Soap is a non-negotiable travel essential, especially for long-term journeys. You wouldn’t want to travel without it, and neither would I. However, the typical plastic, enclosed soap dish? It’s a source of frustration for any minimalist traveler. The slimy mess of melted soap, the wasted space inside as the soap shrinks, and the overall bulk it adds to your precious luggage space. These are common annoyances for one-bag travelers.
Holding my Matador FlatPak soap case still in the package.
But thankfully, in 2018, a travel gear innovation emerged, solving the age-old problem of traveling with bar soap. Matador introduced the FlatPak™ Soap Bar Case featuring their groundbreaking Dry-Through™ technology.
From the moment I held the FlatPak™, I was impressed. “This is for carrying soap?” I asked, incredulous. The Matador team confirmed. “And it prevents gooey soap?” I pressed further, “And it will stop my bag from getting wet and sticky?” They nodded. A smile spread across my face. Holding the FlatPak™, I thought, “This is incredibly clever!” I knew instantly, “I need to have one of these!” As soon as it became available, I purchased my own, eager to test it out on my next trip.
The Old Way: Traveling with Soap Before 2018
Before innovative Travel Soap Dishes like the FlatPak came along, managing bar soap on the road was often a messy affair. The standard procedure was cumbersome and far from ideal.
My plastic soap dish.- Acquire a bulky plastic soap dish: Whether buying or borrowing, these traditional dishes were the only option.
- Attempt to dry your soap: Before packing, you’d try to wipe off excess suds from your wet soap bar – a futile effort most of the time.
- Place soap in the dish: Drop the damp soap into the plastic container. You might leave the lid ajar hoping for some drying, or resort to sealing the whole soapy mess in a plastic zip-top bag.
- Pack the clunky dish: Find space for the rigid, space-hogging soap dish in your luggage.
- Regularly clean up soap goo: Be prepared to frequently wipe out the inevitable melted soap residue that accumulates in the dish.
If your soap happened to be completely dry, you might risk placing the soap dish directly amongst your clothes. However, prudence dictated keeping it contained in a plastic bag, and strategically wedged to prevent accidental opening and soapy contamination of your belongings. Rubber bands or hair ties were often employed as makeshift closures, with varying degrees of success, especially with curved soap dish designs.
The Game Changer: Travel Soap Dish Revolution with Matador FlatPak (2018 Onwards)
Since 2018, packing soap for travel has become significantly simpler and cleaner thanks to the Matador FlatPak™ travel soap dish. This innovative solution has transformed how travelers manage bar soap.
My Matador-FlatPak soap bag with my partly used soap
- Get a Matador FlatPak™: This lightweight, flexible case replaces bulky plastic dishes.
- Quickly dab excess water: A minimal effort to remove surface water from your soap bar.
- Slip soap into the FlatPak: Place your soap bar inside the FlatPak case.
- Roll and seal: Roll down the top of the FlatPak to close it securely.
- Clip it externally for drying (optional): Buckle the FlatPak shut, and for faster drying, consider attaching it to your bag strap, allowing air circulation.
The beauty of the FlatPak travel soap dish lies in its Dry-Through™ technology. You no longer need to worry about gooey soap leaking and ruining your luggage contents. Only soap vapor escapes, keeping your belongings clean and dry.
You can confidently place the FlatPak directly inside your suitcase or backpack. However, for optimal soap drying, air circulation is beneficial. Clipping it to your bag externally while on the move is a great strategy if the soap is still damp when you pack up.
For me, soap has ceased to be a travel packing headache. No more cumbersome plastic containers, freeing up valuable space in my travel bag. And no more frantic attempts to prevent my favorite Dove soap from turning into a melted mess.
The FlatPak’s design accommodates a full-sized 135-gram soap bar, a common size, demonstrating its capacity. Crucially, it minimizes space usage as the soap bar gets smaller with use. For my typical 3-4 week trips, this is a significant advantage. The clever fold at the base expands to fit a new, larger soap bar, and the ample height allows for a secure roll-top closure. As my soap bar diminishes, it can even fit comfortably inside my toiletry bag. You might find it fits in yours at all times! (Just be mindful of sharp items like razors, as shown).
Matador FlatPak with a new 135g bar of Dove soap vs a used bar of Dove.
Matador FlatPak inside my toiletry case
FlatPak Specifications:
- Weight: 11 grams – significantly lighter than traditional soap dishes.
- Size Compatibility: Fits standard soap bars up to approximately 4″ x 2.4″ x 1.3″.
Matador FlatPak soap case beside plastic soap case
Key Features:
- Ultra-lightweight: 3X lighter than most conventional plastic travel soap dishes.
- Highly Compact: 6X more compact than typical soap cases when containing a 1oz soap bar.
- Dry-Through™ Technology: Allows soap to dry directly through the case, minimizing mess.
- Waterproof Construction: Prevents leaks and protects your belongings.
- Flexible Fabric Design: Adapts to varying soap bar sizes as it’s used.
- Secure Closure: Hypalon® rolltop with YKK® buckle ensures a tight seal.
- TSA Approved: Travel-friendly and compliant with airport security regulations.
- Packs Flat: Takes up minimal space when not in use, ideal for storage.
While the TSA approval is listed, it’s worth noting that solid bar soap is not restricted by liquid regulations, making this feature somewhat redundant for soap alone. However, Matador also produces FlatPak™ Toiletry Bottles for liquids, suggesting the TSA approval mention might be broadly applicable to the FlatPak line.
A Note of Caution: My Washcloth Experiment
While I wholeheartedly recommend this travel soap dish, I learned a valuable lesson early on. In a rush between locations, and with a damp quick-dry polyester washcloth to pack, I made a mistake. Thinking the FlatPak’s breathable membrane might dry the cloth, I placed the wet washcloth alongside my soap inside the FlatPak and then packed it inside my backpack without external airflow. The result? Dove soap goo. The damp cloth caused excessive melting of my Dove soap. Matador explicitly advises using the case for soap only.
I might experiment again with a drier cloth and hanging the FlatPak externally to air, but definitely not with my favorite soap bar!
Bar Soap: The Superior Travel Choice vs. Body Wash
It baffles me why some travelers opt for liquid body wash. Regardless of travel, liquid body wash contributes significantly to plastic waste. For travel specifically, it presents space and potential spill issues, not to mention the 100ml/3oz carry-on liquid restrictions. It’s ironic that many travelers invest in solid bar shampoo to avoid liquids, yet still pack liquid body wash. For travel, a bar of soap is undeniably the most practical and eco-conscious option.
Travel smarter, pack lighter, and ditch the soap dish goo with a travel soap dish like the Matador FlatPak. It’s a small change that makes a big difference in your travel experience.
