Dopp Kit Gift Guide: 8 Great Dopp Kit Gift Ideas

For generations, guys have stowed all their grooming accoutrements in one simple bag with a funny name. The often-mispronounced Dopp (not dob) kit is now ubiquitous—almost every guy has one. But its real benefit comes in filling it with the right travel-friendly products.

In this story, we’ll give you a little historical background on the Dopp kit, explain why it makes such a great gift, and give you ideas for what to fill it with to make a lasting impression on the lucky recipient.

• What Does Dopp Kit Mean?
• What's the Difference Between a Dopp Kit and a Toiletry Bag?
• What Do You Fill a Man's Toiletry Bag With?
• Why a Dopp Kit Makes a Great Gift

What Does Dopp Kit Mean?

A Dopp kit is a kind of toiletry bag, only more specific and typically geared toward men.² Dopp is an abbreviation of the last name of a German leather smith named Charles Doppelt, who invented the Dopp kit with help from his son. Traditionally, Dopp kits came in leather and had a rectangular shape. Soldiers in both world wars were issued them before shipping off to their assignments. Today, they come in many shapes and materials.

What's the Difference Between a Dopp Kit and a Toiletry Bag?

In essence, any toiletry bag that is relatively packable and stores grooming products could be considered a Dopp kit.  

What Do You Fill a Man's Toiletry Bag With?

The items in a Dopp kit should keep a man looking great from head to toe. The products might be small and travel-sized, but they can add up to a lot.³  Here’s a short list of travel-sized items every man should have in his Dopp kit:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Body wash or soap
• Face wash
• Face serum
• Deodorant
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Floss
• Razor
• Shave cream
• Nail clippers
• Lip balm
• Bandages
• Safety pins
• Aspirin or Ibuprofen
• Small lint roller
• Contact lenses
• Contact solution
• Cotton swabs
• Lens Wipes
• Tweezers

Why a Dopp Kit Makes a Great Gift

Dopp kits make great gifts because every guy needs one—and it probably needs replacing. However, it’s not necessarily something he’d buy himself, which is where you come in. If you need a gift, consider an O + A Travel Bag that's easy to fill with products he’ll love. We’ve assembled some ideas here, based on the recipient’s personality. 

1. For the business traveler

Every traveler needs a Dopp kit stocked and ready to go. So if he travels a lot for work, give him our water-resistant bag. Don’t forget to include Cooling + Cleansing Wipes that will keep his face and body fresh while on layovers, in cabs, and on his way to his next meeting. 

2. For the gym rat 

If he regularly hits the gym, then he likely uses his Dopp kit every day. So, get him one that looks cool and is durable. Throw in some of our Aluminum-Free Deodorant, which uses powerful, clean ingredients to fight bad bacteria, absorb sweat, and keep him smelling great. 

3. For the student or graduate

For the guy heading into a dorm or group-living situation or the recent grad starting a new job, a Dopp kit is the perfect gift. Not only because it’s easy to carry around, but also because it’s very packable for those trips back home. The Dopp kit itself is a great gift, but you can’t go wrong by adding the caffeinated Wake Up Eye Stick for looking alive at early exams or the first day on the job.

4. For the camping fanatic

Camping trips are another time when every guy needs a Dopp kit. It’s a perfect place to keep all your campsite-friendly grooming products, so you don’t have to remember each one while checking off your list. Be sure to add in our SPF Essentials, which fight off the sun’s harmful UV rays while enjoying the great outdoors. 

5. For the well-groomed guy

If you know a guy who loves to keep things fresh and tightly groomed, give him a Dopp kit to carry all his best products. If you want to impress him, toss in our Oil Attacker Face Mask, which will tame excess oil and leave his face feeling cleaner and clearer. 

6. For the minimalist

Even if he’s a no-fuss kind of guy, he can still use a Dopp kit filled with products that cover the basics. For instance, you can’t go wrong with our Travel Size Body Wash because every guy needs it. Plus, it won’t leave his skin tight or dry like most drug store brands. 

7. For your groomsmen

Need a solid groomsmen gift? Try the Ultimate Oarsman Kit as a way to say “thanks.” It has all of our bestselling products—and comes with our handy Travel Bag (otherwise known as a Dopp kit). It’s an instant crowd pleaser that every guy could use. 

8. For the world-traveler

If he’s constantly traveling, make security a little easier on him with this clear, water-resistant carrying case and TSA-friendly essentials in the O + A Travel Kit. It’s got all the basics he needs packed in an easy way that’ll make getting to his gate on time a breeze.  

Fill Your Dopp Kit with Powerful, Clean Products from Oars + Alps 

Now that you know what a Dopp kit is, you can see just what a useful gift it can be (even for yourself)! Fill it with all the products from Oars + Alps, which use powerful, clean ingredients for happier, healthier skin from head to toe.