From the I never knew this file of my mind comes this little snippet of education. I always loved the Filson travel kit (also available in Tan) as it reminded me of the one my Father always touted around but never knew they were also called a Dopp kit until I stumbled across this great article. Read it here and also after the jump if the link is broke. Pretty interesting I thought.

Have Dopp, will travel

BY CHRISTOPHER PARKER   July 13, 2010 12:07

Once upon a time long, long ago, when travel by air spared us the indignity of cramming tiny shampoo bottles into plastic bags under the malevolent glare of former high-school bullies, adolescent boys were given the gift of a Dopp kit as they transitioned into adulthood.

A Dopp kit is a toiletry bag for men, invented by Charles Doppelt in 1919 (although some claim it was actually his nephew Jerome who did the inventing) and later issued to American GIs in WWII. Much like everything else in men’s military style, these were a hit with civilians when soldiers returned stateside, leading to the company being purchased by Samsonite in the 1970s.

Although mostly replaced these days by nylon bags — replete with mirrors, pockets and other unnecessary doohickeys — that are basically the fanny packs of luggage, a classic Dopp kit in leather or waxed cotton is something that every guy should still have as part of their travel gear. Filson makes a great kit in the same material as their field bags, but don’t discount eBay as a source for a vintage one, which aren’t too hard to find in decent shape.

So, while there’s little one can do about the current state of air travel, a small and relatively inexpensive luggage upgrade can at least make things feel a bit more civil.

End note: once you have your Dopp kit, its time to fill it with some decent products. Jack Black, available at Holt Renfrew, makes some great travel size items just for men. Fear not — the company has nothing to do with the actor.

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