Reviews4 Things You Should Know before Choosing a Toiletry Bag
4 Things You Should Know before Choosing a Toiletry Bag

4 Things You Should Know before Choosing a Toiletry Bag

A toiletry bag, toiletry kit, travel kit, or toiletry case is one of the must-have items that any traveller needs to take on their trips. It not only keeps your small hygiene products but also categorizes them logically, so that it is time-saving for you to find those things. However, choosing a toiletry bag that suits your demands might drive you crazy in such a massive toiletry bag market in those days. Don’t worry, this post will help you find out which one is suitable for your needs.

Ok, So Why Do You Need to Own a Toiletry Bag?

A toiletry bag can carry a lot of personal items.

As I said before, making use of a toiletry bag could help you save a lot of time picking out your shampoo or your favourite mask without fishing in a pool of a suitcase. You will have more time to enjoy your trip and stay away from some stupid questions, such as Do I bring enough shampoo for a 5-day trip? Or where is my cleanser when you have taken off all your clothes in the bathroom? Moreover, sticking with a toiletry bag can save you from whimsical situations like all of your cosmetic products messing up and getting stuck in your belongings after a long day on the plane. You should not wish it to happen, trust me. So, when you have an idea of packing for a trip, remember to have your toiletry bag by your side.

Here are the factors that you should consider when choosing a toiletry bag:

1. Size

Basically, travellers always believe that a small toiletry bag is perfect for their travels. However, this concept doesn’t work well sometimes. If you have a long day trip or travel with your family, the small toiletry case might not carry enough of the things you need. This might result in hassles and bring you uncomfortable feelings throughout your vacation. Therefore, you should choose a toiletry bag with a size living up to days you take on a trip or how many people are going with you.

1.1. Family Size

A big toiletry bag with different compartments for family use
A big toiletry bag with different compartments for family use.

A big-sized toiletry bag for the family. It is where you keep your family bathroom things all in one place. Hence, your family could travel without too many toiletry bags. Most of all, the dimensions are 30x15x21 cm or 25x15x17 cm. A typical family bag would have around 5 compartments, a ccompanied by designed pockets that fit a variety of bottles, tubes, or boxes for any member.

a toiletry bag for personal use
Toiletry bag for personal use.

1.2. Personal Size

The basic bag is for those who have a plan to travel alone and just want to pack basic things. You can choose a Dopp kit or a multiple-pocket bag as long as it has enough compartments to keep your hygiene products. A tip to bring your favorite products without bringing big bottles is to use travel-size bottles. They would pave more space in your toiletry bag.

2. Material

As same as the criteria of design, the material is also a big point you need to consider when choosing a toiletry bag. In terms of traveling, I suggest you buy toiletry bags whose materials have these features: durable, waterproof, and easy to clean. Some of these materials could be plastic, water-resistant fabric, leather, and canvas. However, nothing is perfect; each of them has advantages and disadvantages, so it is up to your aims.

2.1. Plastic

An example of a plastic toiletry bag
An example of a plastic toiletry bag.

A plastic bag is easy to clean, water-resistant, and transparent. It’s perfect for traveling abroad. However, it is easy to fade if you carry the bag under direct sunlight. In other words, you have to take care of your bag regularly to make it look good.

Plastic is mostly applied in making the TSA-approved travel kit as it’s transparent. The TSA can easily check it from the outside.

2.2. Water-resistant Fabric

Durable Waterproof Material of Nomatic Travel Bag - The Broad Life Reviews
An example of water-resistant fabric.

The most popular material for making a bag! It is tough, waterproof, countless colors and styles to choose from. Some even have cool patterns that make the bags more modern-looking. Yet, it can tear with age.

I particularly like this the most. My top choice, honestly. Apparently, you can easily bring it anywhere without worrying about water damaging your bag or stuff inside.

2.3. Leather

An example of a leather material
An example of a leather material.

The leather toiletry bag is very durable, easy to clean, and looks fashionable too. However, it can get damaged if it gets wet.

Trust me, I like this material also. I even had a small shop hand-making leather stuff. Nevertheless, you probably may not want to bring this where there is a lot of water. It’s easier to be damaged. You will have to change quite many bags if you do so.

2.4. Canvas

Canvas material
An example of a canvas material.

This material is likely to be seen as the queen among other toiletry bag-making materials because it is sold everywhere in any style, colour, and price .Many toiletry kits that are made from canvas materials have images, or even printed pictures, on the fabric.

Nevertheless, it is necessary to keep the canvas toiletry bag away from fluids such as watercolour, tomato sauce, soy sauce, etc., unless you want to ditch your favourite one.

3. Design

There are countless choices of styles in the design of toiletry bags that you could take your mind. These designs will be determined by how many pockets, compartments, or the design of the toiletry bag.

3.1. Multiple Pocket Toiletry Bag

A kind of multiple pocket toiletry bag

If you are planning a trip with a lot of small things, you should choose the toiletry kits that have different compartments. Those kinds of toiletry bags could help you keep bottles, tubes, pill organizers, small phone accessories, etc. Of course, there are bags of different sizes and forms for you to choose from, depending on your needs for organizing stuff. As a result, your preparation will be well-optimized, and you can save more time finding your things right in the first time.

In case you want to buy a multiple-pocket toiletry bag, there are many choices on Amazon that I’m sure you can find the best one.

3.2. Dopp Kit or 1-compartment Bag

a leather dopp kit, 1-compartment toiletry bag

On the other hand, if you just want to bring some necessary daily things such as shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. Or a combo of makeup tools. Or, you just want to take out the travel kit, drop out all the items, and pick the one you want. You don’t even have to remember which compartment you put that item in. That is when a one-compartment bag or a Dopp kit will be your ultimate choice.

Because it is designed with 1 primary, large compartment, the Dopp kit is super space-saving for your backpack. Furthermore, this kind of toilet kit is pretty much portable as most of that is small. Hence, you can bring it everywhere easily. From these merits, I personally think that a Dopp kit will be suitable for trekking or camping because of the convenience it brings.

Check Dopp kits here for some great choices in case you are looking for one.

3.3. A Roll-up, Hanging Toiletry Bag

A typical roll-up, hanging toiletry bag

Another toiletry case you can consider is the roll-up toiletry bag. It also has multiple pockets for several items, I mean, a lot of small items. Nonetheless, it’s quite compact since it can be rolled up into a unique form, which will save space when you put it in luggage or a backpack. Moreover, a big plus for this design is that it has a hanger, so you can easily hang the bag in the bathroom or anywhere else you want.

It’s very convenient and suitable for use by both men and women. So if you are looking for one for your next trips, there are choices on Amazon for you to choose.

3.4. Travel Pouch Drawstring Bag

Travel Pouch Drawstring Bag, a type of toiletry bag

As for make-up lovers, this bag is for you! I mean, you might not find out other bags that could show up all your makeup items in just as open a way as a drawstring bag does. It is simply a large round bag with some strings to keep everything inside not falling out. It is easy to use, time-saving for girls who wake up late and don’t want to rummage through every corner of the toiletry bag to get their makeup tools. Btw, this kind of bag is pretty cheap, just from $7 to about $30. If you want to get one, there are many choices on Amazon.

4. Is Your Toiletry Bag Approved at the Airport?

For guys who don’t know, TSA, or the Transportation Security Administration, issued rules to check what you bring along is allowed or not on the plane. TSA’s job may be an obsession with many people at the airport; it would be worse if your toiletry bag is a thing that renders you late for the desired trip. So, why don’t you have yourself a TSA-friendly toiletry bag as soon as possible? The biggest plus point a TSA-approved toiletry bag carries is transparency. You can easily manage all liquids, substances you bring along just by watching from the outside of the bag! Thus, the price for a TSA-approved bag is also affordable, just about $5. It is good preparation for an abroad trip, isn’t it?

Overall, I hope this sharing and recommendations will help you find it easier to have your desired toiletry bag. If you have any tips about choosing a perfect toiletry bag you want to share, feel free to let me and the other guys know.

BIG BONUS – Grab Your Free Toiletries List

Yes, it’s FREE! You just have to finish the sign-up below:

The list covers all the necessary items for you to pack efficiently. I also leave the spaces with columns of note, weight, own, etc., for you to easily add the info so you can organize more carefully.

One more big thing, this packing list is reusable, so you can use it for any trip!

Note: Thank You for Supporting My Blog’s Journey!
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Do you think this post gives you enough info on the toiletry bag for your travel? If you would like to discover more stuff for your travel kit, here are posts that I believe you will love reading:

Khoi Nguyen builds The Broad Life with a desire to inspire people go exploring the world and live a more interesting, experience, and adventurous life. This blog shares the stories, pictures, and experiences at destinations where he has traveled to.

42 Comments

  • valerie

    The toiletry bag is something I always overlook when packing my bag for trips. I usually use one with a built-in hanger, but I love the one on your list with the drawstring design. It’s cute and it closes up quickly.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Yeah the drawstring one is somehow a little bit special than the others. It’s particularly designed for make-up tools.
      Have you got one?

  • GiGi Eats Celebrities

    I never thought twice about a toiletry bag! Typically when I travel, I just put my things in a plastic bag and call it a day!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Wow that’s fast, but I think a toiletry bag will help you a lot on your trip by its convenience. Perhaps you should try for your next journey

  • littlemisadvencha

    the quality of the material should really be looked into. and i agree with all these considerations. thank you for sharing!

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Which material do you like the best? Perhaps you can support some people choosing their best one

  • Sara | mshealthesteem.com

    We have one that’s worked well for us for years! All great points to share. Thank you! 🙂

  • TheSuperMomLife

    Well, I didn’t realize there was so much involved in choosing a toiletry bag. I just buy one that is functional and pretty.

  • StacieinAtlanta

    Good design is the number one priority in my mind. It doesn’t matter if the bag looks good if it isn’t all that functional.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      I somehow share a similar priority with you. A toiletry bag with good design may be the definitely one that I choose

  • The JOYOUS Living | Influencer (@thejoyousliving)

    Gosh. I never thought of TSA requirements for toiletry bags. perhaps i packed mine in my checked luggage? but i think i’ll get one of those transparent bags just in case for next time. thanks.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Yes I see a lot of people are new with the TSA.
      I think it’s good to prepare one TSA-approved bag just in case when you are travelling

  • katrina Kroeplin

    those are great tips. there is a little something for everyone and traveling is def a factor when you buy a bag.

  • emman damian

    I love big sizes so I can put more toiletries. Design is secondary. I’m into quality and utility.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      A hanging, roll-up toiletry bag will be the best choice for you

  • Iamgeetha blog

    Toiletry bag must have on travels. Thanks for sharing!

  • stephenrht

    Love the look of the leather bags, if I’m able to travel again this year, I’ll have to buy one

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Yeah the leather bag is truly cool in design, and good also in utility. You should have one for your trips

  • Jessica Collazo

    I need a bag like that for my purse, the thing is that my bag is a little bit small but I need one.

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Maybe you should find a canvas toiletry bag. The material’s utility is good for small space as you can easily to grab and package it

  • Daniel Sierra

    I am a big fan of toiletry bags. I used to travel a lot and the hanging toiletry bags are my favorite, you just get it out and hang it on your hotel bathroom and you have everything on hand. Danm I miss traveling haha

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Yeah toiletry bag is definitely very convenient to use. I miss the time using them while traveling haha. Can’t wait to get on the trip!

  • knycx

    Thanks and who knows there are so many things to be aware of for a bag! I had a lot from my flights and I have them in all types and sizes – knycx journeying

  • forkwardthinkingfoodinista

    There are some really good tips here for sure. I always think there’s so much to consider with make up bags

    • Khoi Nguyen

      Glad that you like the tips. And I hope it can help you finding the right toiletry bag for your need 🙂

  • Simono

    • Loved your article.
    • Loved your blog
    • Your blog is impressive

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    Very informative discussion.It is very useful for every people.you should post more about this matter.

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