Tradition carries on at Tough Traveler in Schenectady

PHOTOGRAPHER: Kelly de la Rocha

From pencil pouches to super-sized duffel bags, Tough Traveler makes a carrier for just about anything that needs to be toted.

The Schenectady-based company, which has been in business since 1970, sells its locally created products worldwide.

Pictured here are workers cutting and sewing fabric for recent orders, including one for a Japanese retailer.

The company’s duffel bags, baby carriers and backpacks are perennial favorites, but wheeled luggage and backpacks for carrying dogs are also good sellers, according to Nancy Gold, the company’s president.

Tough Traveler also fills custom orders.

The latest product to hit the shelves is a hybrid — a combination of a briefcase and computer bag.

The company’s products, which Gold said have mid-range prices, are each designed to be useful for multiple purposes and are known for their quality.

“We have a wonderful reputation for getting comments continually from people about how many years they’ve had the products, that still look good and still remain useful,” she said.