The Best Hanging Travel Toiletry Bags
I love my hanging toiletry bag! It keeps my plethora of toiletries organized when I travel, and is a lifesaver in hotel bathrooms with no counter space. But it was surprisingly difficult to find a great one amidst all the cheap junk on Amazon. There are, however, a handful of well made, well designed hanging toiletry bags out there, so I did some digging to put together this roundup for you.
Quick shop my picks via the widget below, or scroll down to read more about choosing a hanging toiletry bag and see detailed info on my recommendations:
The Ultimate Guide to Hanging Travel Toiletry Bags: Your New Best Travel Companion
Why Do You Need a Hanging Toiletry Bag?
1. Convenience at Its Best
Imagine having all your toiletries hanging neatly and organized right where you can see them. No more rummaging through a cluttered one-compartment toiletry bag for that elusive mini tube of toothpaste! A hanging travel toiletry bag is like having your bathroom shelf with you wherever you go.
2. Say Goodbye to Spills and Leaks
We’ve all been there – opening your suitcase only to find your favorite shampoo spilled everywhere. With a hanging toiletry bag, compartments are leak resistant and designed to prevent leaks and spills, saving you the agony of cleaning up a mess when you should be exploring.
3. Space-Saving Magic
Hotel bathrooms are notorious for lacking shelf space. But with a hanging toiletry bag, you can simply hang it on a hook or towel rack, and voila! All your necessities are right there within reach without taking up valuable counter space.
So, What Should You Look for When Buying a Hanging Travel Toiletry Bag?
1. Material and Durability
Your toiletry bag is going to see a lot of places with you. Be sure to choose one made of a material that’s both durable and easy to wipe clean. I love the smooth nylon that Tumi and Victorinox use in their bags.
2. Size Matters
Consider the size based on your needs. If you’re like me and love having your full skincare routine with you, opt for a larger bag with many compartments for organization. But if you’re a minimalist traveler, a smaller, more compact bag should do the trick.
3. Compartments and Organization
Pockets, zippers, and compartments galore! The more organized the bag, the easier your life on the road. Think about what you usually take with you and choose a bag that accommodates your specific items. For example, are you bringing any large bottles that call for a roomy main compartment, or do you have a stash of perfectly travel sized toiletries and cosmetics that would benefit from a bag with a bunch of small compartments?
4. Style and Aesthetics
Who says practical can’t be pretty? Choose a design that reflects your personal style. After all, it’s going to be your travel buddy for quite some time.
5. Hook and Hang
Make sure the bag has a sturdy hook or hanger that can attach to various surfaces. Think metal hooks over plastic, and a larger hook that can be hung on a wider variety of spots. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re trying to hang it in a bathroom with limited space.
The Best Hanging Toiletry Bags- A Frequent Traveler’s Recommendations
Tumi Voyageur Madeline Bag – Overall Best
Tumi’s Madeline is the hanging toiletry bag I use (you may see it make an appearance in many of my hotel photos!) and there’s a lot to recommend it. I love how the Madeline keeps a ton of stuff organized while still folding into a medium sized bag. It’s definitely pricey, but I can’t imagine using anything else.
If you’ve tried some of the cheaper bags, you’ll appreciate all of the organization here. Rather than one large main compartment that allows items to tip over and get jumbled up, this bag has four slimmer zipper compartments that hold items in place, but still allow for packing some larger items like a full size sunscreen bottle (or my oversize but essential electric toothbrush!). I really love the three compartment section–it keeps all my little travel size toiletry bottles organized and easy to find. The bottom nylon bag zips off of the main bag, which is awesome if you want to carry a smaller number of items on a day trip or in your carry-on.
The thick vinyl lining prevents minor leaks from escaping, and the bag is easy to wipe clean inside and out.
Priced at around $250, the cost is an obvious con here, but this is a bag that’s already lasted me years while showing next to no wear. (I can say the same about my Tumi backpack, which I’m obsessed with!) Like all Tumi items, you get what you pay for, and I fully anticipate it will last for many more years.
Tumi offers the bag in a a variety of basic neutral colors, and usually has a couple fun colors and patterns available as well. See the available selection of Tumi’s Madeline Hanging Toiletry Bag at Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Bloomingdales, Amazon and Nordstrom.
Eagle Creek Pack It Wallaby Toiletry Organizer
Eagle Creek’s Wallaby bag boasts Eagle Creek’s quality at a really reasonable price. There’s good organization in this lightweight bag, and it’s thoughtfully designed. That bag hanging from the bottom is a removable TSA approved quart size bag for liquids, and there’s even a small shatterproof mirror built into the bag!
A couple caveats: much like the Muse, this bag is a little larger than you might think at first glance. Be sure to double check the dimensions, as carry-on only travelers may find it eats up too much luggage space. It’s also worth noting that only the bottom compartment is water resistant, so leak-prone toiletries should be zip-locked if stored in other compartments.
FLIGHT 001 SPACEPAK Hanging Toiletry Bag
Flight001’s Spacepak offers a cheery take on the hanging travel toiletry bag with fun prints and colors. It’s a lightweight bag, but with quality construction, including a solid metal hanging hook and zippered mesh compartments that allow you to easily see what’s in each pouch. There’s an included matching flat zipper pouch that can be packed in the bag or carried separately.
I love the style and design of this bag, and do think it might be one of the best options style-wise. But I wish more attention were paid to leak containment, as those mesh panels won’t be much help. Just be aware that you might want to use baggies to contain any possible leaks (though if you travel with a carry-on, you probably already have a supply of quart size ziploc bags to keep TSA happy).
Travelon Women’s Boho Trifold Toiletry Kit
Travelon’s slim Boho Trifold toiletry bag is a nice choice for lighter packers. The clear plastic compartments make it easy to see what you’ve packed and prevent leaks from escaping, and the kit folds up into a slim, easy to pack shape. The hanging mechanism is actually a loop of fabric that connects to the bag with a plastic hook, so you can hang the bag almost anywhere.
The Boho Trifold is surprisingly wide at 21.5 inches, but the slim profile makes it one of the best choices for lighter packers.
See availability at Amazon or Macy’s.
Ropin West Hanging Vanity Case
I love the cool tooled leather and vintage appeal of Ropin West’s hanging toiletry bag! This is a seriously unique bag, and available in a bunch of colors to boot. The solid construction of the bag means that it generally hangs well even though the bottom is wide. The mirror is large enough that it can be used to apply makeup in a pinch, and there are enough small zippered compartments to keep little items like lip balm from getting lost.
However, with this bag you might find you require an additional pouch for organization, as the main compartment is fairly large and open. Consider this one if you’re checking your suitcase, or taking a roadtrip.
Travelon Total Toiletry Kit
A larger size gem from Travelon, their Total Toiletry Kit offers organization galore! This is the hanging kit for you if you have a lot smaller items to organize. It would be fantastic for keeping things like makeup brushes separate and clean.
Packed full, this is a substantial size hanging toiletry bag, one that’s best for those bringing larger checked bags. True to its name, the Total Toiletry kit has pretty much everything; water resistant compartments, removable pouches, space to hold full size bottles and to organize small items. I don’t love that the hanging hook is plastic, but that fact that it swivels is sure to come in handy, a feature that other brands often overlook.
Consider this bag if you’re a heavy packer, or packing for your family.
