Discover the Best Toiletry Bags for Organized Travel
No matter where in the world your journey might take you, a few things will surely make it onto your packing list: weather-appropriate clothes, comfortable shoes, and toiletries.
However, toiletries are unique in the sense that you can't just throw them in your suitcase without a second thought. Otherwise, you might end up with a mess—leaky bottles and spilled liquids everywhere—and waste precious time searching through these disorganized items when you need to get ready. None of these scenarios sound particularly appealing, do they? That's why a quality toiletry bag is a must-have, not just a nice-to-have.
This guide will help you find the best toiletry bag to keep your travel essentials organized and your trip hassle-free.
Top Picks for Best Toiletry Bags
At its core, choosing the best toiletry bag is similar to finding any other type of bag, from crossbody bags to tote bags. You get the one that best fits your style and needs. However, with toiletry bags, the “needs” part trumps the “style” part. In other words, toiletry bags place a much stronger emphasis on functionality, which is why examining their features in detail is key to finding the best toiletry bag. With this in mind, let's dive into our top picks for the best toiletry bags, highlighting the features that make them a worthwhile purchase.
Canvelle Toiletry Bag
When it comes to women's toiletry bag designs, Canvelle reigns supreme. That’s why it shouldn’t be surprising that a toiletry bag from this brand tops our list of the best toiletry bags in the game. Though any of Canvelle’s travel bags could’ve made the top spot, this guide will highlight an exquisite black women's toiletry bag — the Hanging Toiletry Bag.
Of course, black is just one of the color options at your disposal. You can also go with grey, olive, or sand. But the color options, as aesthetically pleasing as they are, aren’t why the Hanging Toiletry Bag is our champion. This primarily has to do with its smart design.
On one hand, you get a large main compartment that can easily fit full-size toiletries. To keep everything sorted out inside, there are also two spacious inner pockets and two handy mesh pockets. On the other hand, you get a hanging hook that allows you to hang the bag wherever you want.
With this simple move, you get two benefits. One, you save precious bathroom counter space. If you’ve ever visited a hotel bathroom with tiny sinks, you know what a lifesaver this is! And two, you keep all your favorite travel products within easy reach—they’re practically shelved right next to you.
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Away Large Toiletry Bag
There's no doubt about it: the Away Large Toiletry Bag means business. This sophisticated toiletry bag features a water-resistant nylon body, an easy-to-clean interior, and multiple compartments, including a central one with a large zipper, which is ideal for larger toiletries. This well-thought-out design allows you to store both bulkier items and travel-size containers of your favorite products. Keep in mind that the Away Large Toiletry Bag is rather compact in structure, which is a major plus for packing, but it might slow down your access to items if you pack it too tightly. Sure, your electric toothbrush should be an easy catch, but those elusive hair clips? Not so much.
Aer Travel Kit 2
The Aer Travel Kit 2 might not be a looker, but it's built for serious functionality. Featuring a Cordura ballistic nylon exterior and water-resistant, antimicrobial interior, this travel kit is designed to withstand the rigors of travel while keeping your essentials clean and dry. Its thoughtful layout includes multiple zippered compartments on the inside and exterior travel toothbrush holders for easy access. You'll also find a hanging hook that instantly transforms your travel kit into a shelf on the go. Most carry-on travelers who need a compact yet spacious bag will find the Aer Travel Kit 2 the perfect size.
LINE+ARC Waterproof Toiletry Bag
At first glance, the stunning LINE+ARC Dopp Kit might not look too spacious. However, as soon as you reach for the exterior zipper, you'll uncover a surprisingly generous interior designed to maximize storage. Best of all, the bag features a wide-open mouth, so you can easily access just about everything in this spacious interior without fumbling around. But that's not even the best part. The best part is that you can place this dopp kit in your bathroom sink without a second thought, thanks to its fully waterproof silicone exterior. Each travel toiletry will remain very much dry!
Béis The Dopp Kit
Another impressive dopp kit, this time from Béis, makes it onto our list of the best toiletry bags for travel. One look at this bag makes it abundantly clear: the Béis Dopp Kit has it all. In the style department, you get to choose between as many as 12 stunning color options. As for functionality, you’ll enjoy a large main compartment, a spacious extra compartment on the bottom, and a handy interior pocket for your toothbrush. What you won’t get to enjoy, however, is a lot of space in your luggage, as this bag takes up quite a lot. This makes it ideal for overpackers who are always missing that extra room for their extensive skincare routine products, makeup palettes, and other oh-so-necessary travel companions.
Gravel Explorer MINI Toiletry Bag
If you’re an adventurer who’s always on the go and doesn’t need much, you need the Gravel Explorer MINI Toiletry Bag. This toiletry bag is minimalism personified. There are no bells and whistles, just a compact, water-resistant body, two separate compartments, and an adjustable strap for hanging. Even if you aren’t used to packing light, this bag might be just what you need to free yourself of the overpacking habit.
Bellroy Dopp Kit
This Bellroy beauty checks all the boxes for the perfect dopp kit: compact design, sleek exterior, and organized layout. These characteristics make it ideal for full-time travelers who are looking for a sophisticated and organized bag that won’t take up too much space. Features that deserve highlighting are undoubtedly the water-resistant lining that allows an easy wipe-down, a toothbrush sleeve with a magnetic closure, and internal mesh pouches for quick visibility.
Osprey Ultralight Roll Organizer
This handy toiletry bag gives it all away with its name. It’s ultralight, thanks to the diamond ripstop nylon construction and overall design. It’s also essentially a roll, thanks to the unique foldable design that transforms it into a compact, easy-to-store package. Talk about convenience! The only downside to this bag is that quick access is possible only when the bag is unrolled and fully opened. Otherwise, good luck finding that travel toothpaste and razor you need to start your day.
Peak Design Small Wash Pouch
Are you the just-the-essentials kind of traveler? If so, you’ll love the Peak Design Small Wash Pouch. For how compact it is, this toiletry bag features a surprising number of internal organization compartments, including mesh bags and separate pockets with zippers. Best of all, you’ll get the perfect bird’s-eye view of all your travel companions stored in these organizational compartments, thanks to the bag’s wide-access design.
Away Small Toiletry Bag
The Away Small Toiletry Bag is just a mini version of the Away Large Toiletry Bag. This means fewer interior compartments—two, to be precise—but it also means less bulk and a streamlined size, making it ideal for overnight stays, weekend trips, and other quick getaways. Plus, the compact size won’t make you lose out on the bag’s stellar features, such as stylish design, water resistance, and clamshell opening.
What to Look For in a Toiletry Bag
Based on the entries that made it onto our best toiletry bag list, you can probably already tell which features are the most desirable when choosing a toiletry bag. But just in case, here’s a quick rundown of the key factors to consider when selecting the perfect toiletry bag for your travels.
Capacity and Size
Mini, small, medium, large—these are the sizes you’ll most commonly see when browsing available toiletry bags. So, which one’s ideal for you? Well, it depends. How long will you be traveling? For shorter road trips, you can probably get away with using a small or mini toiletry bag. However, a long vacation or a family trip might call for more than travel-size bottles and, thus, a bigger toiletry bag.
Material and Durability
Let’s say you’re looking at a fabulous black crossbody bag or a black tote bag for your everyday adventures. In this case, you can probably focus more on aesthetic appeal, knowing the bag won’t face too much wear and tear. But when it comes to toiletry bags, durability and material quality take center stage.
Given how rough travel can be on your belongings, you need a sturdy material that can withstand the rigors of packing, unpacking, and sometimes being tossed around in your suitcase. Add the products packed into a toiletry bag to the mix, and it becomes clear why you also need a material that’s water-resistant and easy to clean. These requirements leave you with a few great material options, such as nylon, polyester, and silicone. Real leather toiletry bags are also an option, but be ready to sacrifice ease of maintenance for a more luxurious feel and appearance.
Organization and Compartments
A toiletry bag isn’t just a bag; it’s a portable organization system that keeps your essentials neatly arranged and easily accessible. But to do so, it must have a plethora of pockets (including mesh pockets), dual compartments, elastic loops, removable pouches, and handy dividers.
Portability and Design
Toiletry bags are supposed to be your faithful travel companions, whether your final destination is a tropical island or a local gym. But to do this, they must also be compact, lightweight, and portable. The material, size, and profile affect most of these characteristics, but additional features like hanging hooks and handles can do wonders for enhancing the overall convenience and portability of your bag.
Tips for Choosing the Right Toiletry Bag
Are you looking for a handy checklist to help you buy the best toiletry bag for your needs? Say no more. Here’s what you should do when making the final decision:
- Consider what you’ll use the toiletry bag for, and let the primary purpose be your guiding light.
- Decide on the necessary capacity and size based on the primary use.
- Choose a durable, water-resistant, and easy-to-clean material.
- Look for features that will enhance your organization and the accessibility of items.
- Select a style and design that matches your personal aesthetic.
Bagging the Essentials
With a few facts outlined in this guide and consideration of your individual needs, the best toiletry bag is right around the corner. If you don’t feel like wasting time researching, choosing one of our top picks is a sure way to get you to that corner quickly. And if you want to learn more about mastering your travels in style, we’ve got a solution for that, too. Subscribe to our newsletter for more product recommendations or read our other articles on travel essentials and accessories. Also, we’d love it if you would share some of your travel experiences and preferences in the comments section below. After all, the best recommendations often come from fellow travelers who’ve been there, done that, and packed the perfect bag.
FAQs
What is the best material for a toiletry bag?
The best material for a toiletry bag is nylon or polyester—a water-resistant and easy-to-clean material that can withstand some wear and tear.
What is the difference between a toiletry bag and a dopp bag?
Though the terms “toiletry bag” and “dopp bag” are often used interchangeably, the latter is actually a specific type of the former. A dopp bag is a stylish bag often made of genuine leather, used to pack your grooming essentials for the road.
Are toiletry bags worth it?
Absolutely. Toiletry bags put the “organization” into travel organization, which makes them a must-have item.
How do I choose a toiletry bag?
Choosing the best toiletry bag will boil down to your lifestyle, preferences, and the main use of the bag. These three factors will directly dictate the size, capacity, and necessary features for the best toiletry bag.