Calpak Eyes Growth With Fitness Category

Calpak, the AAPI-owned luggage and accessories brand, has aimed to innovate along its customers’ needs since its inception in 1989 — and in the age of social media getting community feedback comes faster than ever. Calpak’s newest release, The Fit Collection, has been created to directly meet the needs of its loyal fan base.

The team at Calpak told WWD that the inspiration for The Fit Collection was prompted by seeing so many of its community members using the Luka duffel as a catchall, often using it as a gym bag. Notably, the Luka duffel went viral on social media due to its versatility and has become a popular item for the brand. Seeing the white space in its offerings, Calpak jumped on designing products that would specifically cater to its audiences’ fitness needs in a way that the Luka duffel does not.

“Calpak has always loved seeing the way our customers use their bags,” said Sounun Tek, senior director of brand marketing at Calpak. “We learned very quickly, after launching everyone’s favorite Luka duffel bag, that people used the product beyond traveling. The everyday included people’s fitness routine, from the gym to yoga studio, we saw the need for an elevated fitness bag that offered the fun and functionality of Calpak.”

The Fit Collection includes a gym bag, designed with fitness features including a yoga mat strap, shoe compartment, phone pocket, water bottle pocket and multiple interior pockets, and a hanging dopp kit, designed with lightweight, water-resident recycled materials. Colorways include tea rose, sage, greige and black.

Tek told WWD that when designing the collection it was important for the items to “outperform in functionality as well as specialty features. For the Fit Gym bag, the curved silhouette [provides] easy access and in function stood out from previous Calpak bags [which] felt essential to this line.”

Showing its ongoing dedication to its community and a strong belief in community-driven success, Calpak offered its Very Important Traveler loyalty members pre-launch offers of The Fit Collection, including an exclusive limited-time bundle. “It’s a great way to get immediate feedback from those who love our brand the most,” said Tek.

Looking ahead, Tek told WWD that Calpak aims to travel with its customers, continuing to grow in the lifestyle and consumer category.