Industry News
Get Your Gear Ready for Attending Gaming Conventions in 2025
Jan
A new year means new gaming conventions to attend, and as the gaming industry continues to grow, so do the crowds at these conventions. Attending these conventions is an incredible experience, with so much to do, see, and engage with, but if you go unprepared you might feel overwhelmed and unable to enjoy the convention to the fullest. Having the right gear can make or break your convention experience, so let’s review some of the products you can get to ensure you have the best experience possible!
Bags & Backpacks
Before heading to a convention, you need a bag or backpack to carry your important items with you securely. Having something smaller is easier to manage and keep track of, especially if you’re cosplaying, but if you plan to buy items it’s good to have a bag to put them in. A regular travel backpack is a great option both for travel to the convention and the convention itself, because they’re secure, sturdy, and have plenty of space for anything you buy. A smaller backpack can be beneficial for limiting your purchasing or more convenient to use. If you’d rather avoid a backpack, a crossbody or shoulder bag is convenient to keep your essential items easy to grab and maintain. Here are some bag and backpack options for your next convention! Remember that some convention centers or specific cons have rules about bags, so check those before you pack yours up!
Carabiner Clips
Keeping your items secure is an important topic when it comes to gaming conventions. With the large crowds of people, it’s easy to lose items or potentially have them get stolen if they’re easy to access. One way to keep things secure is with a carabiner clip because it adds an extra step that discourages theft and ensures your items are secure within your bag. It’s also an easy way to clip things together when you end up with multiple lanyards, bags, or keychains! The best part of all, they’re cheap! Be sure to grab yourself some extra peace of mind with a carabiner clip and secure all your items.
Wallets & Holders
While attending a convention, you may toss your wallet into a bag or backpack without much thought, or you aren’t taking a larger bag and want a secure wallet for the con. Having a wallet that shuts all the way, can be worn with your lanyard, or strapped to your bag is the easier way to ensure your personal items are safe while being easy to maintain during the event. Check out these different options to see which would be best for you and your convention wallet!
Lanyards
While conventions usually offer a specific lanyard to match their annual theme, this is a great chance for you to show a personal lanyard or use a sturdy one to prevent theft. With a fun lanyard, you can show off different things you like and potentially start conversations with others who have similar interests. Or, if you’d prefer, you can get a simple yet sturdy lanyard to ensure your badge won’t fall off or get lost during the convention. Here are some options for a lanyard, and a pro tip is to add a carabiner on there to quickly latch anything you need!
Attending gaming conventions is an extremely enjoyable experience where you’re surrounded by your community, discovering new interests, and engaging in creativity. Whether it’s your first convention or your tenth, go in prepared with the right gear and confidence!
For bigger conventions such as EVO, LVLUP Expo, TwitchCon, DreamHack, or PAX be sure to check the rules and regulations for bags and outside drinks before attending. Local conventions, like Comic Con, will generally follow local rules.
