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Diaper bags

mbieweng
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I know this is a "standard" topic, but it's been a while since it's come up. I'm in the market for a new one (the old one is falling apart) and I do have some general criteria to narrow things down. Here's what I'm looking for:

-Smaller than a backpack. I don't need that much capacity.
-Not cargo pants. I need more capacity than that and I want an actual bag.
-No particular need for any so-called "dad" designs (i.e. camo, etc), but purple floral prints are not of interest either.

So... any recommendations?


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Submitted by mbieweng on Fri, 08/15/2008 - 2:34pm.

leighpierce
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Messenger bag

Look at Dept. stores like Target or WalMart for a cheap messenger bag. They hold a lot and are pretty thin and easy to grab and go. With school starting... you can get one pretty cheap right now.

Proud to be an ADHD-SAHD


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 2:51pm

Santiago
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Call it the "Murse" instead

If you can get past a name that to me brings to mind images of toddlers dropping acid, I highly recommend the Little Tripper from Land's End.

It looks like they've tweaked the design a bit since I got mine 4 years ago, but it appears to have the same overall shape and functionality. Mine holds everything I need for myself and 1 kid. Switched to a backpack when I needed to carry diapers and gear for 2. Never really liked the backpack, and was very happy when No. 1 learned how not to do Nos. 1&2 in her pants anymore, and I could switch back to the bag. Other than showing a few stains, it's in great shape after about 3 total years of daily use.

Too bad that you apparently can't get one with a Carolina Blue pocket anymore though.


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 4:19pm

New No.2
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Bagman

Somethig like this?

http://www.mountainsmith.com/products.asp?productId=27&categoryId=4&subCategoryId=3&subCategory2Id=0

Be Seeing You.


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 5:06pm

leighpierce
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WOW!

Wow No.2... that thing looks like a parachute!!! I think I'd rather carry a murse and wear a fanny pack!! hahahaha

Proud to be an ADHD-SAHD


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 5:38pm

Electriclime
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Outdoor and Travel companies

Try outside the 'normal' baby lines and check out the outdoor and travel outfitters. Like Santiago suggested; Land's End has a variety of styles and sizes of bags. I have a regular diaper bag from Eddie Bauer (sold through Target) for carry everything and a smaller pack that I can clip onto my belt from L.L. Bean; both in nice manly shades of khaki and forest green.

I have also considered picking up a Army style pistol belt with canteen pouches on each side for when I go hiking and need good size pockets for holding my camera, binoculars, and baby accessories. I'll have to create a post if I find anything when I get time to venture to the surplus store.

Rich C. : Novice baby wrangler and cat herder.
http://one-sahd-dude.blogspot.com/
http://good-eats-fan.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onesahddude/


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 6:08pm

New No.2
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Hey

Hey that Mountainsmithbag is great. Yoiu can wear it carry it over your shoulder and they freaking LAST!

(sigh)

It does look like a parachute doesn't it...

Be Seeing You.


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 7:33pm

leighpierce
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Hey at least...

Hey at least when the little ones realize that they can dig in their diaper and flick it around like little monkeys... you can use the parachute as a poncho for when the s**t ACTUALLY hits the fan!!!

Proud to be an ADHD-SAHD


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 8:46pm

AMR
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I use my backpack . . .

from college. Sometimes, I use my wife's college backpack.

Oh, double strap -- always. Look like a tool but keeps both hands free!


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 8:49pm

JimD
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Fleurville Bag

So my wife bought me this bag in black a few years ago for Fathers' Day and I'm still using it.

http://fleurville.com/product/dj-bag

I'm shocked at the website list price- $118. Holy crap! I could have gotten a Mountainsmith bag with a parachute for less than that!


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 9:21pm

JohnGilroy
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Small Bag

This one was a freebie but it is still in decent shape after a year, it has three compartments. Very front holds a bib and utensils, front has a slim wetwipes case and a few diapers.
Sippie, snack, clothes, toy, book, sunscreen /whatever are stuffed in the main part. I checked out the label and found it here: Epsilon Sling Pack
You wear it over the shoulder and it has a pocket on the strap for a phone/mp3 if you are into that kind of thing.


Fri, 08/15/2008 - 11:36pm

smacmartin
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camera bag

i know it sound weird, but i use my old cannon camera bag.....its just the right size, has a shoulder strap, carrying handles and best of all when i am carrying it people point and say "tourist" and ask if i need any help......ok not really, but the bag is great....it carries a ziploc with diapers and wipes, a change of clothes, small toys, and yes i can still fit my camera in to.


Sat, 08/16/2008 - 7:44am

mbieweng
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I could get one of those

I could get one of those with an AtHomeDad.org logo printed on it.... :-)


Sat, 08/16/2008 - 8:59am

Santiago
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Fleurville Bag

I'm shocked at the website list price- $118. Holy crap!

I'll second that.

So, how much will you ask for it at the yard sale? Do they have yard sales in Cali?

I kid.


Sat, 08/16/2008 - 3:46pm

leighpierce
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just cave in...

Man, grab a Hefty bag and hit the road. If it works... it works.

Proud to be an ADHD-SAHD


Sat, 08/16/2008 - 5:37pm

Gaming with Baby
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good question

But to follow the popular intertube vernacular, THIS THREAD IS USELESS WITHOUT PICS!

Took me a while to find the "right bag." I developed something of an obsession with the search for the "right bag" thanks to the Army. Everything had to be packed just so, and it took just the right bag to do it. This is right for me, and I'd put damn good money that it'd be the right one for many others.


click the pic, all the notes are there on what's what

There's a lot packed in there, and the beauty of the modular design of the bag itself means that I can easily add to it as needed (like with the M16 ammo pouch). This is actually what I've been lugging all this week, and it isn't likely to change anytime soon, but it's easy to cross load as the mission dictate.

-Will
gamingwithbaby.com | all your diapers are belong to us
my flickr
BRING BACK THE IRRELEVANCE!!!!


Sat, 08/16/2008 - 9:55pm

Electriclime
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Organized

Nice setup! They need to make carriers with more modular designs. I've been thinking of sewing on some pockets and hooks on my Bjorn to make it a little more hike friendly.

Looks like you learned some good skills in the Service. My best friend was a Marine for five years; I need to put him to work on organizing my baby gear.

Rich C. : Novice baby wrangler and cat herder.
http://one-sahd-dude.blogspot.com/
http://good-eats-fan.blogspot.com/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/onesahddude/


Sat, 08/16/2008 - 10:09pm

leighpierce
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Nice setup Will

When my cousin makes it back from the "Sandbox", I'll put him in charge of setting me up with a sweet system like that. (right now he's over there, going on year 4. he's in the special forces. Love ya Schmidty. Be safe Cuz)

Proud to be an ADHD-SAHD


Sat, 08/16/2008 - 10:29pm

RenoDad
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My wife got me this

My wife got me this

http://www.daddystoolbag.com/

and it has lasted really well. I actually have a Husky brand toolbag that I was going to replace it with when #2 came along, because a lot of your average foldable toolbags are better for this job than the custom ones are.

Greg


Sun, 08/17/2008 - 4:10pm

Mr. Dad
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I prefer this

http://www.landsend.com/pp/LittleTripperDiaperBag~89159_-1.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::ADB&CM_MERCH=SRCH_00001&origin=search

I prefer a bag I can throw over my shoulder, but is very small too. This holds several diapers, small container of wipes, 2 ziplocks of snacks, sippies (up to 2 on the outside pockets), and more...


Sun, 08/17/2008 - 4:32pm

mbieweng
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Will, that is awesome. The

Will, that is awesome. The price of the bag ($100+) is painful, but it looks nice...


Mon, 08/18/2008 - 10:26am

Stephen
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I won a bag at a Baby Expo

I won a bag at a Baby Expo earlier this month from DadGear.com and I absolutely love it. Just looks like a messenger bag, but it fits plenty.


Mon, 08/18/2008 - 11:13am

ZeeGerman
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If you do not mind spending the extra buck...

Until recently I was using an Eddie Bauer diaper bag, as I am used to shoulder bags. Pretty useful, but everything than "stylish" (even though at least it was black and rather plain). After falling apart just a couple of weeks ago, I have been in the market for something new, too.

Before becoming a SAHD I used a FREITAG messenger bag for carrying all sort of things (am a musician and always have to have recording equipment within reach). These are not very common in the US, but that actually might make it worth looking at (or maybe not - it depends on your attitude).

From my point of view these bags are not just "stylish" (I kind of hate that word - but, hey, English is my second language - so I cannot come up with some better word), but also help to save the planet (if this is your goal, too), as they are made of used truck tarps, seatbelts as well as innertubes. All come in a distinct look (every bag looks different). Some of the models even come with a waist belt, which is pretty nice when riding a bike.

These bags are not intended to be used as diaper bags, but at least all I need fits in (including my personal electronic gadgets). So maybe you like to take a look at their website:

http://www.freitag.ch/shop/FREITAG/page/frontpage/detail.jsf

Good luck finding what you are looking for.

P.S. I am NOT working for this company or get commission. ;-)


Mon, 08/18/2008 - 1:37pm

Gaming with Baby
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eBay

mbieweng wrote:
Will, that is awesome. The price of the bag ($100+) is painful, but it looks nice...

Look at it this way, buy one mediocre bag and have to replace it often. Buy a bag made of ballistic nylon made to MILSPEC standard, and it'll outlast you. Bought it off of eBay for $90.

-Will
gamingwithbaby.com | all your diapers are belong to us
my flickr
BRING BACK THE IRRELEVANCE!!!!


Mon, 08/18/2008 - 2:04pm

mbieweng
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Yeah, yeah, I know. I fully

Yeah, yeah, I know. I fully appreciate that thought.

I am seriously considering the Maxpedition bags. What do you think about the "jumbo" as compared to the "colossus"...is it too small? While I may throw my leatherman in there, I don't really need to carry camera gear (or weapons). :-)


Mon, 08/18/2008 - 2:49pm

Gaming with Baby
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My second choice

Jumbo was my second choice. It came down to the fact that I'd rather have the extra room and not need it and the fact that the Colossus, unlike the Jumbo, isn't limited to being worn on only one side. The built in Naglene pocket is a feature I wish were built into the Colossus, but I don't miss it. If I don't have all that camera crap in my bag, there's plenty of room for a bottle or two of water anyway.

My wife doesn't care to carry it, but it ain't her bag. And she ain't the one at home with the kid. I carried the lousy bag she got at her baby shower for the first several months, then shoved everything into my CamelBak HAWG. It worked well, but the Colossus is leaps and bounds better. So, when she does need to go out, she can suck it up or find her own bag. I'm sending Maxpedition a letter telling them how much I love their bag, even if this isn't their intended purpose. (I also have their Spartan Wallet and it's the best wallet I've ever owned.)

-Will
gamingwithbaby.com | all your diapers are belong to us
my flickr
BRING BACK THE IRRELEVANCE!!!!


Mon, 08/18/2008 - 3:18pm

CiaAlum92
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here ya go

a bag and it acts as a booster too.....very cool

http://www.amazon.com/Hoppop-Diaper-Bag-Booster-Seat/dp/B0010XE49O

BTW : Will is that a blackhawk bag...they're really sweet
I've been using a Small ranger ruck sack for a diaper bag for almost 3 years....it is the right bag for the job....lots of little pockets and it is expandable and CHEAP...got mine for 15 bucks at a Army Navy store...

Chef Kev
WHY? DADDY
JPhillip said it, therefor it is, Chef= C=Caring, H=Helpful, E=Excellent, F=Fubar


Thu, 08/21/2008 - 3:31pm

Gaming with Baby
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Maxpedition Colossus Versipack

-Will
gamingwithbaby.com | all your diapers are belong to us
my flickr
BRING BACK THE IRRELEVANCE!!!!


Thu, 08/21/2008 - 4:30pm

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