In our eyes, a well-stocked Dopp bag is an essential part of any gentleman’s travel kit. Whether it’s for a quick weekend jaunt, an extended business trip, or anywhere in between, one should never be without their trusty toiletries and grooming gear.
Packing a Dopp kit is of course a personal matter and will vary widely between guys, but it never hurts to have a “starter list” of ideas for what to pack in yours, as we have listed below.
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Will Leather’s Grady Dopp Kit. ($195 for the leather version, or $90 for the canvas-and-twill version)
Will Leather Grady Dopp Kit »
First off, you’ll need the Dopp kit itself. Will Leather’s Grady Dopp Kit is a handsome choice. The leather version, shown above, is extremely well made and looks fantastic. The less-expensive, canvas-and-twill version is equally awesome. Both feature a brass-studded leather base, with a fabric lined interior with plenty roomy enough to carry most grooming tools. Also an exterior zipper pocket and small interior pocket.
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Marvis’ travel-sized cinnamon mint toothpaste. ($6 as an Amazon add-on item, or $11 for the full-sized 3.8 oz. tube)
Marvis Cinnamon Mint Toothpaste (Travel Size) »
You rarely hear of die-hard fans for typical store-bought brands of toothpaste. Check the reviews for Marvis cinnamon mint toothpaste though, and you’ll see almost nothing but glowing praises for its lasting — and delicious — flavor and freshness. Your mouth will thank you for having this stuff on hand.
The travel-sized 1.3 oz. version is perfect for Dopp kit storage, but just know it can only be purchased as an Amazon add-on item.
Colgate’s “Travel Voyage” toothbrush. ($11 for pack of 6)
Photo: Erica Ho
Colgate “Travel Voyage” Toothbrush »
Honestly you could pack pretty much any toothbrush you wanted in your Dopp kit, but I want to point out Colgate’s nifty “Travel Voyage” toothbrush. The brush end folds down and snaps firmly into the ventilated handle, which not only keeps the bristles clean and unsmashed, but helps keep things from getting disgusting between uses, even when closed.
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Merkur’s long-handled safety razor. ($21 for the razor, and $20 for 100-count Personna Platinum razor blade refills)
Merkur Long-Handled Safety Razor »
Don’t toss some cheap disposable razor into your Dopp just because you’re traveling. Being away from home doesn’t mean you have to give up on getting a nice shave. Wet shaving [YouTube link] with a safety razor does tend to take more time and preparation for the unpracticed than with a typical 3-blade model, but the ritual is well worth it.
We recommend keeping the Merkur long-handled safety razor (or its travel-sized counterpart) in your dopp, plus as many replacement razor blades you need for the duration of the trip.
(A note about razor blades while flying (US): The TSA prohibits non-cartridge razor blades and safety razors with blades in carry-on luggage. These are allowed ONLY in checked luggage. If you’re set on bringing only a carry-on bag, bring the safety razor alone, no blades, and either purchase them at your destination or ship some separately ahead of time.)
Geo F. Trumper’s Limes Shaving Cream jar. ($19)
Geo F. Trumper’s Limes Shaving Cream »
Carrying a safety razor demands an accompanying shaving cream that smells good and feels luxurious. The Limes Shaving Cream by Geo F. Trumper — a traditional, London-based barber company we discovered via this video a few years ago — is one such cream.
The lime scent is delicate and pleasant without lingering too long or overpowering any cologne/aftershave you put on, plus the soft lather it produces is quite moisturizing, all of which makes for a more enjoyable shaving experience. A single tub should last you several trips before you have to stock up again.
Perfecto’s badger shave brush. ($13)
Perfecto Badger Shave Brush »
A badger brush like this one from Perfecto will generally give you the best results when lathering up a shave cream or soap. This particular brush is on the low end of badger brushes, but for travel purposes it gets the job done fine (and without breaking the bank).
Some people use a brush holder to protect the brush’s bristles while traveling, but if you prefer to keep things simple, you can always use an empty toilet paper roll. A large toothbrush holder can also work, just be sure to drill some holes for ventilation first.
CleanLife’s “No-Rinse” bathing wipes. ($7 add-on item, pack of 8)
CleanLife “No-Rinse” Cleansing and Deodorizing Bathing Wipes »
When traveling you sometimes find yourself without the time or facilities to take a full shower. If you’ve got a pack of these disposable “No-Rinse” bathing wipes, you don’t have to walk around a disgusting mess of a person. They’re premoistened with an aloe and vitamin E formula that will leave you feeling clean and refreshed. Using 2 or 3 of them will approximate a “shower” so this pack of eight can last you a few cleanings.
Mitchum’s travel-size roll-on deodorant/antiperspirant. ($18 for pack of 6)
Mitchum Travel-Size Roll-On Deodorant & Antiperspirant »
Mitchum makes some of the best antiperspirant deodorant around, so it only makes sense to grab a six-pack of their travel-size roll-ons. This deodorant dries quick, keeps you dry a long time, and leaves almost no scent in the process. Great stuff.
Tidy Space’s 3 oz. air travel bottles. ($18 for pack of 3)
Tidy Space 3 oz. Air Travel Bottles »
You’ll have to choose your own shampoo, conditioner, and body wash to bring — check our recent guide to long men’s hair for shampoo & conditioner recommendations — but you’ll need something small to carry them in. Tidy Space’s air travel bottles work nicely, and are even color-coded (in a patriotic way, I might add) so you don’t get things mixed up.
Tip for flying: Squeeze out all excess air before stowing the bottles in your bag before flying to prevent them from exploding in the sky. If a leak is still a concern for you, these bottles come with a clear toiletry bag that won’t take up too much extra space in your Dopp.