I recently attended the Travel Goods Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center March 25-27 and caught up with Zack Dean and Eli Abramovitz, the founders of Portland Gear. Keep reading to learn more about their water-resistant products and watch the interview below.
Watch the interview from the showroom floor below:
Product Inception
Eli Abramovitz: Logos transcend, you know, what the sports teams are and it represents the city. We don’t really have that in Portland. Yes, there’s the Blazers, the Timbers, Thorns, but, you know, we don’t have a logo that represents Portland. So, our logo is the P with the state of Oregon inside of it. That was, kind of the precipice of everything and how we started everything.
Very cool. Tell me about your products.
Zack Dean: More recently, we’ve been transitioned to focus on bags and things like that, so we’ve been super focused on this water-resistant bag category, started with the original backpack, and then made the compact bag, then went into the toiletry kit, pouches back there, laptop sleeves. Now, you have duffels and cross bodies. We have the tote coming out this summer.
Where can we buy your products?
Zack Dean: Yes, so, Portlandgear.com. We’re a direct to consumer brand at its core. We have three retail stores in Portland, one at the airport. So, if anybody ever travels there, it’s easy to find us there.
What does your backpack retail for?
Eli Abramovitz: The source standard bag, retails for $109, compact is $104 and then everything else are about that range, and obviously some more smaller products, are around the $30 range. We try and keep it high quality but affordable at the same time.
So we could get products from your website and at the Portland airport?
Eli Abramovitz: Yes, at the airport, yes, You can check out our Instagram too, @PortlandGear. We also run the @Portland page,
Very cool. Awesome. Well, thank you guys.
Zack Dean: First time buyers get 15% off.
Make sure to visit https://www.portlandgear.com and visit their Instagram pages: Portland Gear and Portland.
Heads up, as of 4.15.25, Portland Gear owner Marcus Harvey, announced that prices will be increasing on May 1st due to the current state of tariffs and international trade.
Pricing increases:
Standard Backpacks from $98 to $109
Compact Backpacks from $92 to $104
Duffles from $135 to $139
Kits from $39 to $49
etc…
Watch his video below:
About the Author
Christy started Disarray because she missed writing what she wanted. With a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), she covers conventions, expos, music, fashion, food and events. From hiring writers, to contacting publicists and making assignments, Christy is responsible for the editorial strategy of Disarray. Questions, comments or interview requests? Contact Christy@disarraymagazine.com – You can also follow her on Instagram and TikTok.
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