There were several great bags that we tried, but their features and design didn’t quite rank them among the top ones listed above. However, everyone wants different things from a toiletry bag, so while they’re not perfect for us, some of these options may still be perfect for you.
Benson Toiletry Kit ($68) from State Bags: This is sturdy and simple with three mesh pouches and a snap-in/snap-out plastic envelope that can hold shower items like a toothbrush and toothpaste, or soap. It’s a bag. I liked that the navy version I tested was made from recycled bottles on the outside and inside, was wipe-cleanable with coated polyester, and had the option to hang. But its construction is more rudimentary than bags in similar categories we’ve tested, and it lacks some of the thoughtful details you’ll find on other bags in the same price range, like the quick-access pouch on the back and large hooks with elastics. It was missing. Anti-slip tips. (The bag’s thick little plastic hook wasn’t wide enough to hang it on a towel rack.)
July Hanging Toiletry Bag $85: I own and love July’s carry-on suitcase, so I was excited to try out the brand’s popular hanging toiletry bag. It has a great design with a zippered pouch on the back, which zips flat to reveal a PVC and pouch zipper compartment that hides a large rubber-tipped metal hook. With leather trim and gunmetal hardware, it looks well-made and stylish, but when my husband took it on a business trip, he found out that the pockets were actually quite small, and when I tried it on in my bathroom at home, I The concerns I had were confirmed. It wouldn’t be a problem if the bag itself was small, but it ended up taking up a quarter of my carry-on baggage.
Fjallraven Kanken Toiletry Bag $55: I love this because it makes me feel like a Red Cross nurse on a World War II battlefield. Made from Fjällräven’s proprietary fabric blend of organic cotton and recycled polyester, it feels like cloth but is more waterproof and durable. It has a clamshell design with a durable plastic hook inside. My quart bag’s bottles are in a huge zipper compartment at the bottom, my toothbrush and deodorant are in the top compartment, and there are mesh pockets and MOLLE webbing so I can easily see small items. However, due to its very large size, it may not be suitable for minimalists who only have a toothbrush and comb. — Adrian So
Calpak Clear Cosmetic Case $85: Made primarily from water-resistant wipeable PVC, this clear cosmetic case (I tested the medium size) has a zipper all the way around and two zippers when folded flat. reveals a zippered compartment and one small zippered mesh bag. With 16 trendy color options, dual handles, and metal bottom studs, this small wallet looks cute. However, accessing the contents is not as easy as with other cosmetic cases that simply open from the top. The Cal-Pak must lie flat to open both sides, which requires a 16 x 10 inch footprint. The structure is not very careful.
Sympl Dopp Kit ($75): We love this bag’s durable Cordura exterior, storage clip for hanging, and the fact that it comes with a lifetime warranty. The bag opens clamshell style to reveal four simple waterproof zip pockets. Two are thin and horizontal, one is a small rectangle, and one is a large rectangle. While this is an interesting idea, in practice it severely limits its practicality as users are restricted to a specific toiletry size product that fits the shape of each pocket. (My deodorant didn’t fit and my toothbrush wasn’t in the case.)
Lululemon Command the Day Dop Kit ($48): This simple water-repellent canvas bag has an appealing unisex design (only available in black). We love that it’s made from recycled polyester and that the spacious bottom mesh compartment can hold full-sized products. However, this bag can’t be hung, fully unzipped to lie flat, or stand on its own, so it takes up a considerable (approximately 8.5 x 11 inches) footprint on your countertop. . I also found myself frustrated multiple times during my testing period, especially when trying to access toiletries in the bottom mesh compartment. This compartment requires full zipping to access, and the bag cannot be laid flat, so items are frequently unfolded.
