Diaper bags are essential purchases, and this is the kind of purchase you really want to “get right.” It will be with you for years, carrying all the baby things, then the toddler snacks, then the extra clothes for your potty trained child.
Tons of parents end up buying multiple bags throughout the years, but we’ve found that the right diaper bag purchase can actually stay with you for as long as you need it! These diaper bag backpacks pack a ton of durability and sustainability for your mom journey.
Our mom community has tested these diaper bag backpacks, and we’re convinced that they are the best on the market. Let’s get to packin’!
Backpack Diaper Bag Quick Picks
Best Overall: Lily Jade Anna
Best Large Capacity Bag: Itzy Ritzy Boss Bag
Best Bag for Twin or Multiple Child Parents: Skip Hop Forma Diaper Bag
Best Vegan Leather Bag: Monaco Large Backpack by Luli Bebe
Best Minimalist Diaper Bag: Idaho Jones Mini Backpack
Best Stylish Diaper Bag: JujuBe Right Back Diaper Bag
Best Organized Small Diaper Bag: Itzy Ritzy Mini Diaper Bag
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Why Choose a Backpack Style Diaper Bag?
Besides being super trendy, backpacks are just downright practical.
Remember all the sh*t you could stuff in them when you were in school? Well, the same logic applies here: they hold a LOT of stuff, and they are really comfortable.
In addition to being trendy and able to hold the sheer amount of baby gear you need just to step out of the door, backpack style diaper bags are also:
- Totally HANDS FREE! (honestly, this is our favorite part)
- Better for your back since the weight inside them is distributed evenly
- Full of pockets (meaning great storage)
- Gender neutral (if you have a partner who doesn’t want to be seen with a diaper bag, a backpack can be a great alternative to buying a separate diaper bag for dad)
What Should I Look for In Diaper Bag Backpacks?
Not all diaper bag backpacks are created equally, unfortunately.
Here’s what’s generally important when considering the best backpack diaper bag:
- Overall Space: Babies and kids come with a lot of
crapneeded items. You know whether you tend to be a pack rat or a minimalist who just goes for the essentials. It’s important that your selection fit your personal needs and preferences. - Pockets and Pouches: Organization is key when you need to have so many items readily available. That’s why pockets and pouches are essential. And if they have them on the outside as well as the inside, even better!
- Washability: Kids are messy, things spill, you’ll want to set your diaper bag down in dirty places, and we want it to last you years. The ability to either toss it in the washing machine or wipe it down is key!
- Weight: You’re already hauling around a kid (or more), so you don’t want to feel like you’re also carrying your home gym. Check the weight of the backpack itself before purchasing. Some are much lighter than others!
- Durability: While we love a good, inexpensive find, that’s actually not our recommendation when buying a diaper bag backpack. You don’t need to go full-on luxury, but remember: we want this bag to last you years, so durability is key!
- Versatility: Before having kids, I had beautiful images in my head of changing my diaper bag to match my outfit. Then I realized I never even put on makeup, let alone switching ALL THE THINGS to a new diaper bag. Spend your money wisely on one and make sure it’ll work with a variety of outfit styles.
Large Diaper Bag Backpacks
Large diaper bag backpacks are great for moms with multiple children or just those of us who have been called “bag ladies” our entire lives.
Best Overall Diaper Backpack: Lily Jade Anna
Product Features
- Large is 15″ x 13.25″ x 7.5″
- Medium is 13.5″ x 11″ x 7.4″
- Premium full-grain leather
- Gold hardware, zippers, and feet
- Full one-year structural warranty included
This is my FAVORITE diaper bag in the world! High quality, multi-functional, and simply stunning–I love it!
The Lily Jade Ana backpack diaper bag comes in both medium and large sizes, and it’s really really pretty. I used it with both of my children, and now it carries my laptop to work. It’s been functional through all three of these transitions, and it was 100% worth the investment.
It converts to a cross body (with the back straps tucking away completely), and it’s our only recommendation that’s a leather backpack diaper bag. As I mentioned, I still carry this bag every day, and I freaking love it.
Pros
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Leather offers maximum durability
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2 large interior sections so you can separate your things from your kid’s things
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Laptop sleeve in the back
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Side pockets big enough for an adult water bottle
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Converts to crossbody bag or purse
Cons
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This is a pricey bag, BUT it will last you for years (and can be used as a work backpack)
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Changing pad not included
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Not machine washable, but the leather IS easy to wipe down and treat.
Best Large Capacity Bag: Itzy Ritzy Boss Bag
Product Features
- Large capacity 14.5″ x 10″ x 18″
- Features 10 internal pockets and 7 external ones
- Travel changing pad included
This is the most recommended diaper bag backpack from moms in the Undefining Motherhood community. And online reviewers agree. Reviewers in our community love how big it is, and how MANY pockets it has to keep both mom stuff and baby stuff separate and easily accessible.
Pros
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17 total pockets including insulated bottle pockets
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Parent pockets are perfect for your things
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Rubber feet on the bottom of the backpack keep the bottom stable and clean
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Lightweight at 2.5 lbs
Cons
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Spot-clean only
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Extra large size makes it too big for small-framed parents
Best Twin Parent Bag or Multiple Child Bag: Skip Hop Forma Diaper Bag
Product Features
- 8″ x 14″ x 16″
- Lightweight at 1.4 lbs
- Comes with insulated cube that holds 2 bottles
- Includes changing pad
A great bag that your partner will be happy to carry, too! It doesn’t have that baby-ish vibe that your husband or partner will hate, so getting them to carry it won’t be hard. Score.
The real pro here is that it’s absolutely a TANK in terms of what it can carry, but it’s also incredibly lightweight! We love that it also has an insulated cube to keep your bottles cool.
Pros
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Extra wide opening
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Oversized pockets including a laptop pouch
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Padded shoulder straps
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Space for items for 2 kids
Cons
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Not as cute as some of the others on our list
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Some reviewers suggest that it’s bulky
Best Vegan Leather Bag: Monaco Large Backpack by Luli Bebe
Product Features
- 14″ x 7″ x 14″
- 2.8 lbs
- Includes 11″ x 21.5″ changing pad
Want a bag that looks great, holds everything, and has, like, every strap imaginable (stroller strap and messenger strap)? Look no further. This vegan backpack is a little bit pricey, but it comes in several designer colors, and if vegan is a must for you, it’s a great option!
Oh, and did we mention it’s gorgeous?
Pros
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9 pockets including 4 elastic pockets and a zipper compartment
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Magnetic front flap
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Quick grab top handle
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Stroller strap and messenger strap included
Cons
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Satin inner lining is hard to clean
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Deep central compartment is difficult to organize
Small Diaper Bag Backpacks
Are you more of a minimalist mama? A smaller diaper bag backpack might be better for your absolute necessities. Here are our favorites.
Best Minimalist Diaper Bag: Idaho Jones Mini Backpack
Product Features
- 5″ x 10.8″ x 5″
- Water-resistant polyester material
- External velvet protective phone and sunglasses pocket
- i-pad sleeve
- Stoller straps
This super chic, gorgeous bag packs a lot of punch in terms of space for being so small. But it’s definitely made for those mamas who only like to carry the necessities.
If you’re open to having a bigger backpack for overnight trips and then just want one for day trips or things like that, we suggest this mini diaper bag backpack as a secondary one.
Pros
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Insulated bottle pocket
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Two elasticized pockets
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Comfortable adjustable shoulder straps
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12 month warranty
Cons
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Spot clean only
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Could use reinforcement on the bottom
Best Stylish Diaper Bag: JuJuBe Right Back Diaper Bag
Product Features
- 12″ x 5″ x 16″
- Washable polyester outer with silver ion treated bacteria-resistant inner liner
This bag is cute, unique, and has so many great features. We love that it has a stroller hook and pockets for everything you needs–while also being small enough to not look like you’re going backpacking in the wilderness.
And its insulated bottle pockets are perfect for feeding on the go!
Pros
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Cell phone pocket AND mommy pocket
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2 insulated baby bottle pockets
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Memory foam changing pad
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Machine washable
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Padded ergonomic straps
Cons
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Magnetic closures may not hold up well in washing machine
Best Small Organized Diaper Bag: Itzy Ritzy Mini Diaper Bag
Product Features
- Compact at 7.5″ x 11.5″ x 13.75″
- Vegan leather
- 8 total pockets including 2 bottle pockets and an easy access “parent pocket”
- Carry with the top handle or wear as a backpack
This backpack diaper bag is great for grab-and-go situations. Leave a few diapers and some wipes in it, and you’re ready to run out the door. It’s also priced reasonably, so if you need a smaller backpack as a secondary one, then this may be the way to go for you.
And good news! If you want to use this as a primary diaper bag backpack, Itzy Ritzy still comes through with the pockets, which is something that our reviewers absolutely rave about–that and the fact that the top handle makes it easy to grab-and-go.
It’s also vegan if that’s important to you, although some users note that the vegan leather tends to peel easily over time.
Pros
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Easy wipe-clean
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Changing pad included
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Rubber feet keeps bag stable when you put it down
Cons
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Spot clean only
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Some reviewers say the vegan leather peels over time
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Very small – for essentials only
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Bottle pockets aren’t insulated
What are your favorite diaper bag backpacks and why? Tell us all about them in the comments!
