Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Mike Wevanne — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:15:48 -0000

Olha só... Meu dopp kit está em dias! Sugestão: adicionar preservativos, barras de cereais e isqueiro à lista!

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Bernie — Fri, 14 Mar 2014 00:41:04 -0000

When I'm traveling, my Dopp kit goes in my suitcase, but my meds go in my backpack. NEVER pack your meds in your checked luggage.

I led a club ski trip a couple of years ago that included a guy with moderate Alzheimer's disease (still an excellent skier...). The person who packed for him stuffed almost all his gear and clothing into his ski bag, and the rest into his boot bag.

Naturally, the ski bag was MIA when we reached our destination. All his Alzheimer's meds were in there and I had the pleasure of trying to help a guy with the intellectual capacity of a ten-year-old deal with the baggage person.

His ski bag showed up the next day, fortunately.

But NEVER NEVER NEVER check your meds.

NEVER.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Jon — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 18:26:24 -0000

I'm currently in the Army Reserve. A few things that i have that come in handy are below:
1. Folding Mirror/hair brush (helps with shaving)
2. Gold Bond Body powder (for the swampa$$
3. Baby wipes (used in case you can't get a shower for a few days)
4. Matches
5. Zip Ties (i've needed these quite a few times with car trouble of if your bag breaks)
6. flashlight
7. car usb charger(sometimes you don't have power out in the field but in the back of humvees there are car charging outlets)

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Ryan — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 06:04:08 -0000

Wow, a lot of you guys carry tons of stuff. I personally prefer to travel light. My toiletries kit (which, often as not, is just a thick gallon-size freezer baggie so TSA doesn't complain) will at MOST contain:

Toothbrush and toothpaste
Hairbrush and hair ties
Baking soda*
Deodorant
Nail clippers
Electric shaver and cord
Soap
Prescriptions

*Mixed with a little water, renders shampoo/conditioner completely superfluous. It's all I use, and my hair's never looked better.

Unless I'm going camping (in which case I pack a separate first aid kit and no one cares how well-groomed I am), anything else I might possibly need is readily available pretty much everywhere for cheap. Don't usually need anything more than what I bring, though.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Debbie Bowles — Mon, 14 Oct 2013 17:40:54 -0000

Most men would probably want to add some "Stop Bleed". I don't know the technical name for this. What I've seen is a white stick that when dabbed on a cut, stops the bleeding.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Jeff — Sat, 14 Sep 2013 12:08:30 -0000

If you're going to suggest "cream" and "brush" under shaving supplies, the "bowl" or "mug" needs to be in there too! That is fine if you're using it in a dorm or barracks, but obviously for travel most mugs and bowls can break.

A "Shaving Stick" which lathers directly on the face without a brush is a better travel option as is a jarred brush-less cream

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

robbie — Fri, 16 Aug 2013 02:46:25 -0000

I reccommed placing any liqids tht have scent (cologne) in a small ziplock inside your dopp kit
Way better than saran wrap & can save all your clothes in suitcsss from smelling like hugoboss or somethjng not as nice xox

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Eric — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 12:34:00 -0000

When taking bottles of shampoo or soaps on the road it is useful to use a little bit of saran wrap to stop leaks. Simple unscrew the top of the bottle and stretch a thin layer of saran wrap over the opening of the bottle. Screw the lid back on and you have a tight seal that liquids won't spill from.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Tim — Tue, 06 Aug 2013 01:46:25 -0000

Love the idea, but I like to keep my toiletries in my carry-on bag. Do you guys keep your razor, brush, toothpaste, meds, etc in the Dopp bag while transporting the liquids in a TSA-approved plastic bag? Combine it all when you reach your destination?

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Jaron — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 09:12:17 -0000

If you aren't lucky enough to be a comb-and-go hair guy, or prefer something a bit longer than a crew cut or high-and-tight, I'd suggest traveling with a small tub of hair wax or paste (Suave and Pantene both make great options, and are less messy / sticky than higher price brands I've tried...they also leave my hair feeling like...hair. Not plastic.)

These products are easier to use / less bulky than mousses or sprays, and are a lot less messy. In fact, both brands have survived Georgia summer heat (90-100*F exterior) inside a dark-colored vehicle for days without melting and oozing out of their containers.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Alan — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 14:43:56 -0000

@Michael, amen on the flushable wipes!

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Michael — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:54:46 -0000

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!!

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Arron — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 05:47:19 -0000

@WILL Im pretty sure he is referring to Native Americans not growing alot of facial hair

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Will — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 03:48:32 -0000

Native Americans have personal hygiene needs also. I always travel with a toiletries bag.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Elias — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 14:51:23 -0000

Heh. Shaving kit. That's a great idea.
Except my best mate's Native American.
Don't forget your consideration, folks.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Melissa — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 20:30:41 -0000

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.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Adel Matar — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 02:06:44 -0000

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?

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

corey — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:58:46 -0000

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/sit...

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Trevor — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 11:38:43 -0000

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.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Jim — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 15:00:17 -0000

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.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

James | Tech for the Masses — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:45:49 -0000

Yeah, whats the deal with the $20 bill?

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Daniel — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 17:43:21 -0000

Why should this kit contain a $20 bill?

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

RICH — Wed, 26 May 2010 10:39:54 -0000

I recently discovered this post while researching the origin of "dopp kit " after seeing it used in a number of blogs - I always take a sponge rather than flannel in my kit and despite travelling on intercontinental flights regularly have never had any items leak or explode in my packed luggage (easier than trying to take it on board these days) - have I just been lucky ?? - I thought luggage holds were pressurised the same as the rest of the aircraft- thanks for the ideas - I now know what Gold Bond powder is !!

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

James Bronnley — Sat, 22 May 2010 15:47:06 -0000

Yes I do use an old good quality soap - not a detergent bar or car wash detergent that you find in your face washes.

Re: Building The Perfect Dopp Kit

Eric — Thu, 20 May 2010 01:10:44 -0000

I wouldn't ever take all of this of course but they are ideas. Don't get to crazy with loading up your bags. Keep it simple. Remember men only need a few essentials. Choose out what you'll likely need for the trip.

Safety Razor
Strait Razor
Spare Safety Razor Blades
Badger Brush
Shave soap
Styptic Pencil
Electric Shaver
Spare Shaver Screens, Cutters
Aftershave
Comb
Nail Clippers
Nail File
Tweezers
Small Scissors
Detail Trimmer
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Floss
Tongue Scraper
Listerine
Cotton Balls
Q-Tips
Tide To Go Stick
Microfiber Cloth
Cologne
Deodorant
Gold Bond Powder
Shampoo, Conditioner/Shampoo Bar
Liquid Soap
Facial Cleanser
Eyeglass Cleaner
Spare Contacts
Hand Sanitiser/Hand Wipes
Aspirin
Band Aids
Safety Pins
Neosporin
Lip Balm
Small Mirror
Small Lint Roller
Small Sewing Kit
Small Tin of Mints
Small Zip Lock Bag
Travel pack of tissues
$20 Bill

I just got a bottle of Old Spice cologne and it smells awesome in the kit.