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May 18, 2023

Best Diaper Bags for Dads

by Aaron Martin I never considered many questions about parenting until

by Aaron Martin

I never considered many questions about parenting until confronted with them, like what a bottle warmer is and whether we need one, what to do if your baby poops in the bathtub, and, most importantly, is there such a thing as a cool diaper bag for dads?

As I panicked about becoming a father and being responsible for the well-being of a tiny human in the last few months of my wife's pregnancy, I never paid attention to the bags parents carry with them. But I soon learned a trip without a diaper bag is like an eight-hour road trip without bathroom breaks. Sure, it's possible, and you will make great time. But the mess it will cause probably isn't worth the trouble. My wife and I have gone through several types of diaper bags during our three years as parents. Some worked well; others were quickly replaced.

However, one constant is I never considered throwing it over my shoulder without my daughter nearby. They’re functional, far more than stylish. But an entire industry is developing around diaper bags dads will want to carry. So here are some of our favorite diaper bags for the cool dad in your life.

Here are nine of the best diaper bags dads would love to carry around.

Beyond the incredible pun, there is a lot to like about this diaper bag for dads. It looks like a military pack, a big selling point for someone like me who doesn't love the traditional diaper bag dad look. It has four separate compartments, insulated bottle holders, and a waterproof changing mat. Plus, it's affordable; you can find it on Amazon for less than $90, making it a great Father's Day gift. (Hint, hint!)

If you’re a fan of fresh air and getting your kids outside as much as possible, this might be your best diaper bag option. A Columbia diaper backpack designed for the outdoors, this bag has fewer compartments than ActiveDoodie but plenty of accessory pockets inside the main part of the bag. A thermal bottle pocket and a padded changing mat are also included. It's also one of the more affordable bags selling for around $50. My favorite part is you would never know this is a diaper bag until seeing what's inside.

This bag screams, "I’m here to take care of business." Which, honestly, is the whole point of a diaper bag. It looks far more like a briefcase than something used to haul around diapers and bottles, but the E.C. Knox bag has all the functionality you’ll need, including a zip flap that doubles as a changing mat. The bag also has a magnetized exterior flap for easy access to wipes and snacks. There's even a padded compartment for your laptop! The price point is a little higher at $150, but you get a lot of bang for your buck with style and practicality.

It's no accident that I left out "diaper" in the name above. This new diaper bag from Fathercraft is built to handle all the diapers and wipes you’ll need, with plenty of pockets, one-handed accessibility, and easy-to-clean material. But the company's founders created the bag with the long haul in mind. The bag easily converts into a multidimensional backpack or travel bag once your kids are out of diapers. This bag is pricier at $250 but is undoubtedly designed for the modern dad.

Sometimes simple is best. This backpack doesn't have the bells and whistles of some of the other diaper bags on the list, but it has plenty of storage, insulated bottle carriers, and looks like your typical backpack. It also retails for around $30. This is certainly the most economical of the bags I’ve seen that I would happily use and wear.

This diaper bag is for the eco-conscious dad in your life. Made from recycled cotton, the Darcy diaper bag looks like a stylish shoulder bag your Gen-Z coworker wears on the subway. Instead, it's filled with diapers, snacks, and toys to keep your child entertained!

Sometimes, the best diaper bags are the ones designed for something else. Patagonia makes fantastic backpacks and bags for outdoor adventures, and it turns out this tote bag does the trick if you’re looking for a versatile diaper bag. It's comfortable and "ultralight," as indicated in the name, making it great for hauling whatever your kid needs. It's also weather resistant and easy to clean. Since the bag wasn't originally designed as a diaper bag, there's no changing mat. But a portable mat will easily fit inside. It also costs around $100, making it affordable.

As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of diaper bags that look like anything else. This looks like your typical stylish backpack but is designed specifically for parents by parents. It has the expected diaper bag accessories, including an insulated bottle pocket and a changing pad with pockets for your laptop and phone. The straps are also easily adjustable and designed to attach to a stroller. The price is on the higher side at just under $200, but this likely has everything you’re looking for.

A bag doesn't need to be designed to carry diapers to get the job done. Unlike previous examples, the Field Pouch V2 takes the minimalist approach with its sling bag design. The bag is compressible with a roll-top that creates significant expansion, doubling the bag's volume. It's also full of zip and stretch pockets to hold almost anything you can think of. Minimalist also describes the hit on your wallet, with this bag coming in at just under $50.

Dads deserve stylish diaper bags that fit their personality and lifestyle, even when toting a baby and all the things. These nine favorite diaper bags for dads offer a variety of styles for all types of dads out there; some might even make great Father's Day gifts!

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