No matter how much I throw at the GRAVEL Explorer Plus, it withstands all the intensities of adventure and everyday life, to keep toiletries stowed securely, organised smartly with premium flair. It's impressive capacity, build quality and hanging function has never made handling toiletries so satisfying.
GRAVEL Explorer Plus
- Measure 25cm x 18cm x 8cm
- Feature G-Hook hang strap
- Weight 352 grams
- Included TSA waterproof pouch
- Outer Tarpaulin PVC
- Mesh Poly & PVC
- Inside Lining Poly & TPE
- Toothbrush Waterproof TPU
Read: Toiletry Bags to Suit your Packing Style
Discrete Toiletry Carry
At first glance, you wouldn't think this is a toiletry bag. It has a premium, matte exterior finish in striking black, with matching zipper pulls. Everything feels and looks high-quality and robust. The spine compresses depending on your gear load - it fits compact if you don't need to carry bulky items for say a day trip or short getaway. If you do, it surprisingly has large capacity to fit large essentials.
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GRAVEL Toiletry Gear Load
Here's how I pack my Gravel Explorer Plus for the road, or even just as an everyday organisation. I've been able to stow bulky, larger toiletries like my shaving cream, face scrub, hair wax and pots that have more thickness in the zipped compartment.
The flat-laying lid with mesh pockets house my electric toothbrush (with the brush head off), cord and dock, creams, toothpaste, nail cutter, cotton buds and razor. That's in addition to the packets of medicine, antiseptic wipes in the eternal zipped section.
I can pack a smaller kit without the bulkier items for a slimmer profile, but with all of the above, I found the overall kit impressively held inside. Above all, they'll all nicely organised for easy viewing and access. This feels like a bag tailored for toiletries - the mesh pockets directing the kind of toiletries made perfect for each spot, with enough flex if you wish to use it for other items instead.
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Packing Inside the Backpack
Measuring at 25m long, 18cm wide and 8cm deep, the rectangular shape makes it easy to pack alongside other gear. This can be easily seen in my Peak Design Everyday Backpack as it conveniently fits within the dividers. I can stow it together with my camera lense, body, clothes, tech organiser and packed food on a day trip out without worries.
It lays flat inside my holdall or weekender without occupying lots of space, or compromising what I can bring. The fact it's waterproof and hangs means it shouldn't stay kept inside when settled at base. Speaking of hanging, that's one of my favourite features of the Gravel Explorer Plus.
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Hanging in the Wild
I love the open, flatlay view of the shallow compartment, built purposely to make everything in full sight. Whether hanging or laid down, The mesh pockets are strong, yet unobtrusive to see what is inside. From here, I regularly take out my electric toothbrush and toothpaste, and every few days my razor and shaving cream, mostly with ease.
The smaller pockets are handy too for those daily items - contact lens container, nail cutter or cotton buds. I like hanging it behind the bathroom door to free up the vanity worktop and keep a small footprint... and it works superbly.
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Built for Longevity
Where other toiletry bags fall short is where the Gravel Explorer Plus shines. The waterproofed, rugged and ventilated toiletry makes it fully usable, even for the most adventurous, weather intense, outdoor treks. The detachable aluminium 'G-Hook' is wide enough to hang on any thin tree branch, as well as inside bathrooms.
It couldn't wrap around the thick branch, but hangs pretty much anywhere. And if you can't, the waterproof, rugged exterior handles mud, water, grass marks effortlessly, cleaning with a wipe. What would have made the rear compartment more accessible is another side zip (rather than having to reach all the way inside), or drop the zipper track further to take those harder to reach items out.
A small handle along the spine would also make carrying it on its own easier to hold too. Nevertheless, these are minute details to improve handling, but doesn't detract from the experience.
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Made for Plus Explorers
Toiletries aren't always handled well and end up exploding in your bag, leaking into the material or loosely moving around in a jumble. The Gravel Explorer Plus passes with flying colours as it excels as a toiletry bag for the great outdoors. The tailored mesh pockets cleverly handle essentials or all sizes, while the Plus version one ups the slim with extra utility for bulky items.
This near faultless toiletry bag ensures the next time you go on a road trip, short getaway, overnight stay at a friends or camp outside, you'll have everything you need.
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