The 10 Best Dopp Kits
Editor's Notes
April 20, 2020:
For this update, we replaced the Zero Grid Toiletry with another waterproof model, the Gonex Orange. This new option has more compartments than its predecessor and a sturdy handle for carrying around.
With several different styles to choose from, different Dopp kits can be better suited for different travelers.
More stylish travelers will appreciate the leather (or faux leather) styling of the Dopp Country Saddle or the KomalC Unisex. These still work well as Dopp kits but are a bit less durable than other models.
Those interested in function over appearance will appreciate options like Tooletries Travel, Amazon Basics Black, or our most practical model, the NeatPack Medium. This particular kit has all the compartments, mesh sleeves, and pockets you could ask for, and ideal for a traveler who goes on frequent long trips. It even comes with a transparent zipper bag for easy access through airport security.
If you're looking for gear and containers to fill your Dopp kit, consider this selection of TSA-friendly travel-size toiletries.
October 16, 2018:
Took the iBlue Canvas off the list because of availability issues and removed the Dwellbee Classic due to numerous reports of an overpowering chemical smell. Added the Kalooi Vegan as a functional mid-tier option and the KomalC Unisex for those who seek a high-end model at a good value.
Maintaining A Mobile Arsenal Of Grooming Supplies
A good portion of our list includes both leather and nylon canvas options and for good reason.
Whether you typically stay in one place or travel around the world on a regular basis, keeping your personal belongings organized and easy to access can be a daunting task in these situations, especially when you aren't equipped with the appropriate gear or ample storage space. While our selection of Dopp kits isn't going to organize your bathroom shelves for you, these handy little packs do prove extremely useful when it comes to keeping all those travel-sized grooming supplies in one place and ready to use at a moment's notice.
Primarily geared for men, and perfect for packing in suitcases, the Dopp kit is a portable, pouch-shaped container that is typically equipped with multiple compartments and a zippered closure, and is designed to hold a variety of small toiletry supplies that include anything from bars of soap to colognes, small shampoo bottles, hair brushes, razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, deodorant, nail clippers, and other small objects that one would ordinarily use in the bathroom.
Dopp kits are fashioned from a variety of materials, including genuine leathers, heavy canvas, nylon, silicone, and cloth. A good portion of our list includes both leather and nylon canvas options and for good reason. Leather kits are extremely fashionable, sophisticated in style, and they don't show a lot of wear over time, assuming they're given the proper care. Canvas-made Dopp kits have the added benefit of being lightweight and tactical in design, making them perfect travel companions for camping trips and other outdoor adventures where exposure to the harsh elements is likely. It's also important to note that the Dopp kit doesn't have to be stored in a suitcase exclusively. The container is usually small enough to keep in the car and light enough to carry around from one place to another.
Practicality And Convenience When Traveling
When thinking about a kit's fabrics, dimensions, colors, and the number of available compartments, finding the best Dopp kit may seem a bit overwhelming at first. That said, there are several practical considerations that can help you narrow down your options.
Keep in mind that not every travel itinerary is created equal.
While it's nice to have an elegant-looking Dopp kit to support your lifestyle, one of the most important considerations to make before beauty should be its overall durability, particularly when it comes to its interior. Keep in mind that everything you store inside the kit is going to move around and sustain impacts at some point during your travels, even if the kit is protected inside your suitcase. For example, you might have a tube of toothpaste or a bottle of shampoo inside. If these items are damaged in transit, and the interior liner of the kit isn't durable, you could potentially have a very messy situation on your hands once you reach your final destination. That said, it's a good idea to ensure that the inside of the bag is waterproof and as sturdy as possible so that it can be cleaned easily without showing a lot of wear. A waterproof interior not only helps to contain messes, but it will also prevent leakage into your suitcase and possible damage to the rest of your belongings. Some of the kits out there even feature their own double-zippered bottom compartments that are specifically dedicated to protecting liquid supplies and keeping them separate from the rest of your supplies.
If being neat and tidy is important to you, look for options equipped with as many separate breathable mesh compartments as possible and with YKK zippers that can withstand constant use, while allowing for quick and easy access.
I can attest to the benefit of a Dopp kit with an integrated hanging hook as well. Some hotels to which I've traveled didn't offer ample counter space in the bathroom for me to place my Dopp kit. I'm also a pretty tall guy and many hotel sinks are quite low in height, making it difficult for me to bend down just to reach my razor. Bringing along a Dopp kit with a hook has allowed me to effortlessly hang the bag on the bathroom door, so I could easily access the kit's contents from a standing position before I'd even begun my grooming regimen.
Finally, while it's great to find a Dopp kit that stores more than you anticipate having to pack, ask yourself what the bare essentials will be prior to embarking on a trip and whether you'll really need a kit with enough room for three toothbrushes and two bottles of shaving cream when you'll only be gone for a couple of days. Keep in mind that not every travel itinerary is created equal. With many inexpensive options available, you can indulge in multiple kits for different types of travel if you so desire.
A Brief History Of Dopp Kits
The Dopp kit is a name synonymous with the "toilet bag" in the United States, its original name before the accessory was first trademarked. But what was the problem with this early nomenclature in American culture? Although the toilet is necessary for answering those calls of nature, its meaning took on a rather dirty connotation. The name of the Dopp kit is actually derived from German-born leather craftsman Charles Doppelt, whose company designed its first leather bag back in 1926. Doppelt's kits were widely distributed to soldiers in the United States military during both World War I and World War II.
Samsonite purchased Doppelt's company decades later in the 1970s in order to produce and register a trademark on the invention. By that time, the Dopp kit was considered a popular gift item for adolescent males, symbolic of a boy's entrance into adulthood and independence.
Today, the benefits of the Dopp kit can be seen in the variety of its color, shape, and materials. Similar to one's choice of clothing they make when traveling, the decision of which grooming tools to pack is very personal, as well, hence the logic behind such an eclectic range of modern toiletry options designed to suit almost any lifestyle or destination.