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The best travel toiletry bag can be the difference between clean, organized luggage and a suitcase full of spilled lotion. After combing through hundreds of customer reviews, we determined that Peak Design’s Wash Pouch is the best overall.
It incorporates the most important features in a travel toiletry bag: thoughtful design, plenty of multifunctional pockets, durable materials, and a compact size. This bag is a great fit for most travelers, but it’s not the only option. Whether you pack light, heavy, or somewhere in between, here are all our top toiletry bags for your essentials.
Our picks for the best travel toiletry bags
•Best overall: Peak Design Wash Pouch
•Best for travel toiletry bag for makeup:Eachy Travel Makeup
•Best small travel toiletry bag: Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer
•Best travel toiletry bag for organization: L.L. Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag
•Best hanging travel toiletry bag: Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag
•Best Dopp kit: The Renew Transit Catch-All Case
• Best waterproof travel toiletry bag: Maliton Hanging Toiletry Bag
Best overall: Peak Design Wash Pouch
Buy it now onAmazonorPeak Design
Why we like it:The thoughtful design behind Peak Design’s Wash Pouch allows it to handle all sorts of toiletry items. Inside, multiple mesh pockets organize essentials, a zippered compartment holds smaller items, and a magnetically sealed section neatly stashes a toothbrush. Anything that won’t fit inside tucks into the large zippered pocket outside.
We love that you can set it upright on a counter or hang it via a built-in hook. The Wash Pouch is designed to prevent spills and leaks. However, if something seeps out, the weatherproof nylon material makes it easy to clean up. You can remove the inner lining to clean up bigger spills too. Peak Design backs this bag with a lifetime guarantee.
Keep in mind:There are only two color options (black and sage green). It may take up a lot of space in a carry-on bag.
Product details: Dimensions:10.2 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 4.4 inches tall | Weight:8.7 ounces | Material:Nylon | Waterproof:Yes
Best toiletry bag for makeup: Eachy Travel Makeup
Buy it now onAmazon
Why we like it: The best feature on this waterproof toiletry bag is that it opens flat, allowing easy access to makeup. That’s especially helpful for anything that needs to stay upright, like foundation and moisturizer. Multiple interior pockets and partitions keep compacts and tools organized, plus there’s a built-in brush holder. With 24 styles and two sizes (medium and large), travelers have lots of options to choose from.
Keep in mind:This toiletry bag has a top handle for carrying, but there is no hook for hanging.
Product details: Dimensions:9.25 inches long, 4.13 inches wide, and 4.33 inches tall |Weight:9 ounces | Material: Polyurethane | Waterproof:Yes
Best small travel toiletry bag: Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer
Buy it now atDagne Dover
Why we like it:The Dagne Dover Mila Toiletry Organizer may be small, but it packs a big punch in organization. It has a removable insert with six adjustable dividers that turn this simple pouch into a multi-compartment toiletry bag. Two tall and two short elastic hoops keep things like toothbrushes and razors in place, while a zippered mesh pocket helps you see smaller items like bobby pins.
We appreciate that this organizer is made from recycled polyester and mesh and that the dust bag it ships in is made of three recycled plastic bottles. Travelers can stuff products into the smaller option to fit in a carry-on, but the larger option provides a bit more room.
Keep in mind: This toiletry bag isn’t waterproof and requires a little more care to clean.
Product details: Dimensions:5.5 inches long, 5.5 inches wide and 5.5 inches tall | Weight: 6 ounces | Material:Polyester | Waterproof:No
Best travel toiletry bag for organization: L.L. Bean Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag
Why we like it: With six liters of space, L.L. Bean’s water-resistant Personal Organizer Toiletry Bag is best for heavy packers. It has multiple large mesh pockets, zippered compartments, plus a removable shower caddy and a built-in mirror to keep everything organized. The hook is hefty enough to hold 25 pounds, according to the company. This toiletry bag is likely a safe bet for durability—L.L. Bean claims they exposed the bag to extreme temperatures, 20,000 zips and unzips, and 150 sandpaper scrapes.
Keep in mind: All that organization sacrifices space. This bag is big and will likely take up lots of room in a carry-on.
Product details: Dimensions: 9.75 inches tall, 11.5 inches wide, and 3.5 inches in diameter | Weight: 14 ounces | Material:Nylon | Waterproof:Yes
Best hanging travel toiletry bag: Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag
Buy it now atCalpak
Why we like it:Counter space is always at a premium when traveling. That’s why we love the water-resistant Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag, which maximizes vertical storage. It’s got plenty of large and small compartments, toothbrush holders, and zippered pockets. We also appreciate that it’s made from six single-use plastic bottles and is backed by a one-year warranty. The toiletry bag has 10 color options, plus a matching sling bag and duffel backpack.
Keep in mind: The top closes with a buckle, which isn’t as secure as zippers for preventing things from falling out.
Product details: Dimensions:8 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 4 inches tall | Weight: 7.2 ounces | Material: Polyester | Waterproof:Yes
Best Dopp kit: The Renew Transit Catch-All Case
Buy it now atEverlane
Why we like it: Everlane’s Renew Transit Catch-All Case is a stylish and functional dopp kit. Durable and water-resistant, it has a spacious main compartment with five pockets and an exterior zip pocket for frequently used items. We like that the main pocket folds down so you don’t have to dig around for that tube of toothpaste. This toiletry bag also gets bonus points for using environmentally friendly fabric (polyester made from single-use plastic bottles) and environmentally safe dyes.
Keep in mind:This toiletry bag can only be spot-cleaned, which is less convenient than machine-washable options.
Product details: Dimensions: 11 inches long, 6.5 inches tall, and 4.75 inches in diameter | Weight: Unknown | Material:Polyester | Waterproof: Yes
Best waterproof toiletry bag: Maliton Hanging Toiletry Bag
Buy it now onAmazon
Why we like it: No matter how much you try to prevent it, leaks can still happen. Our top pick for best waterproof toiletry bag comes from Maliton. Made with showers and humid bathrooms in mind, it’s constructed of waterproof nylon and has reinforced zippers to help keep spills in and water out.
Besides being waterproof, this toiletry bag has ample space for all your bathroom essentials—mesh pockets and multiple compartments, including one big enough for a towel. And the whole thing folds up for storing.
Keep in mind: This bag is larger than other toiletry bags, so it may not be ideal for carry-ons. suitcase.
Product details: Dimensions:11 inches long, 4.87 inches wide, and 7.6 inches tall | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Material: Nylon | Waterproof: Yes
Our review process
With so many options, choosing the best travel toiletry bag for you can be time-consuming. To help, we filtered our search by the following attributes:
Third-party reviews: Brand marketing can be deceiving. We made sure to consider only toiletry bags with high ratings and positive reviews from both verified customers and third-party review sites.
Brand reputation:We looked beyond product descriptions to customers’ opinions about the brand as a whole. Speedy and attentive customer service, ethical manufacturing practices, and a commitment to sustainability are all important aspects.
Functionality:We looked for toiletry bags with a variety of pockets, compartments, and zippers for maximum functionality. We awarded bonus points for thoughtful design elements such as removable pouches and hooks.
Material and durability:How a toiletry bag is constructed is key. We looked for bags made with sturdy materials such as nylon and polyester. We gave extra points for innovative materials, like recycled plastic or eco-friendly vegan leather.
Capacity:We looked for travel toiletry bags with enough room to hold all your essentials, plus a little extra in case of emergencies.
Compactness:Space is always at a premium when traveling. We kept an eye out for toiletry bags that collapse or flatten to fit into carry-ons.
Tips for buying travel toiletry bags
Type of toiletry bag
Toiletry bags typically fit into two categories: hanging and dopp kits. Hanging bags have a built-in hook and generally open like a book, revealing multiple compartments and pockets. Dopp kits tend to be more compact and have a main compartment with a zippered opening on top. While dopp kits can have multiple pockets, they’re usually more suitable for packing light.
Material
Because toiletry bags store liquids and powders, they need to be able to withstand in-flight spills. Look for bags made of water-resistant materials like nylon or polyester. The best travel toiletry bag should have at least one mesh pocket for securing items that tend to get damp, like toothbrushes.
Dimensions
Toiletry bags come in all shapes and sizes. To determine what size is best for you, make a list of must-have toiletries and determine whether you prefer to pack travel-size products, full-size, or a mix of both. Don’t forget to factor in the size of your luggage.
Frequently asked questions
What fabric is best for a toiletry bag?
Toiletry bags made of nylon or polyester are great because they tend to be more durable and easier to clean. These materials also tend to resist water, but always check the label to be sure.
What is a TSA-approved toiletry bag?
PerTSA guidelines, air travelers can carry on 3.4-ounce bottles and aerosol containers of creams, pastes, liquids, and gels in one quart-sized bag. To reduce the chance of being screened, many people opt for clear toiletry bags so that TSA agents can see what’s inside. Some international airports require transparent plastic bags for liquid items. Always check the guidelines for your destination.
What’s the difference between a toiletry bag and a dopp bag?
Generally, dopp bags or kits tend to be made of leather and are rectangular in shape. However, “toiletry bags,” “dopp kits,” and “dopp bags” are used interchangeably in most cases.
References
TSA Liquids Rule. Retrieved from https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-rule#
European Union luggage restrictions. (2023). Retrieved from https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/carry/luggage-restrictions/index_en.htm
Emily Blackwoodis a freelance service journalist based in San Diego, California. Her work has been published in Outside Magazine, SELF, and HuffPost.
*Although we are sharing our personal opinions of these experiences or products with you, National Geographic is not endorsing these experiences or products on behalf of anyone. It has not performed product safety testing on any of these products, did not manufacture them, and is not selling, or distributing them and is not making any representations about the safety or caliber of these products or experiences for individual consumers. Prices and availability are subject to change from the date of publication.
