The last thing you need when taking a trip is to stress over completely preventable inconveniences. Careful packing and storage planning is a big part of that, so do yourself a favor and check out the best ditty bags to organize your travel and backpacking gear in 2023.
What’s a ditty bag used for in the context of travel and backpacking? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “a receptacle for odds and ends.” I have a whole bunch of little peripherals I like to bring with me while out on an adventure, and I’m sure you do too.
It may not seem mandatory, but hear me out: packing a ditty bag is a great way to elevate your travel and backpacking organization and keep on top of where everything is. Why go digging for toiletries or bandaids in a chaotic and unorganized backpack when you can have them out in seconds flat?
I’m the kind of person who prefers to travel light, so I always bring a lightweight ditty bag that’s durable and built to protect my gear. Keep reading to get an idea of which option is best for your style of travel and/or backpacking.
Best All-Around Ditty Bag
UltraLite Sacks
Weight: 19, 21, 29 g | 0.67, 0.74, 1.02 oz
Dimensions: 9 x 4 x 2 in (regular), 10 x 4 x 3 in (large), 13.5 x 5 x 4 in (XL)
For my money, UltraLite Sacks makes the best all-around ditty bag on the market, and it comes at an incredibly fair price. In fact, since it comes in three different sizes, you could grab a big one for travel and a medium or small for backpacking or weekend campouts.
You can fit a lot into an UltraLite Sacks bag thanks to the wide openings, and they don’t cheap out on the zippers, either. I’m pretty big on aesthetics, and if that matters to you too, you can pick between ten different eye-popping color palettes and designs.
It’s also a great pick if you want to support the good old red, white, and blue as these are exclusively made in the USA. And since they’re waterproof and made by hand, you can expect a quality build and many years of reliable use.
Pro Tip: Check out UltraLite Sacks’ zippered pouches and ultralight wallets to add an extra level of organization inside your ditty.
Ultralight Roll-Top Bag for Hiking & Backpacking
Zpacks
Weight: 14 g | 0.49 oz
Dimensions: 5 x 7 in
If you’re looking for an ultra-efficient option to use when hiking and backpacking, it doesn’t get much better than Zpacks. This is one of the major players in the ultralight industry, combining near-zero weight and incredibly strong construction.
Instead of the usual zipper, this thing sports a roll-top opening, ensuring absolutely no water will seep in (not to mention making the bag that much lighter). This also means you can stuff wet clothes inside of it and even compress it if need be.
RFIDsafe Travel Organization
Pacsafe Gadget Pouch
Weight: 340 g | 12 oz
Dimensions: 5.9 x 10.6 x 3.5 in
When it comes to storing gadgets, important documents, and other things you can’t afford to lose, the Pacsafe Gadget Pouch has your back. Sure, it’s a bit expensive, but so can be losing your precious phone or passport in a foreign land.
The nifty anti-theft locking system is great at keeping sticky fingers at bay, and its separate passport pouch will ensure it never goes missing. In fact, it provides an attachment point for virtually everything, from keys and wallets to cables and USB drives.
Padded Pouch for Delicate Electronics
Minaal Tech Toolcase
Weight: 125 g | 4.41 oz
Dimensions: 7.87 x 5.9 x 1.97 in
In my experience, tech items tend to get banged up if you’ve been traveling for a while, especially if the trip is more outdoorsy. You won’t have to worry about that with the Minaal Tech Toolcase, though, since it’s built to keep your cords orderly, tangle-free, and completely protected.
Beyond that, gadgets like GoPros and camera lenses are kept 100% safe by the soft padding. Plus, despite the small size, there are loads of compartments in here, so you can always find everything right where you left it.
Best Travel Organizer on a Budget
DDgro
Weight: 370 g | 13.1 oz
Dimensions: 9.8 x 3.5 x 5.8 in
We hear you, budget travelers: the DDgro is a well-made, functional ditty bag that’ll do everything you ask of it. It’s super-affordable and great at keeping your stuff protected and organized.
Its clamshell design and various compartments allow for top-notch organization, and thanks to its small dimensions, you can fit one into just about any travel bag. On top of that, the nylon exterior is quite durable and sleek-looking to boot.
Best Toiletries Bag
Nomatic
Weight: 270 g | 9.5 oz (small); 320 g | 11.3 oz (regular)
Dimensions: 10.5 x 5 x 1.7 in (small); 10.5 X 5 X 3.1 in (regular)
Before I started using ditty bags, nothing would frustrate me more than clawing aimlessly through my backpack for soap or toothpaste. Thankfully, Nomatic and its expertly engineered toiletry vessels take care of that problem.
Whether you go for the small or regular size, you can expect a slim build and quite a few pockets to work with. Both the zippers and the main body are water-resistant, protecting the rest of your stuff from leaks and the occasional shampoo explosion.
Minimalist Drawstring 3-Bag Set
Outdoor Products
Weight: 82 g | 2.89 oz (total)
Dimensions: 4 x 9 x 4 in (small); 5 x 11 x 5 in (medium); 6 x 13 x 6 in (main)
If you’re a true-blue minimalist who doesn’t require fancy bells and whistles on their gear, consider this Outdoor Products three bag set for your next trip. For a very low price, you get a lightweight three-pack combo with a drawstring closure.
These bags work great for both travel and backpacking, but they don’t have the same ease of access as some of our other picks. As opposed to separate compartments, you’re basically getting a nesting doll of bags, so it may take a bit longer to locate your odds and ends.
Factors We Considered When Picking Products
We don’t recommend products lightly here at The Packable Life, and even with a purchase as simple as a ditty bag, there are quite a few factors to keep in mind before making a decision. For your convenience, we’ve highlighted some of the most important ones:
Organization Features
Although the number and layout of the compartments will vary from product to product, even a single pocket should do the trick if the ditty is spacious and well-built. You don’t want to overstuff either, so if you have lots of tiny accessories, you could spread them out across two bags.
You may also want to consider something with at least one netted pocket for toiletries you’ll be using regularly. Netting will usually put less pressure on things like toothpaste or liquid soap bottles to ensure nothing blows up.
Ease of Access
The whole point of using a ditty is being able to whip your things out or your pack and put them back in within seconds. The less fiddling you have to do once you’ve opened the bag, the better.
Certain options (like our minimalist pick) might not be for everyone since they require you to sift through more stuff to get to what you’re looking for. Another thing to avoid is bags with decorative zippers and other unnecessary distractions and space wasters.
Weatherproofing
Ditty bags should be tucked fairly safely into your main backpack, so exposure to the elements usually isn’t a crucial concern. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to go for a waterproof option just to be safe, especially if you plan on spending lots of time on beaches, rivers, and wet climates.
If you’re sleeping outdoors or in a tent for an extended period of time, you’ll probably be tempted to leave the ditty out in the open for the sake of convenience. Again, if this sounds like something you’re likely to do, make sure you buy something water-resistant.
Durability/Protection
Outside of bad weather, ditties aren’t likely to endure a lot of wear and tear. Still, it helps to get something durable since you’ll probably have a lot of stuff crammed inside your main bag that might damage the ditty.
Another thing to consider is internal damage; something like a protruding charger or spilled liquid could damage the bag from the inside, so consider buying something with a stronger lining for extra protection.
Price
The great thing about the bags on this list is that they usually won’t set you back much. Most top-notch options we recommend run anywhere between $10 and $50, which is great, considering the long lifespan of a well-built ditty.
Still, if you’re traveling in a foreign country, you may want to consider investing around $100 for a high-security bag instead. It might feel a bit steep, but keeping your keys and passport safe is worth every penny.
Which Ditty Will Organize Your Odds & Ends?
And that wraps up our list of the best ditty bags to organize your travel and backpacking gear in 2023. It’s hard to find a better roster than the one we’ve laid out here if I do say so myself.
A ditty can really take the chaos out of life on the go, and that’s exactly what you want if you plan on traveling to new and exciting places. It’s just a matter of figuring out which bag works best for you.
So which will it be? Will you go for the minimalist powerhouse UltraLite Sacks bag? The anti-theft Pacsafe? The super-simple Outdoor Products three bag set? Whichever product you land on, know that all of our picks are incredibly well made, and will do wonders to organize and protect your gear.
The smallest upgrade often makes the biggest difference on an adventure, and a top-of-the-line ditty bag could be the catalyst you’re looking for. Trust me, once you start using one of these ditties, you’ll become a loyalist for life.
More Travel & Backpacking Gear & Resources
- Minimalist Travel [DIY Packing List + Best Ultralight Gear]
- Minimalist Backpacks for Modern One-Bag Travel
- Waterproof Backpacks to Keep Your Gear Dry
- Personal Item Bags for Underseat Carry-On Travel
- 8.0 lb Ultralight Backpacking Gear List for 2023
- Essential Backpacking Gear: The Items I Can’t Hike Without
- Best Gifts for Hikers: Unique Hiking Gifts for Any Budget
Last Updated on July 13, 2023
