The Best Baby Diaper Bag Backpacks for Travel
If you’re anything like me, you’re a mom or dad who LOVES to explore! What better way to bond with your little one than getting them out in nature? I know.. I know.. this can be complicated when you have a ton of baby gear and personal items to bring along. Lucky for you, I’ve already spent hours testing diaper bag backpacks and scouring the depths of the internet to share the best baby travel bag!
The best diaper backpacks have a few perks that a traditional diaper bag won’t always have. They need to carry all the necessary gear a baby will need for hours out in the world. They need to have a way to keep bottles cold. They need to be lightweight backpacks that won’t add too much weight. And most importantly, they need to be durable and able to stand up to harsh handling and dirt (even the occasional “grabby” thornbush).
In this post, we will review the best travel diaper bags (backpack style) for travel on the market today by category. Travel is a broad term and sometimes travel means long car rides, some days it means taking a long hike, and sometimes it means flying across the country.
| Milk x Whiskey Adventure Proof Diaper Bag | UPPABaby Changing Backpack | Beau R1 Parenting Pack | Hatcher Pack Adventure Diaper Bag | No Reception Club Getaway Bag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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|
|
|
|
|
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$319 |
$129.99 |
$109.99 |
$199.99 |
$235 |
|
25 L |
30 L |
24 L |
40 L |
24 L |
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Pros: Durable design Ground blanket included Changing pad included Insulated bottle pockets High storage capacity |
Pros: Variety of colors Attaches to stroller Changing pad included Aesthetically pleasing design Medium size is perfect for traveling light |
Pros: Laptop compartment Fits large water bottles Durable fabric Diaper changing pad Tear and stain resistant Made from recycled, quality tested fabric |
Pros: Laptop compartment Fits large water bottles Water reservoir Baby carrier and backpack in one Breathable mesh backing High storage capacity |
Pros: Opens at the side Laptop compartment Made from sustainable materials Shelving for more organization Cushioned backing and straps |
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Cons: Expensive Heavy weight Not machine washable |
Cons: Straps are too thin Not machine washable |
Cons: Not attractive No color variety No insulated pockets |
Cons: No baby head support No color variety No insulated pockets Backpack cannot be removed while baby wearing |
Cons: Awkward zipper placement No insulated compartment, only insulated bag Drawstrings cause top of bag to close unevenly |
Best Diaper Bag for Hiking: Milk x Whiskey Adventure Proof Diaper Bag
Price: $319 Weight: Variable Storage: 25L – 31L
This is the ULTIMATE outdoor adventure and hiking baby diaper backpack. It’s got everything you need with absolutely no compromises. Changing pad? Check. Bottle cooler? Check. Ground cover blanket? You betcha!
The Milk x Whiskey Adventure Proof Diaper Bag is the best option for parents who love long adventures and getting their children away from the iPad and into nature. As an avid hiker, I would say this is my top pick for long adventures out in the great outdoors. It’s got a relatively large storage capacity without being too large and has all the necessary accessories you could ask for.
What makes this my top hiking diaper backpack is all of the add-ons and features. Milk x Whiskey really thought of everything! You can get up to 31L of storage if you include the add on which makes it a great option for long trips. They have a “stink resistant” storage compartment which is most definitely needed for stinky diapers and sweaty clothing. It also has an area for a hydration bladder and stroller straps for easy transport.
Now let’s talk about the high quality. The fabric of the Milk x Whiskey Adventure Proof Diaper Bag has a wax coated outer shell designed to prevent any dirt or splashes from causing stains. The interior is constructed from ripstop fabric to prevent tears. Additionally, the “leather” on this bag is made from vegetables which is great to hear as a sustainable momma!
So now for what I didn’t like. For one – it’s not machine washable. I don’t think this is a big deal as the material is wax coated and therefore will hold up well against dirt, but it’s still worth mentioning. The second issue is the weight of this bag. It is 4 lbs with only the backpack and cooler but the changing system adds 1.18 lbs and the ground cover blanket adds another 0.57 lbs. Altogether, that’s almost 6 lbs compared to most backpack diaper bags that are about 2 lbs on average.
Pros:
- Durable design
- Ground blanket included
- Changing pad included
- Insulated bottle pockets
- High storage capacity
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy weight
- Not machine washable
Best Diaper Bag for Flying: UPPABaby Changing Backpack
Price: $129.99 Weight: 2 lbs Storage: 30L
UPPABaby is notorious for their astounding baby strollers, but did you know they make amazing diaper bags too? Not only that, but these travel diaper backpacks are extremely affordable and qualify as carry-on luggage. The UPPABaby Changing Backpack is an excellent choice for parents who travel. This diaper bag is not too big but not too small. It’s got a medium amount of storage with all of the organization you need for travel. It’s also made of water-resistant material that’s easy to clean.
So let’s get the first thing we are all thinking about out of the way. THE COLOR SELECTION! Is anyone else as excited about this as I am? There are 10 color options for this travel diaper bag so there’s something for everyone! I personally love Emmett/Gwen since I love all things sage green or dusty blue, but I can definitely see the pale neutrals being an absolute hit.
Aside from the beautiful appearance and aesthetic of this bag, it’s got a cooler bag included. This is so necessary for long trips where a cold bottle is needed. The cooler is not attached as a compartment so it can easily be removed if needed. I prefer the cooler bag to be an attached pocket so I don’t need to dig for a bag within a bag, but that’s just me.
So many positives, but now it’s time for the negatives. I noticed the UPPABaby Changing Backpack has very thin shoulder straps. I love to see small pockets and extra cushioning on these straps but this diaper bag does not have that. I also do not love that you can’t just throw it into the washing machine for easy cleaning. It’s going to require some scrubbing and as a busy momma with a boy who loves to throw dirt, this makes trips a little more difficult.
Pros:
- Variety of colors
- Attaches to stroller
- Changing pad included
- Aesthetically pleasing design
- Medium size is perfect for traveling light
Cons:
- Straps are too thin
- Difficult to clean
Best Diaper Bag for Durability: Beau R1 Parenting Pack
Price: $109.99 Weight: 2 lb Storage: 24L
If you’re an outdoorsy dad, this ones for you (this is my husbands top pick)! The Beau R1 Parenting Pack appeals to most men with its tactical design and solid black color. This is the most durable diaper bag backpack I’ve seen on the market today given it’s made of sustainable, recycled material. Also – it’s affordable!
What I love so much about this diaper backpack is the construction. The lining is made of what’s called 420 Ripstop Nylon meaning it’s tear resistant. Both the exterior and interior fabric is water resistant, and the shoulder straps use EVA foam for comfort. The back of the Beau R1 Parenting Pack allows airflow to keep you cool on warm days which is SO necessary! Other perks include a laptop sleeve and crash pad, removable changing pad, and a pocket for wet clothing,
What I’m not so impressed with when it comes to the Beau R1 Parenting Pack is the storage. It is one of the smaller diaper backpacks on this list, but 24 L is fine for a short hike. I also have a minor issue with the shoulder strap pockets. These pockets don’t close making them useless compared to other diaper backpacks. Last, there are no insulated pockets. We definitely need those to keep babies bottles cold during our strenuous hike!
Pros:
- Laptop compartment
- Fits large water bottles
- Durable fabric
- Diaper changing pad
- Tear and stain resistant
- Made from recycled, quality tested fabric
Cons:
- Not attractive
- No color variety
- No insulated pockets
Diaper Backpack Baby Carrier Combo: Hatcher Pack Adventure Diaper Bag
Price: $199.99 Weight: 2.64 lb Storage: 40L
The Hatcher Pack is a great value for moms like myself who love to hike or get outdoors with baby. It is a 2 in 1 backpack meaning it’s both a diaper bag and baby carrier at the same time. Typically, mom or dad will need to buy one of each which can run you HUNDREDS of dollars. No thanks!
This is where the Hatcher Pack comes in. With 12 pockets and 40L of storage capacity, it’s got plenty of space to hold all baby gear you would need on a hike. I also love that the side pockets are large enough to hold large water bottles which are essential when it comes to hiking. In fact, you won’t actually need your water bottle since it’s got a water reservoir! This makes it super convenient since it wouldn’t require taking the backpack on and off to get frequent drinks of water.
Another pro to the Hatcher Pack is that it’s machine washable. So many baby carriers and diaper bags these days can only tolerate being wiped down which isn’t great if you expect to get covered in dirt and sweat. Speaking of sweat, did I mention that both the baby carrier and diaper bag backpack have a breathable mesh lining to keep you and baby cool? This is so necessary when exploring.
Ok, downsides. There are no insulated pockets. This means if you need to keep breastmilk or premixed baby formula cool, you better have a large thermos to pour from into an empty bottle. Same goes for baby food such as certain puree pouches. I always found the insulated compartments or pockets of a diaper bag so necessary.
The baby carrier also isn’t the best out there. Most baby carriers have a cushion or head support for baby, but this does not. It actually has straps that can rub against babies’ cheeks which may cause irritation. This is avoidable if baby is adjusted properly, but it’s important to be weary of. It’s also important to mention that can’t take off your backpack to get what’s inside without taking baby off too as it’s all attached.
Last is the issue of options. There are none. The Hatcher Pack diaper bag baby carrier only has one type for purchase which I find odd. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good-looking pack in a color that I like, but different people have different preferences, and I would love to have options.
Pros:
- Laptop compartment
- Fits large water bottles
- Water reservoir
- Baby carrier and backpack in one
- Breathable mesh backing
- High storage capacity
Cons:
- No baby head support
- No color variety
- No insulated pockets
- Backpack cannot be removed while baby wearing
Best Diaper Bag for Organization: No Reception Club Getaway Bag
Price: $235 Weight: 2.7 lb Storage: 24L
The No Reception Club Getaway Bag is the most organized diaper bag for travel that I’ve seen so far. It’s got so many compartments that have further organization within them. The main compartment has adjustable shelves for even more organization! This is great for a mom or dad who has lots of tiny items that they need to be able to reach for right away without digging around and searching as your child screams for what is needed. Trust me, I’ve been there.
My favorite part about this bag is the fact that the sides open for easy access. Most bags open from the top or completely zip all the way around causing items to fall out. Being about to grab from the side without having to sift through what’s on top is a lifesaver and I can’t stress that enough!
Asides from the organization aspect, this diaper bag includes an insulated lunch bag and detachable stroller clips for travel strollers. Upgrade to the travel bundle and you’ll get a diaper changing pad and the “sidekick” which is essentially a crossbody fanny pack designed for use in small spaces. It is available in the colors olive or black and is constructed of sustainable materials.
What I didn’t like about this bag was the zipper placement and its ease of use. It’s located in a way that can be hard to navigate if you’re on the go. Also, the drawstring the closes the top of the bag needs to be positioned in a certain way so that the bag can close evenly otherwise it looks lopsided. Last, I didn’t like that the bags insulation is in the form of a lunch bag. I like everything to be attached and would prefer to not have to fish out a bag within a bag just to get to a bottle. Overall, great organization but could use some tweaks to the design.
Pros:
- Opens at the side
- Laptop compartment
- Made from sustainable materials
- Shelving for more organization
- Cushioned backing and straps
Cons:
- Awkward zipper placement
- No insulated compartment, only insulated bag
- Drawstrings cause top of bag to close unevenly
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all backpack-style diaper bag. The best type of diaper bag for you is the one that fits your family’s needs. Whether you’re a traveler in the form of flying from Los Angeles to New York City, or a traveler in the form of hiking the most remote spots, there’s a bag for every type of parent! I hope this post provides clarity on the best diaper bags available today. Safe travels!
Please note this post may contain affiliate links. I hope you love these products as much as I do!