6 Best Backpack Diaper Bags of 2024
Plus, seven bonus cute backpack diaper bags that get lots of love from real-parent reviewers and our Lab pros.
Tested by Lexie SachsExecutive Director, Strategy & Operations
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Wearing your diaper bag on your back keeps your hands free to push your stroller and tend to your baby or toddler. Though a backpack diaper bag might not hold as much as some of the giant diaper totes, one can, in our opinion, easily hold a day's worth of supplies.
They're also great for family travel — our own Lab pros who are parents use a backpack-style diaper bag in theme parks and on outdoor outings. Most diaper bags come with a changing pad, insulated bottle pocket and wipeable lining with babies in mind, but these backpacks will remain useful when you have an older kid and are still carting around wipes, water bottles and kid's sunscreen.
These top picks, all tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Lab experts plus real-life consumers who take our diaper-bag survey, are all comfy, roomy and look good on you too. At the end of the list, we offer seven bonus picks since we know that a backpack is a function and fashion choice, and you might be looking for something very particular.
Pros
- Plenty of pockets and zippers for organization
- Strong, water-resistant nylon
- Trolley sleeve can slide over a suitcase handle
- Charitable brand with give-back programs
Cons
- Thin changing pad
The Lorimer was a home run with our consumer testers. In fact, it earned perfect scores in every single category. "I love the amount of space it has. I used it while traveling and was able to fit all my essentials," one parent told us. "The organization is great! And it is comfortable on my shoulders."
Our Good Housekeeping Institute Executive Director of Strategy & Operations, Lexie Sachs, who has a degree in fiber science, reviewed this bag in the Lab and said, "I was impressed by all of the places to pack. There are two main compartments with tons of pockets in each, plus outside pockets." We counted 10 pockets altogether, plus the two main compartments. One interior pocket has a sleeve for a 15-inch laptop.
"I also loved how much padding it has for comfort. The fabric is smooth nylon, which is among the best material you can choose for a backpack for its strength and water resistance," said Sachs.
The back features a luggage sleeve (also called a trolley sleeve) so you can slip this securely over the handle of carry-on luggage. A zippered outside pocked on the trolly sleeve can fit a large phone. If we have one complaint it's that the changing pad is thin, with no cushioning.
Available in five colors, the bag can be monogrammed or personalized with a name, symbol or patch to mark it as yours. It's also a great backpack for dads. "My husband carries this around without being embarrassed," said Good Housekeeping's Senior Parenting and Relationships Editor Marisa LaScala. "You can also use it like a regular backpack once the diaper stage is over." Finally, we are fans of how this brand gives back to kids.
Exterior material: Nylon | Lining: Recycled polyester | Included: Integrated stroller hooks, washable changing pad, insulated bottle pocket | Dimensions: 16.5" x 13" x 6"
Pros
- 4.8 star rating on Amazon
- Many traditional girl and boy colors plus unisex designs
- All versions are under $50
- Three compartments, 18 pockets and a pacifier case
Cons
- Not as padded or as luxe as others
Amazon reviewers and Reddit forums agree on this bargain being a solid choice, and we're impressed that it comes in more than a dozen colors and patterns, some a little more expensive than others but all under $50. There are traditional baby girl colors, traditional baby boy colors and plenty of unisex and grown-up options.
The BabbleRoo bag features a whopping 18 pockets and comes with a detachable pacifier case. There are three major sections for organization: one insulated compartment can fit up to three baby bottles (a rarity in the diaper-backpack world); another that folds open is meant to hold all of your diaper supplies in one place for easy changes; and a large main compartment for the rest of your baby's things.
Like our best overall pick, this backpack has a laptop sleeve and built-in stroller hooks, but unlike our favorite, there's no luggage sleeve. It's also not as padded as others and the fabric is all polyester. Reviews are mixed about the wet wipes sleeve, with some parents who said it makes it easy to quickly grab a wipe and others who said they prefer to keep wipes in their own packaging. That said, this bag definitely serves its purpose as a chic way for moms or dads to carry baby's essentials.
Exterior material: Polyester | Lining: Polyester | Included: Integrated stroller hooks, wipeable changing pad, insulated bottle pocket, wet wipes sleeve, detachable pacifier case | Dimensions: 16.5" x 12" x 8"
Pros
- New mesh version is lightweight
- Fits a lot for its size
- Great accessories like smaller bags and key leashes
- Trolley sleeve for use with a suitcase
Cons
- Side pockets and bottle sleeve were not useful
We've got the Indi at the top of our list of the best diaper bags and it has won two previous Parenting Awards. What's new is the brand's performance mesh fabric which we're hoping proves to be even more durable than the neoprene version. It's lighter, stretchier and resists pilling so far — our real-world testing is ongoing, but our Parenting Lab pros have taken it on many trips and so far, so good.
"I fit anything and everything into this diaper bag, with room to spare, and I didn't feel like I was lugging around a monstrosity," one tester told us, and we agree. But we also agree with tester complaints that the neoprene bottle sleeve is not as effective for keeping a bottle cool as the insulated pockets that are in other diaper bags. Insulated pockets add weight, but they work better.
We've also had adult water bottles tumble out of the open side pockets of the mesh version of the Indi, and we were unable to fit a large iPhone in the zippered cell-phone pocket on the back.
We did, however, love the small bags this comes with, including a large zippered one that can hold dirty clothes and a small mesh pouch that can stash cash or your health insurance card — anything you want to be able to fish out in a hurry.
Like our best overall choice, this pick has a large laptop sleeve and a trolley sleeve that makes it perfect for travel. In our testing, this backpack easily fit under an airplane seat. The key leashes are nice too, so you can quickly find your house keys at the end of a chaotic family trip. Sachs said, "I used the Indi for years, including for trips to Disney World, and I really liked how much I could comfortably carry." The mesh is sold in three colors and the original neoprene is sold in nine colors.
Exterior material: Recycled performance air mesh | Lining: REPREVE recycled polyester | Included: Clip-on stroller hooks, wipeable changing pad, neoprene bottle sleeve, zippered bag for dirty clothes, small pouch, two key leashes | Dimensions: 13.75" x 12.25" x 6"
RELATED: The Best Laptop Backpacks
Pros
- Leather look and slim silhouette
- Separate outside pocket for the changing pad
- Metal feet keep the bag's bottom from getting damaged or dirty
- Trolley sleeve zips shut when you don't need it
Cons
- Many cute accessories have to be purchased separately
Looking for something more luxe? We've tested and love this faux leather diaper backpack from popular brand Itzy Ritzy. There's just one main compartment on the Eras backpack and the faux leather holds its shape nicely, giving this bag a slimmer silhouette than others even though it still holds a lot.
Much of the storage comes from the six outside pockets, one of which is magnetized and another is designed with additional smaller pockets inside. (The bag has 15 pockets in total.) A large zippered pocket on the back holds the changing pad separate from everything else, which seems smart and sanitary — and got us wondering why more diaper bags don't work that way.
The trolley sleeve zips shut so it's out of your way when you're not placing it on top of a suitcase for travel. There's no special phone-sized pocket but there is plenty of room for a phone in the topmost outside pocket, which also has a key leash. Inside, there's a laptop sleeve among the interior pockets.
Metal feet on the bottom of the backpack help prevent the bag from getting damaged or dirty. Stroller hooks are included but the brand sells a bunch of cute accessories separately, made to match back to the brand's bag colors, including a fancy pacifier case, a hand sanitizer pouch and a wipes holder.
Exterior material: Faux leather | Lining: Polyester | Included: Clip-on stroller hooks, wipeable changing pad, insulated bottle pocket, key leash | Dimensions: 17" x 13.5" x 7.5"
Pros
- Extra padding on the back
- Brightly colored liner helps you find objects inside
- Magnetic clasp instead of a zipper
- Opens extra wide for packing and unpacking
Cons
- No trolley sleeve or stroller hooks
There's nothing babyish about this piece of baby gear, which testers told us appeals to dads especially. "It's a great style for men and women, and doesn't look like an obvious diaper bag," one told us. It's the largest pick on our list and the only one with extra padding on the back rather than a back pocket, stroller hooks or a trolley sleeve.
"It opens very easily with a magnetic clasp, which is great for quickly grabbing items. The bright blue lining inside is great for finding things quickly," a tester said. It comes with two large zippered pouches, each with a clear side, to make it obvious where everything is.
There are 10 pockets, including a laptop pocket and an insulated bottle pocket that's reachable from the outside and larger than most. The one main compartment can be zipped open wide when you're ready to load up for the day or unpack when you're back from your outing.
The key leash is in a pocket at the very top which also fits a large phone. We'd recommend buying a set of stroller hooks if you want this to hang on the back of your stroller.
Exterior material: Recycled polyester | Lining: Recycled polyester | Included: Washable changing pad, insulated bottle pocket, key leash | Dimensions: 18" x 11.5" x 5.5"
Pros
- Weighs less than 2 pounds
- Well-cushioned straps
- Deep side pockets for baby bottles or water bottles
- Magnetic top flap for a smooth look
Cons
- No changing pad
- Fabric got mixed reviews
Our Lab pros were wowed that this large backpack diaper bag is so lightweight — less than 2 pounds! The bag has other baby-friendly features, such as insulated bottle pockets and eight interior pockets, two of which are mesh and zippered.
A laptop fits inside the zippered sleeve on the back and there's also a trolley sleeve so it can slide over a suitcase handle. "We have used another backpack diaper bag from Amazon, and we prefer this one. It is so much more comfortable to carry with the cushioned straps," a tester told us. That tester liked the deep, insulated bottle sleeves on the sides of the bag, also good for water bottles. Another tester, who was toting bottles of breastmilk, said they didn't trust the pockets to keep the milk cold enough.
A magnetic flap fits over the one large, zippered compartment, giving this a streamlined, hardware-free look. Testers gave mixed reviews on how easy the backpack is to clean, with some saying it wiped clean easily and others who reported fabric stains.
There's just one thing that gives us pause, and that is that CALPAK did not include a changing pad. You'll just have to provide your own changing mat and the brand's stroller straps separately.
Exterior material: Recycled polyester | Lining: Recycled nylon | Included: Insulated bottle pockets, key leash | Dimensions: 15.25" x 11.5" x 6.25"
More diaper backpacks we love
Aside from our picks above, these get a lot of love from parents and our Lab pros, and may have something special that you are looking for:
• Best at Target and Walmart: It's easy to pick up an Eddie Bauer diaper bag when you're doing your weekly shopping run because the affordable brand is sold at both of the popular mass-market retail chains. Target shoppers can find the Eddie Bauer Canyon Summit (shown) and Walmart shoppers can find the Eddie Bauer Bridgeport Places & Spaces bag. Both are neutral gray with brown trim and run between $50 and $60.
• Best Disney backpack diaper bags: Whether you're going to the parks and want a special backpack for the occasion or you're just a huge fan and want to carry that bit of magic around with you, there are a surprising number of Disney designs from two major brands. JuJuBe has a lot of fun collabs (not just Disney!) and we're especially enchanted with the Little Mermaid bag inspired by the most recent movie. Petunia Picklebottom also offers many Disney designs, including a roomy black and white Disney Mickey & Friends Method Diaper Backpack with five-star reviews at Nordstrom.
• $100 Faux leather pick: If you're looking for luxe for less, our Lab pros are longtime fans of the Freshly Picked Mini Classic Diaper Bag Backpack which comes in 12 shades of faux leather — plus a leopard-print version.
• Designer backpack diaper bag: Hot designer luggage brand Béis introduced The Backpack Diaper Bag that's made of durable nylon with faux-leather trim and sold in black, gray or navy. A silicone teething ring is included — a cute touch.
• Lululemon choice: If you're already a fan of the brand's other bags, like the popular Everywhere Belt Bag, you'll probably love the New Parent Backpack made of recycled nylon.
How we test backpack diaper bags
We've tested dozens of diaper bags over the past five years, in both our Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and our Parenting Lab. We research materials, count pockets and accessories, and take the bags out for real-life use. We've hauled backpack diaper bags to theme parks and beaches, on planes and buses, and, of course, into many a public restroom to see how they function under all types of circumstances.
We also send diaper bags to families nationwide and have them report back on all the pros and cons, and also ask them to compare a test bag with any diaper-bag brands they have used before. Much of our research supports our annual Parenting Awards and our Family Travel Awards.
What to consider when shopping for a backpack diaper bag
Any backpack can serve as your diaper bag. But what makes a backpack an official "backpack diaper bag" is that it usually includes a changing pad so you can change your baby's diaper on the go. Here are other things to consider when looking for the best backpack for hauling baby supplies:
✔️ Strap comfort and fit: You've probably worn a regular backpack before and know that its comfort is maybe more important than anything else. In our testing we've found that you generally get what you pay for: The more expensive brands tend to have the most comfortable, padded straps.
✔️ Smart interior space: Testers complain if a diaper bag ends up being a big black hole for their baby goods, with everything jumbled together. Multiple compartments, many pockets including see-through mesh ones and additional accessory bags can all help bring order to the chaos.
✔️ Stroller hooks: If a backpack diaper bag doesn't have these integrated in or doesn't include them as a separate accessory, you'll want to buy them. Oxo Tot stroller hooks are well-reviewed.
✔️ Accessories: These days, many of the top backpack diaper bags come with an integrated trolley sleeve (so the bag fits over the extended handle of a suitcase), a laptop sleeve and a zippered compartment on the outside for your phone. But we also love extra pouches for the inside, a key leash and a pacifier holder. All of those can be nice to have on an everyday basis.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute is more than 100 years old but thoroughly modern, with a Textiles Lab, multiple test kitchens and an entire room for testing the best vacuum cleaners. Our Parenting and Toys Lab regularly reviews baby gear including car seats and convertible cribs.
Executive Director of Strategy & Operation Lexie Sachs reviewed this story and personally tested many of our recommended diaper bags. She's a mom of two and holds a degree in fiber science from Cornell University.
This article was written by Contributing Editor Jessica Hartshorn, also a mom of two and former senior editor at Parents magazine and American Baby magazine. She's a journalist who has reported on the baby-gear market for 25 years.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
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