Looking for a Diaper Bag That Will Last

Updated on February 21, 2010
A.P. asks from Pleasant Hill, CA
24 answers

I am on my second diaper bag and my son is only 9 months old. We purchased a JJ Cole messenger bag style and it started falling apart a few months in so we traded it in for a new one because we thought that was crazy. Now the second one is doing the same thing. Basically fraying all over. I am looking at Kalencom New Orleans brand . Have you used this any thoughts??? What was your favorite? I am looking for something that will withstand the test of time.

If I have to keep replacing them at $80 a pop this could get very pricey.

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So What Happened?

I did order a skip hop bag from diapers.com. They have gone up in price (I paid $70) for it and that seemed right on target from my research. We will see how it goes. I used it for the first time yesterday and I am kind of having doubts. The material is starting to fray (frey?) already. I am thinking of sending it back and going with the kalencom. I wish someone out there could give me feedback on that brand. I should also say that I really need something that I can put across my body. I didn't find anything like that on Land's Ends website. Thanks for all the sugesstions.

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J.E.

answers from San Francisco on

I used the Land's End diaper bag for my daughter. She will be 8 years old next month and still uses it for overnights, swimming and other activities where she needs to bring her 'stuff'. It is a bright green bag with her initials, and daddy didn't mind carrying it when she was a baby, and she loves it today.

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E.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I have a SkipHop diaper bag that I've had for 2 1/2 years and it still looks news except for a little fuzz that has gotten stuck in the velcro. A good friend of mine has one that's nearly 4 years old and hers looks great too. Plus they're really reasonably priced and very functional. I would highly recommend!

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M.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

I had same problem and eventually bought a Jansport $30 backpack and have now been using it for almost 4 years. It's still in perfect condition! May not be as cute as some of the diaper bags, but at least I don't have to worry about it falling apart.

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V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Check out something from Land's End. They have a very liberal return policy.. and if something wears out (or breaks) you can almost ALWAYS return the item for a full refund. I have bought their clothing for years. About 2 years ago I finally gave in and bought a backpack (for my 10 yr old boy) and 2 lunchboxes (for 5th grader and 2nd grader). They have lasted better than anything I have ever bought elsewhere. Lunchboxes are still going strong a year and a half later... and the backpack (heavily abused) is still in perfect condition!

http://www.landsend.com/ix/home-travel-luggage/Home-Trave...?

1 mom found this helpful
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T.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Check out my site. http://sunnysundays.webs.com/ I use mine all the time. They are washable, comfortable, roomy and can be used as a purse later. My personal favorite is the hobo bag style, it has the most room but they are all nice.

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R.S.

answers from New York on

I have 2, and they are still good, and my kid is 2 1/2...

1. Vera Bradley makes beautiful diaper bags and they last. Only caveat is that they are all fabric, so not waterproof but they wash well.

2. Skip Hop, my favorite! Only caveat is I think they are a little small, but that can be a good thing since it prevents you from carrying everything. Still, it is supersturdy and still looks new, and although I don't wash it (I only use bleach/water solution on the inside) - I am sure it can be washed without a problem. Like another mom said, I got my Skip Hop at Target, and it was about $20 too.

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I.G.

answers from Seattle on

I have a Skip Hop Bag from Target, two years and going strong. $20.

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H.L.

answers from Philadelphia on

I love my diaper bag: the Diaper Dude. It was given to my husband from my Mother to make him feel like he was part of the baby shower that was being thrown for me and to just make him feel like a father. It's awesome and very durable. I highly recommend it.

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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

My daughter is about 8 months. I've been using this diaper bag and it's lasted great. I bought mine at Penney's but I have also seen this one at Babies R Us.

http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=63097&CatI...

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B.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Ugh i feel your pain. I got a Rowdy "Sophisticated Bowler' Diaper bag and the hardware fell apart on me after about 8 months. Afterwards I got a Skip Hop Studio bag and LOVE it. Its cute, functional, has enough space and compartments to make me feel organized. I got mine from Amazon, but I think they sometimes carry it at Target even. It was about $80 also, but has so far lasted me a year and is still in the same shape when I initially got it.

Updated

Ugh i feel your pain. I got a Rowdy "Sophisticated Bowler' Diaper bag and the hardware fell apart on me after about 8 months. Afterwards I got a Skip Hop Studio bag and LOVE it. Its cute, functional, has enough space and compartments to make me feel organized. I got mine from Amazon, but I think they sometimes carry it at Target even. It was about $80 also, but has so far lasted me a year and is still in the same shape when I initially got it.

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

You may want to check with the manufacture of the bag. We have a Columbia bag made by California Innoviations and it started to fall apart. Turns out they have a lifetime warranty and replaced it without any trouble (had to e-mail a few pictures). If you do end up getting a few one I highly recommend the one we have. We did have to have it replaced, but we didn't have to pay for it and it's the best one we found.
If you can find your bag on the babies R Us website it will show who the Manufacture is under it... It may not work but it's worth a shot.

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K.D.

answers from San Francisco on

Lands end! I bought my diaper bag from there for my first child 1993. It last through my third child 1997. We took it to day care daily stuffed with the items they would need. It wasn't a fashion statement but it lasted. Go online and check them out.

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B.L.

answers from San Francisco on

Our skip hop has lasted almost a year. It has also passed my spouse's requirement of being something that he would wear in public and my requirement of being bright and cheerful. I've seen a friend with the twin version (enough for 2 babies). Another friend has the ultraportable diaper changing mat, rather than their whole bag. Seems quite reliable. Hope this helps!

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E.M.

answers from Bakersfield on

Hi Momma-
My sister has a 17 month old son and has had the same diaper bag since he was born. It is an Eddie Bauer, and she loves it. He has spilled on it, played in it, dragged it around, etc., and once through the washer makes it look brand new. I don't know any of those other brands, but I know that this diaper bag is stinking awesome.
Hope that helps!
-E.

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D.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

We haven't had the issue of them wearing out, but we've had to replace a few to accommodate another kid, scale down, etc.

We have had luck with the Eddie Bauer ones from Babies R. Us (~$50), great luck with a Pottery Barn Kids diaper bag (~$70) and recently purchased LLBean's diaper bag for $50 with free shipping. We love it.

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C.G.

answers from Missoula on

I love ours from www.REI.com ... it's super-durable.

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B.K.

answers from New York on

Lands End. I received mine as a gift 4 years ago and used it the entire time for my son without any problems and I plan of using it again for my daughter when she is born in May.
I just purchsed one for my sister in law and I think it was on sale for $25.00.
Easy to clean and holds ALOT!

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T.C.

answers from San Diego on

I have a skip hop one that I use for daycare & walks/amusement parks-love it :) & I also have a Petunia Pickle bottom-actually 2 of them. The backpack one I used when my baby was younger, now I use the one thats like a messenger bag. My daughter was 12 months when I started using it-so nice because it crosses over my body while she's on my hip. I have not had any problems with either 3.

K.I.

answers from Spokane on

The jansport backpack was what I used. Standard backpack...you can buy them everywhere (costco usually has the best color assortment)...and my DH didn't mind lugging it around and we still use them to this day to pack them an overnight bag, when they (each got their own signature color) are staying with auntie!

One thing I learned rather quickly after having kids....it's best to buy items that are multi-functional...I've made a serious effort to conserve money and stop just buying junk because I think it is cute...easier said than done, especially if it is your first child, my first had everything I thought he/I would need/want....waste of money, complete waste of money...especially since it all got donated or turned over to the "gently used" kid stores for pennies on the dollar of what I paid six months earlier.

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J.S.

answers from Sacramento on

Hi A.,

I love my Fleurville bag and it looks brand new after 2 years. They are pricey - over $100 - but very stylish.

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A.F.

answers from San Francisco on

The best diaper bag I had was not even a diaper bag it was a back pack. You can buy the portable changing pads for the bag. Buy a backpack that has the water bottle holder on the side and you can use that for a bottle. The backpacks are cheaper and your hands are free, not like a diaper bag. You can also put your wallet in their and you don't have to carry a purse..

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T.H.

answers from Sacramento on

I have been carrying a diaper bag for 20 years (disabled 20 year old dd) and I have used just about every one on the market. In my opinion, you are spending WAYYYYY too much for a diaper bag. Get a less expensive one in imitation or real leather and spray it with a protectant that you would use for leather shoes. Those are the ones that last the longest and you can use it for a lot longer than just diapering. They are great for emergency bags to keep in the car.

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M.F.

answers from Salinas on

I love the Diaper Dude and so does my husband. We have twins, but it is plenty of room, nice organization. I have a Petunia Pickle Bottom, and a Skip Hop... but we always grab the Diaper Due (messenger style). I use the Skip Hop when I have to pack a lot of extra clothes... for a longer trip.

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