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Oct 23, 2024

11 Best Toiletry Bags, Tested and Reviewed 2024 | Glamour

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission. The best toiletry bags can organize your travel bag to the max—and generally just

All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The best toiletry bags can organize your travel bag to the max—and generally just make your life easier. Whether you’re on the road or streamlining your routine at home, toiletry bags and Dopp kits, much like makeup bags, are ones that keep you orderly and free from spills; bonus if they’re sleek and packable. In the best of times, they’ll even save you from losing it when faced with the tiniest of hotel bathroom counters.

When shopping for a toiletry bag, keep in mind that you’ll want something durable, water-resistant, compact enough to stow away in a carry-on, and flush with smart organizational compartments. After testing a handful of the most popular ones available, and polling fellow travelers for their must-have recommendations, we identified the top performers in every category.

Nordstrom

Béis

The perfect Dopp kit should be three things: organized, spill-proof, and spacious (yet still compact enough to be packed easily). This genius toiletry bag from Béis checks all the boxes, and it’s more affordable than many of its competitors. Fans of the Béis weekender will recognize the same style zippered bottom compartment that’s great for storing away items you want to keep separate from the main compartment (like keeping your deodorant away from your toothbrush, for example). It also helps it stand flat on the counter top (no balancing act here). The grab-and-go loop handle makes it easy to tote and even hang from a towel hook. The main interior has a water-resistant poly lining that keeps spills from ruining a trip, and is easy to clean. Although it’s spacious enough for all the essentials, it easily packs down into a carry-on or tote, and there’s a convenient loop handle for hanging on the towel hook.

“I’m a big fan of the zip bottom of this one because all of my makeup can lay flat and stay separated from my liquids in the main compartment,” says Glamour contributor Kayla Becker. “There’s even a separate zippered compartment that’s perfect for my toothbrush.”

Away

Made with travelers in mind, this roomy Dopp kit has all the features you could ask for, except maybe a hanging hook. “I love the quality and spaciousness of this one with thoughtful organizational details, easy-to-clean material, and sleek style that matches my other Away bags,” says Becker. “I usually use this one for longer trips when I know I need to pack a lot of toiletries, and it fits everything.” But for those packing for a shorter weekend trip, Away also has a small toiletry bag size. Either size is structured and can easily fit next to packing cubes for foolproof packing organization.

Dagne Dover

What’s unique about this Dopp kit is its neoprene material that’s shock absorbent and water-resistant (read: spill-proof) and easy to wipe down. Plus, the flexible material makes it stretchy and therefore super easy to pack compactly into any carry-on, no matter what you stuffed in there. “I’m a huge fan of this toiletry bag since it’s sleek and easy to pack,” Becker says. “I also loved that it came with a carrying case that protected it from other items in my suitcase, like shoes or clothes that needed to be washed. Plus, there’s a handy detachable pocket you can remove if you want to create more space in the main compartment.

Amazon

“After seeing this was the #1 best selling toiletry bag on Amazon with an impressive 48,000+ five-star ratings, I had to give it a try,” says Becker. The verdict? It holds absolutely everything with an organized array of four fold out, zippered compartments with elastic bands that secure toiletries of all sizes (we’re talking everything from a TSA-approved travel-size shampoo and conditioner to toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotions, tweezers, deodorant, and a mascara tube; this is a great makeup bag especially if you want to individually secure your skin care products), and love that it hangs on the back of the door or towel rack so it doesn’t take up countertop space (and it’s only $17, so a good value).

“I recently took it on a trip to New York, and the hanging hook feature saved me when there wasn’t enough counter space in the bathroom,” Becker says. “The only con is that this makeup bag smelled strongly like plastic when it arrived, maybe because of the inexpensive material. I also have to say that if there’s no space to hang it, having to zip and fold and unfold to get to my toiletries is not super convenient.” For a similar look that’s perhaps more intuitive to use but a bit pricier, the Baggallini Hanging Toiletry Kit is a favorite with travelers.

Nordstrom

As far as hanging toiletry bags go, this structured one from Tumi that looks almost like a mini briefcase is top tier. Not only does it hang from a towel rack, but it’s also smartly designed to sit on the countertop on its own. Two side zip compartments make it easy to separate things like a razor that you wouldn’t want touching, say, your toothbrush, contacts, or other travel accessories. The U-zip entry allows for easy access, the textured nylon exterior makes it durable. It’s easy to pack since the bottom is flexible (though smartly, the structured sides keep it upright on the countertop). To top it off, it makes a great personalized gift because of it's leather accent and Tumi nameplate that makes it look expensive. The carrying strap makes it easy to tote around, and it’s secured with a clip, so it can be expanded. Inside, there are dividers, mesh compartments, and a host of zippered pockets to hold everything a traveler could need; plus, it’s made of an antibacterial nylon lining that’s spill-proof.

Frequent business traveler Chandler Russell says she’s basically lived out of her Tumi for the last five years and doesn’t bother unpacking even when home. “My Tumi gets the same use as someone else’s bathroom drawer or top shelf, and it’s in prime condition,” she says.

Zappos

Cotopaxi

This sturdy Dopp kit’s durable ripstop material makes it a no-brainer for outdoor adventures or hiking weekend trip situations where the material might rub up against rough elements. Not only does it pack down small to perfectly fit into a backpack when not full (and compress with its flexible material even when it is), but it also has a few different zippered compartments so you can separate toiletries. “I like to keep my deodorant and razor separate from my contacts case and toothbrush, for example, so I found this easy access zippered bag really worked for me, especially for a sportier adventure when I’m packing just the essentials and not the entire contents of my cosmetics bag,” Becker says. “It was also more spacious than it seemed at first; I could even fit my travel size hairbrush in it. The one con? Since the bottom isn’t structured, it doesn’t always stand up on its own, though it does tend to if there’s enough at the bottom. On the other hand, that makes it easy to pack into small spaces like backpacks.”

Amazon

A lot of other Dopp kits are water-resistant, but this minimalist one is fully waterproof. “I know because some water from the shower sprayed on mine in a particularly tight bathroom, and the contents inside were impressively still dry,” says Becker. That could also be a good feature if a shampoo or conditioner decides to explode in the bag; its waterproof material means it’ll be easy to wipe down and will keep it leakproof. “I also love the design of this easy access toiletry bag, which pops out and up into a large pouch. The downside here is that everything is lumped together in one central compartment, but I didn’t mind that since everything was easy to find and it’s secure enough that things don’t just rumble around,” she says. Plus, it lies flat, making it easy to pack.

Leatherology

The best combo of both function and sleek design, this men's toiletry bag makes a great gift for your boyfriend, husband, or brother who travels. You can personalize it with their initials. It fits neatly in a carry-on or tote. “I love the soft, buttery leather that speaks to the price tag, although it’s not completely waterproof, so I always make sure the counter is completely dry before setting it down,” Becker says. “The side handle is super handy for pulling it out of my bag and carrying it, and my husband particularly likes this one, too.” But, despite the beautiful construction with two separate compartments and three mesh zippered areas, there aren’t many organizational extras that some of the other bags have (like a hanger or elastic band to hold individual toiletries; in this case, everything is mostly lumped together in the big main compartment). It’s also on the smaller side, so bottles bigger than 3.5 fl ounces don’t fit standing up. Not a problem exactly, but something to consider.

Peak Design

This minimalist bag folds out like an accordion to reveal a surprising amount of space for all your TSA-approved bottles and travel toiletries. But it’s also got an exterior that repels water and stains, and is oh-so-easy to wipe down. Bonus: the pockets inside can all also turn inside out in case of a spill.

“I splurged on this one after using a gallon-size Ziploc for most of my adult life,” admits avid traveler Erin De Horta. “The leap has been revolutionary.” In addition to its spaciousness and stowable hook for hanging, she says she loves its wide and shallow razor pocket on the outside that makes it easy to quickly grab things she’d typically lose at the bottom of her bag like tweezers, and she loves that the zipper feels heavy duty. “I’m never nervous it’s going to bust, even if I overfill the bag a bit.”

Lululemon

Sure, Lululemon makes some of the best leggings and athleisure out there, but don’t sleep on their travel bags and accessories, either. This one has a 5L capacity that makes it especially good for long weekend trips. The polyester kit is water-repellent and features a zippered mesh compartment, pocket, and interior loops to secure small items on the inside, and we love the look. Now, if only it had handles or a hanging hook to make it extra useful.

Nisolo

Known for their luxe leather shoes, this brand’s rugged, masculine waxed canvas Dopp kit with leather trim looks high-end and has the quality to back it up. It’s a durable, timeless piece any traveler can appreciate, and it’s made sustainably. In addition to an interior compartment, there’s also a handle for easy hanging from a towel hook. Con: the interior is cotton, so if there are any spills those will likely stain unless you’re quick to clean them up; the company also sells a leather care kit.