The humble toiletry bag is no longer a hidden part of the male wardrobe. You can thank the NBA stars for that who have turned the once-purely-functional little carry bag into a bonafide style statement. The real question is: why?
Whether you call it a toiletry bag, a shaving kit or a Dopp kit, these small bags dedicated to your manly possessions have begun to catch on in recent years thanks to the downsizing of electronic devices and slimming down of wallets. This movement has all but relinquished the need for cumbersome messenger bags when something like a man clutch with a built-in handle will suffice. It’s also the same reason why things like fanny packs are also popular with guys these days.
Tradition dictates that toiletry bags are a man’s central location for grooming essentials like shavers, creams, moisturisers, hair products, toothbrushes and any other essentials you may use to polish up abroad. These days men are foregoing that definition and throwing in their non-essential grooming items like keys, phones and wallets instead. The choice is essentially yours, but we suggest you don’t mix the two categories unless you want hair gel in your wallet.
They might not be seen as much as a regular bag but make no mistake there’s an art in picking the right one. Our advice is to always choose the lean, durable and compact toiletry bags. Given they’re going to accompany you on your greatest adventures, it’s important to buy quality toiletry bags wherever possible. That’s not to say the cheaper ones need to be ruled out. If they look good and you’re just using them as a casual day dopp kit to get around town, the non-leather fabric or polyester ones are just fine. If you intend to make them a part of your outfit, go for the higher-end ones which present as well as they function.
Speaking of function, look for toiletry bags with internal compartments which makes finding your possessions easier. The last thing you’ll want is your keyring grinding up against your $1,000 phone. Also pay attention to the zipper quality. If it isn’t smooth and feels cheap then forgo it. A broken toiletry bag is the last thing you need to worry about when travelling.
Understood? Now pick your poison from our fine selection below.
Mystery Ranch
Mystery Ranch has been in the business of making packs and bags for over forty years, although it started life as a company responsible for repairing the damage inflicted to the gear of other brands. After noticing common Achilles heels in backpack design, Mystery Ranch set out to develop products that didn’t suffer the same fate.
That mentality has gone into the Zoid Bag, a basic toiletry bag that employs a trapezoidal shape to help offer the greatest possible internal space while maintaining a low profile. It’s made from a couple of lightweight yet durable nylon fabrics, while reliable YKK zippers ensure you will always be able to access whatever you choose to store inside.
Bellroy
Bellroy is an Australian company that makes “considered carry goods”. By that, the company means it creates thoughtfully designed products that offer you everything you could need from a bag, pouch or wallet, in terms of size and internal organisation options.
That mentality is exemplified beautifully in the Dopp Kit. From the outside, it looks like any other bag on the market, but unzip it and you’re presented with a hidden storage compartment (for a toothbrush), two pouches (for smaller toiletry items) as well as a larger main space for your bigger bottles and products. Factor in waterproof surfaces and you’ve got the perfect Dopp kit.
Topo Designs
Denver, Colorado-based Topo Designs produces packs, bags and apparel that can withstand the rigours of outdoor living and adrenaline junkie lifestyles, but designed in a way that wouldn’t look out of place in a city environment. The company started life in 2008 and is the brainchild of friends Jedd and Mark: Jedd was the brains behind the design while Mark was tasked with finding manufacturers.
The company’s Dopp Kit employs a familiar trapezoid structure but offered in quirky colour schemes, including its signature grid pattern. It’s waterproof both inside and out, rocks YKK zippers and has a handy carry handle so you can hang it up in the shower.
Peak Design
Peak Design found its feet on crowdfunding site Kickstarter in 2011 after founder Peter Dering decided to develop his own DSLR camera carry bag (now known as Capture). It proved successful and since then Peak Design has gone from strength to strength creating everyday carry bags to “keep your gear organized, protected, and accessible.”
The company’s Wash Pouch will gobble up all of your essential toiletries, playing host to multiple internal mesh pockets, a magnetically-sealed toothbrush pocket, external razor pocket and a hook that can be stowed away. All surfaces are waterproof and can be turned inside out for easy cleaning.
Billykirk
Billykirk is an American company through and through. It designs and manufactures its products in the good old US of A and puts a heavy focus on making products of a higher-quality, even if it means they can’t be churned out in a similar way to ‘fast fashion’ brands. Many of its products are made from leather deliberately so that they patina over time.
The company is all too aware that you may have toiletries that are larger than travel size, so the No.477 Carryall bag is ideal. Made from a combination of waxed canvas and full-grain leather, the 477 is relatively simple in terms of the fact it offers you one large space, but considering it’s waterproof and incredibly durable, it will last you for years.
Filson
Filson has been in the game of manufacturing outdoor-focused apparel and luggage for guys and gals since 1897. The company has its own ‘look’ and favours waxed canvas as a material across its entire luggage range.
Having said that, the Nylon Ripstop Travel Pack is made from, you guessed it, nylon. While it might not have the same heavy-duty look as waxed canvas, Filson’s has opted for Cordura ripstop nylon which is equally as tough. It’s also lightweight (ideal for travelling) and a clamshell opening design means you can hang it up in the shower and gain instant access to the products inside.
Escuyer
Escuyer predominantly products clothes and accessories for guys (although you will find a small selection of women’s socks on the website) all of which are made in Portugal in a family-owned factory. The company’s t-shirts, socks and underwear can be bought as part of a subscription package, but also offers a separate range of small leather goods.
Included in the range is a large travel case, which is available in a number of colours. Made from 100 per cent full-grain Italian leather, Escuyer’s large travel case has one main compartment for storing toiletries or any other accessories you need to take on a trip.
Aer
Aer is a company that wants to revolutionise everything to do with travel bags, whether it be a bag for an overseas trip or something smaller just to take to the gym. Founded in 2014 and made possible thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign, the American company puts thoughtful consideration into everything it makes.
The Travel Kit is a good example, not only is it made from a highly-durable 1680D Cordura nylon, but it offers up plenty of internal organisational pockets and straps, so everything you need to take away with you has a place (including a dedicated external storage area for your toothbrush). A hideaway hanging hook and water-resistant interior mean you can safely hang it up in the shower, too.
Mismo
Mismo is a Danish brand founded in 2006, although the name is Spanish, the fabrics used are Italian and products are made in Turkey. Multi-cultural, then. Design is unmistakably Danish, however, offering the perfect blend of minimalist design and genuinely useful features. Mismo is now regarded as one of the very finest Scandinavian accessories labels.
The Moonlight Double Dopp Kit is named as such due to the fact it offers not one, but two compartments for storing toiletries (along with a side pocket for your toothbrush) and is made from a combination of water-repellant nylon and leather, giving a two-tone finish.
WANT Les Essentiels
Despite its French-sounding name, WANT Les Essentials actually hails from Montreal, in French-speaking Quebec, Canada. The company produces a full range of men’s and women’s clothing, footwear and accessories, all which are made from sustainable fabrics and produced in ethical ways.
The Kenyatta Dopp Kit is large enough to house your essential travel toiletries, with internal pockets to keep them safe and secure. The interior lining can be removed entirely for easy cleaning and the outer nylon fabric is water-resistant (if you’re feeling particularly fancy, you can have it in leather instead).
Troubadour
Troubadour was founded by two friends-turned-colleagues who felt there was space in the market for a travel bag that would look as much at home in the boardroom as it did in the great outdoors. Not only did it have to have the right look, but it had to be made from tough, rugged materials. That methodology has been carried over to the rest of the company’s expanded range.
The Adventure Sidekick Wash Bag is made from tough nylon fabric, with subtle leather accents giving it a more premium look and a waterproof interior lining will keep it protected against shampoo spillages. Troubadour is so confident the Wash Bag will last you that it provides a complimentary five year guarantee.
