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There was a day not too long ago when the diaper bag was an eyesore: An item on a baby registry, it was clunky and baby-centered, and it had a short shelf-life, retiring to a closet or a donation bin in a mere matter of years. Gone are the days; the diaper bag is now both a coveted accessory and a style staple for caregivers—some of the best ones are not even diaper bags at all. Three kids and five-plus years into parenting, I’ve come to see the best diaper bags as chameleons in the luggage world: They effortlessly transition from a necessary staple while traveling with tots to an everyday item you’ll carry around even when kids are long-grown.
Below are nine diaper bags travelers with young children recommend to those booking trips. But first, a few things to keep in mind while shopping for the right option for you.
FAQ:
What to consider when finding the right diaper bag for you:
Much like sunscreen, the best diaper bag is the one you actually use, so think about your needs. Are you a minimalist? Do you love pockets? Are you planning on using one bag for multiple children? Multiple bags for multiple children? Do you tend to travel by plane or by car? Do backpacks make your back ache? Want everyone to share a bag? Important considerations such as price and size matter, too, of course, but prioritizing needs and individual differences will help you narrow down the (admittedly saturated) market.
Is a diaper bag considered a carry-on and/or personal item?
No Reception Club Getaway Bag
Weight: 3.4 lb.
Capacity: 24L
Dimensions: 6.5"D x 10.2"W x 19.7"H
The husband-wife duo behind this travel bag biz with a cult-like following created its Getaway Bag for long-haul flights and traveling the world with their two littles, and I can attest that it is there for you in any it’s-always-something moment. Other parents agree: “This bag is the holy grail,” says Erica Schindewolf, a mom of two in Philadelphia. It slides over a roller and includes an insulated lunch pack, dividers, multiple entry points, and a side pouch that perfectly fits a pack of wipes. “I am not an organized person and everything not only fits but it’s organized for you with the multiple compartments within the bag,” says Schindewolf. With this bag, “globetrotting parent” needs only to sound like an oxymoron.
Pros: Lifetime guarantee, versatile
Cons: Expensive
Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack
Weight: 3.8 lb. (medium)
Capacity: 16.39L (medium)
Dimensions: 11.75"L x 6.5"W x 12.75"H (medium)
Many love Dagne Dover for its accessories (a changing mat, two different-sized pouches, stroller clips, etc.), but its beloved Indi Backpack has a niche following of fans (myself included!), in part because it’s multi-functional, gender neutral, stylish, and has a waterproof exterior (because, spills). Even the small size fits most breast pumps, too. “I have used the Dagne Dover Indi diaper backpack on every road trip, flight, and adventure we have been on,” says Laurabeth Bucur, a mom of one in Atlanta, Georgia. “I can not tell you how much I appreciate the side pockets to hold bottles,” she says, noting that she’s comfortably traveled with baby bottles and water bottles as her son has grown. “Living by the beach it holds up to saltwater and sand, too,” says Sarah Owens, a mom of two in Lewes, Delaware. “I will be using this bag long after the girls need it!”
Pros: Roomy, several compartments make organizing easy, can clip on to any stroller, versatile
Cons: Somewhat bulky, especially when full
Eddie Baur Cascade diaper bag backpack
Weight: 3 lb.
Dimensions: 6"D x 12"W x 12"H
“I'm a big proponent of a backpack over a tote bag style. You need all the freedom you can get, and this one keeps me hands-free,” says Lara Kramer, a mom of one and a former Traveler editor. The bag comes with a diaper changing mat, three insulated zip pockets for bottles, and 12 pockets so you can pack plenty of extras—and is comfortable to wear even if you have a baby on your hip or a stroller in your hands (it’s also easy to clip to a stroller if you want).
Pros: Stylish, ample storage, many pockets
Cons: Some parents say zippers and flaps wear and tear more quickly than expected
Pak Rêve The Origin Pak backpack
Weight: 2 lb.
Capacity: 21.7L
Dimensions: 13.5"L x 7"W x 14"H
“While it's been a minute since I've had a kid in diapers, I wish I had had Pak Reve's Origin backpack when I was still lugging all of my daughter's baby gear around,” says Juliet Izon, a Traveler contributor and mom of one eight-year-old daughter in New York City who uses the bag today. It's no surprise the bag has so many thoughtful touches (hidden theft-proof compartments and oversized side pockets for bottles): Founder Jordi Lippe-McGraw is a mom and a travel writer. “I especially love the front pocket that unzips into a jacket sling, the tons of interior pockets to keep things like baby wipes (or passports) organized, and the rugged, wipeable nylon that can handle any sort of mess,” says Izon.
Pros: Stylish, many thoughtful details
Cons: Limited color options
L.L.Bean diaper bag
Weight: 2.4 lb.
Capacity: 32L
Dimensions: 14"L x 16"W x 10"D
“We’ve had our L.L.Bean diaper bag from the beginning,” says Hannah Pasternak, a special projects director at Condé Nast, and mom of one. “It's come in handy most on park excursions, days at the zoo, and road trips—when I need to carry more than just a few diapers and some wipes,” she says. “We've spent weekends away and I've actually packed everything for the baby in this bag: medications, clothes, layers, and more.” But the bag is also a good pick for days spent out and about. “I feel like this diaper bag is a best-kept secret: I've yet to see anyone else in New York—or elsewhere—carrying it, but it's simply the best.”
Pros: Holds up over time, versatile
Cons: Front padded pocket can add bulk, making it hard to fit under some strollers
MZ Wallace The Metro Tote Deluxe
Weight: 2 lb.
Dimensions: 14.5"LL × 11"W × 14.5"H
“This is the only bag I’ve found large enough to fit everything for both babies,” says Lauren Dana Ellman, a New York–based Traveler contributor and a mom of twins. While not technically marketed as a diaper bag, thanks to an ultra-roomy interior and an abundance of pockets that make it easy to stay organized while on the go, this bag does the job well. You can also carry it hands-free thanks to adjustable stroller straps. “I use the included zip pouches for storing wipes, pacifiers, and diapers, while the exterior pockets are great for stashing away my essentials,” she says. “I also love that it includes a luggage sleeve, which I found especially handy while navigating through JFK with bulky suitcases, a double stroller, and two screaming babies.”
Pros: Incredibly roomy and designed with several pockets and pouches
Cons: No bottle compartments
Kopi Baby portable diaper changing pad
Weight: 8.4 oz.
Dimensions: 11.5"L x 7"W x 1.5"H
“Having traveled all over the world with my son, including a few international solo trips, I'm a big fan of less is more when it comes to packing,” says Lauren Burvill, the London-based commerce editor at Condé Nast Traveller UK and a mom of two. Instead of a traditional diaper bag, she prefers to travel with just a portable changing mat. “Often these include enough pockets for diapers, wipes, diaper bin bags, as well as a change of clothes, and a toy or two to keep them occupied.” This will easily fit under a stroller and you can store it in any carry-on in-flight to quickly grab when you need to bring it to that tiny plane bathroom. The one downside is, if you're traveling with milk/formula and bottles too, then a larger bag with more storage would be better.
Pros: Compact and versatile with impressive storage
Cons: Too small for extras like formula or bottles
Cuyana Easy Travel bag
Weight: 2.9 lb.
Capacity: 37L
Dimensions: 6.3"D x 25.3"W x 14.2"H
Ashlea Halpern, a Traveler contributor and a mom of one, used to have a dedicated diaper bag with a billion separate compartments but now that her son is almost three, she rolls with the bare minimum that she can “actually stand to look at.” For her, that’s this buttery-soft leather travel bag from Cuyana. “It fits my laptop and earbuds, his iPad Mini and Mickey Mouse headphones, a pack of wipes, a metal straw (I'm so done with sippy cups and thermoses soaking everything in my purse), and enough snacks to keep us both sane. So far, so good!” Seems like an understatement from someone who just wrapped up a 12-week, 14-country trip (she’s writing about it for Traveler’s new family newsletter series).
Pros: Stylish, fits a ton, not a traditional diaper bag
Cons: Lacks the many storage pockets other bags have, pricey
Lo & Sons Hakuba bag
Weight: 2.4 lb.
Capacity: 35L
Dimensions: 7.75"D x 13"W x 21.5"H
Marketed as a men’s product, I never would have found this bag—let alone used it as a diaper bag—if it weren’t for my husband’s keen sense of organization and athletic flair. He uses it for everyday work, workouts, and commutes, but in the vein of consolidation, we’ve recently co-opted it as a part-his, part-theirs bag for long flights or day trips to the city with our three small kids. It’s got a separate compartment that fits a 15" laptop, plenty of pockets for easy-to-lose items (hair elastics, AirPods), and—while slim—the bag has a strange and wonderful way of fitting all of the wonky-shaped items that come with kids (stuffed animals, extra shoes, a banana, you name it!).
Pros: Gender-neutral and sturdy
Cons: Could be too big for some, no insulated pockets
Béis The Ultimate diaper backpack
Weight: 3.3 lb.
Dimensions: 7.25"D x 12.5"W x 16"H
As the name implies, this really is the ultimate diaper bag. Insulated interior pockets for bottles? There are two. A fold-up changing station? You’ve got it (plus, it acts as a nice cushion against your back). This sleek diaper backpack is a go-to for Mercedes Bleth, Traveler's global associate director of social and mom of one. “This spacious bag has so many pockets and handy features, but for all its bells and whistles, still manages to feel chic.” Given its size, Bleth says it's definitely not an everyday diaper bag: “I prefer something much smaller for that. But as a travel bag, I can’t think of anything I’d rather carry.” It's stain-resistant, odor-proof, and features a luggage sleeve that makes navigating the airport a breeze.
Pros: Luggage sleeve, key leash, built-in changing mat
Cons: Too large for everyday wear
This article has been updated with new information since its original publish date.
