When traveling with little ones, it seems like we have to bring everything we own with us: diapers, wipes, cream, bottles, a change of outfit, toys—you get the idea. And when you need something, the last thing you want to worry about is digging around a diaper bag, inevitably during a meltdown. When my husband and I came across the 14-pocket Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack, we knew we had to test it out during an upcoming vacation. So we took the backpack diaper bag on a trip to Italy with our toddler and put it to the test to see if it made our life easier when exploring. Read on to see what we thought!
Design: Lightweight and comfortable to carry
At 14 inches, this bag is a little wide for day-to-day use, but it’s ideal for traveling. It weighs less than 3 pounds, so it won’t add a ton of weight when you already have a lot to carry. For our trip to Italy, we used the backpack as one of our carry-ons, and it fit perfectly under the seat in front of us. The spacious bag was a lifesaver on the overnight flight, as we were able to fit our toddler’s pajamas, diapers, diaper cream, milk, and loads of snacks. This bag features adjustable shoulder straps, which freed our hands for luggage. The straps, as well as the back of the bag, are padded for extra comfort. After wearing the bag all day, we didn’t feel any shoulder pain. Depending on the stroller you have, you can also attach separate straps to the stroller handle and not have to wear it like a backpack at all. The materials that make up this bag are non-toxic (BPA- and phosphate-free), and it’s available in either gray and black. We tested the latter, and while we liked the neutral exterior, we didn’t love the bright turquoise interior color. Something a little more muted would please more consumers.
Organization: Pockets keep everything in place
We liked that the pockets contained everything we needed for our toddler. The eight exterior pockets were perfect for snacks and for keeping our own personal items separate from our child’s; we used one of the side pockets to hold our passports so they were easily accessible when we were checking in. However, the magnetic closure on the front lower pocket didn’t feel that strong to us, so we worried it wouldn’t be safe to store any belongings there. When touring, the six interior pockets held diapers, a change of clothes, sunblock, toys, keys to our Airbnb (the bag features an extendable keychain) and any souvenirs we bought along the way. Even with everything we packed for our daily outings, we still had plenty of room, so this bag can definitely be used for two children.
Special Features: Designated wipes and bottle pockets, changing pad, and sundry bag
There were two pockets in particular that we really appreciated. The first and best of them all was the designated wipes pocket, which was a lifesaver after a stop for gelato. (Have you ever seen a 1-year-old eat ice cream?) You don’t have to unzip anything to get to a wipe—just pull one out of the open slot on the outside of the bag. Genius! The second was the insulated pocket, which was able to hold one bottle. This was great for carrying milk to the airport for our trip. You could definitely fit other water bottles/sippy cups in the main compartment, but there was only one dedicated insulated pocket if you need that feature. We also appreciated the included sundry bag, which was great for keeping any clothes that got dirty during our day out separate from everything else in the diaper bag. This bag also comes with a changing pad, but we weren’t pleased with the size. It was too small for our toddler to lie down and have his backside and head completely protected from the changing table. We had to bring our own to supplement.
Ease of Cleaning: Water-resistant fabric makes for an easy cleanup
One of the great benefits of this diaper bag is that the twill polyester material is water-resistant, so if you’re out in the rain or wiping down the bag with a wet cloth, your belongings will stay nice and dry. The black colorway of this bag actually beads water on the outside of the bag, making it even easier to wipe down when wet.
Price: Affordable, but not cheap quality
With all of this bag’s features, we were surprised to see it costs less than $60. The cheapest backpack diaper bags tend to price out at around $30 and go up to around $200, so Bag Nation’s style is very reasonably priced. And yet, it didn’t feel cheap to us at all. The company claims the stitching doesn’t fray, and the zippers won’t break. If for some reason there is an issue, though, the brand stands by the product, offering a lifetime warranty.
Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack vs. HaloVa Diaper Bag Backpack
Another diaper bag backpack I tested, the HaloVa, was one of the cutest, most stylish diaper bag backpacks I’ve seen. And while it also held what I needed for a day out, I still would pick the Bag Nation option hands down. The Bag Nation backpack is amazing for travel and was definitely more comfortable to carry on long walks. It also included a changing pad, which the HaloVa lacked. The Bag Nation bag is a bit more expensive (about $10 more), but well worth it in my opinion. The Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack is a great bag for keeping your life and your child’s belongings completely organized when traveling. It’s affordable, lightweight, and comfortable to carry during a day of exploring and activities.
