Best Toiletry Bag for Any Trip | Dopp Kit for Travel

Best value toiletry bag

The best toiletry bag for a short trip isn’t always the biggest, which is why we’re reaching for the Gravel Explorer MINI Toiletry Bag when we want to get away for a day or three. It’s a Pack Hacker Pick , so not only do we recommend this bag to our friends, it’s what we pack, too. The 1-liter capacity is enough space for the small bottles of toiletries you’ll need, and it has two compartments so you can keep your toothbrush separate from bottles that could sit on the counter of a strange bathroom or have soapy residue from the shower. However, we have to mention that the back-to-back layout means only one side can be accessed at a time.

On the toothbrush side, the fabric is a thinner water-resistant shell, both inside and out, which is great for containing the dampness that occurs when you want to brush before catching a morning flight home. Both regular- and travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpaste fit inside, although you’ll have to take the head off an electric toothbrush if that’s how you roll.

Gravel uses its QuarryPoly—a water-repellant, scratch-resistant, easy-to-clean material— for the main compartment, which has enough room for deodorant, lotion, face wash, eye drops, and a travel razer. If you don’t already own refillable toiletry bottles, the Gravel Soft 3 oz Liquid Bottles are compatible with the Explorer MINI, but other containers work well, too.

A silicone strap makes it easy to hang up the pouch at your accommodations, and it’s always nice when you can save space around a small hotel sink. It's easy to pack, too, since its size and shape fit perfectly in the odd spaces left near the top of your travel backpack or in the long space next to telescoping handles inside rolling luggage.

• You can hang this up in the hotel bathroom, or off the outside of your travel backpack, for easy access to your gear
• The adjustable strap is easy to loop onto bars and racks

• If you open both zippers at once, accessing gear on one side can lead to your gear spilling out on the other
• The compartments eat into each other’s space

Best budget toiletry bag

We can’t think of many worse things than rushing to repack on the last morning of vacation and arriving home to find our clothing damp because we didn’t remember to dry out our toiletry bottles after showering. If this has happened to you, avoid it next time with Matador’s FlatPak Zippered Toiletry Case.

If you’re familiar with Matador’s other FlatPak products, the Zippered Toiletry Case has the same dry-through technology that lets water evaporate through the fabric while the exterior stays dry. While the material is waterproof, the bag itself is not since some liquid could still sneak through the hole at the end of the zipper. However, it should contain most spills, and if you prefer a zipperless design, you can check out the rolltop Matador FlatPak Toiletry Case.

The 2.25-liter pouch has no internal organization, but that means you’ll have no problem tossing bottles of nearly any size inside—unless you’re trying to travel with a family-sized bottle of shampoo, that is. We tested this on a road trip, and if you don’t have to worry about 3-1-1 limits, it’s great to dump larger toiletries casually into the pouch—we prefer that there’s no built-in organization for this type of use case. When we need to follow TSA guidelines, we like that there’s plenty of room for every type of gel and lotion we want to bring, and we don’t need a separate bag for solids and other gear. Don’t worry if you don’t need to bring too much on a short trip, though. The toiletry bag’s gusseted design expands and contracts depending on what you’re packing, so you don’t need to switch to a smaller Dopp kit when traveling for a shorter time.

• You don’t have to worry about tossing your damp bottles back in the bag since they can dry through the material
• The gusseted design is excellent, allowing the pouch’s size to expand and contract based on the items inside

• Air escapes through the zipper, so it’s not completely waterproof
• There’s no internal organization

Best hanging toiletry bag

There are enough pockets and pouches on the L.L.Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag to help you sort all your travel toiletries, plus some of your friend’s. However, you'll have to remember where you put everything (which we find difficult when we’re getting ready for a red-eye flight home!). Each side has a zipper pocket that includes small mesh pockets and elastic loops, which we use for toothbrushes or razors. We find the front pocket better for short and slim gear because taller items make it more challenging to close the main compartment.

When you unzip this toiletry bag, you’ll find a large swivel hook you can use to hang the bag from a towel rack or a hook, and since the nylon packcloth exterior is water-resistant, it doesn’t matter if you splash it accidentally. Two pockets at the top are plasticky to contain liquids, so we use them for shampoo, makeup, and sunscreen. The top one is clear so you can see what’s inside, and we like that there’s a mirror that attaches to it with a hook-and-loop fastener. It comes in handy when we need to get ready outside the bathroom, and since it’s removable, you can use it to check the back of your hair. The one pocket underneath is more barrel-shaped to take advantage of available space when you zip the bag shut.

The main area has space for taller bottles in two mesh pockets and a removable shower caddy to bring the essentials with you. It includes its own hook so we can hang our soap and shampoo in the shower if there are no available shelves in the hostel or Airbnb. The material dries quickly, so you can repack it into the Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag in the evening to be ready for the next day.

• It has lots of granular organization that takes advantage of all the available space and a removable shower caddy
• We can fit enough gear for several days

• It can be hard to zip down the front flap if you pack something tall inside
• The organizer struggles to stand upright on a countertop

Best TSA-approved toiletry bag

When you’re getting ready to hop on a flight and want to pave the way for a smooth experience at TSA, you’ll want the best toiletry bag to get your gear through security. We like the clear design of the TOM BIHN 3D Organizer Cube for that, and also because it’s easier to find what you need to grab when bleary-eyed in the morning. It has a slim design that’s excellent for minimalist packing, although the relatively small size does mean you’re limited to 1 liter’s worth of travel-sized bottles. You’ll likely have to find another place for longer toothbrushes and standard-size hairbrushes, too. That said, we’ve been able to get all of our toiletries—even non-liquids—into this thing for a long weekend trip, so it ultimately comes down to how many products your routine requires.

On the other hand, the transparent urethane is easy to clean in case of spills and is thicker than a zip-top bag. It’s surrounded by ballistic nylon that you can get in various colors if you prefer to match your travel backpack. And unlike something you get at the grocery store, it has a hook to hang on the towel rod or a hook, which we find super convenient in hotels with tiny bathroom sinks. Plus, there are O-rings on each side, so you can attach a shoulder strap to carry it to the campground or hostel bathroom or to connect it to other TOM BIHN bags.

• The slim design makes it great for minimalist packing
• You don’t need a separate 3-1-1 bag to go through TSA

• Everyone can see all of your gear (and stains) inside
• It’s not large enough for longer toothbrushes, so you have to use one that’s travel size

Best makeup toiletry bag

Style isn’t always something we prioritize in a toiletry bag, but when renting an Airbnb with friends, it’s nice to have something you don’t mind other people seeing. It’s small and stylish enough to carry around, and the leather carry handle is comfortable enough to do so. But it’s not just a pretty face; the nylon material holds up well against splashes and spills, so it’s OK to set it down on a damp counter.

It has enough space for a weekend trip, and the organization makes it easy to find what you need. An exterior slip pocket is perfect for wipes, tissues, and cotton swabs, and the bag opens up completely clamshell so you can see all your gear at once. On the top half of the Small Toiletry Bag is a see-through zippered compartment that we loaded with travel bottles of liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner, and toothpaste. We can fit four travel bottles inside, and seeing them side by side is rather satisfying. On the bottom half is a mesh-covered compartment where you can dump all make-up tools and tubes of concealers, lotions, sunscreens, and ointments. While there is a fair amount of depth to both halves of the main compartment, travel-sized tubes and canisters still work best if you want to maximize all of the available space, and we’re happy to report that the black interior liner does a good job of hiding stains if a bottle opens en route.

• The deep pockets are well-suited for storage
• It’s well-structured with a water-resistant outer shell

• There’s no option to hang it up to save counter space
• The slip pocket is only suited for small, thin items

Best splurge toiletry bag

If you’re looking for a hanging Dopp kit with shelf-like organization and a small footprint, the Peak Design Small Wash Pouch is the best toiletry bag for you. It has features similar to its larger sibling, the Wash Pouch, but in a 1-liter design. It has accordion-like, rubbery mesh partitions in an X-shape that help organize our gear into different areas to keep our solid lotion separate from our shampoo and conditioner and slide in a razor where it won't touch our travel toothbrush and paste. The dividers serve as shelving when you use the hook to hang it up, but because the sections are not very deep, you’ll have to be careful not to bump it while it hangs, or your gear can fall out.

It has a triangular side profile, with more room at the bottom than the top, similar to other standing pouches, all wrapped up with 200D nylon coated with a DWR to ward off most stains and splashes. It’s easy to open with the grippy pull on the Zoom zipper, and the hook stows away in a slip pocket until you need it. However, it can slip out if you overpack the bag. When carrying it into the bathroom, a small piece of overhanging fabric acts as a de facto handle. While it takes a little getting used to, we really liked it once we did.

• The wide access through the gusseted opening makes it easy to find your gear
• We love the option to hang it up off the counter

• Be careful not to overstuff it when it's hanging or you’ll find it hard to rezip
• It wobbles when standing if packed tightly

We loved the durable materials, internal organization, and hanging hook of the original Aer Travel Kit, and unlike some movie sequels, we think the second iteration is even better. The main compartment layout and the way it can hang from the built-in hook remains, which is great for getting it off of tiny hotel sinks. Aer also kept the kangaroo-style shelf design, elastic loops, zippered mesh pocket, and toothbrush slots. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

Changes include adding an extra toothbrush pocket on the outside of the kit. We like standing up our toothbrush to dry without sacrificing a towel to protect the head from germs on the countertop, and now our travel companion’s brush is safe, too. When we fly solo, it does the same for your razor—although you won’t want to leave either one there when you fly home. Instead, slide it in a horizontal garage in the main compartment. There’s also a beefier carry handle, but it’s rougher feeling than the seatbelt-like one on the original Travel Kit. We do prefer the softer material of the original, but considering the secondary purpose of the handle, the difference is only minimal.

As for organization, a slim front pocket is great for anything you need to grab while you’re traveling, like tissues or wet wipes, while the rear compartment is roomier for a first-aid kit, makeup compacts, or anything else you want.

The main compartment has a super stretchy mesh pocket in its top half for tiny travel accessories and a slip pocket that hides the hanging hook. On the bottom, you can vertically slide travel-size bottles in elastic loops in one pouch, although they’re not very grippy for smaller bottles. While the elastic loops could seem overkill, they keep everything in place, even when you’re running to catch a train.

• From a hanging hook to a toothbrush garage, this kit has features that come together for a great user experience
• It has spacious, shelf-like organization

• Internal elastic loops struggle to store a range of toiletry bottle sizes
• It tends to swing around its hinged hook

Keep everything organized in a sleek-looking package when you reach for the Bellroy Dopp Kit. The polyester and nylon materials are water-resistant. We’re digging this water-resistance, particularly on the interior, as it helps you keep everything spic and span. And you don’t have to worry about ruining your bag when packing away your wet toiletries post-shower. However, the logo and zipper pull are leather, which looks great but may not be for you if you’re avoiding animal products. The leather has been tanned under Leather Working Group environmental protocols, though, so that’s a good shout, although the rounded edges can make it tricky to pack in some spaces.

But enough about the outside; we like the equally luxurious mesh pockets inside where you can slide a few bottles or your contact lens case to make it easier to find later. It also has a unique magnetic toothbrush sleeve that snaps your dental gear out of the way after you’ve polished your pearly whites. During the day, we like to leave the sleeve open to let the head of our brush dry, and it also works well for a razor if you want to toss your toothbrush elsewhere.

If you have a lot of differently-shaped bottles and tubes, you might think this is the best Dopp kit since the remaining space is open for interpretation. While the minimal organization won’t be enough for those who like everything to have a specific place, we find it pretty perfect.

• A super sophisticated Dopp kit that has just the right amount of organization without taking up too much space
• The toothbrush sleeve is a game-changer

• It has leather accents, so it may not be for you if you avoid animal products
• Toiletries may get jumbled when you hang it up

The lululemon Command the Day Dopp Kit 5L is large enough to fit oversized toiletry tools and has ample segmentation to keep everything organized on your trip. The materials are sturdy and water resistant, and it utilizes coated exterior zippers to ensure your toiletries stay inside the Dopp kit, no matter how hard they try to escape.

The Dopp kit doesn’t have a handle, which can be frustrating if you have a long walk from your bedroom to the bathroom; however, it’s not too inconvenient to carry it without it. The size takes up a lot of space on your counter and doesn’t lay completely flat, but we haven’t found ourselves struggling to find items within the large capacity. The elastic loops are handy for stowing long items and keeping them separate from the hubbub of the primary storage area.

If you’re looking for a Dopp kit that can handle almost anything you throw at it with a sleek, stylish exterior, look no further than the lululemon Command the Day Dopp Kit 5L.

• There’s enough room for large toiletry tools and dedicated space for smaller items
• It has coated zippers, ensuring spills stay in (or out)

• The design doesn’t allow it to lay completely flat
• It doesn’t have a handle

If you’re looking for the best Dopp kit and love Aer’s aesthetic, why not go with one from your favorite brand? We don’t think you’ll be disappointed because this one has a slimmer design that fits nicely into a small daypack or your favorite travel backpack. While the overhead clearance is a little low, forcing you to squeeze taller travel-sized toiletries inside, the capacity feels otherwise the same from the second iteration.

The Dopp Kit 3 ditches the front compartment, however, in favor of a clamshell design that keeps most of your toiletries at a glance and within easy reach. The front pocket has a self-locking YKK zipper that we like to use to leave a small opening for a toothbrush to dry out. It’s also great for wet wipes, tweezers, cotton swabs, and hair pins. Inside the main compartment, we use the wide pocket at the back for toiletry bottles, two elastic loops for a comb and razor, and a small zippered (non-mesh) pocket for tiny travel accessories. The zippered mesh pocket at the front is perfect for everything else, from containers of cream to nail clippers and other tools. Overall, we find it a great layout for weekend and week-long trips, depending on how much gear you need to bring.

• Its balanced capacity feels right for trips lasting from a few days to a week
• The slim profile is easy to squeeze into tightly-packed bags

• Some capacity has been cut from the previous version
• The elastic loops are too big for a standard toothbrush

The ALPAKA Toiletry Bag is built like a sling. It's compact, sleek, and easy to pack into your daypack or travel backpack without much fuss. We've found that the size is prohibitive for stowing large toiletry tools; however, it's taller than some of our favorite small Dopp kits, so it performs better overall. The internal organization is thorough, similar to ALPAKA's slings and backpacks, and the bag has a removable wrist strap, which is handy for quick trips to the bathroom after a long flight. Plus, the materials are highly durable and water resistant, and the zippers have a coating on them to keep everything dry.

Black is our favorite color for a toiletry bag because we enjoy that it functions as a Dopp kit but doesn't look like one; however, even we'll admit it isn't very fun compared to more vibrant options on this list. ALPAKA's Toiletry Bag comes in four colorways at the time of writing, so you can spruce up your carry with something other than black if you want to. Sometimes, the toiletry bag won't stand up independently, making it challenging to get ready with it on the counter next to you. However, if you pack smart, it'll stand up, making every toiletry tool and container easy to access.

• The materials and hardware are durable and water-resistant
• It has ample organization for a small Dopp kit

• The internal mesh pockets may leak
• It doesn't always stand up on its own

Sometimes, the best Dopp kit is simply the one that won’t tip over on the counter and fall into the sink. When that’s what you’re looking for, we recommend the Topo Designs Dopp Kit because its triangular base helps it to stand upright wherever you set it down. Its spacious interior will fit plenty of stuff, although it lacks interior pockets to keep it organized. It has the rugged vibe we know and love from Topo Designs, with a tough 1000D CORDURA® fabric exterior and a 400D coated nylon Packcloth liner. It’s held closed with a YKK No. 5 zipper, which is beefy enough for peace of mind but not as huge as on some other Topo bags. As always, we like the paracord pull on the end because it makes it easy to zip it closed. Plus, it’s bright red, so it’s easy to spot even if you’re getting ready in the dark.

Inside is a cavernous space lined with bright yellow fabric. We have no trouble spotting bobby pins on the bottom of the bag or finding our favorite lip balm inside the nearly-neon interior. That’s good because, without internal organization, you have to dig through your gear to find what you’re looking for. While we would’ve appreciated a pocket or two, the pouch’s triangular shape, easy access, and overall durability mean it’s still a solid pouch that should serve you well for years while still looking brand new.

• It stands on its own, so it won’t fall off the sink counter
• The durable materials still look as great as the day we bought it

• There’s no interior organization, so you’ll have to dig through your gear
• It’s larger than other Dopp kits, which is a plus or a minus depending on your perspective