The toiletry bag—also known as a dopp kit, wash bag, or shaving kit—is an essential piece of gear for a frequent traveler. It’s also handy for freshening up after the gym or navigating a college dorm’s communal bathrooms. Ahead, find some of the best toiletry bag options designed to help you breeze through airport security, store the bare essentials, or offer enough space for your whole family.
- BEST OVERALL: BOACAY Premium Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Relavel Travel Toiletry Bag
- BEST FOR ORGANIZATION: Lavievert Toiletry Bag/Makeup Organizer
- BEST LARGE: BAGSMART Toiletry Bag with Hanging Hook
- BEST COMPACT: Herschel Chapter Toiletry Kit
- BEST LEATHER: Aaron Leather Goods 10″ Premium Leather Travel Pouch
- BEST HANGING: D&D Wanderlust Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag
- BEST PATTERN SELECTION: Mossio Hanging Toiletry Bag
- BEST TSA-APPROVED: 3pcs Lermende TSA Approved Toiletry Bag
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Toiletry Bag
Before shopping for a toiletry bag, there are some key factors to consider. Keep reading to learn about some of the most important qualities and features to keep in mind when picking the best toiletry bag for your needs.
Purpose
Toiletry bags come in a variety of different styles to suit different purposes. Many people use them during travel, while those who are short on bathroom space at home find one handy if they don’t have access to a vanity or medicine cabinet. Others still might use a toiletry bag for trips to the gym. When traveling on weekend getaways, a small bag that holds a few essentials is a convenience, while for longer adventures a larger bag that holds more products is a better choice. When traveling by plane with only a carry-on, be sure that the bag meets Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines.
Material
Toiletry bags come in a wide variety of materials. Here are some of the most common:
- Plastic toiletry bags are inexpensive, easy to clean, and often meet TSA standards for traveling with carry-on luggage.
- Leather toiletry bags are both durable and elegant. The downside, though, is that leather can be damaged by moisture, unless the bag is lined with waterproof material to prevent leaks. Toiletry bags made with water-resistant fabrics are convenient because they won’t suffer damage if they get damp.
- Canvas toiletry bags are rugged and long-lasting. Some canvas bags are coated with substances that make them more water-resistant.
Shape and Capacity
Toiletry bags come in a wide range of shapes and sizes for personalization. Those without elaborate grooming routines might need a smaller bag that doesn’t take up much space. Some families, on the other hand, prefer to keep all their bathroom essentials together while traveling, requiring a bag with a large storage capacity. Some toiletry bag manufacturers simply offer the dimensions of their bags, while others measure capacity in volume. And yes, the shape of the right toiletry bag does matter: When traveling with full-size products, for example, a vertically oriented design enables storage of larger, taller bottles upright.
Pockets
To store only a few items, a toiletry bag with a single pocket will suffice, but a wider collection of toiletries requires a bag with multiple pockets for better organization. A bag with several pockets of varying sizes allows for keeping like items together, ensuring that digging through multiple products to find something isn’t necessary. Many bags have pockets that are specifically sized to store a toothbrush, toothpaste, pill containers, and other odd-shaped necessities. These pockets are typically made with mesh or clear plastic materials, depending on their intended purpose.
Hanging Capability
When traveling, a hotel bathroom’s available counter space is unpredictable. That’s where hanging toiletry bags come in. They’re generally equipped with a clothes-hanger-style hook that attaches to a towel rack, door handle, or shower curtain rod. These bags unfold for accessing products and accessories easily. Hanging toiletry bags are also useful for camping or using the bag in the shower. Before lathering up, however, remember to make sure the bag is waterproof or water-resistant.
Waterproofing
A waterproof toiletry bag is essential when bringing it into the shower. They are also good bets when toting toiletries back and forth to the gym or to a college dorm’s communal bathroom. While some bags are fully waterproof, others simply have waterproof interior linings. Waterproof lining will keep shampoo and other messy products from leaking out onto luggage, but that doesn’t necessarily protect the outside of the toiletry bag from moisture. Some bags are water-resistant, which means it’s fine if they come into contact with a bit of moisture, but don’t submerge them or use them in the shower.
Additional Features
- TSA-approved toiletry bags are 1 quart or less in capacity.
- Folding toiletry bags have a small footprint when closed but unfurl to reveal all the products inside.
- Elastic straps are used for securing items like toothbrushes, makeup brushes, cosmetics bottles, and more.
- Padded toiletry bags provide added cushioning to prevent health and beauty gear from damage.
Our Top Picks
Now that you know more about what to look for in the best toiletry bags, you’re ready to start shopping. These top picks take all of these features—including material, waterproofing, size, capacity, and hanging capability—into account. This list offers a variety of choices for a top-notch toiletry bag suited for your needs and budget.
Photo: amazon.com
Boacay’s toiletry bag is made from water-resistant polyester and is even machine-washable in case of leaks or spills. Because of its height, it’s ideal for those who need to transport larger toiletries and want them to remain upright.
This bag has two zippered, mesh pockets and a tall mesh compartment for storing full-size toiletry products. It also has 10 elasticized bands to securely store products of various size. Its reversible metal hook makes it easy to hang on a closet or shower rod, plus the handle and seams of the bag are double-sewn for optimal durability. It measures at 8.5 inches wide by 4.7 inches deep by 10.2 inches tall, making it compact. While it’s not made of transparent materials, the sizing of the bag is TSA-approved for traveling with liquids.
Photo: amazon.com
This Relavel bag has a low price point but features a large capacity for packing needs. Equipped with a hanger and made of waterproof materials, this toiletry bag is a great choice for using at the gym or in the shower. It features six compartments in varying sizes and styles: two mesh zippered pockets, one clear zippered pocket, and three open elasticized pockets for storing products upright.
The bag measures 9.5 inches long by 4.5 inches high by 6.3 inches wide, but when completely unfolded it is 30 inches long. It comes in four different colors to suit a variety of tastes.
Photo: amazon.com
The numerous pockets, compartments, and elastic loops featured in this Lavievert bag make organizing toiletries simple. It’s made of water-resistant materials and comes equipped with a reinforced hook, so it can be hung when it is unfolded. It also features light padding for added protection.
Small items like nail clippers, toothbrushes, and cosmetics brushes can be tucked into the elastic loops, while the bag’s larger compartments work well for full-size product bottles. One of its best features are the ventilated mesh pockets, ideal for storing damp items. The large capacity measures 12.8 inches long by 5.5 inches high by 7.7 inches wide.
Photo: amazon.com
This Bagsmart model is padded and water-resistant, containing four large zippered pockets made of transparent material. Two pockets have elastic straps to keep products upright, one of which is equipped with a double zipper to easily access the contents. It also has an open exterior pocket for easy access to frequently used products.
A 360-degree swivel hook allows for hanging the bag on hooks, rods or other surfaces. When closed, the bag measures 12.6 inches long by 9.1 inches high by 4.3 inches wide, but when unfolded it extends to 33.5 inches in length. Its large capacity easily stows multiple full-size bottles.
Photo: amazon.com
For short trips, or for those who travel light when it comes to toiletries, this canvas Herschel bag is small and simple. It features an interior mesh pouch within the main compartment for organization, plus an exterior zippered pouch. The interior is lined with the brand’s signature striped material, and it comes in an extensive array of colors.
The small size—8.5 inches long by 5.2 inches high by 3.2 inches wide, and a capacity of 3 liters—meets TSA sizing standards, good for safely storing liquids (under 3.4 ounces) in carry-on luggage.
Photo: amazon.com
This vintage-style dopp kit is made with 100 percent genuine buffalo leather, plus a double-zip closure compartment and one exterior zipped pocket. Metal studs on the bottom protect the leather and prevent slipping. The interior compartment and exterior pocket are lined with waterproof material to prevent leaks.
The Aaron Leather Goods toiletry bag comes in a wide range of colors, and it’s available in vegan leather. At 10 inches long by 5.5 inches high by 5 inches wide, it’s a roomy bag that can store several full-size products.
Photo: amazon.com
Made with water-resistant nylon, this sizable D&D bag features a number of versatile pockets for products of varying sizes. The primary compartment is constructed with mesh pockets to fit full-size toiletry bottles up to 9 inches in height. The two laminated mesh pockets are transparent and waterproof, perfect for storing bottles that may leak. Two side pockets offer quick access without opening the main compartment. Both feature a secondary mesh interior pocket and elasticized straps.
The bag uses high-quality YKK zippers and a 360-degree swivel hook that can be hung in the bathroom. Its dimensions are 11.42 inches by 11.42 inches by 1.57 inches.
Photo: amazon.com
This Mossio hanging toiletry bag features multiple compartments of different sizes and styles, and the water-resistant nylon protects products from moisture. Store larger bottles upright in its mesh pockets, and slip items that are susceptible to spills in the bag’s clear zippered pocket. The bag has exterior pockets that can be accessed even when the bag is closed, good for stowing a toothbrush or prescriptions at the last minute.
The Mossio model comes in a variety of fun patterns—including leopard, floral, and polka dot—along with a range of solid colors. It has a high capacity, measuring 9.45 inches long by 7.48 inches high by 3.74 inches wide.
Photo: amazon.com
The TSA’s guidelines for traveling with liquids have tripped up many travelers, but this quart-size bag means no more problems as long as there are no containers larger than 3.4 ounces inside. Fitting easily in a carry-on bag, this set of Lermende pouches is sturdy and made of clear, waterproof PVC, with a sturdy zipper and boning to support the bag’s frame.
Though this comes as a set of three bags, all liquid, gel, cream, and aerosol products must be contained in one quart-size bag when passing through TSA. The other two can be shared with family or used for non-liquid toiletries like brushes, powders, and other accessories.
FAQs About Toiletry Bags
With all the choices available, you might still have some questions about shopping for the best toiletry bag. Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about toiletry bags.
Q. What should I store in a toiletry bag?
Toiletry bags are traditionally used to contain items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream, cosmetics, and medications. These bags can also store cords, small electronics, and a number of other items you might want to travel with.
Q. What is a TSA-approved toiletry bag?
To be TSA-approved, a carry-on toiletry bag must have a capacity of 1 quart or less. Each passenger is allowed to transport liquids, gels, and aerosols in travel-size containers that are each under 3.4 ounces in capacity.
Q. Do I need a clear bag for toiletries?
The TSA does not specify that your 1-quart toiletry bag must be clear. However, if it isn’t made of transparent materials, you’re more likely to experience delays, as the TSA agents may need to open and examine the contents of your bag.
