Do toiletry bags need to be clear?

When it comes to traveling by air, toiletry bags are not required to be clear. A clear or mesh bag could speed up the inspection process at airport security, but that isn't always guaranteed. You still need to consider the products you pack inside your toiletry bag, and whether or not they meet the liquids rule for carry-ons . Your favorite leather or cloth toiletry bag will meet travel requirements as long as your products do.

What is a TSA-approved toiletry bag?

There are currently no requirements on toiletry bags by the TSA, so consider any bag marketing itself as "TSA-approved" to be a myth. The size, material, and weight of your bag should not be an issue unless your products, including liquids, gels, and creams, exceed the liquid limit. Also be sure not to pack prohibited items or use a non-TSA approved lock.

What should be in a toiletry bag?

These bags are built to hold the cleaning and grooming essentials you use everyday. Necessities such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, razors, sunscreen, bug spray, as well as travel-sized bottles to hold shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are all great examples for what to pack for travel. If you have room to spare, a hair comb, facial wipes, nail clippers, and/or perfume/cologne are options to consider.

The Best Toiletry Bags of 2022, Tested by T+L

Away's Large Toiletry Bag earned our top pick.

The best toiletry bags for travel are those that offer a little bit of everything: space, durability, and organization. No matter your preferences for a toiletry bag, it is important to find one that you can use for every kind of adventure.

Our team of editors tested a range of toiletry bags to determine which ones were worth their value and offered more than just a simple design. We based our process on how many travel-sized toiletries we could fit inside the compartment(s), the overall durability of the bag, its protection features (for example, waterproofing), and whether or not a second tote would be required to hold other necessities.

Away's Large Toiletry Bag earned our best overall pick. It has a wide enough main compartment to fit a variety of product sizes, different pockets to store makeup brushes or similar items, and a sizable opening for you to easily access your essentials. Our testers also loved how easy it is to clean the water-resistant fabric. But if you're interested in more budget-friendly or luxurious choices, our list offers a number of options to choose from.

Here are the best toiletry bags to bring on your next getaway:

Best Overall: The Large Toiletry Bag at Away
Best Budget: WandF Toiletry Bag at Amazon
Best Organization: Peak Design Wash Pouch at REI
Best for Weekend Trips: Patch Logo Travel Kit at Lululemon
Best for Men: Bagsmart Toiletry Bag at Amazon
Best for Cosmetics: The Cosmetic Case at Beis
Best Large: Wandf Toiletry Bag at Amazon
Best Hanging: Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag at Amazon
Best Hanging, Runner-up: Bagsmart Toiletry Bag with Hanging Hook at Amazon
Best Water-resistant: Dare to Roam Steward Dopp Kit at Amazon
Best Luxury: Response Travel Kit at Tumi
Best Leakproof: FlatPak™ Zipper Toiletry Case at Matador

Best Overall: The Large Toiletry Bag at Away

Buy on Awaytravel.com

Why We Love It: Its grab-and-go feature makes it easy to access every compartment without the hassle. Plus, it holds more toiletries than you'd think at first glance.

What to Consider: The price is on the higher end.

Outside of their assortment of luggage and weekender bags, Away attracts travelers for their travel accessories. This toiletry bag by the brand is designed to fit all of your travel needs and more. It features a grab-and-go zip feature that allows the bag to expand wide enough for you to easily access your products, in addition to a variety of compartments that could be used to divide your essentials: a clear cosmetic-type bag, a middle zipper pouch, two mesh linings, and a hidden pocket in the bag's exterior. Our testers loved the lightweight material of the bag and how roomy each compartment was for both large and small items we packed into it, including a compact mirror, travel-sized bottles, and foundation.

Outside of its practical design, we enjoyed the luxurious feel of the water-resistant nylon body. Another plus is that the interior of the bag is coated with a wipeable material so that spills can be easily cleaned. While it is a large bag, our testers were able to fit it into a weekender bag and still have enough room to store other items inside. Away offers the style in four different shades – classic black, baby blue, forest green, and limited edition brown leather – and in a smaller size and hanging-style version with similar features.

Dimensions: 10.2 x 3.7 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 8.8 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant

away toiletry bag — Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Budget: WandF Toiletry Bag

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love It: The abundance of space offers room for a large quantity of toiletries without adding the extra weight.
What to Consider: The fabric could be higher quality.

This WandF Toiletry bag can fit most of the toiletries you own; our team of testers joked about its large size, comparing it to a small overnight bag for how many toiletries we were able to store. The main compartment was able to fit travel-size and large products, and the mesh pockets offered space and easy visibility for smaller toiletries. Although it can hold a high number of products, the bag could benefit from more pockets and organizational features. It comes in 13 vibrant colors, including a rosey red, neon orange, and army green.

Dimensions: 9.5 x 4.7 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 3.6 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant

Best Organization: Peak Design Wash Pouch

Buy on Amazon Buy on Peakdesign.com Buy on REI

Why We Love It: It is an eco-friendly bag with thoughtful design and functionality.

What to Consider: Some testers found it slightly difficult to clean.

From the outside, the Peak Design Wash Pouch doesn't seem like it could fit much. Our testers were pleasantly surprised to discover otherwise, as this bag had nearly as much room as the larger bags we tested. The bag opens wide enough for packing, has a stowable hook for hanging, and is able to sit upright on its own on a counter. Not only that, it has plenty of pockets to store your necessities in addition to a shallow zipper pocket. The fabric is waterproof, and is made from 100 percent recycled 200-denier nylon for easy cleaning.

Dimensions: 10.2 x 6 x 4.4 inches | Weight: 8.7 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant

Best for Weekend Trips: Lululemon Patch Logo Travel Kit

Courtesy of Lululemon

Buy on Lululemon

Why We Love It: The bag is lightweight and spacious for quick trips.

What to Consider: Although it is compact in size, the bag is not very structured and has few compartments.

The Lululemon Patch Logo Travel Kit is perfect for those spontaneous weekend getaways or much needed staycations. The ample amount of space inside makes up for the lack of pockets as it is designed to organize your belongings without the bulk, including its single zipper pocket and elastic bands for smaller items. A transparent, removable pouch is included to hold extra products. Our testers pegged this one as a great short-trip piece, as it's an ideal size to squeeze all your last-minute essentials and to bring on the go.

Besides a cool white, it is also available in brick red, a graphite gray and tan combo, and black.

Dimensions: 9.3 x 3.1 x 6.3 inches | Weight: Not listed | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant

Lululemon patch — Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best for Men: Bagsmart Toiletry Bag

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love It: It is surprisingly roomy and easy to clean for its price point.

What to Consider: The material looks slightly cheap.

A dopp kit to fit all of his shaving and grooming products, the Bagsmart Toiletry Bag was loved by our testers for its well-structured design that kept belongings organized and upright. We also appreciated how flexible it was for squeezing into a weekender bag. The bag has one large compartment at the center, and two separate zipped compartments that have mesh material inside. In case you're worried about leaks, the exterior of the bag is made from water-resistant material while the interior is completely waterproof.

Bagsmart's Toiletry Bag is available in black, a dark gray, a camel brown, and a soft pink.

Dimensions: 11.85 x 6.85 x 1.81 inches | Weight: 9.9 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Both

bagsmart toiletry bag — Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best for Cosmetics: Beis The Cosmetic Case

Buy on Nordstrom Buy on Beistravel.com

Why We Love It: It has a deep open space and other convenient features for those who tend to overpack.

What to Consider: It's pricey and may take up too much space in a small bag.

Owned by actress Shay Mitchell, Béis is a beloved travel brand with a massive social media following because of its relatively affordable and practical products. Their cosmetic case is just like their famous luggage pieces: easy to carry, simple to clean, and super durable, despite being on the heavy side for a toiletry bag. Inside, there are three slip pockets for storing products and a separate removable sleeve specifically for makeup brushes. There is also a pocket to slip the bonus compact mirror inside, but our testers found it awkward to stow anything there.

Dimensions: 9.5 x 4 x 7 inches | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant finish

beis cosmetic case — Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Hanging: Sea to Summit Travelling Light Hanging Toiletry Bag

Buy on Amazon Buy on REI

Why We Love It: It feels extremely lightweight and is versatile enough for different kinds of travel.

What to Consider: There is not much construction to the bag, so it doesn't stand on its own.

Don't let the ultra-thin and lightweight material deceive you, because this toiletry bag will get you through every adventure. It is an ideal shape and size for a hanging bag because you can store different-sized products inside without feeling any weight bringing it down. Other helpful features include its multiple pockets, large main compartment (considering we tested the smaller version of the bag), mirror, handle, and hook for quick and convenient visibility. The bag is especially great for those random outdoor ventures with its strong, water-resistant Ultra-Sil Cordura nylon and stretch fabric.

The Sea to Summit toiletry bag is available in a small and large size, and comes in four shades: black, lime green, bright orange, and a cool blue.

Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 3 inches | Weight: 2.8 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant

Best Hanging, Runner-up: Bagsmart Toiletry Bag with Hanging Hook

Buy on Amazon

Why We Love It: Despite the low price point, it is made with water-resistant fabric and strong zippers for extra durability.

What to Consider: It may not be easy to clean.

Bagsmart's Toiletry Bag with Hanging Hook comes with all the design elements you'd want in a toiletry bag and more at an affordable price. Although it was only able to fit travel-sized products during our tests, we still thought it had room to spare for smaller items. The design itself is pleasantly sturdy to hold its weight, it features strong zippers that won't easily break, and its compartments are good for organizing your items. The hook at the top of the bag makes it easy to access products, but our testers did not love the polyester-stitched material it's made from as it is not easy to clean. To make up for it, the bag is water-resistant.

Dimensions: 12.6 x 9.1 x 4.1 inches | Weight: 16.64 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant

bagsmart hanging toiletry bag — Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Water-resistant: Dare to Roam Steward Dopp Kit

Buy on Amazon Buy on Daretoroam.com

Why We Love It: It is made from responsible materials and is flexible and spacious.

What to Consider: While the fabric is water-resistant and antimicrobial, there is not much to this bag besides space.

Perfect for longer trips, the Dare to Roam Steward Dopp Kit has a lot to offer for its size. Our testers were impressed with how much cargo the bag was able to hold, as the bag has an expandable silhouette with its side clips and adjustable webbing straps. While the main compartment is the roomiest, the side and exterior pockets are just as useful. There's also a handy snap pocket for quick-access items and a lined main compartment. Unlike most bags on this list, this one is made from water-resistant and antimicrobial material for extra durability. Five colors and monogram personalization are available.

Dimensions: 4.5 x 8.7 x 4.7 inches | Weight: 5.6 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant

Best Luxury: Tumi Response Travel Kit

Buy on Saks Fifth Avenue Buy on Tumi.com

Why We Love It: It's a high-quality toiletry bag with various pockets for different purposes.

What to Consider: It is expensive for its size.

Besides looking attractive on your vanity, Tumi's Response Travel Kit will keep your items organized and your mind at ease because of its two elastic sleeves, multiple pockets, antimicrobial material, and convenient side grab handles. The bag has additional U-zip pockets, one of them water resistant. Not only does the bag sit comfortably on a counter, but it also has a back slip pocket with a hanging hook so you can easily hang it in your bathroom. It's worth noting that our testers were only able to fit travel-sized items inside.

Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 3.5 inches | Weight 14.4 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water-resistant pocket

tumi response — Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Leak-proof: Matador FlatPak Zipper Toiletry Case

Buy on Matadorup.com Buy on REI

Why We Love It: It holds more products than you'd think at first glance.

What to Consider: There are no pockets nor additional compartments inside for organization.

This bag by Matador surprised our testers the most because, while it seems as small as a pencil pouch, it delivers ample space for your toiletries. There are no compartments or pockets, yet it manages to fit enough products for weekend trips without feeling bulky. The bottom of the bag expands to make the bag larger, and the water- and leak-proof material allows water to evaporate through the fabric without getting things around it wet. Additionally, the material lets products like toothbrushes and razors dry inside. The bucket style design helps with quick access to products and for the bag to stand upright.

Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.75 x 3.5 inches | Weight: 1.16 ounces | Waterproof or water-resistant: Water- and leak-proof

matador flatpak — Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Our Testing Process

Our testers gathered in our New York City lab to determine the best toiletry bags based on their durability, design, portability, and more. The value of each bag was kept from testers until the end of testing to provide the most unbiased results.

Testers began assessing each toiletry bag by emptying the packaging and stuffing inside. To see how sturdy they were without any items inside, each bag was zipped and unzipped, and pulled and tugged in every direction. Testers then examined the material of the bag to evaluate how successful it could be at repelling spills, if it would be easy to clean, and whether it seemed sturdy or flimsy.

With the bag already opened, testers filled the inside with as many toiletry products as they could and still successfully zip it shut, including travel-size toiletry bottles of different shapes, assorted makeup compacts/palettes, toothbrush, and toothpaste. We questioned whether or not the bag would be able to fit extra or last-minute items, including contacts and tweezers, and if another bag would be required to fit all of our products if one didn't fit everything.

Once filled, testers took note of the organizational and structural features of the bag, if there were any. Any pockets, flaps, or jewelry holders on the interior and exterior were examined to see if and how many items could fit inside and/or in one main compartment. We also took careful note of zipper functionality and overall design appeal.

When the bag was fully packed, our testers placed it inside a large weekender bag to get a sense of its weight by carrying it around our lab. We also checked how much space the bag took up inside the weekender bag to determine if there was ample room to store other items, such as clothing and accessories. Our testers then determined whether the bag would be suitable for weekend getaways and/or longer trips.

After rating for all attributes, we checked each bag's price to rate the overall value.

Other Toiletry Bags We Tested

The following three toiletry bags made our next tier of performers. They were considered and tested for our top recommendations list and almost made it but fell just short.

State Bags Bensen Toiletry Kit: The State Bags' Bensen Toiletry Kit provides enough space to fit almost all of your grooming essentials, and it even has added interior pockets and a pouch for organization. Since it can be used as a hanging bag, there is an inside hook attached. Unfortunately, our testers found the hook too small to hang on anything. The material also didn't live up to its price.

Dagne Dover Hunter Toiletry Bag: One of our testers was adamant about taking this bag home because of its soft material, but the Dagne Dover's Hunter Toiletry Bag did not quite make our list because it didn't have much interior space. The two bonus pouches it comes with are a plus, but they take up most of the space you could use to fit other necessities.

Baggu Dopp Kit: Our testers loved the lightweight feel of the Baggu Dopp Kit, but its material was so lightweight that we worried it might wear out over time. However, it easily packs flat and is able to fit a number of items inside, despite lacking pockets and dividers to organize products.

Tips for Buying a Toiletry Bag

Look at the design of the bag

From interior pockets to bonus pouches to dividers, a toiletry bag should offer more than just space. Added pockets and pouches help to keep your items organized, easy to find, and safe from spillage during travel. You may also want to consider the material of the bag, looking for waterproofing and tear-resistance, and whether or not it is durable enough to withstand years of travel and possible leaks.

Consider capacity and the items you pack

If you're the type of person who loves toiletries, think carefully about the size of bag you want to purchase. (Think under a quart.) A bag's spaciousness is important for fitting all of your essentials, and in case you store full-sized products inside. (Depending if you are checking a bag in.) Plus, the deeper the interior goes and the more compartments a bag has, the better it is for saving space.

Think about portability

You may or may not want the same bag for weekend getaways or long trips abroad, but a bag's portability makes traveling a lot easier no matter the length of your trip. Handles are great for carrying your toiletries to and from the bathroom, and a hook could make it easier to access necessities during your morning routine. Additionally, a bag that is too large and non-collapsible may limit space in your luggage for other essentials, and a bag that's lightweight yet is on the smaller side may require packing a second one. Look for all these extra features just for a bit of convenience during your travels.

toiletries — Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Frequently Asked Questions

Do toiletry bags need to be clear?

When it comes to traveling by air, toiletry bags are not required to be clear. A clear or mesh bag could speed up the inspection process at airport security, but that isn't always guaranteed. You still need to consider the products you pack inside your toiletry bag, and whether or not they meet the liquids rule for carry-ons. Your favorite leather or cloth toiletry bag will meet travel requirements as long as your products do.
What is a TSA-approved toiletry bag?

There are currently no requirements on toiletry bags by the TSA, so consider any bag marketing itself as "TSA-approved" to be a myth. The size, material, and weight of your bag should not be an issue unless your products, including liquids, gels, and creams, exceed the liquid limit. Also be sure not to pack prohibited items or use a non-TSA approved lock.
What should be in a toiletry bag?

These bags are built to hold the cleaning and grooming essentials you use everyday. Necessities such as toothpaste, a toothbrush, deodorant, razors, sunscreen, bug spray, as well as travel-sized bottles to hold shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are all great examples for what to pack for travel. If you have room to spare, a hair comb, facial wipes, nail clippers, and/or perfume/cologne are options to consider.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

A team of travel and lifestyle writers gathered in our New York City lab to spend the day testing the functionality and durability of each toiletry bag. Writer Madison San Miguel was in attendance during testing and also used her own travel experiences to inform her research and writing.

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