buuk.top / Marcus Millan
The diaper bag is a bit of a tricky item. As a parent, its something you may carry every day, so youd better like it. And there are quite a few bulky, unwieldy, and flat-out unattractive diaper bags on the market—which becomes especially relevant when you realize both you and your partner will be lugging it around.
Even though our five experts had different takes on the topic, all of them emphasized one major concept: prioritize durability and function over whats currently trending on TikTok. "This bag is meant to be beaten up. You’re going to care where your new babe is resting more than this bag!" says Jamie ODay, a registered nurse, lactation consultant, and founder of consulting firm NAPS. "Dont get a massive bag. You want to be able to carry it and fit it easily under your stroller. You need a bag that doesn’t hold you back from getting out the door,” adds her business partner, fellow registered nurse and lactation consultant Emily Silver.
Whether youre trying to see which of your current options might be your new designated diaper bag, youre looking for a luxe gift for an expecting friend or yourself, or you just need a diaper bag with the best quality and functionality possible, youve come to the right place. We evaluated dozens of options based onsize, accessibility, versatility, and design.
Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack at Nordstrom
Béis Backpack Diaper Bag at Beistravel.com
Marc by Marc Jacobs Nylon Quilted Diaper Bag at Amazon
Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM at Louisvuitton.com
Chloé Canvas Leather Changing Bag at Neiman Marcus
Hermès Herbag Zip Cabine Bag at Hermes.com
Kate Spade New York Blake Avenue Kaylie Baby Bag at Amazon
Tory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Tote Bag at Nordstrom
Kahmune Tote Bag at Kahmune.com
Gucci GG Plus Diaper Bag at Gucci.com
In This Article
Best Overall
Dagne Dover Medium Indi Neoprene Diaper Backpack
Nordstrom
View On Dagnedover.com
View On Saks Fifth Avenue
When we asked a variety of parents about this topic, the overwhelming winner was Dagne Dover. Amongst its many features: its easy to grab items out of the front and top, it doesnt "look" like a diaper bag(and serves as a gender-neutral option), and itll still be functional long after your child or children stop using diapers. The medium and large sizes work best for parents of younger kids—because they hold more things, basically—and by designer standards, its not too pricey. Its also got a ton of add-ons, including a changing pad, zipper opening for wipes, clips to attach to a stroller, shoe bag, key leashes, and a luggage sleeve.
"We put all of the bells and whistles inside the bag so that you don’t have to anticipate or think of additional items you’ll need," says Melissa Mash, co-founder and CEO of Dagne Dover. Plus, the neoprene looks like leather but is easier to clean. "We left out the baby style polka dot prints and cheap crinkle material so our customers can also use this bag as a normal backpack," adds Jessy Dover, co-founder and Chief Creative Officer.
Price at time of publish: $215
Material: Neoprene and performance air mesh, recycled REPREVE® lining | Colors:Onyx, Heather Gray, Dark Moss, Dune +more |Dimensions: 12.25 x 6 x 13.75 inches
Best Budget
Béis Backpack Diaper Bag
Béis
The moms we surveyed—as well as plus-size expert Ashley Dorough—really, really loved their BÉIS diaper bags (if the name sounds familiar, the best-selling travel brand was founded by actor and mom Shay Mitchell). Billing itself as the "anti-diaper diaper bag backpack," it hasa changing pad, five pockets (including one for diapers and wipes), a teething ring, a pacifier pouch, anda trolley sleeve to attach to your roller luggage. Speaking of which, you can also get BÉIS luggage to match if youre feeling fancy—especially because the diaper bag is a relative steal. One fan told us that with her previous diaper bag, she always felt like she needed a second bag for overflow items on flights, but she was able to pull off using just this one for most of what she needed for both of her daughters on her last trip.
Price at time of publish: $148
Material: Nylon twill (body); vegan leather (trim) |Colors: Black, Grey, Navy | Dimensions: 12 x 15 x 7.75 inches
Best on Amazon
Marc by Marc Jacobs Crosby Nylon Quilted Diaper Bag
Amazon
Quilted nylon can be a good material for a diaper bag because its bothdurable and better-looking when it gets dirty. This is a pretty simple construction, but its still a chic and ubiquitous pick (which means itll work as a great travel bag when youre not carrying diapers around). The bag does offera detachable, adjustable shoulder strap—a must for running around—and an included changing pad.
Price at time of publish: $227
Material: Textile not listed |Colors: Black | Dimensions: 20 x 11 x 6 inches
Best Logo
Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM
Louis Vuitton
Writer Lex Goodman prefers this bag to other options she tried, particularly with the ToteSavvy Insert with compartments designed to hold all the baby things. The tote is already pretty ubiquitous as a work or everyday bag, but if you didnt think of it as a diaper bag (especially because its pretty simple on the inside) just know that itseasily customizableto suit your needs. And you can feel luxuriously stylish while youre simultaneously carrying diapers.
Price at time of publish: $2,030
Material: Natural cowhide-leather trim, striped textile lining | Colors: Beige, Cherry, Peony +more |Dimensions: 12.6 x 11.4 x 6.7 inches
Best Minimalist
Chloé Logo Canvas Leather Changing Bag
Neiman Marcus
If youre into designer things, youve probably seen a version of this bag (meaning this one will be instantly recognizable to people who understand fashion). This also hasa removable shoulder strap, one flat pocket, a pouch, and a changing mat. So, its simple, but—compared to other designer options—its modestly priced with a couple of nice features.
Price at time of publish: $776
Material: Organic jute, cotton canvas, calf leather strips | Colors: White | Dimensions:7 x 13.5 x 5 inches
Best Splurge
Hermès Herbag Zip Cabine Bag
Hermès
If youre going to go all in on a designer bag, the Herbag is an instantly recognizable option. It hasa simple but spacious interior(its designed to be a travel bag with optimal space), so you can easily stash smaller bags and pouches inside. Goodman warns, though, thatthe bag drop is a little long, and with the “clou de selle” clasp it can be harder to just reach in and grab something. In other words, consider this the baby bag for more upscale moments.
Price at time of publish: $4,025
Material: Viking Quadrille canvas, Hunter cowhide | Colors: Écru/Blanc/Noir/Noir, Ébène/Écru/Beige/Ébène, Noir/Noir |Dimensions: 19.7 x 13.4 x 8.9 inches
Best Black
Kate Spade New York Blake Avenue Kaylie Baby Bag
Amazon
This is a version of the first diaper bag I ever bought, and I use it all of the time. Dads we surveyed (including my husband) named this one their top pick for its simple, utilitarian construction. There arelots of interior pocketsand a very nice changing pad that repels water and is easy to spot-treat on the go. Plus,the shoulder straps are longand work for a variety of heights.
Price at time of publish: $185
Material: Nylon | Colors: Black | Dimensions:18 x 12 x 7 inches
Best Colorful
Tory Burch Perry Triple Compartment Tote Bag
Tory Burch
View On Toryburch.com
View On Bloomingdales
Even though this isnt necessarily a dedicated diaper bag, the tote has two open compartments and one zipper pocket, which makes it a nice pick for a built-in storage system. It comes in a slew of colors (including some more neutral ones if red isnt your thing), andit fits a smaller laptop if you want it to double as a work bag. Reviewers rave over its spaciousness.
Price at time of publish: $398
Material: Leather | Colors: New Ivory, Light Umber, Black, Red +more | Dimensions: 11.4 x 14.2 x 5.3 inches
Best Leather
Kahmune Tote Bag
Kahmune
This bag is made of 100% Italian leather and includes a small leather pouch. In other words, its really, really simple, but the high quality will still make iteye-catching and durable in the extreme. Kahmune is known for its shoes and bags in all shades of nude, so take a peek at their other beige-through-deep brown tote colors (and even get a pair of pumps to match, if youre so inclined!).The brand also sells a custom insertthat fits their tote perfectly and has a flat bottom that makes storing bottles a breeze.
Price at time of publish: $325
Material: Leather | Colors: 10 skin color shades | Dimensions:11 x 13 x 6 inches
Best Canvas
Gucci GG Plus Diaper Bag
Gucci
Technically this is marketed for men, but its a pretty sleek, gender-neutral pick. Its on the smaller side, butthere are outer pockets, inner pockets, a fold-out padded changing mat, an adjustable shoulder strap, and stroller snaps, with a flap closurethat makes it easy to grab something quickly. Think of it as a souped-up designer crossbody with all the extra details of a diaper bag without the bulk.
Price at time of publish: $1,690
Material:GG Supreme canvas, brown leather trim | Colors: Beige/Ebony | Dimensions: 17.3 x 11 x 5.5 inches
Best Machine Washable
7AM Enfant Capri Diaper Tote
Nordstrom
View On Nordstrom
View On Shopbop.com
Depending on how dirty your bags get, you may want to prioritize a machine-washable option. This one is light witha water-repellent shell, wallet pouch, stroller attachment, magnet closure for easy access, and lots of inner pockets. It was conceived by a French designer and mom, so it has a high-fashion aesthetic for a budget price.
Price at time of publish: $75
Material: Polyester | Colors: Black Polar, Stella Grand, Rose Dawn | Dimensions:17.3 x 21.7 x 13.8 inches
Best Nylon
Prada Re-Nylon Baby Bag
Prada
You can never go wrong with a classic. This featurespockets, a zipper lining, a detachable shoulder strap, mat, and a detachable shoulder strap. But the real draw is its classic construction, just dimensional enough to know that its a diaper bag but sleek enough to look like the most elevated version possible.
Price at time of publish: $2,300
Material: Re-Nylon | Colors: Black Dimensions: 12.2 x 14.2 x 7 inches
Best Backpack
Parker Clay Mari Backpack
Parker Clay
The perks of having a backpack include being able to sling it over your shoulder while you race after your toddler, but with the Mari, you can also have a supple leather bag thats incredibly durable and chic. (We’ve tried their shopper and recommend it if you want something more bag-like.) The rust brown gets darker and more luscious over time, and all their products are fair trade and made in Ethiopia. Oh, andit has two bottle holders, six pockets, stroller clips, a padded laptop sleeve, and a large exterior compartmentfor everything you need to access quickly.
Price at time of publish: $398
Material: Leather | Colors: Rust Brown, Black | Dimensions:13.5 x 17.5 x 4.5 inches
Best Tote
Goyard Saint Louis GM Bag
Goyard
Another bag youve probably seen everywhere, this unlined tote is all about its deceptive simplicity—extremelylight and spacious, but reversible, personalizable, and with a removable inside pocket. It also has a bunch of color options for whatever your vibe is. Goodman tried and liked the bag as a new mom, but cautions that it works best for shorter people: "I found the bag drop to be too short—Im 5 feet, 8 inches tall—so I had to completely take the bag off to get anything out."
Price at time of publish: $1,825
Material:Goyardine canvas, Chevroches calfskin |Colors: Black, Black/Tan, Red, Orange, Yellow +more | Dimensions:13.4 x 7.9 x 15.7 inches
Best Fanny Pack
Kibou Vegan Leather Diaper Belt Bag
Nordstrom
View On Nordstrom
View On Kiboubag.com
Weve had a real redemption arc for the fanny pack—its now just considered a (sometimes trendy) item of clothing, and it remains as useful as when your dad wore it 40 years ago. Silver loves this for grabbing the necessities and getting out the door. It hasa built-in waterproof pocket, a detachable changing pad, slots for credit cards, and a space for a pacifier. Bonus: stain-resistant vegan leather!
Price at time of publish: $98
Material: Vegan leather, nylon canvas |Colors: Blush, Black, Brown, Charcoal +more | Dimensions: 11 x 6 x 4 inches
Best Fabric
Rothys The Essential Tote
Rothys
Rothys, the brand that makes ultra-comfy shoes out of plastic bottles, also makes some very nice bags. I repurposed this as a diaper bag; however, its one of their smaller offerings, so if you just want the absolute most room possible, opt for their lightweight mega tote. We like this because itzips at the top, so theres no need to worry about anything falling out; plus,the fabric adapts to whatever youre putting in the bag and helps you fit a ton in there.
Price at time of publish: $279
Material: Ocean-bound marine plastic | Colors: Ink and Ivory, Grey Mist, Camel and Black, Shadow Black, Coastal Mini Check |Dimensions: 13.4 x 12.7 x 6.7 inches
Best Convertible
Senreve Maestra Bag
Neiman Marcus
Count the options: you can wear this as a backpack, crossbody, satchel, and tote. You can also customize the heck out of it, not just with color but also with leather texture and hardware. It hasa rectangular shape (which means it fits a lot) with several interior pockets and a keychain, and it has studs on the bottom to protect the leather when you set it down. Its designed as a chic work bag but converts pretty seamlessly into a "traveling parent" bag.
Price at time of publish: $709
Material: Leather | Colors: Merlot, Ice, Sand, Noir/Silver, Chestnut, Blush +more | Dimensions: 12.25 x 10.25 x 6.75 inches
Best Oversize
Brandon Blackwood Sylvia Hobo Tote Bag
Brandon Blackwood
View On Shopbop.com
This is probably as big as you want to go with a diaper bag (considering it needs to fit in the stroller, in a car, and in other small spaces) but why not make it stylish witha cracked leather exterior and slouchy structure? It has a roomy bag drop, a shoulder strap, inner pockets, and a dust bag for storagewhen youre not using it. Whats great is that it just looks like a big bag—not a big diaper bag, which is a crucial difference.
Price at time of publish: $475
Material: Leather | Colors: Brown Cracked Leather |Dimensions: 15.94 x 12 x 8.07 inches
Best Mini
Dior Changing Bag
Dior
This is a small shoulder bag that nevertheless packs a punch (beyond being a fabulous Dior-print bag, obviously). It hasa two-way zipper, stroller attachment, outer pockets, inner pockets, and a changing mat. More elevated than a fanny pack but as minimal as you can get, this is the small, everyday essentials bag.
Price at time of publish: $3,300
Material: Dior Oblique canvas | Colors: Black Pattern | Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 6.5 inches
Best Crossbody
Emporio Armani 3-Piece Diaper Bag Set
Saks Fifth Avenue
This minimal, impactful bag includes a diaper bag, changing bag, and thermos for your very important cup of coffee. Theadjustable shoulder strap means you and your partner can both wear it, and there are interior pockets and holders for all the essentials. If you need to go light (but not quite fanny pack light), this is the pick.
Price at time of publish: $260
Material: Nylon; 80% polyester, 20% cotton (lining) | Colors: Beige, Light Gray | Dimensions:14.5 x 9.8 x 5.1 inches
Final Verdict
Your best bet for a small bag is the Kibou Vegan Leather Bag or, if you have the funds, the Dior Changing Bag. If you’d like something bigger, invest in the Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM, though the slightly smaller and more sleek Prada Re-Nylon Baby Bag will likely offer the biggest bang (and the most functional specs) for your buck. On a budget? Go for our overall pick, the Dagne Dover Indi Neoprene Diaper Backpack. Want the simplest option? Try the Kate Spade New York Blake Avenue Kaylie Baby Bag.
What to Look for in Designer Diaper Bags
Fabric and Durability: It can sometimes be challenging to balance luxe materials with the ability to clean your bag but opt for materials that youll either be able to wash or spot-treat easily. From canvas and nylon to high-quality leather, these picks all prioritize durability and resilience. Never forget—choose a color and design your partner will also want to wear.Shape: Assess your needs: do you want something small, or something that can carry every baby item you own? Do you want to grab a couple of things and go, or lug around something more substantial? "How do you prefer to hold a bag: backpack, messenger?" says Silver. I like something that goes across the body, but a backpack will distribute that weight more evenly if you want to protect your back. Dorough recommends a backpack for every parent, but for a plus-size person looking for a designer diaper bag, "If you’re going for a tote style or a crossbody strap, definitely make sure there is going to be enough length."Compartments: Pay attention to what stuff you need to carry (e.g., bottles and a breast pump) and buy something with the appropriate amount of pockets, sleeves, and compartments. "I would say universally the one thing not to look for is lack of space," says Dorough. "It’s important to have open and easy-to-navigate use. No one has time at the moment to be digging into tiny crevices for their essentials while trying to provide for their babies." If you buy a simple tote, including any on this list, you can actually buy an insert organizer (like ToteSavvy) specifically designed to carry gear for a newborn. Be advised that not all diaper bags have a pad included, but its so, so helpful when you get one along with the bag. Stylist and creative consultant Zoey Washington swears by a system of bags and compartments that shes designed herself. "I live for Baggu’s set of packing cubes and pouches in bold colors and varied sizes. I keep things like medicine, sunscreen, or hand sanitizer in smaller pouches and use larger pouches for portable diaper kits." She also loves zip nylon bags from Amazon and a Caraa padded lunch bag "for keeping bottles and snacks cool in whatever tote I choose."Cost: This one probably sounds like a no-brainer, but (as evidenced by this list) "designer" can exist in a range of prices. Obviously, take into account your individual budget, but before you go buying multiple designer bags, remember to craft your perfect bag around your specific needs. Dorough maintains that it is worth it to spend the money on something good—"You don’t want to have to keep buying more bags because the one you had broke!" But dont exhaust your whole budget. "Spend money on the things you’re going to do while out: a coffee, hair appointment, new post-baby jeans," ODay says. Washington recommends sourcing vintage designer bags. "I suggest hitting up The RealReal and picking out a tote from TRADEMARK, old Balenciaga, or whatever designer tickles your fancy," she says. "Smash that low to high price setting filter and find one that is inexpensive and fun. There is nothing worse than ruining a good bag, and there is no greater disappointment than having to slog around an overpriced Paw Patrol-printed tote because you couldn’t think of any other option!"
This obviously depends on you, but I absolutely found my one, high-end diaper bag to be everything I wanted and needed. It was a splurge on myself and my baby, and it got me excited to go outside the house even while I was exhausted and caring for a newborn. Just know that youll want something that can stand up to a lot of wear and tear: "Do not buy anything precious," ODay says.
You should have at least one shoulder strap so you can sling it onto your back and get your hands free as needed (i.e., a duffle bag without a shoulder strap leaves you extremely limited). Backpacks can be a good choice, too, depending on your lifestyle and modes of transportation (its often too bulky of a choice for the bus, for example). Take a look at your most comfortable, high-use bags, and go from there.
Why Trust buuk.top
Full-time freelance writer Katherine J. Igoe has been writing for over 12 years in the areas of style, lifestyle, and parenting; her work can be seen in the New York Times, Refinery29, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, SELF, Parents, Bustle, and more. As a mom of two children, she has lots of thoughts about all things pregnancy and motherhood, backed up by personal experience, product testing, and interviews with the below experts.
Ashley Dorough is an Atlanta-based plus-size style expert with a decade of experience in the film industry. She specializes in plus-size fashion reviews and try-on hauls on her blog, House of Dorough.
Jamie ODay, RN, IBCLC, and Emily Silver, NP-C, IBCLC, are co-founders of NAPS, a newborn and parenting support service based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Lex Goodman is a lifestyle writer, content creator, and mom of two residing in Los Angeles. Since becoming a mom, Goodman has come to specialize in baby and maternity gear and regularly contributes to Forbes Vetted. Goodman has also written for publications like Real + Simple, Travel + Leisure, Parents, People, PureWow, and Food & Wine and previously served as the News & Entertainment Editor at PureWow.
Zonobia (Zoey) Washington has worked as a stylist and fashion editor for publications such as People Style Watch, buuk.top, Elle, Vogue, and Essence magazines. She is the Head of Content at Julie Products Inc. and also works as a creative consultant for some of the worlds leading fashion and lifestyle brands.
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