Sponge bag - practical recommendations?

[Edward Bainbridge]

After the last trip with my bathroom things stuffed in freezer bags by my pragmatic wife, I found it's time for a something less depressing. I really like the military-style wetpacks (eg as sold by Daines and Hathaway, Trumper's, Drakenberg), but I seriously doubt they'd look as nice once they're filled and I'm afraid my things wouldn't even all fit in. Apart from that, I don't know how well they'd protect my clothes from toothpaste or aftershave.

What I typically take is a toothbrush, toothpaste, a safety razor, a shaving brush, and then the bigger ones, shaving soap (Mitchell's, in the ceramic bowl), a bottle of Trumper's "skin food" and a bottle of aftershave, a smallish anti-transpirant, nasal spray.

Other things are optional in this respect; they can go elsewhere in the suitcase because they're not in danger of leaking: handle of the electric toothbrush, contact lenses, medical stuff etc.

Nothing against traditional solutions, if it's the same otherwise.

What are your experiences and tips?

[Man at C&A]

I use a Daines and after multiple trips over the past 3 years it's developing a nice broken in patina. Admittedly a lifetime of lightweight mountaineering and long distance cycling has caused me to be brutally minimalist with my packing but I still manage to stow away a Merker travel razor, Muhle travel brush and selection of travel sized toiletries from Taylors of Old Bond Street. Also a full sized bar of soap and my toothbrush stored in alloy cases I picked up when planning for a expedition to Lohtse back in '95. I even manage to squeeze in a cheap cigarette case in which I store a selection of painkillers, sticking plasters and a small sewing kit.

It the event of baggage handling causing trouble the insides are wipeable and nothing would be lost save a book of alum matches. No great loss. Everything is stowed in pockets so I doubt there much in the way of leakage given the small quantities of liquids I take. I suspect my clothes could make me smell like a tart however.

The only downsides are 1) the Daines doesn't have a hanging hook and many times the door hook in the hotel room has proven too big to use the fastening strap buckle as an alternative. 2) I can't use it for short-haul when we are travelling with hand luggage only. With our most regular airlines now starting to charge per bag this is becoming a problem as as you state, the obligatory plastic bag is inelegant

[Melcombe]

... I even manage to squeeze in a cheap cigarette case in which I store a selection of painkillers, sticking plasters and a small sewing kit...

I knew I'd someday have a good reason for hanging on to my father's old cigarette cases! He gave up smoking long before he died (fortunately) and the things have been rattling around in the back of a drawer for the last 40 years. Theyre too big for business cards (if anyone still uses the things?) but travelling pharmacy - splendid.

For very serviceable and inexpensive toiletries bags/pouches, I can recommend Muji - they take a lot of wear & tear and are cheap enough to replace. More importantly (for me) they are very light indeed - I used to have a leather case but this weighed close on half a kilo empty.

[Edward Bainbridge]

Thank you both, very helpful.

Man at C&A, could you tell me if the Daines wetpack you have is all right even when it's packed?

[Man at C&A]

Yes, it's fine. Everything held tight and secure.

I'm fresh back from a wonderful long weekend in the Peak District, so I was able to weigh the Daines 'fully packed' and it came in at 845 grams.

[Edward Bainbridge]

Thanks again!