Trakke Travel Dopp Kit Review

We have to admit, when we first laid eyes on the Trakke Travel Dopp Kit, we were skeptical. How can something so small be used for travel? What are we even supposed to use this thing for? Well, we found out, and we’re happy with the results. Let’s dive in!

External Components

The exterior of this dopp kit is crafted from waxed canvas, which is Trakke’s staple material. It’s durable and water-resistant, but it takes a while to dry once it gets wet. It tends to accumulate pet hair and dust; however, waxed canvas is incredibly easy to clean in our experience. It looks sleek but isn’t a perfect fit for wet environments.

The main compartment zipper is from YKK, which is another staple we’ve become used to on Trakke bags. Using a YKK zipper isn’t unique, but the pull is. It’s a metal circle which, in our experience, you’ll either love or hate. It’s easy to grab onto, but some users feel it applies too much pressure onto their fingers. That isn’t as much an issue here as it is on their daypack and travel backpack models, as the zipper track isn’t very long, but it’s worth considering.

A handle on one end of the pack helps when opening the zipper and carrying this thing around. You can also hang the pouch using the handle, which is nice if there isn’t much room in your accommodation’s bathroom.

On the other end of the pouch is a small orange tab with ‘Trakke’ on one side and ‘Scotland’ on the other. All the gear we’ve tested from the brand to date was handmade in Scotland, which we dig. That alone is enough of a conversation starter to make shared bathroom situations at a hostel or family member’s house a little less awkward. The tab is highly saturated and adds a nice pop of color, which we dig.

There are gussets on either side of the pouch, which are handy for gear storage. If you put a ton of stuff inside, the gusset expands to enable you to fit more. When not needed, it folds inward to stay out of the way and look nice. Both sides have an elastic tab, which is handy for pulling the gusset in and out but doesn’t have much functionality other than that.

Even when we use this pouch, it remains very flat. It’s straightforward to store when empty because of that and the materials used. You can roll it up so it fits into the palm of your hand, making it a versatile travel accessory because you can slide it into your daypack, sling, or glove box.

Inside The Dopp Kit

Why would you want to bring an empty dopp kit while exploring the city or on a road trip? Let’s explain.

Inside the Trakke Travel Dopp Kit, you’ll find nothing. There’s no organization, segmentation, or party favors. It’s empty. That said, this thing is tiny, so we didn’t expect there to be any organization. So, what can you do with it?

In our experience, this isn’t an all-encompassing toiletry kit. You don’t want to put liquids inside, as it isn’t a 3-1-1 bag, and spills take a while to dry from the waxed canvas if they accidentally leak. However, it does well to stow toiletry tools and makeup. If you’re a minimalist packer, this might be a solution for the toothbrush, comb, nail clippers, and other small toiletry tools you bring on trips. So long as you have an external 3-1-1 toiletry bag, this system works well.

All that considered, you can use this thing for items other than toiletry tools. It’s a versatile pouch to stow tech, snacks, or other everyday carry gear. As we mentioned, it’ll fit inside just about any pack you’re bringing on a trip, from your smallest sling to your carry on luggage, so you can bring it along for the ride. Once you arrive, load it up with what you need for the hotel office space, coffee shop, or shopping. There isn’t any organization, but it holds the smaller gear you want to avoid getting lost in a larger compartment.

We’ve mentioned this before in other travel gear reviews, but this Travel Dopp Kit feels like a master of none. It isn’t the best at anything, and there isn’t one use it excels most. However, as the saying goes, it’s a master of all trades, and for some travelers, it’ll be better than a dopp kit that can only carry toiletries. You can swap out your toothbrush for your cables in a pinch, load it up with snacks for a day exploring the city, or put rocks you found on the beach inside.

If you like everything to have a permanent home, this won’t work for you. However, this is an excellent option for those trying to bring less gear that can do more things!

Plus, it matches any Trakke gear you already have at home. Who doesn’t love that?