Wearing a diaper bag on your back frees up both hands for pushing a stroller or caring for your baby or toddler. While a backpack-style diaper bag may not be as roomy as some larger bags, we find it can easily fit a day’s worth of supplies.
They’re also great for family travel—parents in our lab use backpack-style diaper bags when they head to theme parks and the great outdoors. Most diaper bags come with changing pads, insulated bottle pockets, and washable inserts, especially for babies. But if you have older kids and still need to carry wipes, water bottles, and baby sunscreen, these backpack-style diaper bags are still a great choice.
Tested by experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Lab and real consumers in our survey, these diaper bags are comfortable, roomy, and look great, too. We’ve included seven additional recommendations at the end of the list because we know backpacks are both practical and stylish, and you might be looking for something truly special.
The Lorimer received rave reviews from our consumer testers. In fact, it scored top marks in every category. “I love the space. I use it when I travel and it fits everything I need,” one parent told us. “Very well organized! And very comfortable to carry on my shoulder.”
Lexi Sachs, executive director of strategy and operations for our Institute for Good Housekeeping, who has a degree in fiber science, reviewed the bag in the lab and said, “I was impressed with how organized it was. It has two main compartments, each with multiple pockets, plus exterior pockets.” We counted 10 pockets in total, including the two main compartments. One of the interior pockets can fit a 15-inch laptop.
“I also like that it has a lot of padding, which makes it very comfortable. The fabric is smooth nylon, which is one of the best options for backpacks due to its durability and water resistance,” Sachs said.
The back of the bag has a suitcase cover (also called a trolley cover) that can be securely attached to the handle of your carry-on bag. On the outside of the trolley case is a zippered pocket that can fit a large mobile phone. If there is a downside, it is that the diaper is too thin and does not have a cushioning effect.
The bag comes in five colors and can be customized with embroidered letters or personalized with a name, symbol, or patch to make it your own. It’s also a great dad backpack. “My husband carries it out the door and it’s not awkward at all,” says Marissa La Scala, senior parenting and relationships editor at Good Housekeeping. “After diaper changes, it can be used as a regular backpack.” Ultimately, we really appreciate how this brand helps kids.
Shell: Nylon | Lining: Recycled Polyester | Includes: Built-in Stroller Hook, Washable Changing Pad, Insulated Bottle Bag | Dimensions: 16.5″ x 13″ x 6″
Amazon reviewers and Reddit forums agree that this product is a great value for the money, and we’re impressed that it’s available in more than a dozen colors and patterns, some of which are slightly more expensive, but all of which are under $50. There are traditional girls’ colors, traditional boys’ colors, and plenty of unisex and adult patterns to choose from.
The BabbleRoo Baby Bag has up to 18 pockets and a removable pacifier holder. The backpack features three main storage compartments: an insulated compartment that holds up to three baby bottles (a rarity in the diaper backpack world), a second compartment that folds up to keep all your diaper changing supplies together for easy diaper changes, and a spacious main compartment for the rest of your little one’s essentials.
Like our favorite, this backpack also features a laptop compartment and built-in stroller hooks, but unlike our favorite, it doesn’t have a storage compartment. It’s also not as padded as other backpacks, and the entire material is made of polyester. Reviews of the wipe compartment have been mixed, with some parents noting that it provides quick access to wipes, while others said they prefer to keep wipes in their own packaging. That said, this backpack is still practical enough to serve as a stylish bag for moms and dads to store baby gear.
Outer Material: Polyester | Lining: Polyester | Includes: Built-in stroller hook, washable changing mat, insulated bottle pocket, wipe holder, removable pacifier holder | Dimensions: 16.5″ x 12″ x 8″
Indy tops our list of the best diaper bags, having previously won two parenting awards. The brand’s innovation is to use a high-quality mesh fabric, which we hope will be more durable than neoprene. It’s lighter, more flexible, and so far less prone to pilling—our real-world testing is still ongoing, but our Parenting Lab experts have taken it on a few trips, and so far so good.
“I stuffed everything into this diaper bag and still had plenty of room, and I didn’t feel like I was lugging around a monster,” one tester told us, and we agree. However, we agree with our tester’s complaint that the neoprene bottle covers don’t keep the cold in as well as the insulated pockets found in other diaper bags. Insulated bags add weight, but they’re more effective.
We’ve also had adult water bottles fall out of the Indi’s mesh side pockets, and the zippered pocket on the back won’t fit a large iPhone.
We did, however, like the small pockets included, including a large zippered bag for dirty clothes and a small mesh pocket for cash or a health insurance card—anything you need to quickly access.
Like our favorite, this backpack also features a large laptop compartment and storage space, making it ideal for travel. In our tests, the backpack easily fit under an airplane seat. The key fobs are also very practical, allowing you to quickly find your house keys after a chaotic family trip. “I’ve been using the Indi for years, including on trips to Disneyland, and I love how easily it can carry so much stuff,” says Sachs. The mesh version comes in three colors, while the original neoprene version comes in nine.
Exterior: Recycled high-performance breathable mesh | Lining: REPREVE recycled polyester | Includes: Stroller hooks, washable changing pad, neoprene bottle cover, zippered dirty clothes pocket, carry bag, two keychains | Dimensions: 13.75″ x 12.25″ x 6″
Looking for something a little more luxurious? We tried this faux leather diaper backpack from popular brand Itzy Ritzy and loved it. The Eras backpack only has one main compartment, and the faux leather material doesn’t warp, making it thinner than other backpacks despite its large capacity.
Most of your stuff fits into six outer pockets, one of which is magnetic and another has an extra small pocket inside. (There are 15 pockets in total.) There’s a large zippered pocket on the back for keeping the changing pad separate from the rest of your stuff, which is both clever and hygienic—and makes you wonder why other diaper bags aren’t designed this way.
This rolling luggage case has a zipper for easy access when you don’t put it on your luggage while traveling. There is no dedicated phone pocket on the backpack, but there is enough space for your phone in the top outer pocket, which also has a lanyard for your keys. There is also a laptop compartment in the inner pocket.
Metal feet on the bottom of the backpack help prevent the backpack from getting damaged or dirty. A stroller hook is included, but the brand also sells a number of adorable accessories separately that match the colors of the brand’s backpacks, including a cute pacifier cover, a hand sanitizer pouch, and a wipe holder.
Outer Material: Faux Leather | Lining: Polyester | Includes: Stroller Hooks, Washable Changing Pad, Insulated Bottle Pocket, Key Holder | Dimensions: 17″ x 13.5″ x 7.5″
There’s nothing babyish about this baby product, and testers told us it’s especially popular with dads. “This bag is unisex and doesn’t look like a typical diaper bag,” one tester told us. It’s the largest option on our list and the only bag that has extra padding in the back, rather than something like a back pocket, stroller hook, or rolling suitcase cover.
“The magnetic closure design makes it easy to open and close the bag, allowing you to quickly access your items. The bright blue lining inside makes it easy to find your items quickly,” said one tester. The bag features two large zippered pockets, each with clear walls, making it easy to see where your items are.
There are 10 pockets in total, including a laptop pocket and an insulated water bottle pocket. The insulated water bottle pocket is accessible from the outside and is larger than most. The main compartment can be unzipped, making it easy to pack for the day or open it up when you return from a hike.
The keychain fits in the top pocket, which also has room for a large phone. If you want to hang it on the back of the stroller, we recommend purchasing a set of stroller hooks.
Shell: Recycled polyester | Lining: Recycled polyester | Includes: Washable changing pad, insulated bottle pocket, key holder | Dimensions: 18″ x 11.5″ x 5.5″
Our lab experts were amazed at how lightweight this large diaper backpack is—less than 2 pounds! The backpack also has a few other baby-friendly features, like an insulated bottle pocket and eight interior pockets, two of which are zippered mesh pockets.
A zippered compartment in the back can hold a laptop, and there’s a compartment for a rolling suitcase that fits over a suitcase handle. “We’ve used another backpack-style diaper bag from Amazon before and we like this one better. The padded straps are much more comfortable to carry,” one tester told us. The tester really liked the deep, insulated bottle compartment on the side of the bag, which can also be used to store a water bottle. Another tester who was carrying bottles of breast milk said she wasn’t sure the pockets would keep her milk cold enough.
A magnetic flap closes the large zippered compartment, giving it a sleek, hardware-free look. Testers had mixed reviews for how easy it was to clean, with some noting that it was easy to clean and others reporting stains on the fabric.
The only thing that confused us was that CALPAK did not provide a changing table. You can only prepare a changing table and CALPAK safety belts yourself.
Shell: Recycled Polyester | Lining: Recycled Nylon | Includes: Insulated Water Bottle Pocket, Key Holder | Dimensions: 15.25″ x 11.5″ x 6.25″
In addition to our recommendations above, these products are also popular with parents and lab professionals and may be just what you’re looking for:
• Best Picks at Target and Walmart: Eddie Bauer diaper bags are easy to pick up during your weekly grocery run, as the affordable brand is carried at both mass retailers. Target shoppers can find the Eddie Bauer Canyon Summit Diaper Bag (shown here), while Walmart shoppers can find the Eddie Bauer Bridgeport Places & Spaces Diaper Bag. Both are a neutral gray with tan trim and cost between $50 and $60.
• The Best Disney Diaper Bags and Backpacks: Whether you’re planning a trip to the Disney parks, looking for a backpack for a special occasion, or are just a die-hard Disney fan who wants to carry that magic with you, both brands offer an incredible number of Disney designs. JuJuBe has a lot of cool collaborations (not just with Disney!), and we especially love this Little Mermaid bag inspired by the latest film. Petunia Picklebottom also offers a number of Disney styles, including the roomy Disney Mickey and Friends Method Black and White Diaper Backpack, which has a five-star rating at Nordstrom.
• Faux Leather Products Under $100: If you’re looking for luxury on a lower price point, our lab experts are longtime fans of the Freshly Picked Mini Classic Diaper Bag Backpack, which comes in 12 faux leather colors, as well as a leopard print version.
• Designer Diaper Bag Backpack: Popular designer luggage brand Béis has released a diaper bag backpack made from durable nylon with faux leather trim, available in three colors: black, gray, and navy. It comes with a silicone teether that looks super cute.
• Lululemon’s Pick: If you’re already a fan of the brand’s other bags, like the popular Everywhere Belt Bag, you might like the New Parent backpack, made from recycled nylon.
Over the past five years, we’ve tested dozens of diaper bags in the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Textile Lab and Parenting Lab. We study materials, count pockets and accessories, and put them to use. We’ve taken our diaper-filled backpacks to amusement parks, beaches, airplanes, buses, and, of course, plenty of public restrooms to see how they hold up in a variety of situations.
We also send diaper bags to families across the country and ask them to share their pros and cons and compare the diaper bags we tested to any brand they have used before. Much of our research goes towards supporting our annual Parenting Awards and Family Travel Awards.
Any backpack can be used as a diaper bag. But the reason a backpack is called a “diaper bag backpack” is because it usually comes with a diaper, allowing you to conveniently change your baby’s diaper on the go. Here are a few more things to consider when looking for the best backpack for carrying baby gear:
✔️ Comfortable fit with straps: You may have used a regular backpack and know that its comfort can be more important than anything else. Our tests have shown that, as a rule, you get what you pay for: the higher the price of the brand, the more comfortable and softer its straps.
✔️ SMART INTERIOR: Testers complained about the diaper bag getting cluttered, which eventually turned into a “black hole” filled with baby gear. Multiple compartments, pockets (including a clear mesh pocket), and extra accessory pockets help keep your bag organized.
✔️ Stroller Hook: If your backpack diaper bag doesn’t have a built-in hook or doesn’t come with a separate hook, you should still buy one. Oxo Tot’s stroller hooks are highly rated.
✔️ Accessories: Many of the best modern backpack-style diaper bags feature built-in roll-up luggage covers (so the bag can be slid over the extended handle of your luggage), laptop compartments, and a zippered cell phone compartment. We also liked some extra interior pockets, a key holder, and a pacifier holder. All of these everyday items can add up to a fun experience.
The Good Housekeeping Institute is more than 100 years old, but it’s still state-of-the-art, with a textile lab, multiple test kitchens, and an entire room dedicated to testing the best vacuum cleaners. Our parenting and toy lab regularly tests baby products, including car seats and convertible cribs.