Almost every seasoned traveler is familiar with this unfortunate scenario: You arrive at your hotel late at night, strung out from the road and craving nothing but sleep, only to realize upon preparing for bed that you’ve forgotten some small but important item like toothpaste or a contact lens case. Despondent, you consider heading to the lobby to grovel with the graveyard-shift front-desk attendant or pulling up Google Maps to see if a nearby CVS might still be open. Ultimately, you resign yourself to going to bed with unbrushed teeth or desiccated contact lenses. The trip is off to a rough start.
Photo courtesy BAGSMART
This Toiletry Bag Is Perfect For Frequent Travelers
Luckily, you can avoid such headaches by investing in a good toiletry bag, a travel accessory designed to keep grooming and hygienic items organized and easily inventoried. While serving a humble function, toiletry bags are not all created equal. The ideal receptacle should be spacious enough to hold a portable boudoir — accommodating larger toiletries like an electric toothbrush, hair products, hairbrush, or shave kit — but small enough not to hog precious space in your suitcase.
We hope you love the BAGSMART On-Road Toiletry Bag! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.
Photo courtesy BAGSMART
Importantly, a toiletry bag should open wide enough to reveal its contents for quick viewing. Specialized pockets to safeguard knick-knacks like nail clippers, collar stays, or Emergen-C packets are another must. And while function trumps form in this category, an aesthetically pleasing toiletry bag, evincing high-quality material and manufacturing, is an appreciated bonus.
After testing out a litany of toiletry bags over the years, I have not found a better dopp kit than the On-Road Toiletry Bag from BAGSMART (from $22.99). With a simple design and water-resistant material, the On-Road from Bagsmart has been my stalwart companion on the road and in the locker room for years. Women’s and men’s versions are available.
What I like about the BAGSMART On-Road Toiletry Bag
Photo courtesy BAGSMART
BAGSMART nails it for size and design. The small option, the size I prefer, is about 10” long, 6” wide, and 5” high — approximately the dimensions of a high school football. The bag is voluminous enough to accommodate my larger toiletries, even a bottle of shampoo or an electric razor, but small enough to require minimal luggage real estate. The sleek shape of the toiletry bag fits snugly into the corner of my Away suitcase even after packing everything else. The hefty leather handle makes for quick removal from my luggage, convenient when I want to brush my teeth in the airport after a long flight.
Inside the On-Road’s main compartment, elastic bands keep my toiletries tidy and stable — unjumbled even after a long journey. The water-resistant fabric keeps contents dry and staves off mildew (an issue I had with other toiletry bags). For stowing damp washcloths, the bag has an interior pocket sealed off from the other sections. The smaller pockets, sewn into a separate zip-up compartment, are well-suited for odds-n-ends like pill packets, spare contact lenses, or condoms. When I stay in a hotel room without a safe, I stash spare bills in the concealed interior pockets.
From the thick elastic bands to the large zippers and sturdy fabric, Bagsmart cuts no corners in manufacturing. After years of use and countless miles traveled, my On-Road still looks fresh. I wipe down the interior lining after each trip and occasionally turn the bag inside out to machine wash it on a gentle cycle.
Is The BAGSMART On-Road Toiletry Bag worth it?
Photo courtesy BAGSMART
If you, like me, tend to travel with a modest quantity of toiletries, the On-Road in size small is perfect. For well under $30, this bag has paid for itself many times over on my travels by not having to buy toiletries on the road. Apart from my travels, I throw my On-Road in my gym bag when I want to freshen up after a workout.
If you do need to tote a larger array of toiletries — say, a portable hair dryer, medication dispenser, or more extensive grooming kit — consider the size large (11.8”L x 7.1”Wx 5.9”H).
A female friend pointed out that the On-Road reviewed here is better suited for male travelers, and that women generally prefer the women’s version because it holds more stuff and has better compartmentalized pouches without sacrificing its ability to hang on a hook in the bathroom and display its contents. While you can stash make-up or beauty products in it, the men’s On-Road lacks the specialized compartments for cosmetics that some toiletry bags have. If you plan to take an arsenal of cosmetics on your travels, consider the Bonchemin from AGSMARTt. Honey-combed with pockets for make-up, mascara, and brushes, the Bonchemin folds open like a portable make-up table. 