Best Overall
Gonex Travel Toiletry Bag
Key details
- Closure
- SBS zippers
- Material
- Water-resistant nylon
- Dimensions
- 10.23 x 5.7 x 4.72 in
- Packed Weight
- 4.16 oz
The 4.16-ounce weight is what makes the Gonex the first bag we reach for when we are packing for a backpacking trip. At 10.23 by 5.7 by 4.72 inches, it is not the smallest bag here, but it compresses around clothes instead of forcing a rigid box into the pack. That is the balance we want: enough body to keep bottles from rolling loose, not so much that the bag wastes space.
Inside, the layout is simple but useful. The main compartment takes a shampoo bottle or shaving cream, and the zippered mesh pouch keeps smaller items separate. The water-resistant nylon wipes clean after a toothpaste spill, and the SBS zippers feel smoother than the price tier suggests. We found it easy to open wide on a narrow shelf, which is more than we can say for some stiff dopp kits.
The soft shell is the trade-off. It slumps when it is partly empty, so it is not the bag for standing open on a bathroom counter like a small shelf. But that same softness is why it disappears into a backpack. For three-season backpacking, we prefer that compromise to a structured bag that holds its shape and takes up room.
Pros
- Packs down at 4.16 ounces
- Soft shell compresses into a backpack
- Main compartment plus zippered mesh pouch
- Water-resistant nylon and SBS zippers
Cons
- Soft shell offers little crush protection
The Gonex is our default backpacking toiletry bag because it is light, soft enough to compress into a pack, and organized enough to keep small items from disappearing.