The right toiletry bag is a must when traveling. Keeping your things organized helps ensure you have the best experience.
Whether you are a frequent or occasional traveler, you need a high-quality travel toiletries bag to make life so much easier.
The problem, though, is the options can be overwhelming. You don’t know which pouch would better serve your needs. Well, don’t worry because we’re here to ease your worries.
You can make an informed decision with our list of the best toiletry bags for travel. Check them out below.
What Is A Toiletry Bag?
Quite obviously, a toiletry bag is a bag, pouch, or case where you can put your grooming product separately. It’s a great tool if you often travel, go backpacking, or just commute frequently.
It can save you much trouble instead of rooting around your bag to find your shampoo or toothbrush. Having them in one travel kit prepares you to be constantly on the go. How convenient is it to have one of these?
Before buying your toiletries travel bag, let’s clear up the confusion between toiletry bags and Dopp kits.
They’re the same thing.
That’s right. When you shop around, you will see a lot of terms like “toiletry bags,” “Dopp kits,” “toiletry bags for women,” and “toiletry bags for men.” They all pertain to the same small pouch or case, which doesn’t need to be gendered.
They’re all for the same purpose, so you can use the Dopp kit/toiletries bag you want.
Now the question is, “How do you find the travel toiletries bag?” What features should you look for? Read the next part of the article to find out!
Factors To Look For In The Best Toiletry Bag For Travel
Need help finding the best toiletry travel bags? Consider the following factors when you shop around:
Material Durability
Traveling can be rigorous, so it makes sense to choose a durable toiletry bag. It has to be sturdy and, ideally, waterproof or water-resistant since you’ll likely be dealing with spills and leaks. Aside from that, it’s wise to pick a Dopp kit with high-quality stitching and zippers.
Design And Style
Functionality is essential, but you must also consider the toiletry bag’s design and style. Of course, you want a Dopp kit that suits your personal style and works well with your travel gear. The good news is there are plenty of suitable options, no matter your preferences. From minimalist to vibrant patterned pouches—take your pick.
Size And Storage Capacity
How long will your trip be, and how many toiletries will you carry? These things are essential so you can choose the right size and storage capacity for your Dopp kit. Otherwise, you might need more space to carry all your essentials.
Organization Features
The primary job of a travel toiletries bag is to help you stay organized, so one that has lots of organization features is an excellent option. Storing and accessing all your items will be much more efficient with a well-organized Dopp kit.
Ease Of Cleaning
When you travel around a lot, you will be exposed to all kinds of environments. There’s a good chance your toiletry bag often ends up dirty. It’ll save you a lot of trouble if you can find an easy-to-clean wash pouch. Try to find one with smooth material or detachable lining—those are often easier to keep clean.
Portability
Do you travel a lot? If so, portability is a crucial factor to consider when shopping travel cases for toiletries. We advise picking a lightweight kit with either a hook for hanging or a carrying handle for seamless transport and access.
Customer Reviews
While not a feature to look for in your choice of toiletry bag, we firmly believe you should read customer reviews of the kit you’re considering. Doing so can give you valuable insight into what previous customers thought of the product. This way, you lower the risk of buying a travel toiletries bag and end up disappointed.
Types of Toiletry Bags
Do you know there are different styles and types of toiletry bags? Yes, there are! Understanding them is also essential in your search for the best toiletry travel bags. With that said, here are some of your options:
Dopp Kits
We said before that Dopp kits and toiletry bags are the same, but the former is also the name used to call the classic style of these bags. You’ve probably seen them before—with a single large compartment and a single zippered closure. Often, they’re made from leather, canvas, or other synthetic materials.
Hanging Toiletry Bag
This one is one of the most convenient types of travel toiletries bag. It comes with a hook, so you can conveniently hang it in the bathroom or anywhere else. Thanks to its hanging design, you can save space not only in your travel bag but also in your room.
Waterproof Toiletry Bag
If you don’t want to risk your toiletries or clothes getting damped, we suggest picking a waterproof toiletry bag. Not only does it keep water and moisture away, but its materials are also usually more durable, so you should be able to use them much longer.
Large Capacity Toiletry Bag
This type of toiletry bag is perfect if you’re going on an extended trip. As you know, it’s big so it has more space for more items. It usually also has more compartments and pockets to accommodate your grooming products.
Compact Toiletry Bag
The compact toiletry bag is your pick if you’re going on a short trip or simply want to travel light. It’s small, as its name suggests, but also lightweight and non-bulky. Compact travel toiletry bags are perfect for minimalists.
Travel Makeup Bag
Toiletry bags are versatile—you can also use them as a makeup bag. On that note, you will also find dedicated travel makeup bags. They have many compartments to hold all your cosmetics, ensuring your makeup is neat and organized during your travels.
Clear Toiletry Bags
As you can tell by the name, this type of toiletry bag is transparent. It’s the one often used to comply with TSA regulations since it’s easier to see what’s inside the bag. Like other toiletry bags, the clear ones are available in various designs, styles, and sizes.
Top 10 Best Travel Toiletry Bags
Keep your trip breezy through quality travel toiletry cases. Help stay organized with our list of the best toiletry bags for men and women:
1. Aer Travel Kit
First off on our list is the Aer Travel Kit. It comes highly recommended and noted as a “crazy durable and easy to clean” toiletry bag by Effortless Gent’s founding editor, Barron Cuadro
Another excellent trait of this men’s toiletries bag is it’s water-resistant, including the lining inside. One of the things we love the most about this Dopp kit is you can see everything that’s inside when you open it up. That shows it’ll be super easy to store and remove your toiletries from the bag.
As a hanger-type toiletries travel bag, it features a hidden hook that helps store it easily and saves space. It only has a 2.5-liter capacity, so it’s on the smaller option, but it’s not so small that you can’t fit all your necessities inside.
Aer Travel Kit is compact but has plenty of compartments. It has back and front pockets, two zippered pockets inside, an exterior toothbrush holder, and an elastic organizer designed to optimize your space.
Pros
- Compact
- It has a wide opening
- Water-resistant
- Sturdy material
- Space-saving
Cons
Small capacity
2. Matador FlatPak Zipper Toiletry Case
A toiletries bag is a must for every traveler tired of repacking their hair products, makeup, and skincare each time. Fortunately, the Matador FlatPak Zipper Toiletry Case can help make this problem go away.
This Dopp kit is especially great thanks to its dry-through technology designed to help water evaporate quicker while the bag’s exterior remains dry. In addition, the toiletry case features a waterproof material, so liquid shouldn’t get into the bag.
One thing you might not like about it is the lack of internal organization. The pouch doesn’t have interior pockets or slots. But this could be a good thing because then you can toss just about any size of bottle inside the bag without an issue. The lack of organization gives it more room for all the toiletries you want to bring with you.
This is even better, thanks to the case’s gusseted design. Depending on the toiletries you’re packing, the pouch can expand or contract to accommodate your essentials.
Pros
- Dry-through material
- The size expands and contracts
- Water-proof material
Cons
- No organization inside
- Isn’t 100% waterproof
3. WANDF Toiletry Bag
The WandF Toiletry Bag is one of this list’s best budget-friendly men’s toiletries bags. At only $10, you get this grey Dopp kit large enough to store many things for a day in the gym or on an overnight trip.
Its game-charging feature is the compartments, which make it better for organization than single pouches. WandF Toiletry Bag includes a main compartment fit for large and travel-sized products and some mesh pockets for smaller items.
But although it comes with compartments and can hold many products, it could still do with more pockets. Nevertheless, it is indeed a high-quality men’s toiletry bag capable of withstanding repeated use.
Pros
- Lots of space for large quantities
- Water-resistant material
- Lightweight design
- Separate compartments
Cons
Could have better quality fabric
4. Muji Hanging Case With Detachable Pouch
The Muji Hanging Case with a Detachable Pouch is one of the best toiletry bags for travel on this list. It’s also one of the cheaper options, although it’s also significantly smaller. Despite that, the hook design and segmented organization make it quite convenient.
This is a simple travel toiletries bag, so you can’t expect much regarding its features. It has three compartments to organize your toiletries. One of these compartments is a removable pouch for short trips, so that’s a plus.
This Dopp kit is made from 100% polyester. It’s not as sturdy as the ballistic nylon of Aer Travel Kit, but its material is still resilient. It’s also quick-drying, an essential trait for a toiletry bag.
Pros
- Convenient segmented organization
- Removable pouch
- Convenient hanging hook
Cons
- Not very water-resistant
- The material doesn’t feel high-quality
5. Green Guru Upcycled Sleep Pad Travel Kit
If you like to be sustainable in whatever you do, we highly believe this is one of the best toiletry travel bags for you. If you can’t tell by the name, the Green Guru Upcycled Sleep Pad Travel Kit is made from repurposed materials.
It could be made from salvaged climbing ropes, sleeping pads, and tire tubes from REI, remade so you can have a travel pouch for your toiletries. Given the materials this Dopp kit is made of, you’ll be glad to know it’s pretty sturdy. The bag’s underside is exceptionally durable since it’s made from rubber tube material.
As for the top part of the bag, they used pre-loved sleeping pad material. Meanwhile, the inside of the kit showcases bright colors that make it look like such a fun toiletry bag.
While it doesn’t have organization, this toiletry bag for backpacking is roomy. It has a lot of space for your travel-sized toiletries, toothbrush and paste, skincare, makeup, and more. In fact, it can accommodate full-sized bottles.
Handing out or lying down, it is easy to root around the pouch to find whatever you need is easy. It’s even easier with its colorful liner.
Pros
- Sustainable
- Packs small when not in use
Cons
Zippers aren’t as durable
6. Topo Designs 10L Cube Pack Bag
Another one of the best travel cases for toiletries in this list is the Top Designs Cube Pack Bag. It’s an effortlessly simple Dopp kit with a 10L capacity and nylon material. It isn’t the lightest toiletry bag or packing cube, but it is made of sturdy materials.
It is made of recycled 400D nylon, which gives it excellent resistance to abrasion and water, as well as high tear strength. One of the things we loved about it is the U-shaped opening, which means the kit lies flat and thus makes it easier to fact or retrieve items.
We also love the loop handle, making it convenient to hang the pouch. Sadly, it doesn’t have compartments inside, so you’ll need something else for organization.
Pros
- Durable and abrasion-resistant materials
- Strong zippers
- Easy-to-carry handle
Cons
- Zippers can damage thin clothing
- Too big logo
7. Bagsmart Toiletry Bag for Men
If you’re looking for the best toiletry bags for men specifically, the Bagsmart Toiletry Bag for Men is at the top of your list of options. It’s only available in a few colors, like black and dark grey, which can be a bummer for some but is just suitable for most men.
It has a well-structured design, so organizing your grooming and shaving products is easy. We love that it’s highly versatile—the kit can be used for sports activities, travel, and everyday use. It’s undoubtedly an excellent toiletry bag for backpacking.
Another feature of the kit worth noting is its flexible body. You can squeeze it right into your travel backpack, weekender bag, or gym without any problem.
As for organization, it does well having a single large compartment and two separate zipped ones with mesh material.
Don’t worry about getting your essentials wet because its exterior is made of water-resistant material. Even better, the interior of Bagsmart Toiletry Bag for Men is 100% waterproof.
Pros
- Roomy
- Easy to clean
- Water-resistant material
- Convenient hanging hook
- Stylish design
Cons
- The material doesn’t look premium
- Limited color options
- Maybe a bit too big for some people
8. Bellroy Dopp Kit
The Bellroy Dopp Kit is one of the best toiletry bags for women and men—a nice unisex travel toiletry bag. It’s popular for its sleek design, perfect if you love stylish toiletry cases
The design isn’t the only thing we’re digging with the Bellroy Dopp Kit. There’s also the fact it has excellent water resistance both the exterior and interior, but especially the latter. You never have to worry about ruining the bag when you must rush and pack your still-wet toiletries
One thing you might not like about this pouch is the leather accents. If you’re avoiding animal products, this could be an issue. But rest assured that the leather accents were tanned under the environmental protocols of the Leather Working Group.
It’s not only the bag’s exterior that we find luxurious—the interior as well. We’re especially fond of the mesh pockets where you can slide your toiletry bottles for better organization. The game-changer is the magnetic toothbrush sleeve.
Pros
- Sophisticated design
- Excellent organization features
- Includes a toothbrush sleeve
- Water-resistant
Cons
- Toiletries end up messy when hung up
- Can’t fit a lot of stuff
9. Peak Design Wash Pouch
The best toiletry travel bags are compact but spacious. Peak Design Wash Posh doesn’t seem roomy when you look at it from the outside. But we’ve discovered it can fit as much as other bigger toiletry bags.
When filled, all its contents stay in place even when you shake it or flip it up and down, so no worries about them spilling. Besides that, another thing we loved about this Dopp kit is its wide opening and stowable hook.
We also like that it can sit upright even without support. This wash pouch has many pockets, which are worth noting for the neat organization of your necessities. If you love sustainable products, know that the fabric used for the pouch is recycled nylon.
This material means the bag is waterproof. Peak Design Wash Pouch is a go-to for many travel enthusiasts because it makes organizing toiletries easy. We also can’t forget the fact that it doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- High water-resistance
- Reversible pockets
- Thoughtful functionality and design
Cons
- Doesn’t compress
- The hook isn’t as effective
- Would’ve been better to have two zippers
10. Lululemon Patch Logo Travel Kit
The Lululemon Patch Logo Travel Kit is a versatile women’s travel toiletry bag. It’s great for traveling, whether a 2-day out-of-town or a weekend getaway. Not only does it have ample space for your toiletries, but it also has lots of pockets to keep them organized.
But the best thing about this Dopp kit is it doesn’t get bulky. You can put stuff like your skincare, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc., and it stays compact. Besides the single zipper pocket and the elastic bonds, this kit includes a transparent detachable pouch for extra stuff.
This toiletry bag is just the right size for short trips, so you can bring your most important grooming products. It’s durable, water-resistant, and super packable—it’s just perfect.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Spacious
- Versatile
- Portable
- Sleek design
Cons
- Not well structured
- Few compartments
Conclusion
Choosing the ideal toiletry bag for travel can be a daunting task when you’re faced with a plethora of choices. Nonetheless, there are several ways to simplify the selection process, and it all begins with knowing what you want in your Dopp kit.
First of all, consider a bag that is sturdy, resilient, and can withstand the rigors of travel. Additionally, it should be of the appropriate size and capacity, with ample room for all of your essentials. A well-designed interior can help keep your toiletries organized, and multiple compartments can help to further streamline your packing. Also, opting for a bag that makes it easy to store and access your items can be incredibly convenient.
If you’re still unsure of what to look for, we’ve compiled a list of the best toiletry bags for both men and women, which are featured above.