These Are The Best Travel Toiletry Bags To Keep Essentials Organized

Forbes

3 days ago

If you've ever been the victim of a leaky lotion in your carry-on, it's officially time for an upgrade. As a travel editor who flies multiple times per month, I scoured the market for the best travel toiletry bags to keep essentials like shampoo, moisturizers and more in place. My top picks include the spacious Away The Large Toiletry Bag, which is great for longer trips, the clear Calpak Small Cosmetics Case, and the stylish and expandable MZ Wallace Metro Accordian Cosmetic.
I scoured the market for the best travel toiletry bags to keep essentials like shampoo, moisturizers ... More and more in place. Illustration: Forbes / Images: Retailer
To finalize my list of the best travel toiletry bags, I spoke with Jessica Morrobel of Traveling With Jessica, who has journeyed with many of the toiletry bags on this list. 'Toiletry bags don't get nearly enough credit,' she says. 'Having everything accessible and contained while on the go is essential.' I also researched top sellers from well-known travel and accessory brands, focusing on storage capacity, durability, ease of use and unique design features. Below, my selections for the best travel toiletry bags of 2025. Our Top Recommendations
Best Large Travel Toiletry Bag: Away The Large Toiletry Bag
Best Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag : Aer Travel Kit 2
Best Clear Travel Toiletry Bag: Calpak Small Clear Cosmetics Case
Best Travel Toiletry Bag For Organization: Peak Design Wash Pouch
Most Stylish Travel Toiletry Bag: MZ Wallace Metro Accordian Cosmetic
Dimensions: 9.75 x 11.5 x 3.5 inches | Capacity: 6 liters | Materials: Nylon packcloth | Colors: 9 total
Best for: Affordable
Durable and water-resistant
Skip if: You're looking for something more stylish
If you're seeking a durable, utility-focused bag, this classic from L.L.Bean is a great option. It checks a lot of boxes at once: It's water-resistant, has ample storage and smart organization compartments, features hinged design for easy access, and is affordable. The built-in hook is handy, especially if you're staying in small spaces with limited bathroom space, plus its shower caddy safely stows your bottles as you bathe. It comes in a wide variety of colors and in three sizes; I like the medium for a long trip, while the large size—which has an impressive 9-liter capacity—is great for family travel.
Dimensions: 10.2 x 3.7 x 5.9 inches | Weight: 8.8 ounces | Capacity: 3.6L | Materials: Nylon| Colors: 3 total
Best for: Longer trips
Water-repellent exterior
Many compartments, including a zipped central pocket
Skip if:
Away's Large Toiletry Bag is a personal favorite of mine that I've brought with me on longer trips. It's made from a water-repellent nylon that's easy to wipe down, and its interior is also coated in a wipeable material should any spills happen. For organization, it has multiple interior compartments, including a central zipped compartment that can hold larger items. Morrobel has traveled with this toiletry bag multiple times and is also a fan: 'It's sturdy, easy to clean and the internal pockets help me separate skincare from haircare," she says. "I also love that it sits flat when open, which makes things feel less chaotic when I'm getting ready in unfamiliar spaces.' Take note: This is a larger toiletry bag than others on this list, so expect it to take up more room in your suitcase.
Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 3 inches | Capacity: 2.5 liters | Materials: 700D Cordura | Colors: 3 total
Best for: Hanging option
Slim profile
Anti-microbial lining
Skip if: You don't need that many pockets
If you're sharing a hotel room with a friend or spouse, the Aer Travel Kit 2 will ensure that no one will be fighting over counter space. It has an ultra-slim profile, but there's room to store a lot more than you'd expect at first glance. While our top overall L.L. Bean pick also has the ability to hang, this toiletry bag has more features: Its top half is wider and can hold more items, and there are more compartments to keep your essentials organized, like an exterior toothbrush holder, zippered pockets and elastic bands designed to secure travel-sized bottles. Another bonus: Its interior is treated with an anti-microbial lining the keep mildew at bay, and the durable Cordura exterior is easy to rinse off and air dry if needed.
Dimensions: 8.25 x 6 x 4 inches | Capacity: 2.5 liters | Materials: Cordura | Colors: 3 total
Best for: Clear exterior
Handle for easy carrying
Compact
Skip if: You need interior pockets
'I love a clear toiletry bag that allows me to see everything at a glance,' says Morrobel, who names the Calpak Clear Cosmetics Case as the pick she travels with most. Made from a transparent Cordura fabric, this bag's exterior can be deceiving: It may seem flimsy and plastic-like at first glance, but its material is surprisingly durable. While it doesn't have as many pockets as other options on this list, it does feature two zippered compartments and a smaller, zippered mesh pocket for organization. Its most winning feature, of course, is its transparency that allows you to reach for exactly what you need without having to dig around or remember where you stashed it. I like the small version, as it's the easiest to fit into a small carry-on bag, but it's also available in medium or large sizes.
Dimensions: 10.2 x 6 x 4.4 inches | Capacity: 2.5 liters | Materials: 100% recycled weatherproof 200D nylon | Colors: 3 total
Best for: Compact silhouette
Magnetic toothbrush pocket
Removable and washable liner
Skip if:
For those who are traveling with different types of toiletries, this pick from Peak Design is a great solution. The Wash Pouch has a compact silhouette, although once you zip it open, you'll discover an array of organization options to stow your toiletries including a magnetic toothbrush pocket—plus, a removable liner that's washable. The silicone-coated mesh pockets are handy, as are the large main sections with slots to keep bottles in place and the smaller exterior pockets for easy accessibility. It has an aluminum hook that lets you hang your pouch just about anywhere, but several reviewers say the hook is a little shallow, causing the bag to slip off pretty easily. If a hanging toiletry bag is your primary need, go with the Aer Travel Kit 2 instead.
Dimensions: 7.48 x 4.33 x 4.33 inches | Capacity: Not listed | Materials: Bluesign-approved REC Oxford | Colors: 2 total
Best for: Stylish design
Many compartments and zippered pockets
Water-resistant fabric
Skip if: You're on a budget—this is one of the more expensive options on our list
A travel toiletry bag needs to be durable, but that's doesn't mean it can't be stylish. I'm a fan of MZ Wallace's Metro Accordian Cosmetic, which hits both marks. It's made of the brand's proprietary fabric blend, REC Oxford, which is a recycled, chemical-free textile that is water-resistant and easy to clean. Its quilted exterior and box-like silhouette has an elevated look and can easily double as a handbag for a night out, especially since it's built with a comfortable handle that makes it easy to move around your hotel room. For organization, it unzips to reveal five accordian-style compartments for toiletries, makeup and more. The black Italian leather trim and matte black zippers amp up the style points, so you can look good and store a lot simultaneously.
The Forbes Vetted team consists of researchers, writers and editors who are travel obsessives. From the best carry-on travel backpack to the best packing cubes, we have a collective passion for sharing the best travel products on the market to help you make informed shopping decisions. This article was written by Forbes Vetted senior travel editor Astrid Taran, who has over a decade of experience writing travel content and has traveled to over 40 countries. Throughout her travels, she has used a variety of different toiletry bags, including several on this list.
This story was edited by Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the travel vertical and has tested the Calpak and Away options in this roundup.
For this story, Taran spoke to Jessica Morrobel, a travel content creator who documents her travels at Traveling With Jessica. Morrobel provided key insights as well as her own personal recommendations for the best travel toiletry bags.
To find the best travel toiletry bags, I researched dozens of best-selling options, compared features, read countless independent reviews and reached out to an expert for insight and guidance. I focused on travel toiletry bags from trusted brands, such as Away, Calpak, Aer and MZ Wallace, among others.
During my research, I analyzed several essential features, including size, weight, materials, pockets, hangers and expandability, to assess the overall value and help readers pinpoint the best option for their needs.
The final products on this list reflect the results of my in-depth research and the travel team's meticulous vetting.