Babies Gear and Products The Best Diaper Bags to Tote Your Little One's Gear The Skip Hop Forma Diaper Backpack is simple, functional, and stylish By Maya Polton Maya Polton LinkedIn Maya has more than 15 years of experience in digital media and communications and specializes in writing about family, food, and lifestyles. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 21, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Family articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and family healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Lyndsey Garbi, MD Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MD LinkedIn Lyndsey Garbi, MD, is a pediatrician who is double board-certified in pediatrics and neonatology. 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Welcoming a baby also means welcoming lots of new gear and products into your life. A diaper bag is a useful way to tote supplies like diapers, wipes, bottles, clothing changes, and more. Most diaper bags are loaded with pockets so there’s a place for everything you need, but thoughtful design and organization touches can really set them apart. Reviewed & Approved The Skip Hop Forma Diaper Backpack is lightweight, stylish, and versatile with plenty of pockets and compartments for storage. For a budget-friendly option, we recommend the Vakabva Diaper Bag Backpack. The type of diaper bag you want to use may depend on your lifestyle. Pick something that is comfortable and easy to bring along, whether attached to your stroller, on your back, or over the shoulder. We carefully considered design, capacity, material, ease of cleaning, style, and any additional features when reviewing products. Here are the best diaper bags to tote around all of your baby's essentials. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Skip Hop Forma Diaper Backpack at Amazon Best Budget: Vakabva Diaper Bag Backpack Large Capacity at Amazon Best Backpack: Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack at Amazon Best Basic: Skip Hop Pronto Changing Station at Amazon Best Leather Alternative: Miss Fong Leather Diaper Bag Backpack at Amazon Best Alternative: Kibou Brown Diaper Bag at Kiboubag.com Best for Dad: Eddie Bauer Bridgeport Diaper Bag Backpack at Amazon Best Splurge: Ju-Ju-Be BFF Multi-Functional Convertible Bag at Amazon Best for Twins: Fisher-Price Fashion Diaper Backpack at Amazon In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For Why Trust Verywell Family Best Overall: Skip Hop Forma Diaper Backpack 5 Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY View On Macy's The Skip Hop Forma Diaper Backpack is our top pick because it's lightweight, stylish, and versatile, making it a top choice for parents on the go. With a backpack, you get hands-free convenience, and the bag is chock full of useful features. Avoid digging around for what you need thanks to the extra-wide opening, front compartments with two packing cubes, wipe-clean changing pad, multiple elasticized interior pockets, stroller straps, and insulated side pockets for bottles. Once the need for a diaper bag is done, this also doubles as a work backpack since a laptop fits right into the changing pad pocket. The only drawback of this bag is that it is hand wash only, which may not be practical for parents of messy kiddos. The 9 Best Diaper Bag Backpacks of 2022 Best Budget: Vakabva Diaper Bag Backpack Large Capacity Amazon View On Amazon Durable, stylish, and super roomy, parents praise this budget-friendly choice and cannot believe how much gear the bag can hold. The insulated front pocket holds three bottles while the handy napkin pocket makes grabbing a baby wipe super easy. Since it’s so big, there are two ways to access the body of the bag: the top opens up wide and there’s also a bottom zip access, so you won’t find yourself blindly grabbing around for what you need. The 8 Best Breast Pump Bags of 2022 Best Backpack: Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack Amazon View On Amazon View On Mybagnation.com Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack Review Hands-free is the way to be! A classic backpack diaper bag, this option is super comfortable thanks to vented padding on the back and shoulder straps. The unisex design makes this one a great choice for either parent and easy to swap back and forth. With 14 useful pockets, there are dedicated insulated pockets for bottles, an easy-to-reach wipes pocket, and a few external pockets to keep essentials like keys and wallets safe and secure. For times when you’re out with a stroller, the included stroller straps make it simple to attach this bag right onto the stroller. The 9 Best Backpacks for Kids at Every Age Best Basic: Skip Hop 202206 Pronto Changing Station Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY Perfect to keep in the car, use for quick trips, or stash in a larger bag, minimalist parents will love this option. The portable diapering kit holds all you need for on-the-go changes. There’s a mesh pocket for diapers, a wipes case, a changing pad, a zippered pocket, and straps and clips to attach keys or other items. Best Leather Alternative: Miss Fong Leather Diaper Bag Backpack Amazon View On Amazon Well-organized, this stylish option is made from leather-like nylon. With seven outer pockets and nine inner pockets (including two insulated ones), there is room for everything you need. The detachable leather-like strap allows the backpack to be used as a crossbody bag, a backpack, or with just the handle. Even though it’s not leather, this bag is hand wash only. Best Alternative: Kibou Brown Diaper Bag Courtesy of Maisonette. View On Kiboubag.com Minimalist moms rejoice! Fanny pack meets diaper bag in this alternative solution. Thoughtfully designed, this pack has room for everything, including a built-in changing pad, a waterproof wipes pocket, a key ring, a credit cardholder, and more. Made of lightweight vegan leather, this looks great and leaves your hands, arms, and shoulders free. Best for Dad: Eddie Bauer Places & Spaces Bridgeport Diaper Bag Backpack Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY Dads won’t shy away from carrying this sturdy, practical backpack that doesn’t scream "diaper bag." The padded shoulder straps, padded back, top handle, and stroller loops make this choice comfortable and easy to carry in a few different ways. Exceptionally organized, this choice has 11 pockets, including insulated bottle pockets, zippered pockets, and a top flap for quick access to all that baby gear. Best Splurge: Ju-Ju-Be BFF Multi-Functional Convertible Bag View On Amazon View On Bed Bath & Beyond Well-named, this bag will be your “BFF” through all stages of parenting. A splurge-worthy option, this super-smart tote easily converts from a backpack to a messenger bag and includes lots of unique features like a crumb drain, magnetic closures, a microfiber glasses pocket, and fabric treated to resist bacteria, mold, and mildew. Machine washable, this bag is made to last. Best for Twins: Fisher-Price Fashion Diaper Backpack with Fastfinder Pocket System Amazon View On Amazon View On Buybuy BABY Parents of twins are already spending extra money on gear, so an affordable and roomy backpack-style diaper bag is a perfect option. Made with tons of pockets, an insulated pouch for bottles, and an included changing pad, there’s room for everything that twins require. Parent reviewers love how the main compartment has a double zipper and opens up super wide, so you won’t be fumbling around to grab what you need. The Best Twin Products That Make Life With Two So Much Easier Final Verdict For a stylish, well-made, and long-lasting option, the Skip Hop Forma Backpack Diaper Bag (view at Amazon) can be used as a versatile diaper bag. On-the-go parents will also love the flexibility that the Kibou Brown Diaper Bag (view at Kibou) provides. What to Look for in a Diaper Bag Style Beyond just the look of your diaper bag, think about your lifestyle. Backpack diaper bags keep your hands free so it’s easy to walk or be out and about. Tote-style diaper bags often clip onto a stroller, so take the load off your back, while fanny packs hold less gear but keep your hands, shoulders, and back free. Features Different diaper bags have different features. Some have insulated bottle pockets, changing pads, stroller clips, tons of storage, or minimal storage. Consider how you plan to use the diaper bag, the age and stage of your child, and if you need space for more than one kid’s gear. Frequently Asked Questions How do I clean and sanitize a diaper bag? Empty the bag, and then shake it out over the garbage to get rid of any crumbs. You might need to turn the bag inside out. Check the tag on the diaper bag to see if it is machine washable. If so, wash on alone a delicate cycle in a mesh bag and let your bag air dry. If your diaper bag is made up of leather, suede, or another delicate material or you are nervous to machine wash it, spot cleaning is best. Take some liquid dishwashing detergent and dilute it in water. Then gently rub the solution onto any stubborn spots with a toothbrush. Wipe it clean with a damp towel. How long does a diaper bag last? You will need a diaper bag as long as your child is in diapers. Potty training occurs when your child is ready, somewhere between 18 months and 24 months, usually, but often up to 3 years of age. You might still be using your diaper bag when you are potty training as well, as you’ll need to bring spare clothes and supplies in case of emergency. How big should my diaper bag be? Your diaper bag size depends on how you will use your diaper bag. For someone who is out all day long, a bigger bag might be needed. If you have a newborn, you might need more space to accommodate outfit changes, or breastfeeding or pumping supplies. If your baby is older, a smaller bag might work, as you might only need a few diapers, plus wipes. What should I pack in my diaper bag? Your diaper bag should be your emergency go-kit and be stocked at all times. A general rule of thumb is to take as many diapers for the number of hours you will be out. For example, if you see yourself out for about 3 hours, take at least 3 diapers. Also take any travel-sized diaper creams or remedies, a spare change of clothes, wipes, hand sanitizer, distraction toys, a portable changing pad, and a few empty grocery bags for any major blowouts that need to be disposed of in public. You can also use those same bags to transport any soiled clothing home. Why Trust Verywell Family Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of an 11-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year old daughter. Maya certainly had diaper bags for all three kids and moved from a tote to a backpack, probably because with more kids, she had to carry along more snacks, toys, and trinkets for each kid. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Track your baby’s most exciting moments with our milestone checklist. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. 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