The Beardbrand Dopp Kit Guide
In the world of bags, the Dopp kit doesn’t get the respect it deserves.
Look, we get why the Dopp is overlooked—it’s a bag that goes inside of a bag. Hardly anyone is going to see it aside from your partner and TSA agents.
So why invest in a quality Dopp kit?
The obvious answer is that you don’t want your grooming products and toiletries exploding and leaking all over your clothes.
But beyond that, owning a quality Dopp kit is kind of a right-of-passage into adulthood. You could probably get away with being a 45-year-old man who packs all of his toiletries in a Ziploc bag—hey, airport security probably wouldn’t hate you for that—but, come on.
There’s just something profoundly satisfying about a well-packed bag, and the Dopp kit aids in that mission of achieving optimal travel organization.
To help you travel like the jet-setting Beardsman you are, we picked out eight Dopp kits that we love. We wouldn’t think twice about stashing our favorite Beardbrand products in these bags, and you shouldn’t either. We’ve also got some tips on packing your Dopp kit.
8 Dopp Kits Worthy of Your Beardbrand Products
When it comes to Beardbrand products, we’re pretty picky about not just tossing them in any old Dopp kit. These are our selections for the eight best Dopp kits you can buy right now.
1. THE EVERYDAY DOPP BY SUPPLY
The Everyday Dopp by Supply is more than a Dopp kit—and that’s what we love about it.
It’s big, but for good reason. It allows you to easily organize your smaller items that you’re always uncomfortable with packing loose in your bag or suitcase. The Everyday Dopp gives you organizing slots for watches, sunglasses, cables, and even a Beardbrand Large Comb.
A smaller zipper pouch that locks into place with hidden magnets allows you to keep your liquids separate from other valuables. For shorter trips, it can be carried separately. You’re practically getting two Dopp kits.
The Everyday Dopp is constructed with nothing but 100% premium, extra-thick full-grain leather tanned all the way through to the hide. This means that the leather lasts longer and looks better as it ages.
This Dopp Kit is an investment, but it’s one good-looking bag and should last you a lifetime—if not two.
2. DAKOTA RESERVE WAXED CANVAS HANGING TOILETRY BY BUFFALO JACKSON
Ever stayed in a hotel or Airbnb with literally zero bathroom counter space? Yeah, us too. There’s nothing worse than stashing your grooming supplies on the floor or the back of the toilet bowl.
This is why we love the Dakota Reserve Waxed Canvas Hanging Toiletry by Buffalo Jackson. It’s a rollable Dopp with more than enough room for your essentials. Okay, this bag is sizable, but it’s hard to beat as far as organization is concerned.
Three separate compartments give you plenty of space for whatever you need. Just hang it up and unroll the kit for a well-organized grooming-on-the-go station.
The waxed canvas with top-grain leather trim gives it a rugged, western appeal, but it’s still a fine enough kit to not look out of place in a 5-star hotel.
3. TECOVAS LEATHER TRAVEL KIT
Tecovas—the Austin-based cowboy boot makers—have done something really nice with the Leather Travel Kit. It’s a handsome, sturdy Dopp kit in their signature Presidio leather. There are no frills to it—it’s just high-quality leather that doesn’t break the bank. That’s hard to find.
The interior is lined with our water-resistant nylon. And it features a zippered drop pocket for easy storage and organization.
If you're a leather fan but don't want to spend too much on a travel bag for grooming products, this is worth a look.
4. FILSON RUGGED TWILL TRAVEL KIT
Filson makes some of the best gear for the outdoorsman, and their Rugged Twill Travel Kit offers the perfect combination of no-frills efficiency and wilderness charm. It’s a spacious Dopp kit with two exterior and two interior pouches, helping you spend less time fishing through your grooming supplies and more time actually fishing.
The Filson Rugged Twill Travel Kit is made from 100% cotton rugged twill with bridle leather accents and a matte nylon lining. The heavy-duty brass zipper is a nice touch.
5. BELLROY DOPP KIT
Groomed for everyday travel, the Bellroy Dopp Kit is small and compact yet surprisingly spacious. Those who aren’t into leather will love that it’s made from recycled water bottles.
6. TOPO DESIGNS DOPP KIT
The Topo Designs Dopp Kit offers a unique triangular design that allows it to sit upright—meaning it won’t accidentally fall off the counter if it’s overloaded. For those who favor minimalism, this is a worthy kit.
7. CHAPTER TRAVEL KIT BY HERSCHEL SUPPLY CO.
There’s an effortless elegance to the Chapter Travel Kit by Herschel Supply Co. that we dig. It’s a simple and understated Dopp kit that is easy on the wallet and has plenty of color options available.
8. TOOLETRIES KOBY BAG
Tooletries knows a thing or two about keeping your bathroom organized, and their Koby Bag is no exception. For those who are less concerned with the overall aesthetics of their Dopp kit and just want purely function—this is your kit.
The Koby Bag is also Greg Berzinsky’s Dopp kit of choice.
HOW TO PACK YOUR DOPP KIT
What you pack in your Dopp kit usually depends on the length of your trip. A shorter trip may require only the essentials. On longer trips, it’s always good to be prepared for a variety of circumstances.
Beardbrand founder Eric Bandholz talks about what items he includes in his Dopp kit in our video “Best Travel Hacks for Grooming,” and it looks like this:
- Dental floss
- Toothpaste and a toothbrush
- Headache medicine
- Razor or electric trimmer
- Beard Wash and Softener
- Sea Salt Spray
- Utility balm
- Deodorant
- Utility Bar
- Comb
- Trimming Scissors
An important thing to keep in mind when packing your Dopp kit in a carry-on is that the Travel Security Administration (TSA) rules limit liquid and gel items to bottles no larger than 3.4 ounces. Most Beardbrand products are packaged with this in mind. Scissors are okay as long as the blades are shorter than 4-inches (our Scissors also fit the bill). Most disposable razors and nail clippers are TSA-approved, as well.
PACKING TIP #1: ALWAYS KEEP YOUR DOPP KIT LOADED
An excellent travel hack is always to have your Dopp kit loaded with essential supplies, even when you’re not traveling. That is, have two sets of toiletries: one for using at home and one for keeping in your Dopp kit. Doing this will save you from re-packing your bag whenever you travel and worrying about whether you have everything you need. Focus your last-minute packing on your travel bag instead.
PACKING TIP #2: HOW TO PREVENT SPILLS IN YOUR DOPP KIT
No one likes opening up a Dopp kit and discovering that their Shampoo and Conditioner has leaked and left a gooey mess all over the bag’s other contents.
These three techniques will safeguard against any potential leaks and spills.
Preventing spills 101
The most basic way to guard against spills is to wrap your liquid products in small Ziploc bags. Just make sure that you seal the bag tightly.
Preventing spills 201
Here’s something you can do when you want to take your leakage prevention to the next level. Unscrew the caps of your products and wrap the bottle (including the opening) with Saran Wrap. Then, screw the top back on. This is a great method for preventing your product from exploding and is also a cheap way to protect everything else in your Dopp kit.
Preventing spills 301
This might be overkill, but for maximum spill prevention, get a small roll of Teflon tape and wrap it around the container's cap to prevent it from leaking. You can rip the tape off when you get to your destination and then re-wrap it before heading home or to your next destination.
Preventing Spills 401
Beardbrand Utility Bars are the ultimate travel hack. In addition to serving as your soap and face wash, you can use the Utility Bar as a beard wash, hair shampoo, and even shaving cream.
Traveling with an all-in-one product like the Utility Bar allows you to travel with fewer products. And, as a bonus, the Utility Bar can’t leak or spill!
You can easily pack your Utility Bar in a soap case. However, moisture will erode the bar quicker, so you'll want to avoid water pooling at the bottom of the case after you’ve used the bar. An easy way to get rid of excess moisture is to press down on the bar and tip the case over until the water runs out.
IN CASE YOU’RE WONDERING WHY IT’S CALLED A DOPP KIT
The Dopp kit history begins in the early 20th century. Charles Doppelt, a leather-goods manufacturer from Chicago, created the first Dopp kit and later landed a contract with the U.S. Army to provide toiletry “pouches” to the millions of American GIs serving in World War II. The bags were a hit with the soldiers, and sales soared once they returned home from the war and decided they couldn’t do without.
Doppelt’s brand was later purchased by Samsonite, but the Dopp kit name stuck around.
Most Dopp kits today consist of leather, vinyl, or cloth and serve as the best method for organizing your toiletries and grooming tools for traveling.
THE WRAP UP
Have questions about Dopp kits or grooming while traveling? Shoot us a message at support@beardbrand.com, or Text "STYLE" to 512-879-3297 for a free personalized consultation. We’ll be happy to help you out.
Keep on Growing.
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