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.
If you liked this article, please bookmark it on del.icio.us or vote for it on Digg. I’d appreciate it.
Subscribe to Art of Manliness by RSS or email to get your FREE guide to being a gentleman in 2008.
Related Posts
-
Anatomy of a Dopp Kit
-
Saddleback Ultimate Manly Travel Gear Giveaway
-
Congratulations to Saddleback Leather Company Man Bag Giveaway Winner
-
Congratulations to the Winner of the Saddleback Leather Company Briefcase Giveaway
-
Share:
-
- Tweet
-
Email Story to a Friend
-
-
Print
{ 111 comments… read them below or add one }
← Previous Comments
Why should this kit contain a $20 bill?
Yeah, whats the deal with the $20 bill?
With all the suggestions, the list of items is getting pretty long. My suggestion is to do what I do with my backpacking gear. If I take something and don’t use it at all after two or three trips it comes out of my pack (or in this case dopp kit). The only exceptions are emergency items. I also never carry two items when one will suffice, so for example biodegradable camp soap can be used to wash everything, dishes, laundry, hair, body, etc. and it can be used anywhere indoors or out. And as for that $20 bill, I carry a spare $40 as emergency backup cash (one $20, one $10, one $5, and five $1′s). I keep it in a small resealable plastic pouch used to carry ID’s and I have one in a pocket of each of my coats, the glovebox of my car, and yes… in my Dopp kit. This habit has come in useful too many times for me to count.
I am young and I don’t have a lot of experience with traveling but recently it has been a lot of international travel so I have learned quite a few things. Here is a list of what I bring!
My bag
Saddleback Leather Small Travel Kit
What’s inside the kit
Dr. Bronners (I have used this stuff for Soap, Shampoo, Shaving, Dish Soap, Laundry Detergent, Toothpaste in a pinch, Rinsing Vegetables. It’s quite incredible)
Rubbing Alcohol (another milti-use item for cleaning, bleeding, sunglass cleaner, Razor Sterilizer)
Deodorant (No brainer, I like the Mitchum Gel Uncented)
Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Floss
DE razor, brush, and soap (purchase DE Blades at my destination if I am flying)
Safety Razor with extra cartridges (Mostly incase it takes me a few days to find those blades!)
Shave Oil (Pre-shave)
qTips (Clean ears are essential for me, also a multi-use item)
Nail clippers (with nail file)
Tweezers (splinters, ingrown hairs, anti-unibrow)
Hair Comb
Small Cologne
Daily Multivitamins
A mini first aid/survival kit is also in my duffel that contains the following
Band Aids
Sewing Kit w/ Safety Pins
Some Ibuprofen
Condoms
Some parachute chord
Duct Tape
Folded up bit of toilet paper
Gold Bond powder (I’ve been surprised how many times this has come in handy; itching sweating, general refresher)
Several Food Bars (for emergencies)
Water Purification Tablets (also for emergencies)
And in my briefcase a few essential items
Facial Tissues
Earplugs
Lipbalm (Burts Beeswax)
Flask
Extra cash with my passport hidden away
Breath Mints (Fisherman’s Friend is my favorite!)
I don’t use a styptic pencil because I find that with dabbing the cut with a little bit of you own saliva a few times almost always does the trick.
At least for me I feel that these are the essentials. Not too much, not too little. It also helps that I have a few different places to put them.
I’ve built my perfect kit for long motorcycle rides and a month-long trip to europe. The items I think most people miss are:
1. five hour energy and sleeping pills
2. skin shield [glue for cuts]
3. sunscreen
4. anti-bacterial wipes
see pics and my COMPLETE list at:
http://sites.google.com/site/ebayimages1/dopp-kit
Are all real men supposed to be bold? why is there no comb or hair brush? or are you supposed to brush your hair with a tooth brush?
I would imagine the $20 is so that you have emergency cash in case something happens to your wallet and if you’re traveling, then you would have your shave kit.
Heh. Shaving kit. That’s a great idea.
Except my best mate’s Native American.
Don’t forget your consideration, folks.
Native Americans have personal hygiene needs also. I always travel with a toiletries bag.
@WILL Im pretty sure he is referring to Native Americans not growing alot of facial hair
A travel pack of disposable (flushable) wipes are a must. Use them to “finish the job”. You will feel and be fresh and clean the remainder of the day. You can thank me later!!
← Previous Comments