Since I travel so much and do many different kinds of travel for different lengths of time, I recently decided to create a different toiletry kit for each of my different lengths of travel. This helps me avoid forgetting something as I have to load a toiletry bag for each trip. It also helps me avoid taking things along that take up space that I don't need for that particular trip.
When it comes to this series of toiletry bag, size matters.
I can't speak for the Large and Family size toiletry bags, as I don't use those. For my one week and longer trips I use LL Bean's Carryall Accessory bag which is perfect for me.
I bought the Medium size toiletry bag for my weekend trips. It holds two hair brushes (that stand up in the back of the bag), a small makeup train case, a small travel folding hair dryer and much more. If you are one who has a ton of make up or a large amount of toiletry items, the medium bag won't be big enough for you. It's also important to note here that a full size shampoo bottle would be a tight squeeze in the medium bag too. I use the TSA approved 3 oz bottles for all of my liquids in this bag. And they fit effortlessly.
OK,now on to the small bag. I bought this for a very specific need...weekend camping trips. Since we only camp in spring and fall (when it's not hot) I don't need to carry a full arsenal of things like shampoo, conditioner, a hair dryer, etc. TAKE NOTE: these things will NOT fit in the small version of this bag.
I do use the same small train case for my makeup and I can put a 5.5 inch diameter mirror in this bag. But I had to cut about 1 inch off of the handle of my hair brush, as it was too tall to stand up in the back of this bag and the bag is not wide enough for the brush to lay sideways. No big deal...that's what table saws are for! Lol.
The two pockets inside the lid are nice for small things. A full size toothbrush will not fit in there and neither will a 3 oz tube of toothpaste. But for camping I use a small folding toothbrush and tiny travel toothpaste tubes anyway. And they fit fine.
The side pockets are just big enough for a small flashlight on one side and a tiny container for something like headache medicine and a few band-aids on the other.
The small bag is very small, but it's nicely designed and seems to be very sturdy. And it works PERFECTLY for my simple toiletry needs for short camping outings.
Pay close attention to the dimensions on all of these bags so you are sure to get the right size for your needs.
I needed a bag that would hold a few oversize items (like hairspray) and this bag is perfect. I ordered it in yellow and love it. Already used it a few times and find it perfect for both a weekend getaway or a longer vacation. Quality is very good (Beans always are) and it's attractive and well-designed.
I ordered this bag (size medium) in the Buffalo Red plaid and when it arrived I noticed a problem with the main zipper getting caught. Of course LL Bean immediately sent me another one and I shipped the faulty one back at no charge. I received my new bag in just three business days. You just can't beat LL Bean for customer service which has me shopping here again and again.
OK now...about the bag itself:
First of all, the Buffalo Red Plaid is VERY pretty.
I have to quality that I travel abroad quite a bit and know a well designed and well made bag when I see one. This smallish bag is so well designed that I was able to fit all of my travel toiletries in it with one outside pocket still empty. Impressive.
The bags outer front flap has a large flat zippered pocket in it which is perfect for my not so small (but very flat ) travel mirror. Each end of the bag has a zippered pocket with divided compartments in them. A traveler could put any number of things in those pockets. I have a small travel flashlight in one end, as my travels to Africa necessitate a flashlight that is always at hand.
This bag hangs as it states in the product description. The upper part of the bag (the inside of the "lid) has two zippered compartments that run the width of the bag...perfect for a full size toothbrush if you prefer those, a tube of toothpaste, lotions, a razer, or anything else you can think of that is long and thin. Both of these pockets are made with a heavy, durable see-through plastic so if an item spills, it won't leak all over your bag, although I always take extra precautions and use zip-lock bags for my liquids. I like my bags too much to have them all messed up with spilled goo.
The main compartment of the bag has three divided pouches along the back wall of it. This leaves space enough for a small makeup bag and even a travel hair dryer in the remainder of the space.
One thing that I didn't know about this bag until it arrived is that it comes with a small waterproof "shower caddy". This single flap of water proof material with pouches on both sides hangs in a shower and will hold several smallish bottles plus a razer. I wish I'd had this bag BEFORE my latest trip to east Africa. This shower caddy would have been soooo GREAT in all of those safari camp showers! A VERY useful and smart addition to this already versatile bag. One last note on the shower caddy. I store this in the outer front pocket (with my flat mirror) so that I will always have it with me.
This little bag is so full of well thought out features that it is a must have for anyone who travels a great deal and likes to be organized. The size medium would not be big enough for someone who has an excess amount of toiletries or a family. The bag comes in bigger sizes, so if you are not an individual, then size up. You won't regret this purchase!
This fits perfectly in my ll bean small duffle it holds alot more stuff than i realize and hangs perfetcly no more puttin my bag on the sinks eww the monogram is perfect and i love that it has side pockets for pens and packs of tissue etc
