Finding a reliable outdoor bag supplier is crucial for retailers, brands, and distributors in the outdoor gear industry. Whether you are sourcing hiking backpacks, travel bags, or tactical packs, attending the right bag trade shows can open the door to quality manufacturers and the latest product innovations.
In this article, I compiled 10 of the top outdoor bag exhibitions around the world. These events bring together leading suppliers, cutting-edge designs, and key industry players—all in one place. If you are looking to build partnerships, explore new products, or expand your sourcing network, these exhibitions are the best places to start.
Here is the list of the 10 famous bag trade shows.
1. Outdoor Retailer
Outdoor Retailer is North America's leading trade show for the outdoor and adventure gear industry. It brings together top brands, retailers and media to showcase the latest innovations in outdoor apparel, gear and accessories. For bag and backpack manufacturers, It is a premium platform for showcasing hiking backpacks, travel bags, fanny packs, hydration packs and specialty outdoor bags.
Exhibitors regularly launch new collections highlighting features such as durability, waterproof materials, ergonomic design and sustainable manufacturing. Buyers from major outdoor retailers flock to the show, making it an ideal platform for brand awareness, partnerships and entry into the growing outdoor market.
Time: Summer: June 16–18, 2025; Winter: November 4–6, 2025
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Website: www.outdoorretailer.com
2. ISPO Munich
ISPO Munich is one of the world's largest trade fairs for sports and outdoor goods, attracting brands, retailers and innovators from around the world. It is a key platform for showcasing outdoor gear, including backpacks, travel bags and specialty packs designed for hiking, skiing, mountaineering and sports travel. Bag manufacturers take the opportunity to introduce new designs using lightweight materials, waterproof designs, modular storage and ergonomic backpacking systems.
Sustainability was one of the themes of the show, with a strong emphasis on eco-friendly materials and responsible production. For brands looking to connect with international buyers, distributors and media in the outdoor and sports market, ISPO Munich offers unrivaled exposure and networking opportunities.
Time: November 30–December 2, 2025
Location: Munich, Germany
Website: www.ispo.com/en/munich
3. Outdoor Trade Show (OTS)
The Outdoor Show (OTS) is the UK's only major trade event focused on the outdoor industry, attracting retailers, distributors and media from across the UK and Europe. The show covers a wealth of outdoor products including hiking backpacks, travel bags, fanny packs and specialist outdoor bags.
For bag manufacturers, OTS provides an invaluable opportunity to showcase innovative designs focused on performance, comfort and sustainability. With a focus on gear for hiking, camping, mountaineering and adventure travel, OTS specializes in the UK market and offers direct access to major outdoor retailers, ideal for expanding a brand's presence in Europe.
Time: June 17–19, 2025
Location: Exhibition Centre Liverpool, UK
Website: outdoortradeshow.com
4. The Travel Goods Show
The Travel Goods Show (organized by the Travel Goods Association) is the leading U.S. trade event for bags, travel accessories and luggage. The show showcases a robust line of travel backpacks, carry-on luggage, travel bags, laptop bags and versatile outdoor bags.
The show features presentation sessions and new product pavilions, perfect for exploring innovations in durability, portability, materials and design.
Time: March 3–5, 2025
Location: USA (varies by year)
Website: travelgoods.org
5. The Outdoor Adventure Show
The Outdoor Adventure Show is Canada's largest consumer event for outdoor gear and adventure travel. Held annually in the cities of Toronto, Calgary and Montreal, the show attracts a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for the latest in hiking, camping, boating and adventure travel gear.
It is a great opportunity for bag manufacturers to showcase hiking backpacks, outdoor travel bags, duffel bags and waterproof gear directly to end users. Exhibitors typically showcase new designs that focus on durability, comfort and functionality in harsh environments. This is an ideal platform for brands looking to raise awareness and connect with outdoor-loving consumers in the Canadian market.
Time: February 21–23, 2025 (Toronto); March 29–30, 2025 (Vancouver)
Location: Multiple cities across Canada
Website: outdooradventureshow.ca
6. IWA Outdoor Classics
IWA Outdoor Classics is Europe's premier B2B trade show, held in Nuremberg, Germany, focusing on hunting, shooting, tactical and outdoor gear. While the show focuses primarily on firearms, optics and knives, it has a strong lineup of exhibitors showcasing backpacks, tactical bags, hunting and outdoor packs, and accessory packs designed for rugged conditions - from canvas backpacks to tactical backpacks equipped with magazine pouches, rain covers and modular storage.
The show attracts approximately 1,080 exhibitors from more than 50 countries and more than 40,000 industry professionals each year, many of whom are looking for durable and specialized outdoor bags.
Time: February 27–March 2, 2025
Location: Nuremberg, Germany
Website: www.iwa.info
7. Shanghai International Bag Expo
Shanghai International Luggage & Bags Expo is one of the world's top three bag trade shows for bags, luggage and leather goods, and is held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. The show has a special exhibition area to showcase travel bags, outdoor functional bags, hiking backpacks, cycling bags, waterproof bags, fanny packs, as well as processing technologies and raw materials such as nylon, oxford fabric, leather, zippers and hardware.
It is an important sourcing center for brands, distributors, OEM factories, material suppliers, and designers seeking outdoor equipment manufacturers.
Time: June 29 to July 1
Location: Shanghai New International Expo Center, China
Website: www.chinabagexpo.com
8. ILM Offenbach
ILM Offenbach is Europe's leading trade fair for leather and travel goods, held every two years in Offenbach am Main, Germany. Founded in 1949, the fair attracts around 300 exhibitors and around 6,000 specialized visitors each year.
The fair focuses on leather fashion and travel accessories, as well as a wide range of backpacks, travel bags, hiking bags and casual outdoor bags made from high-quality materials.
Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern design, ILM is the ideal place to source quality and stylish outdoor bags and backpacks.
Time: August 30–September 1, 2025
Location: Offenbach, Germany
Website: www.ilm-offenbach.de
9. International Shoe, Bag and Leather Goods Fair (AYMOD)
Held at the Istanbul Expo Center (Yesilköy), AYMOD International Footwear and Leather Products Fair is one of the largest leather products fairs in Europe. The fair is centered on footwear, but also has a large number of exhibition areas focusing on purses, backpacks and travel accessories, covering fashion bags and practical outdoor backpacks.
It is an invaluable platform for bag makers to showcase handmade, leather or hybrid outdoor-designed backpacks and work with buyers from across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia who are looking for fine leather and functional gear.
Time: April & October
Location: Istanbul Expo Center, Turkey
Website: www.aymod.com
10. Canton Fair (Phase 3)
Canton Fair Phase III is the final section of the China Import and Export Fair, held in Guangzhou in the spring and fall. This edition focuses on bags, textiles, fashion and leisure products.
Bags and Luggages include travel backpacks, outdoor and hiking backpacks, duffel bags, laptop bags and casual totes, often offering customizable OEM/ODM options and eco-friendly materials.
Time: May 1–5, 2025 and October 31–November 4, 2025
Location: Guangzhou, China
Website: www.cantonfair.org.cn
In addition to the above 10 bag trade shows, what other bag exhibitions will you attend? Please leave a message to tell me.
