7 Golden Tips by Well-Traveled Gentlemen: How to Organize Your Dopp Bag Like a Pro

Now that I had given you the pretty extensive list of essentials and optionals to consider carrying with you in your dopp kit on your next travel adventure, it's time to discuss organization. I hear you saying, no way everything I want to have in me will fit in my travel toiletry bag. Trust me, it will! All you need is the right size dopp kit and some organizational tips. Keep reading below for the seven tips, gathered from some very well-travelled gentlemen.

Organize your dopp kit like a pro

TIP 1: BUY ANYTHING YOU CAN IN TRAVEL SIZES.

There are options upon options of travel sized essentials in every pharmacy, retailer, grocery store. Particular about your grooming essentials? Buy hard sided clear plastic TSA-approved size containers (sold at all of the above mentioned locations in the same section with the travel sized cosmetics). Get the ones that come with peel and stick labels or make your own labels by cutting down to size strips from adhesive tape. Pour any liquid soap, shampoo, hair gel and label the bottles for fast and easy recognition. They're space savers and easy to refill anytime.

TIP 2: BUILD A SMALL FIRST AID KIT OUT OF AN ALTOIDS TIN BOX.

The Altoids box is the perfect size to hold the band-aids, medical adhesive tape, small gauze pad, and alcohol wipes. In an emergency, you want to find those fast and have them together. I carry one of these small first aid kits in my everyday bag.

TIP 3: CARRY ALL DAILY MEDICATIONS + VITAMINS IN A DAILY PILL BOX.

The daily pill box is not only an amazing organizational tool but is also a space-saver. You can use small individual labeled pill boxes to store a few tablets of other meds (aspirin, tylenol, etc.) To label them, cut down to size strips from the adhesive tape and write down the med's name with a pen.

TIP 4: PRE-PACK LIQUIDS IN A ZIP LOCK BAG.

Due to the 3-1-1 FAA regulation, have all your liquids pre-packed in a zip lock bag, ready to be quickly pulled out for security screening. As a bonus, if any of your bottles of liquid explodes, leaks, or just comes open, it won't make a mess of your dopp bag and other supplies.

TIP 5: FOR AIR TRAVEL, PACK ANYTHING SHARP IN YOUR CHECKED BAG.

To avoid complications and frustrations, pack your razor, sewing kit, manicure tools, pocket knife and/or multitool in your checked bag. Some have had difficulty with bringing nail clippers onboard (yes, really). Possibly even the safety pins/sewing needles/razor (depending on type).

TIP 6: BUILD YOUR DOPP KIT TO BE INDEPENDENT OF YOUR NORMAL DAILY HYGIENE PRODUCTS.

If you travel often, it helps knowing that your toiletry travel bag is packed and ready at all times and all you have to do is grab it and go.

TIP 7: WHEN AT HOME, BE AT HOME!

Put away your dopp kit when not in use and not live out of it all the time. Don't look so anxious to leave. It can be hard on a relationship.

Now, if you’re really amped about organizing your dopp kit, you can click here to download my fun infographic or click on the box below. It is compilation of all the seven golden tips on how to organize your dopp kit.

Do you have a golden travel packing tip to share? Leave me your comment below.

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