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Every woman is searching for that perfect bag or purse. Year after year, bag after bag, they learn what they like and what works best. Has anyone found the perfect purse yet? Cause I sure haven’t. Now throw diaper bags into the mix.

You have a baby, and your purse days typically go out the window for a few years. You have to start all over trying to find the perfect diaper bag, and if you only need it for a few years, you may never find it. It might not seem like it’s worth the effort to find it.

When I had my first baby, I went for something cheap, cute, and accessible. It was like a giant tote, and I shoved everything I could in it. It looked very diaper-baggy, if you know what I mean.

After a few months I upgraded to a messenger bag type of diaper bag. The kind with a hole on the end where wipes come out and a double zipper across the top that is impossible to close one handed while juggling a baby. It was more compact and looked nicer. I used it for around a year. It was grey and green, so my husband was more inclined to help carry it.

However, it seemed to loose it’s shape because it always had so much in it, and I excitedly switched to carrying a diaper, wipes, a toy, and a snack in a purse! Such freedom!

My second baby was born when my first was 2.5. I knew I wanted a backpack diaper bag. I knew I would have a lot to carry. I knew I wanted to baby wear. A backpack just seemed so much easier to handle. There were a lot of options online, but most of them seemed too small or too expensive, especially because I couldn’t even check them out in person.

I found this adorable backpack from Target for just $40, and I was sold. I even traveled to a Target farther from my house that had one in stock to use my registry completion code. I loved it and was completely satisfied with my purchase, even when the zipper pulls ripped off. Then the strap I always lifted it by started to rip off. The last straw was when the zipper for the main compartment stopped working. It lasted 6 months. I still didn’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, so I got online to see what else I could find.

Aaannnndddd… I found the perfect diaper bag!

I seriously love it! Let me tell you why:

It’s Adorable

There are several colors available. I got the grey and blue one, and the pattern is subtle and cute. It looks like a diaper bag without being over the top about it. Personally, I don’t love the bubble look that a lot of the leather backpacks have now days. This backpack slowly goes from thin at the top to big on the bottom. It has a smooth line down from my neck. It kind of looks like a backpack I would have worn in school instead of a very mom looking bag.

The Tough Straps

Remember how the straps on my first backpack ripped? I don’t see that ever happening with this backpack. They aren’t just strips of material sewn to the main compartment. They are part of the backpack. They widen at the top of the bag and are connected to each other. I love that I can trust them to hold up! Plus, they are comfortable. They are lightly padded and fit my shoulders perfectly.

The Pockets

Pockets for everything! When I got the backpack, I wasn’t even sure what I would put in all of them. There are two insulated zipper pockets on the sides of the bag for bottles. There is a small zipper pocket on the front of the bag and one on the back against your back. This one has small pockets for a cell phone, license, and debit and credit cards.

The inside of the main compartment has a pocket on each side, a main one in the back, and a small mesh one on the part that zips down. Even with all of these pockets filled, there is so much room in the main compartment! My diapers, wipes, and burp cloths fit on the bottom and then I add any extras depending on where we are going.

The Carry Handle

Sometimes you need to grab the backpack quickly without putting it on whether to carry it somewhere or just lift it onto a table or chair. The handle on the top is perfect for picking the bag up without worrying about the straps. It is strong and sewn on well and a great added feature.

The Zipper

I have been impressed by the zipper for the main section. As moms know, most things have to be done one handed when you have a little one. I love how the zipper is angled so that it can easily be zipped up with one hand. The main zipper also goes nearly all the way to the bottom of the backpack. That makes it so easy to get to everything you need! Things don’t get lost as easily. And if the bag is full with extras for an outing, I just don’t zip it all the way down so things don’t fall out. There is also the added bonus of the zipper pulls not being material sewn on, so they won’t rip off!

The Price

You really can’t beat the price, especially for the quality. This backpack is only $40! That is a great deal compared to a lot of the fancy ones I’ve seen. And in my opinion, this one looks better and holds more. A diaper bag is something you want to invest in, but not something you want to spend a fortune on.

 

However, as is the case with most things, there are a few things I would change. But these are all personal preferences and doesn’t change the fact that I LOVE this diaper bag and don’t plan on switching bags any time soon.

Better Place for the Changing Pad

I love having a changing pad so I can change my baby on a clean spot, and I love that this backpack came with one. I just wish there was a better way to store it. I keep in in the back of the main pocket and it’s mostly out of the way. But it is a pain to get in and out around everything. Other bags I’ve had have had pockets dedicated to the changing pad, and that was really nice.

Better Stroller Straps

I was so excited that this backpack had stroller straps. I have a giant double stroller that doesn’t really have a good spot for my diaper bag. I couldn’t wait to try hanging it by the straps. They look tough and nice, but about 10 minutes into my walk the snap just came undone. The velcro didn’t cut it either, so I had to wear my backpack the rest of the walk.

I am sure there is a solution here. I could tweak the straps or find or make different ones. I’m just a little disappointed with this feature.

A Spot for Hand Sanitizer

`This is totally personal preference, and I don’t know how many others might feel this way, but I wish there was a better place for my hand sanitizer bottle. With my first baby I had one of those tiny bottles that hung off the diaper bag. With two kids, I’ve found it easier to have a regular pump bottle. It only takes one hand and holds way more.

My first backpack diaper bag had a water bottle type pouch on the side that I kept the hand sanitizer in, and it was easily accessible. This backpack has the two insulated zipper pockets on the sides. Those are awesome, but I use one side solely for hand sanitizer and leave it slightly unzipped for easy access. It confuses my husband and he always zips it back up. It works, but it isn’t ideal for me.

 

So, overall, this backpack is absolutely amazing. I love it. It’s the best diaper bag I’ve had, even with a few things I wish I could tweak. I would recommend this to anyone with young children, but especially those with more than one little one and those who babywear.

If you get this bag or have another you love, let me know what you think!