Arc'teryx Mantis 2
The Arc'teryx Mantis 2 holds 2.5 liters and weighs 190 grams. 100% recycled polyester pack fabric, YKK zippers, ITW buckle. Built for waist or crossbody carry. I don't use it for either. This is my toiletry bag. I already use the Mantis 1 as a cable organizer, so the Mantis 2 becoming a dopp kit felt natural. It replaced my old canvas bag that had zero organization. The retail price is $60, and the recycled polyester carries Bluesign and Fair Trade Certified credentials.
Why Use the Arc'teryx Mantis 2 as a Toiletry Bag?
The pocket layout works better for toiletries than most actual dopp kits. The zippered front pocket holds a toothbrush and razor flat. Inside the main compartment, a security pocket keeps medications separate. The open stash pocket fits a deodorant or a small cologne bottle upright. I ignore the key clip in the front pocket since I use the one in my pack.
The Spacermesh padded back panel protects glass bottles and other fragile items from getting crushed in my packing cube or bag. My old canvas dopp kit had nothing between whatever I crammed next to it. The DWR finish prevents shampoo or other heavy liquids from seeping through to my clothes. That alone justifies the switch.
Travel Performance
It typically sits inside my Index Gear Organizer during flights and only comes out at the hotel unless I need something en route. The 21.5cm x 25.5cm x 10cm footprint fits flat in the packing cube. At the hotel, it sits on the bathroom counter like a normal toiletry bag. Dual zipper pulls let me open the main compartment wide, then zip it shut and slide it back into the cube.
The interior liner feels thinner than I expected for $60. The newer version trades some volume for nicer exterior fabric and that rear pocket. The rear phone pocket easily fits my iPhone 13 Pro Max with room for more. It's a very deep pocket, and the phone easily slides out with a pinch. Overall, the function still feels premium even if certain materials cut corners.
The Strap Is the Weak Point
The strap gets the most complaints. Arc'teryx shortened it from the previous Maka 2, and the webbing edges are known irritate bare skin without a collar. I never wear the Mantis 2, so the strap stays stuffed in the back panel channels. Dead weight I'd cut off if I didn't think I might wear it someday.
The bag isn't waterproof, DWR-treated. A leaking bottle will seep through seams if you don't catch it. The Patagonia Black Hole Mini Hip Pack at $49 competes directly but skips the internal security pocket.
Is the Arc'teryx Mantis 2 Worth $60?
If you travel regularly and hate shapeless dopp kits, the Mantis 2 is worth trying. The Arc'teryx pocket layout keeps everything separated and accessible. It costs more than a basic toiletry bag at $60 but less than most premium Dopp kits. The recycled polyester handles constant packing and unpacking without showing wear.
