useful, stylish, and memorable has the power to create real value for employees and the company alike. Think stainless steel water bottles, custom cooler bags, bucket hats, or even microfiber towels; all branded with your logo.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through the best summer swag ideas for internal events, employee gifts, and external activations with practical picks that keep your logo in motion all season long.

Why Summer Swag Matters

Summer lends itself to portable, wearable, and high-visibility gear. The most effective swag is event-ready, lifestyle-forward, durable, and environmentally friendly. This is the season when tote bags go to farmers' markets, insulated mugs stay on desks, and drawstring bags hit the hiking trails.

Swag boosts brand awareness, reinforces your logo through repeated exposure, and positions your business as thoughtful and seasonally relevant. It’s one of the most tangible forms of advertising, offering marketing impact with every use.

Swag That Stays With Employees All Summer Long

1. Insulated Drinkware & Hydration Helpers

From iced coffee on the patio to lemonade on the baseball sidelines, summer is all about staying hydrated. Stainless steel water bottles, silicone straws, and vacuum-insulated tumblers are high-impact gifts. Look for:

• Leak-proof lids, bamboo or silicone accents

• Wide-mouth designs for ice

• Compatibility with cup holders and dishwasher-safe models

Popular choices include Takeya Actives, Owala Freesip, Camelbak Podium Chill, and the ThermoFlask 40 oz.

Include care cards for how to clean insulated water bottles and prevent mold or dents—a great way to add value.

2. Sun-Ready Apparel & Accessories

Sun-friendly swag goes beyond the branded shirt. Think:

• Bucket hats and baseball caps with embroidery

• Lightweight polo shirts in moisture-wicking polyester

• SPF-rated clothing in bright summer color palettes

• Custom-label beach towels or microfiber cooling towels

Bonus: Add bamboo sunglasses or lip balm with SPF to build a full sunshine survival kit.

3. Picnic, BBQ, and Campfire Essentials

What’s summer without a picnic or barbecue? Swag can bring comfort and function to every outdoor meal:

• Custom cooler bags or promotional lunch bags

• Insulated drink bottles and tumblers

• Drawstring bags for packing snacks or towels

• Folding chairs, wine tumblers, and koozies with laser engraving

Want to impress? Offer custom soft coolers with shoulder straps and tarpaulin lining, or even a personalized cooler backpack.

4. Tech & Work-from-Anywhere Gear

Support mobile productivity and travel lifestyles with:

• Bluetooth speakers and laptop sleeves

• Nylon lanyards and bamboo phone stands

• Pocket hand fans and microfiber cloths

• Custom USB drives or reusable ink pens

These pair perfectly with promotional cooler bags or personalized backpacks for hybrid employees on the move.

5. Wellness, Comfort & Self-Care Kits

Curate a wellness pack for those summer recharge days:

• SPF kits with lip balm and sunscreen

• Mini campfire-scented candles and yoga towels

• Refillable tea tins or flavor drops for drinking water

Include these in branded boxes with QR codes linking to a Spotify playlist or a summer photo contest landing page.

Swag Ideas That Shine at Events

Summer events are perfect for combining swag, advertising, and audience engagement. Let’s break it down:

1. Swag Bags That Travel

Create on-theme bundles using tote bags, drawstring bags, or zippered backpacks. Include:

• Hand fans, microfiber towels, and lip balm

• Stainless steel mugs or bottles

• Bucket hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen

Use royal blue, graphite, or lime color schemes for impact.

2. DIY Giveaway Booths at Trade Shows

Give your audience the power to choose. Let them select:

• Silicon pouches, keychains, or water bottles

• Folding chairs or blankets

• Embroidered hats or sleeves with custom dye labels

Offer instant shipping or QR redemption to their email address post-event.

3. Tabletop Displays With Practical Pickup Swag

Display:

• Ice packs, umbrella covers, or mini lunchboxes

• Hydrate-themed kits with Owala 32 oz, HydroFlask, or Lifestraw bottles

• Neoprene sleeves and branded cups

These items boost engagement while ensuring you meet your quantity goals.

Tips for Making Summer Swag Stand Out

• Think eco-smart: Use bamboo, recycled plastic, or metal alternatives where possible

• Include care instructions: Add tips for cleaning insulated water bottles or removing logos from bags (like a YETI bag cooler)

• Focus on use: Items should work at the beach, office, campfire, or trade show floor

• Align to lifestyle: Include beach balls for family events, wine tumblers for VIPs, or a graphite laptop sleeve for remote workers

FAQs About Insulated Water Bottles & Summer Swag

Which is the best insulated water bottle for summer?
Top-rated picks include the Owala Freesip, Camelbak Podium Chill, Thermoflask 40 oz, and Takeya Actives. All are designed to keep liquids cold for hours and resist dents.

How do you clean a stainless steel insulated bottle?
Hand wash with mild soap or use a bottle brush. Avoid dishwashers unless marked safe. For mold or odors, soak with baking soda and vinegar.

How much water does a Camelbak insulated water bottle hold?
Most models range from 20 oz to 32 oz. Look for labels specifying quantity.

Can I remove a custom logo from a cooler bag or bottle?
Not easily. Laser engraving and silk screening are permanent. Heat or solvents may damage the material.

How far in advance should we order swag for summer?
Order 6–8 weeks early, especially for embroidered or laser-engraved products. Quick-ship options are available but limited in customization.

Final Thoughts

Summer swag helps your brand stay cool—literally and figuratively. From stainless steel insulated bottles and cooler bags to embroidered bucket hats and silicone straws, the right promotional products align lifestyle with loyalty.

If you want your brand to make a splash this summer- on the beach, at a trade show, or in a picnic basket-invest in promotional merchandise that people actually use. Pair smart design with real-world function, and you’ll stay top of mind all season long.

Explore our curated summer promotional items or contact our team to design your next unforgettable summer swag campaign.