10 Best Toiletry Bags for Camping in 2022 (Outdoor Guide-Reviewed)

From simple Dopp kits with just one main compartment to much larger bags with multiple panels and pockets, this curated list features our top picks of the best toiletry bags for camping. Check them out and find the perfect match for your trip!

*Please note that these products were chosen after extensive research by mybest writers. The choices are not necessarily affiliated with or recommended by Pak Eugene.

Here are a few key things to consider when looking for a toiletry kit for camping. You don't want to regret your choice when you're miles from civilization and it's too late!

When camping, you want to make sure you save space and pack light, since you'll be carrying your things. Consider the type and shape of a toiletry bag, making sure it will fit the kind of camping gear you'll be carrying as well as the toiletries you'll be packing.

Simple toiletry kits have a pouch-like shape with zipper closure and a little handle on one side that allows you to carry them easily. They come in different shapes and sizes but don’t normally come with many specialized compartments. While some take a more low-lying block shape, others are taller but have a narrow base. 

A low-lying bag with just one main compartment is versatile as it can fit a range of small items like travel bottles and tubes. Though a bag with a narrow base might not be the best option for large bottles, it can hold smaller items.

Dopp kits were historically called “toilet bags,” and were originally made of leather. However, through the years, Dopp kits have been made using different materials like cloth and synthetic fabrics. Though they’re easy to carry because of the handle, and have a thick base, they aren’t tall. 

If you plan on bringing some toiletries that might leak if they're laid horizontally, then these kits might not be the right choice. However, if you plan on packing a set of toiletries that are travel-sized, a Dopp Kit would be a great option.

Other toiletry bags have panels that fold or roll into each other. Many come with a little hook that allows them to be hung upright, with each panel dropping down in an organized manner.

This feature is especially useful in campground showers where space is limited and even in make-shift outdoor bath areas. Keep in mind, though, that this type of bag can get bulky depending on how many items you put in each panel.

The simplest toiletry bags usually come with just one main compartment that’s accessed by zipping the bag open. Though these general compartments have a more versatile shape that will allow you to stuff a range of items in, they won’t keep your toiletries organized.

A bag with multiple compartments will allow you to separate certain items. Partitions aren’t item-specific, but they do keep things clumped together and can help keep bottles upright. Plastic pouches are great for holding wet items like used soap bars and even toiletries that could leak.

Rounded sleeves are shaped to hold bottles and tubes. Some have elastic cuffs that keep the items securely in place. Features like these are especially helpful during camping trips when bags might get jostled around. Keeping bottles and tubes secure will prevent you from having to make a stop just to clean up any spills inside your bag.

Most toiletry bags also come with a convenient hook that allows you to hang the bag anywhere, serving as a make-shift cosmetic or toiletry shelf even in the middle of the woods. This, when combined with waterproof material, will keep liquid from penetrating the kit even in a wet environment like a makeshift outdoor shower.

Toiletry bags with zippers are user-friendly, but if you over-pack your kit and try to force the zipper shut, it could get damaged. To avoid this problem, you want to pack within the dimensions of your toiletry bag. 

Furthermore, since many zippers are made of metals such as steel and zinc, remember that exposure to water corrodes metals. Because of this, you want to make sure that any wet toiletries from your camping trip like used soaps and various liquids are kept away from zippers.

Kits with roll-up pouches are sometimes equipped with a tie closure. Each end has a long string that can be wrapped around the rolled-up bag and tied to the other in order to close it. This type of closure makes a kit more versatile, as you can adjust the tightness to how bulky or compact you need.

Buttons aren’t very convenient, but snaps are. However, since snaps don’t provide full closure, you might not want to get a toiletry kit that uses them, especially if you’re packing things that are prone to leaking.

Some kits have an extra flap with a button lock on top of a different type of closure. In these cases, the button is used as reinforcement instead of as the main closure mechanism. This makes the kit more secure for your camping trip. 

Since you carry all your gear when camping you want a toiletry bag that's lightweight but sturdy. After all, the last thing you want when you’re in the middle of the woods is a toiletry bag that rips open. To avoid unwanted, sticky spills, choose a kit made of durable material.

Leather is known for its strength, but isn't normally used to hold wet items since it's not very water-friendly. It's also on the heavy side. Plastic is lightweight and waterproof, making it great for carrying wet items. However, if you’re looking for a toiletry bag made of plastic, make sure that you get one that utilizes a thick type so that it’s extra durable.

Polyester blends are washable and flexible. Like plastic, they're also lightweight. Some are even equipped with a waterproof layer. If you opt for a bag made of polyester, make sure that the fabric is strong and thick enough to hold a bunch of items. If it's too thin, it might end up tearing. 

Since toiletry bags come in a ton of different shapes and sizes, you want to make sure that you consider the dimensions of the one you select. After all, certain items can look big in pictures but be too small in reality.

If you’re packing just for yourself and aren’t bringing a ton of different toiletries, then a simple, compact pouch will save you backpack space. If you’re packing for yourself and a camping buddy, you may want to get one that’s just a little bigger and has partitions in case you need to separate certain things.

If you’re packing for a group or a long trip, then you want a much larger toiletry bag with enough compartments for everyone’s personal things.

For family camping trips especially, it’s always better to be safe rather than sorry, so you may want to opt for a bag-like toiletry kit with specialized compartments. After all, you never know what you’re going to need when you’re camping with children.

Some can resemble smaller shoulder bags, while others look more like mini backpacks. Make sure the size of your bag matches the number of people you're packing toiletries for.

If you're planning to go on a camping trip with your friends or family, check out these must-have products. Thy're bound to make your fun experience even more memorable. 

Author: Beatrice Joy

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