Bags for one-night getaways and long-distance trips alike.
A Dopp kit is both a statement of personal style and an immensely practical item. It contains the tools one uses to transform from a shuffling, scruffy zombie to a man that's both well-groomed and bright-eyed. But not all are made equal. There are leather iterations with long-lasting finishings, waterproof ones with polyester liners, and everything in-between, it seems.
Whether you're wriggling your kit into a backpack or playing a game of packing Tetris, configuring it inside your carry-on, the right sized option proves vital. Plus, it must look good, too. It'll go through a lot — and carry quite a bit — so get one capable of not only carrying the essentials you need to clean, shave, and care for your skin and hair but one that's able to do so without worry — that it'll bottom out, its contents will seep through or it isn't big enough for your travel-sized moisturizers, toothpastes and pomades.
"When it comes to the design of the bag, there are a lot of options. Comes down to your preference. Do you like your bag to hang on a hook or sit on the countertop. Both have limitations if you can’t hang your bag or there’s not a lot of countertop space," Eric Bandholz, co-founder of Beardbrand. says. "I personally prefer a more open bag with a couple of pockets. Make sure your bag is designed to handle spills as air pressure changes can cause leakage of your products. Another secret is to use Teflon tape between your lid and opening. This will add an extra layer of security."
It's important to consider whether your dopp kit can withstand a little wetness. Whether you're placing it down on a damp counter or a bottle explodes inside it, there's a high probability it'll get wet at some point. As such, you need one that's at least water-resistant.
"I’m a frequent traveler and the most important thing about the dopp kit isn’t the bag, but how you pack it. Specifically, the untold secret to the dopp kit is duplicating your grooming goods. It’s such a simple concept but changes the packaging routine instantly. It’s a small investment that allows you to just grab your stuff and throw it in your bag, without messing up your countertop routine," Eric Bandholz, co-founder of Beardbrand. says.
As such, he replicates his post-shower while on the road. Most hotels have shampoo and body wash, so don't pack it. And if you're only gone for a few days, you probably don't need a razor. He makes sure to pack one of each of these:
