Unlike many women who require a small suitcase for their toiletries, a traveling man needs only a few essentials to be happy. Nevertheless, a man needs a place to stow these items. Enter the Dopp kit.
The History of the Dopp Kit
Charles Doppelt, a German leather-goods maker from Chicago, invented the Dopp kit during the early 1900’s. The small pouches became known as Dopps, in recognition of its creator. Doppelt scored a contract with the US Army during WWII to provide the toiletry pouches to millions of American GIs. The bags became a hit, and demand for Dopp kits soared when American men returned home from war.
My memories of Dopp kits include looking over my dad’s black leather one. It was worn from years of use. As a child, I was always amazed at all the stuff he could put in there. It was almost like a doctor’s old medical bag.
Building your Dopp Kit
The Bag
The first thing you’ll need is the bag. These aren’t difficult to find. You can get a nylon travel bag for under $5 at any big box store like Target or Wal-Mart. They’ll get the job done.
But if you want a Dopp kit with class, leather is the only way to go. Sure, it will cost you more, but it will last forever, age nicely, and become something you enjoy owning and toting around. It’s something you’ll be able to pass down to your sons and grandsons, along with the stories of the places you took it. You can find a nice leather Dopp kit at most department stores. You can also buy nice affordable leather Dopp kit for $35 online. If you’re lucky, you can also score a vintage leather Dopp bag on eBay.
The Supplies
After you have your bag, it’s time to fill it up with the stuff you need to keep you well groomed while traveling. Most of things we suggest are common sense, others you might not have thought of, but will be happy to have on hand during your adventures.
- Travel bottle of shampoo
- Bar of your favorite soap
- Deodorant
- Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss
- Shaving supplies: razor, brush, and cream
- Nail clippers
- Lip Balm
- Band Aids
- Safety Pins
- Aspirin or Tylenol
- Lint Roller
- $20 bill
- Extra pair of contact lenses
Organizing the kit
One of the things I remember about my dad filling up his Dopp kit is the care he took when packing his supplies. Everything had its place. The way you place supplies in the pouch will ensure safe arrival to your destination.
If you will be flying with your Dopp kit, keep in mind that pressure changes on the airplane can cause your shampoo and cream bottles to explode. This will create a big mess and a lot of disappointment, especially if you went ahead a bought a nice leather kit. To avoid a mess, try this hint: Before placing a bottle that holds liquidy materials in your bag, squeeze the air out of the bottle right up until the cream reaches the tip of the hole. Without this excess air, your bottles will be much more likely to hold unto their contents during flight.
What do you carry in your Dopp kit? Did we miss anything that you think is essential to have? Drop a line in the comment box and let us know.
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@Eugene-
They make plastic containers to hold your soap. They are really cheap at drug stores. The easiest thing to do, however, is simply to use the hotel soap. Of course, you may not be staying at one. And that’s when the container would come in handy.
No Dopp kit is complete for the traveling man without Imodium A-D.
I always pack a small bottle of benedryl. Amazing healing power against allergic reactions (hives, beestings, hayfever) and an effective sleep aid for those times when I need it. I pack my shampoo in one of the nalgene bottles from REI, they are very tough and will hold a full months shampoo, used on my few remaining hairs. I think they are 4 ounces.
I always sing the praises of carrying 2-3 safety pins while traveling. Whether you end up needing them for a random tear or you simply end up providing them to a lady in need, I’ve found that they come in quite handy and take up no space. Totally worthwhile.
As a woman who travels with a small toiletry bag (yes, we do exist!) I would suggest the following items to add to your inventory:
- Shaving oil.
Instead of cream. Comes in a smaller bottle, you’ll need only a few drops and you’ll hardly experience any irritation or razor burn.
- Solid shampoo bar.
Comes in a tin from a place like Lush.com (or google for it). No problems with leaking, airport security or pressure changes while you’re in the air! It’ll also last a lot longer and double as a bodywash, facial cleanser and laundry detergent.
- Condoms
For the obvious reasons (plus they can hold several liters of water in an emergency).
- Prescribed medication
Don’t use strips, they take up too much space. Keep meds in small ziploc bags or tiny nalgene containers. Add a small absorbant package (the ones that come in large bottles of vitamine pills) to keep the meds from getting damp.
If you’re carrying a leather dopp kit I’d also take a film canister with a bit of clear leather wax (beeswax) to keep the leather from cracking (and to touch up your shoes for that important business meeting).
I don’t think my inventory differs a lot from what you suggest. There’s a solid hair conditioner bar thrown in with the shampoo bar and I bring a solid massageoil/bodylotion bar to keep my painfully dry skin in check. I also carry a neti pot, a small pot of salt and a spoon to rinse my nose. That does take up a bit of space but it’s a medical necessity.
And yes, I carry preventatives/condoms. Not that I don’t trust the other person… I just don’t trust their ex(es)
A few years back The Body Shop sold a dopp kit bag made of recycled inner tubes. Not as classy as a leather bag perhaps, but the thing is very durable and easy to clean. I don’t know if they still sell them but I seem to recall that they were a really inexpensive yet rugged option.
I also carry extra ‘mini’ plastic bags, but maybe that’s because I’m anal. I place liquids and my bar of soap in these bags so as to avoid any unfortunate accidents.
Why all the condom proponents? C’mon guys, a REAL man respects women! Any guy who expects to get some “action” while traveling is not a REAL man!
We always called it a ditty bag. Dopp kit is much more manly! I have always had one of these. My dad always had one of these. FYI Campho-Phenique, though good for tick removal will leak.
We modern day men should add a $10 USB flash drive.
I always try to have a few sleeping pills in there too, as well as earplugs. Travelling internationally, the sleeping pills are key to forcing your body to reset quickly to large changes in time zones (ie, flying from Europe or the Middle East to USA and vice versa). Earplugs…well…not all hotels have thick walls.
For shampoo/soap, Neutrogena makes an excellent body wash for all over. Much easier to carry one bottle than two.
Avid razors are excellent. While we’re saving space and weight, how about a bottle of Somerset’s Shave Oil in lieu of shaving cream?
Oh, important lesson from here in Iraq: immodium. Never leave home without it.
When flying, put any bottles or spray cans in a zip-lock bag. If the bottle or can decides to misbehave, it won’t spread discontent throughout your Dopp Bag. It will only embarrass itself!
I agree with some of the above that a sewing kit is essential, but not a whole kit. I keep a needle duct-taped to the inside of my floss container. You can use white floss as thread. It’s much stronger, plus it’s minty fresh.
I got here while researching those classic washbags/shaving bags I now know are called dopp kits
I’m a girl and I’ve always liked these for their shape, especially the really classic design, with the two ‘floors’ and the frame!
Just thought I’d let you know about another product that might be useful for packing: the 3-in-1 shower gels by a brand called Philosophy. The 3 functions advertised are shower gel, shampoo, and bubble bath. They come in lots of different scents, and while many are more girly-type things like vanilla cinnamon and the like, there are so many scents there’s bound to be one to appeal to guys. They’re kind of on the pricey side, but if it’s only for travel and not for everyday use, it shouldn’t cause too much of a strain on the budget.
I second the advice on using solids, but mainly for longer trips, because there’s usually too much products in a full-sized solid item for trips of a week or so, and then it ends up being superfluous. Of course, with a solid you can always get a big kitchen knife (non-serrated), and chop the block in a more manageable piece. And they’re a big help if you wanna do carry-on only plane travel, which is a great feeling, since we now have restrictions on the liquids.
Soaps: Dr. Bronner’s solid or liquid soaps are great for traveling- they smell great and work for almost all cleaning jobs- even shaving. The peppermint is mildly insect repellent and very refreshing, while the lavender is very calming. The solid versions are more packable. (http://www.drbronner.com/DBMS/LS.htm)
OR you can try most brands of ‘camp soap’, or save more money and use a mild, unscented dish soap.
One thing I noticed in the discussions is that different people are using these kits for different purposes- routine travel with style, minimal traveler, camper, ‘Dopp as semi-survival’ kit advocates, etc.
I think the key thing here is to find a kit and packing list that fits your needs and comfort zone. Personally, I will carry the kitchen sink if I can, but enjoy trying to fit everything into a thimble at other times. My current Dopp is aimed at being carried in the car for a quick refresher at work or to serve as the foundation of a quick overnight trip.
@velda – watch out, you don’t want anything to wear or pierce the condom.
Hi, I believe this may just be my naive Englishness but what the heck is Gold Bond powder? It sounds desirable whatever it is.
If you have a shower every morning you can do without deodorant and rely on your natural manly musk…
I am a boater, and my dopp kit is the Counter Top Toiletry Kit by McNett. Its roomy enough for full-size bottles and brushes, has side organizers for small items, and converts to a hanging bag for when counter space is limited (hangs on door knob, hook or towel rack). Check it out… it is the best!!!
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what are you guys doing with your Gold Bond that is so good? I thought that stuff was for really old dudes with fungus or something.
Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap – a consistent ph body wash gets me thru hard / soft / little / strange water showers, is shampoo and underwear-wash (no chafing on skivvies, very important).
Neutrogena Shower Oil – a tiny bottle (I think it was a sample, but mine doesn’t leak so I keep refilling it) – for shaving, dry skin, thunder-thigh chafing (yes, large men sweat and chafe, TMI, too bad). When I am spending the day walking in Atlanta / London / Casablanca, I am going to perspire – be prepared!
Very Californian – Tiny roll-on bottle of sandalwood oil – use (w/ the shower oil) as deodorant, aftershave.
I cannot believe nobody has said – Sunscreen – small quantity. I have had more bad travel days from too much unprotected sun the day before than from hangovers (although it’s a close race).
SINGLE MALT SCOTCH – 3 oz in a Nalgene bottle in my TSA Ziplock (always carry spares). Because (a) I am too cheap to pay most resort / hotel prices for a decent taste, (b) I really want a taste when I arrive, no matter what wretched time it is, (c) I have really good bottles to refill from, why drink crap?
Classic kit :
http://www.hammacher.com/Product/75813?promo=Personal-Care
Here’s my ditty bag list:
Travel shampoo – you can buy little bottles at target or walmart
Bar soap – I like dove stuff, it smells nice and gets the job done. I’ve got an old soap dish from an antique boy scout ditty kit.
Razor, foam – haven’t gone to the brush/bar just yet.
Toothbrush, paste, mouthwash – travel size on the two latter, thin dentist freebee on the former
Comb
Pomade
Small cologne
Gold bond
Deodorant
Nail Clippers
Ibuprofen
Safety pins
Bert’s Bee’s lip balm and hand salve
$1 in quarters
There we are, so I’ve got to put it all back. I’d really like to get a nice leather one, but I think I’m just going to drop hints for a nice birthday present.
I used to travel a lot and for a full week at a time. I actually had 2 kits, one for the standard shaving and toiletries and the other for things like sun block, bug spray, and some minor first aid stuff. I worked in the field and after work enjoyed doing some things after work. There was always room for a fishing pole in the service truck. Some guys could even fit a golf club bag into that truck.
Here is a list of what I am going to put in my Dopp Bag. It is a little bit more than most but it all fits.
Bag Dopp
Balm Lip
Battery AA 2 ea., In the shaver
Bible King James
Bill $20
Brush Tooth
Brush Tooth Case
Cards 3X5
Cards Poker
Clippers Nail Finger
Clippers Nail Toe
Cloth Bandana
Comb Hair
Deodorant Stick Brut
Floss Dental
Kit First Aid
Kit Sewing
Medical List Data
Medical List Doctors
Medical List Medications
Medical Prescription Eye
Meds Container Week by Day
Mirror
Paste Tooth Tube
Pin Writing
Powder Body
Roller Lint
Shaving After Cologne
Shaving Face XLR-370 Remington Battery
Soap Combination Hair, Face and Body
Swabs Q-Tips
Tissue Facial
Mike B2, it makes me chuckle that you’re carrying separate finger and toenail clippers but your soap is all-purpose.
For those of us who wear glasses part of the day, a set of the small screwdrivers can be beneficial.
There are a lot of good suggestions in the comment section. Like others, I recommend Q-tips, Gold Bond, and a good facial lotion. However, I am not one for adding shoe polishing items in my Dopp. I recommend a separate, small polish kit to pack for keeping shoes looking good.
So I went through and read a lot of these comments and nobody mentioned a cell phone charger. I always have an extra cell phone charger that I keep for the sole purpose of traveling and stays in my Dopp. If you’re like me you always seem to find yourself in the position where I’m buying a $60 charger once I get to my destination because you forgot to pack one.
I never leave home without Ozeoil shaving oil. It doesn’t take up any space, it’s a non-aerosol and gives the best shave.
Also earplugs are a must.
To play it on the safe side and add some extra security against unwanted breaks, leaks, or spills, I put any containers that may leak either liquid or powder into plastic ziplock bags. There is nothing worse than opening up your Dopp bag and finding shampoo all over everything. Also, don’t forget to stash any prescription medications you take on a regular basis in your Dopp and leave them there. That way you have some available if you forget to pack them before your trip. Just remember to rotate them out every few months.
Great article. There’s a couple of things I would add to my Dopp kit. These include:
1. styptic
2. tube of Crazy Glue
3. Zip Lock Bag
4. Two or Three “airline” bottles of Marker’s Mark.
Always in my Dopp kit:
flashlight – small aircraft-grade aluminum LED flashlight
you should never check into a hotel without a flashlight. in an emergency, it will be your best friend!
compass – Marble’s brass compass
Ever come up out of a subway station in a strange city with no clue as to what direction you were facing? Keep your bearings – carry a compass
My husband is always telling me I should have my little toiletries bag constantly packed instead of packing it before each trip. It seemed like a silly waste of duplicate items when I could just pull things from my bathroom drawer instead of having to own two. I didn’t really “get it” until this post. Now I do. Thanks!
I saw that somebody mentioned a styptic of some kind. Colonel Conk’s Styptic Pencil works great. I just bought a My Nik Is Sealed roll-on styptic pencil that I haven’t used yet (damn I need a shave), but will update you all after I’ve tried it.
Oh yeah I almost one for the single man about town- condoms. Keep a few of those in that Dopp kit of yours, fellas.
Never leave home without a tube of Pinaud’s Mustache Wax.
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