A few years ago, while packing for a vacation, I unknowingly set myself up to write this article. You see, I didn’t have the best travel toiletry bag, but I thought it was at least good enough to handle some turbulence-induced jostling, aggressive rifling via the hands of the TSA, and my generally careless luggage shlepping methods. I was wrong. As soon as we arrived at our hotel, I unzipped my travel bag in search of my brand new dress. I found it…covered in…**sniffs**…body wash? Or was that shampoo? Or my…you’ve got to be kidding me…$150 vitamin C serum? I’m still not sure, because my toiletry bag zipper broke at some point during my travels, leaving all of my prized 1.5-oz tinctures, creams, essences, and potions to spill.

This toiletry bag and I were acquainted since my middle school days. If I had listened to my better judgment and invested in a high-quality option, I wouldn’t have run into this vicious conundrum. On the bright side, I made the mistake so that you don’t have to.

What should you look for when buying a toiletry bag or Dopp kit?

First of all, let’s clear something up: Dopp kits and toiletry bags are the same things. You might see “Dopp kit” used for “men’s” bags and “toiletry bags” used for “women’s” bags. We don’t need to gender bags. You can buy whichever toiletry bag-slash-Dopp kit your heart desires.

When shopping for the best travel toiletry bag for you, you’ll want to look at construction. A few questions to ponder: Is the design intuitive and functional for your needs? Are the zippers sturdy? Is the fabric easy to clean? We’ve done the work of finding excellent options, now all you need to do is figure out what kind will suit your travel hygiene needs.

Below, see 23 of the best toiletry bags and Dopp kits that will keep your stuff organized and leak-free through all kinds of travel, from brands like Calpak, Bagsmart, Herschel, REI, Paravel, and more. We included hanging toiletry bags that save space in your carry-on, as well as bags that sit on the bathroom counter. You’ll find minimalist toiletry cases with no separate interior pockets, which is ideal if you’re traveling with a few easy-to-recognize items. We also added larger bags that have different zippered compartments and mesh pockets so that you can separate shower products from skin-care items and makeup. And we threw in a few luxe hard shell cases that will look so good on your counter that you’ll want to use them when you’re not traveling. 

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Source: SELF