Diaper Bag Reviews

A lot of designer diaper bags tend to be made out of woven materials such as cotton but a diaper bag is one place where synthetic or treated fabrics are best if not the easiest . Materials such as cotton, even the tougher duck or canvas varieties, will still stain and will absorb messes far too easily than something like vinyl or nylon. Coated, woven fabrics are a good compromise if you still want to retain that 'natural' quality.

Stay away from snap or drawstring closures. These types of closures are inferior to zippers when it comes to keeping your bag closed and secure.

A bag that is simply a wide, open gap without additional pockets or compartments will also do you no good, no matter how stylish or how big it is. Organization is the number one priority when it comes to being out and about with your child, and if your bag is simply a dumping ground for all sorts of items, something as simple as bottle-feeding your baby or changing its diaper will be so much more stressful than it has to be.

For most people, the utmost in space economy is the top priority. This doesn't have to translate into a big, cumbersome bag; a bag that will make the most efficient yet flexible use of the space available will serve you the best. Look for a bag that has separated compartments, preferably ones that can be reconfigured to suit your needs, or one that has dedicated areas for such important items as extra diapers and bottles. The more pockets, the better, and lately, more manufacturers are offering styles that include places for you to put things such as a cell phone or a bottle of water.

Since you'll be using your diaperbag on a daily basis, the bag you choose also needs to be very durable and easy to clean. Look for something water-resistant or waterproof. Fabrics such as polyester, nylon and, especially, vinyl will help extend the life of your diaper bag and will make unavoidable messes easy to clean up. If you're fashion or style-conscious and are worried that a synthetic or plastic material will make your bag look cheap, you'll be glad to know that even the higher-priced models employ synthetic fabrics, often making them more attractive than the natural fiber styles.

While you're looking at the fabric, don't forget to take a glance at the general construction details of the bag. Look for tight seams, preferably ones that have been double stitched, for the strongest bag. Heavy-duty plastic or metal zippers are ideal as this will ensure that the contents of the bag will remain organized and in place. If you're going with a shoulder or backpack diaper bag, look to see that the straps are adjustable and padded. You'll be carrying that bag with you wherever you and your baby go so it's important that it be comfortable.

For better visibility, look for a bag with a light-colored lining. A light-colored lining will reflect more light and will act almost like a flashlight, spotlighting the contents of your bag and making retrieval easy.

Manufacturers are now producing bags that appear and behave a lot like regular bags. For women, there is a rapidly growing market of 'handbag', or designer, diaper bags. These bags look very similar to the popular over-sized handbags most women carry and likewise range in price with some costing an upwards of several hundreds of dollars. They can either be simple, diaper totes, or more complex versions complete with a lot of the accoutrement common to your typical handbag. For men, there are messenger bags and backpacks which are no less masculine and neutral in appearance. These hybrid diaper bags allow for maximum versatility, offering both style and practical considerations for the busy parent.

There are good products in every brand but favorites on Buzzillions include Skip Hop, Diaper Dude and Kalencom.

If you ultimately go with a diaper backpack, make use of the additional strap that straps across the chest. Called the sternum strap, this strap allows for the weight of the pack to distribute evenly, making travel much more comfortable for you and your baby.

However water-resistant or waterproof your bag may be, always pack a few extra plastic bags along with your regular baby supplies. The water-resistant or waterproof fabrics of many diaper bags are convenient but are meant to merely deflect or repel liquids; do not rely on it to keep your diaper bag completely clean. Extra plastic bags will prolong the life of your diaper bag and will protect other items in the bag.

Diaper Dude bags were created by a father who was tired of using traditionally, overtly feminine diaper bags. Designed to look not unlike many of the more popular messenger bags, Diaper Dude bags are both masculine and functional. The Original Diaper Dude diaper bag has gotten rave reviews overall from Buzzillions reviewers and was even a finalist in the 2010 Buzzillions Reviewers' Choice Awards. Both men and women alike praise its movement away from frilly, foppish styles and towards a more modern aesthetic. In response to increased attention from moms, Diaper Dude also offers the Diaper Diva bags for all of the convenience of the Diaper Dude concept with a style more fitting female users.

Skip Hop diaper bags are among the most well-review bags on Buzzillions, placing in both the Top 10 and on the 2010 Reviewers' Choice lists. Skip Hop bags are some the highest rated, including the Studio bag, the Duo Double and the Duo Deluxe bag.

Kalencom diaper bags tend to be marketed towards moms more than dads, but there are a few styles that might be attractive to dads. Sam's Messenger Bag is traditionally masculine, while the Urban Sling recalls the style popularized by Diaper Dude.

Oioi bags are another fashion-forward brand, marketed more towards moms and anyone who happens to prefer feminine designs. Their line also includes more luxurious models, including leather styles from their Hobo line.

Fleurville bags are well-known for not containing PVC, a potentially harmful chemical found in many synthetic materials common to diaper bags. Their bags are still more appropriate to feminine tastes but there are a few options for someone who wants something a little bit more simple or minimalistic. Fleurville's use of the exclusive Greenlam and Rerun composite materials is supposedly much kinder to the environment than traditional diaper bag materials. What Greenlam and Rerun are made of, and how they are made, is obviously a trade secret but what is known is that they can be used to create hardy, durable fabrics that can reproduce textural and fabric treatments such as vivid colors and grain inlays without loss of strength or quality. For a diaper bag, this is all very good, especially if you are also health and environmentally conscious. Fleurville bags tend to cost a little more than the average diaper bag but it can be worth it given the quality and environmentally friendly materials used.

The Diaper Vest by DadGear was designed to be a 'wearable' diaper bag for the dad who wants the ultimate in 'hands free' technology. Made out of polyester fleece, the Diaper Vest contains multiple, dedicated, zip-up pockets for basics such as extra diapers, wipes and Dad's cell phone and keys. The colors are muted neutrals, perfect for any wardrobe, and even comes with a small changing pad tucked inside the lining of the back.

For something a little warmer, you might also want to take a look at the Cargo Jacket, also by DadGear.

Unless the bag in question has sustained significant damage such as torn fabric and fraying seams, there's no reason why you can't recycle a diaper bag. The main advantage to getting a new diaper bag is the advances in style and functionality that have made the modern diaper bag a far more sophisticated part of your baby care arsenal. When looking for a used diaper bag, look for the term 'gently used;' while it's no guarantee, it will at least steer you towards something usable and good quality.

If price is an issue, you're in luck: Buzzillions has many new diaper bags for about a little more than a used one. Skip Hop's Duo Deluxe bag is a huge favorite among Buzzillions reviewers and is well within the budget of even the most cost-conscious parents.

Your typical 'big bag' is just that - a big bag. Whereas diaper bags are big bags with dedicated and highly organized space for your most needed items such as extra diapers and bottles. Dumping all of your baby care items into a large duffel bag or handbag, for example, will save you money temporarily but nothing will be organized and you'll likely have a hard time finding what it is you're looking for. You will soon realize how important it is to be organized, and how the cost of a diaper bag will quickly pay for itself in time and effort saved.

Diaper bags have come a long way since the days of pastel, frilly, nursery rhyme prints. Your diaper bag can actually be an accessory now!

For women, the styles are almost indistinguishable from regular handbags and totes. As the Reviewers' Choice Winner for 2010, Skip Hop's 'Studio' tote fulfills some very high standards: it is beautiful and stylish, and practical. There are many other good contenders among the bags deemed the most 'stylish' by Buzzillions reviewers. The Multitasking bag by Kalencom is a model of modern simplicity while the Lillybit Diaper Clutch can be a stylish option for short outings with your baby.

The need for less feminine fare is never more obvious when it comes to Dads. Brands like Diaper Dude and DadGear have tailored their styles to discriminating Dads. The Columbia Trekster Diaper Bag by California Innovation, JuJuBe's JJB Messenger Bag and the Duo Dash bag by Skip Hop are neutral and simple enough to satisfy even the most masculine wardrobe. The unique styling of JJ Cole's Logic bag streamlines the traditional diaper bag heft and leave hands free for maximum movement.

If a traditional shoulder bag or even cross-body messenger bag won't do, you'll be happy to hear that most diaper bag manufacturers have you covered. The Columbia Trekster diaper backpack by California Innovations is highly regarded for its rugged, sporty durability, while JuJuBe PackaBe offers colors and prints that both Moms and Dads will like. JJ Cole's Logic backpack is a slimmer, sleeker pack, great for the bare basics and essentials. For a baby diaper bag you can actually wear, you might want to look in on Diaper Vest or the Cargo Jacket, both by DadGear.

Any small, diaper bag will do for short trips. For extended, multi-day trips, you will indeed need to look for something much larger. Resist the temptation to simply use a big suitcase or big piece of luggage; there are diaper bags sized for such use, with all of the space-saving features you won't find in any old piece of luggage. Kalencom's Weekend Diaper Bag and the Trekster backpack by Columbia are two good options for brief travel.

For longer trips, check out Skip Hop's Duo Double diaper bag for more space, or the Be All messenger bag by Ju Ju Be for added mobility.

Regardless of price or style, most diaper bags are traditionally made with synthetic fabrics simply because these materials are the most durable and easiest to clean. You could always opt for woven, natural fabrics such as cotton but you should be prepared for constant cleaning and the easy accumulation of stains.

Diaper bags made out of recycled or repurposed materials can be found in most popular brands, including Diaper Dude's Green Dude diaper bag. Also check out the other, eco-friendly diaper bags as rated by Buzzillions reviewers.

Fleurville diaper bags are also a good choice given their exclusive use of the non-PVC fabrics Greenlam and Re-Run.