ALPAKA Toiletry Bag Review

At first glance, the features and price point the ALPAKA Toiletry Bag presents seem like a solid option for most travelers. However, we’re curious about how well the organization works while traveling and if the size will get in the way. Let’s dive in!

External Components

The primary material on this toiletry bag is Axoflux™ 210D ripstop nylon. ALPAKA developed this material to be sustainable, recycled, and highly effective at carrying your gear. From partnering with local recycling companies to producing the fabric, ALPAKA is all hands on deck, resulting in a highly durable material that protects against spills on the inside and outside the pouch.

At the time of writing, you can only get the toiletry bag in Black. This is par for the course from ALPAKA, and, if we’re honest, black is probably the best color for your toiletry bag. It goes with everything, no matter which travel backpack or daypack you bring, and it’s easy to clean.

The pouch uses YKK zippers. They’re AquaGuard, which offers extra protection from water on either side of the track. They also look sleek, adding to the toiletry bag’s demeanor.

The pulls feel like Hypalon. While we’re not positive that’s what they’re crafted from, they’re easy to grab, small, and out of the way. Plus, you can still hang onto them when wet, which is key for a toiletry bag you’ll use in the bathroom. Who doesn’t spill or spray a little water now and then?

There’s a logo tab in the seam on the right side of the pouch. We dig this—it’s sleek and doesn’t shout toiletry bag, either. That way, people don’t necessarily know that you’re carrying your grooming supplies. It looks a bit like a sling, so they might think you’re going to charge up your phone instead of applying ointment.

The back side has two attachment loops to secure this thing inside your bag or carry it to the bathroom mid-flight or at the hostel. It comes with a nylon wrist strap that’s removable. You can stow it inside if you aren’t using it and pull it out when needed, but it doesn’t get in the way if you leave it on.

There’s also a small liner pocket back here, which you can use to stow tiny gear. Honestly, we haven’t found much of a use for it yet. You could keep the wrist strap there, but it could pop out accidentally since it doesn’t have a top closure.

It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a 3-1-1 pouch. If you’re going through airport security, you’ll need one of those for your liquids. That might change soon with the advent of the new scanners, and Pack Hacker team members didn’t have to remove their liquids on recent trips through Detroit and New York City airports, but it’s best to be prepared. You can always toss a quart-sized bag inside this pouch just in case.

Inside The Toiletry Bag

The interior fabric is 210D x-grid ripstop lining. It’s grey, which we dig. Many toiletry liquids are white or off-white, so they blend in if they smudge on your journey.

There’s a front compartment with no organization. It’s an excellent spot to stow items you want to access quickly and is a solid spot to stash your toothbrush on a red-eye flight. You can give your teeth a brush up when you land and be on your way to adventure or go to a business meeting.

Inside the main compartment, a lot is going on. Buckle up!

On the back wall, there’s a zippered compartment. It’s crafted from mesh, so you can place bigger items inside so long as they fit through the opening, which is quite large. You can see what’s inside, which is handy for anxious travelers (hey, that’s me!). While the mesh allows things to breathe, it lets leaks through. It’s a solid spot for tools you want to separate, though.

In the middle, there’s a ton of open space segmented with an X-shaped divider. It flexes as you manipulate the exterior, and we find that users either like this use of space or don’t; there isn’t much middle ground. It works well if you have a few medium-sized pieces of gear, as the divider gets in the way if you carry large items. That said, it doesn’t go all the way to the bottom of the pouch, so you can slide some sizable things underneath it. That’s awkward, though, so this might not be the pouch for you if you’re bringing something that big, like a full-size hairbrush.

On the front wall, there’s a thin zippered compartment. It’s the perfect spot for a toothbrush since it’s away from the bottom of the pouch, where hairs and residue are likely to link up. You can fit more than just a toothbrush here, and we use it for other items you don’t want to get grimy, like cotton swabs or nail clippers.

Overall, the organization presented here is thoughtful and will work for many travelers. However, it could also get in your way and likely annoy you. If you like the built-in segmentation, it’s a solid all-in toiletry bag for short to medium-length trips. It’ll still work for journeys that span weeks, but you’ll likely want a separate 3-1-1 bag to stow toiletries and a few extra goodies required for longer trips, like shaving equipment.

For $50 (at the time of writing), it’s hard to go wrong with the ALPAKA Toiletry Bag.