Toiletry bags should be an essential part of your travel gear as they’ll safely contain the items you need to look and feel your best, wherever you are.
Here’s our guide to some of our favorite toiletry bags for men and women who want to take it all with them and be organized, too!
Why Use a Toiletry Bag for Travel?
No matter how light you intend on traveling, there are some personal items that you won’t want to be without.
Think beyond your toothbrush, and remember that as the days away mount, you’ll need to think about shampoos and shower gels, razors and shaving, a good deodorant, and even sunscreen.
In many cases, these are just the basics. Depending on where you’re headed you may also need to consider carrying medication, insect sprays, and other protective essentials with you.
Whatever it is you’re planning on taking with you, your toiletry bag will quickly become an intrinsic part of your travel gear and accessories.
Toiletry bags make packing and unpacking easy, too. Just pull everything out in 1 bag and when you’re ready to leave, chuck it back in — simple! Having everything in 1 place makes a lot of sense, and most toiletry bags will have various compartments to keep things organized.
The other, probably most important reason to use a toiletry bag, is that with so many liquids that could spill, you’ll want to keep them in 1 easy-to-clean place.
From compact and transparent to hanging bags that act as a bathroom cabinet on the move, you’ll soon find the one that works best for you.
Things To Look for in a Travel Toiletry Bag
Not all toiletry bags are the same, so consider the following before you choose one.
Materials and Durability
Your travel toiletry bag will need to be strong enough to withstand a fair few adventures while being flexible enough to bend and fold to fit nicely in your suitcase or kit bag.
Bags made from nylon, synthetic materials, and leather are all very popular, and depending on the quality of the bag you buy, they should be strong enough to last many trips.
Easy to Clean
No shampoo bottle is ever truly immune from a little spillage. Because of this, it’s important that your toiletry bag is easy to clean.
Lipstick stains, oily patches, and soapy residue can quickly make your bag look, feel, and smell unpleasant, so be sure that whatever material you choose, it can be wiped down or machine washed anytime you need to.
Size
This part of the equation is totally up to you. But, remember, toiletries can be heavy and bulky. With this in mind, the more compact the bag, the less it will weigh.
You should also remember that unless you’re traveling to far-flung, remote destinations, you’ll be able to buy basic toiletries almost anywhere in the world.
Travel-size products and a bag that can store them with room to spare will be just about perfect.
Pockets and Organization
Pockets are incredibly useful in a toiletry kit. Pockets are useful for storing tiny items that could get lost or things you would like to keep hidden from prying eyes. Medicines, tablets, contraceptive pills, and even condoms are what your toiletry bag’s inner pockets were made for.
If you choose to go for a bag that offers you numerous compartments, use each one for different types of toiletries.
Hanging bags often come with dedicated compartments for each of your bottles or tubes of product, keeping them nicely organized and separated at all times.
Ability To Hang
Speaking of hanging bags, this is an extra feature that can be very useful depending on where you’re traveling to.
In a five-star hotel, you probably won’t mind leaving your toiletries on the bathroom counter, but in a hostel in the middle of nowhere, you may feel more comfortable with your products neatly hung on the towel bar, bunk bed, or door.
Flight Suitability
This is important! If you’re planning on flying to your destination, you’ll need to be aware of the rules and regulations pertaining to liquids onboard commercial aircraft. As a basic rule of thumb, you’ll need to remember the 3-1-1 rule.
3-1-1 for carry-on:
- 3.4 ounce (100 ml) bottle or less (by volume)
- 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag
- 1 bag per passenger
At security, you’ll be required to remove your 3-1-1-compliant clear, zipper bag from your suitcase. All of your liquids must fit into this 1 bag.
» Related: The 10 Best Travel-size Bottles for Your Next Vacation [2023]
The Best Travel Toiletry Bags for Women
There are a wealth of toiletry bags available for the modern-day explorer. Choose well and you’ll only need to choose 1!
A Great Hanging Bag That’s Enough To Keep You Going
BEST OVERALL: Lisacool Travel Toiletry Bag for Women with Hanging Hook
This funky design is made from easily cleaned fabric, features multiple transparent compartments, and can be hung up anywhere using the 360-degree hook.
Lisacool Travel Toiletry Bag for Women with Hanging Hook
This chic and stylish hanging bag is the perfect addition to your travel kit. Made from water-resistant fabric, this toiletry bag also has a liner that is easy to clean with a wet cloth. It hangs from a 360-degree-swiveling hook that lets you hang it from a door, rack, knob, or hook and has double zippers to keep everything inside when not in use.
With multiple, transparent compartments for storing a wide range of washing products and cosmetics, your favorite toiletries will be kept safe and upright while you travel thanks to the elastic straps.
What We Like
- Elastic straps to keep bottles upright
What We Don’t Like
- Hook seems flimsy
The Deceptively Spacious Toiletry Bag
UPGRADE PICK: Lavievert Toiletry Bag
This padded and water-resistant option offers a spacious inner compartment accompanied by various mesh pockets for additional storage. It includes zippered pockets on the sides, as well as an easy-access transparent compartment.
Lavievert Toiletry Bag
This incredibly roomy, multi-compartment toiletry bag is large enough to comfortably carry all of the toothbrushes, shower gels, and other products that a small family might need on vacation.
The water-resistant material will ensure that your belongings stay dry and that any leaks stay away from your clothing while it’s packed in your suitcase.
With a sizable main compartment that’s large enough to easily store your shampoo, conditioner, lotions, sunscreen, and any other toiletries you need while you’re away, you shouldn’t need to worry about buying anything else when you get there.
Not content with offering a far larger than average storage space, this bag also comes with zippered side pockets that are just right for stashing away makeup, hair bands, and other personal items such as chargers, cables, and earphones.
The Lavievert toiletry bag has a super-useful reinforced hanging hook making it easy to hang on towel racks, shower rods, or even doorknobs, allowing you to shower in style, with your own personal collection of toiletries close at hand.
What We Like
- Opens up fully with easy-access compartments
What We Don’t Like
- Metal hook is a little fragile
Hang Your Personal Items in Style
This option offers organized and ample space for your essentials that also keeps them secure. You can easily hang it up with the attached metal hook. Created from 420D nylon with a leakproof lining.
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Neatpack Compact Hanging Toiletry Bag
Hassle-free travel guaranteed with this compact and lightweight toiletry bag that can hold everything you need while you’re away from home. Offering a range of different sized compartments, you’ll easily find enough space to keep everything organized and at your fingertips.
The clever design of this Neatpack toiletry bag makes it, in our opinion, one of the best on the market. The flat, sturdy bottom keeps the bag upright, transforming it into a very useful caddy that can sit on your worktop, the dressing table, or next to the sink. You can instantly see everything that’s in the bag, meaning you won’t spend ages rummaging around for that one item.
There are also a variety of different pockets and compartments that are perfect for keeping all of your essentials separate and organized.
Large enough to handle the needs of a small family, yet compact and lightweight enough to sit nicely in your luggage, this bag will ensure that you have everything you need, wherever you may be.
What We Like
- Keeps its form, with or without toiletries inside
What We Don’t Like
- Only good for travel-sized items
The Heavy-Duty Toiletry Bag
DISCOUNT: 6%
Travelon Flat-Out Toiletry Kit
This convenient option can be laid out or zipped up depending on available suitcase space. It features 4 zipped compartments and 2 clear slip pockets. An additional zippered pocket can be found on the front.
Travelon Flat-Out Toiletry Kit
This is one of the more expensive toiletry bags on our list, but it’s also one of the most ingenious. Designed to be super easy to stow, this bag can be used as a traditional carry-on or packed flat in your suitcase.
Made from durable polyester, this bag should last you for many years to come. 4 large zippered compartments are fully waterproof so any leakages shouldn’t reach your clothing, and 2 additional slip pockets are perfect for your toothbrush or makeup brushes.
The handy loops can be used to hold loose items, such as razors or nail clippers, in place, and the clear pockets mean you’ll never struggle to find an item quickly. When you reach your destination, simply hook the toiletry bag to the back of a door to keep everything within easy reach.
What We Like
- Waterproof compartments in case of leakages
What We Don’t Like
- Internal compartments are not detachable
A Good Value Toiletry Bag From Amazon
Amazon Basics Travel Toiletry Bag
This practical design is made from water-resistant 1680D polyester. It features a spacious main compartment with mesh dividers. There are 2 external compartments on the sides. It includes top hooks that can be used to hang it up.
AmazonBasics Hanging Toiletry Kit
The AmazonBasics range continues to offer good value, well-designed products for travelers. This toiletry bag is no exception. With a main compartment that’s large enough to fit full-sized products into its internal storage spaces, this bag is perfect for business travelers and explorers alike.
The external side compartments are perfect for products that you need easy access to, like medications or makeup, while the top hook can display the kit from a shower, door, or towel rack and tucks away when not in use.
Made from durable 1680D polyester, this bag is water-resistant enough to withstand common bathroom spills and splashes, and the internal lining is easy to wipe and clean should a spillage occur on the inside.
All in all, a simple, well-designed toiletry bag that has universal appeal.
What We Like
- Internal lining easily wipes clean
What We Don’t Like
- Side pocket zippers close at the bottom allowing things to fall out when opening
Great Value Toiletry Bag To Suit All Occasions
Freegrace Hanging Toiletry Bag
This intuitive option is made from durable nylon and includes a metal hook. It provides a roomy interior that is padded with lightweight pearl cotton. The design is waterproof, damage-resistant, and easy to clean.
Hanging Toiletry Bag By Freegrace
This extra-large toiletry bag can totally handle all of the personal products you need to take away with you, and then some. Made from premium nylon, soft pearl cotton this bag comes in at an impressive 11.02 x 5.52 x 10.24 inches in size.
The Freegrace hanging bag is waterproof and has a wipe-clean interior as well as a clever zipper system that allows the bag to open out flat when hanging.With an intuitive design, this is really easy to stack full of your favorite personal items every time you go away.
The main compartment offers ample space to fit all your shaving accessories, toothbrush, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, body wash, and shampoo bottles, while the multiple compartments are perfect for keeping your medication, cosmetics, and other small items safe and easy to access.
What We Like
- Accommodates full-sized toiletries
What We Don’t Like
- Zippers are not that smooth running
The Best Travel Toiletry Bags for Men
For the Stylish Traveler With an Eye for Vintage Elegance
This classy premium leather design features a waterproof lining and 2 zipped storage compartments for extra efficiency. It includes 2 zipped pockets and 2 travel-sized bottle pouches to cover your traveling needs.
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Vetelli Leather Toiletry Bag For Men
If you like to carry your personal belongings in style, this leather-look toiletry bag embraces the classic Dopp kit design that every gentleman around town needs on their travels.
With its retro looks and good size interiors, this bag is big enough to fit everything you need, without taking up too much space in your suitcase. With 2 large zippered compartments, you’ll easily store all of your travel and shaving accessories with ease.
The 2 additional inner pockets and mesh pouches are perfect for keeping medication and smaller items safely out of sight. As a bonus, this bag also comes with 2 silicone travel bottles, meaning you can decant your favorite products to take with you.
Made with a high-grade PU exterior, combined with a nylon inner lining, and a water-resistant inner bottom, this bag should see you through many trips and take you all around the world.
What We Like
- Comes with 2 silicone travel bottles
What We Don’t Like
- Not clear from the description that it’s PU leather
The Less-Is-More Toiletry Bag
DISCOUNT: 9%
Timberland Men's Toiletry Bag Canvas Travel Kit
This classic multifunctional design is made from premium canvas and has a zippered pocket on the front. It can be used as a shaving kit or a toiletry kit at home or on the go.
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Timberland Men’s Toiletry Bag Canvas Travel Kit
This canvas toiletry bag from fashion brand Timberland is a statement piece that offers all the practicality you need when traveling.
Made from durable canvas, it’s a beautiful bag that offers plenty of space for your toiletries. There’s enough room to comfortably fit an electric toothbrush and charger, soap, shower gel, hair styling products, medicine bottles, and shaving supplies. It comes with a TSA-approved plastic refillable bottle.
It has a zippered main compartment that opens on the top and a smaller, zippered pocket on the side. The bag also has a leather side hanging/carrying strap.
What We Like
- Stylish, well-made, and the perfect size for travel
What We Don’t Like
- Could do with more separate pockets and compartments
Clever Toiletry Bag With Detachable Compartments
This clear design features 4 separate compartments and includes a TSA-approved detachable cosmetics bag and can be used separately. The set is made from eco-friendly PVC with a waterproof lining.
Hanging Toiletry Bag With Detachable TSA-Approved Small Clear Bag
This clever little toiletry bag consists of several different compartments, one of which is detachable and TSA-compliant to pop in your carry-on luggage. Once you reach your destination, you can reattach the compartments and hang them up on the back of a door or from a handrail using the metal hook.
All of the compartments are transparent to easily find what you need and have waterproof zippers should you experience a leak in transit. The 2 main compartments are large enough to hold several full-size bottles, while the detachable pouch can accommodate smaller items like medicines and makeup.
Made from durable PVC, this functional bag may not look that pretty, but it does come with the convenience of being super easy to clean.
What We Like
- Detachable TSA-compliant pouch for medicines and makeup
What We Don’t Like
- No enclosed compartments for discreet items
The Best TSA-Approved Travel Toiletry Bags
The Transport Security Administration (TSA) has strict rules and regulations about what can and can’t be carried on domestic and international flights.
This includes how liquids, cosmetics, and certain medications are stored in your luggage. Transparent bags are required for carrying your toiletries on board and there are restrictions on how they can be stowed.
Great Value Set of 2 TSA-Approved Toiletry Bags
YUMQUA 2 Pack TSA Quart Size Bag Approved for Carry On Travel
This multifunctional collection includes 2 zippered bags with enough space for your essentials with a clear design that allows you to easily see them.
YUMQUA 2 Pack TSA Quart Size Bag Approved for Carry On Travel
Compliant with TSA regulations, this set of 2 transparent bags is perfect for carrying your personal items with you when you fly. They’re the right size to carry bottled liquids up to 3 ounces so you can whizz through airport security.
Made from clear TPU and 1 quart each, these bags zip open easily to reveal your 3.4-ounce bottles at TSA checkpoints. Or you could use them to store jewelry, charging cables, travel essentials, cosmetics, lip balms, toothpaste, lotions, and so on.
What We Like
- Easy to inspect for both you and TSA officials
What We Don’t Like
- Zippers prevent the bags from being waterproof
» Related: TSA Airport Security – 80 Frequently Asked Questions [2024]
The Budget TSA Toiletry Bag
TSA Approved Clear Travel Toiletry Bag with Zippers
These inexpensive bags are convenient to use through airport security and are made with clear PVC.
Wandf TSA Approved Clear Travel Toiletry Bag with Zippers
Designed to enable you to breeze through airport security and keep airport operatives from rifling through all your belongings, this TSA-compliant bag meets the 3-1-1 rule for air travel in the U.S.
This quart-size travel bag is deceptively sizable, and you’ll be able to stash all of your 3.4-ounce (100-milliliter) containers with ease. It’s made with 0.6-millimeter clear PVC and has and understate travel-themed design that makes clear its purpose.
What We Like
- Transparent bag for quick TSA processing
What We Don’t Like
- May need to be washed to reduce the plasticky smell before use
Final Thoughts
Taking your favorite toiletries away with you is like taking a little slice of home everywhere you go. From your favorite lipstick to much-needed medicines, the bag you choose to keep your stuff in has an important job to do.
With this in mind, choose a bag or bag set, that will hang when you need it to, open wide for easy access, and be waterproof so that spills are easy to clean up.
Wondering how else you can up your savvy traveler game? Check out our other great similar product reviews:
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