Choosing the Best Travel Diaper Backpack + Top Picks (2023)
Traveling with a baby can be a logistical challenge, but having the right gear can make all the difference. One of the most helpful items to have is a travel diaper backpack. Not only does it allow you to be hands-free, but it also provides the space needed for all of the essentials required for a potentially long day out with your baby–and if you’re here then you know the amount of stuff adds up quickly. Traveling with a baby requires you to pack so much stuff! In this blog, we’ll talk about what to look for in a travel diaper backpack and I’ll share my top picks of the best travel diaper backpacks on the market right now.
📝 In This Blog:
- Why a Travel Diaper Backpack is Important
- What to Look For in a Travel Diaper Backpack
- My Top Picks for Best Travel Diaper Backpack
- The Infinity Diaper Bag
- JuJuBe Be Right Back (BRB) Diaper Bag Backpack
- RUVALINO Multifunction Travel Back Pack
- Hap Tim Diaper Bag Backpack
- Bag National Diaper Bag Backpack
- Skip Hop Diaper Backpack
- BabbleRoo Diaper Bag Backpack
- REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack
- Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack
- No Reception Club: The Getaway Bag
- Tushbaby Hip Carrier
- Extra Items to Consider for Backpack to Stay Organized and Efficient
- Mother Load Diaper Bag Organizing Pouches
- ALVABABY wet/dry bags
- OxiClean stain remover pen
- Travel-size hand sanitizer
- Keep Going Travel First-Aid Kit for Kids
- Conclusion
Why a Travel Diaper Backpack is Important
Let’s talk quickly about navigating an airport with a baby. After parking the car, getting to the check-in counter with your luggage, baby, and a stroller is a lot to manage. Knowing that you’ve got everything your baby will need strapped to your back takes a lot of the load off–mentally, not physically. Ha!
After going through TSA and walking to your gate (which can sometimes feel like miles with a baby in tow), you’re going to want a backpack style that fits under the seat in front of you and is easily accessible when you need it. The reason I think it’s important to keep your travel diaper backpack under the seat rather than in an overhead bin is that you’ll never know when you’ll need it.
The pilot could turn on the “fasten seat belt sign" during turbulence, or your baby could have a blowout before you’re at a safe altitude to stand up. Both of these reasons could prevent you from getting to the lavatory right away for diaper changes. Having your travel diaper backpack handy could be the difference between saving your baby’s bum and outfit (as well as your own).
What to Look For in a Travel Diaper Backpack
When looking for the perfect travel diaper backpack, there are a few key features to keep in mind.
- Make sure the backpack is spacious enough to hold all your baby essentials. Multiple pockets and compartments are helpful to keep everything organized. It should also be easy to access items without having to dig through the entire bag.
- It has to be comfortable. After all, you’ll be wearing this travel diaper backpack as you carry your baby, roll luggage, and walk long distances. Choose a backpack with padded straps and a breathable back panel to ensure it’s comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
- Durability is critical. A lot of travel will put your backpack through a lot of wear and tear. Look for one made with high-quality materials that can withstand the elements.
- Water-resistant fabric is also a good choice to protect your diapers, wipes, and other baby gear from rain and spills.
- If you can find a backpack with built-in stroller straps or hooks so it can be easily attached to your stroller, that’s a bonus!
- Finally, consider the style of the backpack. While the style doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with functionality, if you’re going to wear it all the time and take it everywhere, it should reflect your personality and you should enjoy looking at it! Plus, a backpack with a neutral color and design can easily transition into a bag for everyday errands rather than just your travels. Another thing to consider is whether your going to be sharing the backpack carrying duties with someone else. Pick a style they might appreciate too.
Finding the right travel diaper backpack is a small task with big returns. It can dramatically improve the quality of your travels with a baby. Keep these key factors in mind when searching for the perfect backpack to meet your needs.
My Top Picks of Best Travel Diaper Backpacks
As I mentioned earlier, finding the perfect travel diaper backpack is going to change the game when it comes to your travels. Everything we do when we become parents becomes more challenging, so we need to keep packing and traveling as simple and efficiently as possible. That’s where finding a travel diaper backpack that fits all your needs comes in. It will make your life so much easier and it’s one less thing you need to think about.
Queenya’s The Infinity Diaper Bag
This is the perfect diaper bag for me. It's the one I added to my baby registry and happens to be my personal favorite for a variety of reasons. Let me count the ways!
It’s both fashionable with six colors to choose from, and it’s functional with 17 waterproof inner pockets. It has an insulated pocket that fits up to three baby bottles to keep them warm or cold, and a large main compartment with multiple interior pockets inside for easy organization. The bag also includes a waterproof pocket for dirty clothes or wet items and a padded laptop pocket. The adjustable shoulder straps make it easy to carry while the stroller straps make it possible to attach to your baby’s ride. It also has an entire changing station that can be expanded out to give your baby a little privacy as you change their diaper. I should also mention the velcro loop that is the perfect place to hang your baby’s noise-canceling headphones. The material is durable and easy to clean ensuring long-lasting use. It’s an added bonus that it has a USB charger so you never have to worry about your devices running out of juice on a long travel day.
- Material type: Not available
- Care instructions: Hand wash only
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Price: $99.00
JuJuBe Be Right Back (BRB) Diaper Bag Backpack
This bag is recommended by a good friend of mine as a versatile and stylish choice for parents on the go. It offers ample space for essentials like diapers, wipes, and bottles, with plenty of pockets and compartments for organization. It comes with a removable changing pad and metal D-rings that make it possible to hook it to a stroller. An insulated pocket on each side is perfect for carrying bottles. The durable and machine-washable material ensures that it will withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. It comes in a variety of colors because you shouldn’t have to sacrifice style for functionality. They’re on the more expensive side but JuJuBe backpacks come with a lifetime warranty so you can count on it lasting forever.
“We love our JuJuBe backpack. It's gender neutral so my husband will carry it!” - Alexis Hunt
- Material type: Polyester
- Care instructions: Machine washable
- Weight: 1.83 pounds
- Price: $175.00
RUVALINO Multifunction Travel Back Pack
The RUVALINO diaper bag backpack is a favorite in my “mom” groups on Facebook and one of the highest-rated on Amazon. It’s easy to see why it’s so highly regarded as a versatile and practical choice for travelers on the go. It’s got 16 spacious pockets that make it easy to store all your essentials, including bottles. It has a padded pocket for electronics like a laptop or tablet and mesh pockets that are perfect for diapers. It’s designed with convenience and comfort in mind and is one of the most lightweight on our list, so you can wear it all day without feeling weighed down. The bag is made of high-quality water-resistant polyester making it durable and long-lasting. There are 10 different styles to choose from so you’re even bound to find one your partner will love wearing too. The unisex styles make it a clear winner among all parents who might be sharing the bag-carrying duties.
“This bag has been everywhere with us… been covered in sand, water, spills–and it’s held up super well!” - Anna Bick Rowe.
“We’ve had a few versions of cheaper backpack diaper bags from Amazon and all have worked well, but this style is our favorite.” - Jennifer Ayers
- Material type: Polyester
- Care instructions: Spot clean or hand wash
- Weight: 1.78 pounds
- Price: $42.99
Hap Tim Diaper Bag Backpack
Talk about stylish! I absolutely love the look of this backpack, and there’s a style for everyone. Its floral prints are perfect for summer and words can’t describe how much I love the two-tone canvas-looking styles. This backpack is a versatile and convenient bag for parents no matter where your travels take you.
With 18 pockets and compartments, it can easily store all of your baby's essentials. It has insulated pockets that will keep baby’s bottles cold or warm for hours. Its stroller straps make it easy to attach to the stroller when you want a break from carrying it. The front pocket has a waterproof liner, making it easy to clean.
Made of durable and water-resistant material, this bag is protected from unexpected spills and rainy days. The Hap Tim Diaper Bag Backpack is a practical and stylish option for parents who want to stay organized while out and about with their little ones.
- Material type: Polyester
- Care instructions: Not available
- Weight: 2 pounds
- Price: $45.99
Bag Nation Diaper Bag Backpack
- Material type: Polyester
- Care instructions: Not available
- Weight: 2.45 pounds
- Price: $99.95
Skip Hop Diaper Backpack
This backpack has a quilted, sleek, chic, modern design with wipe-clean fabric. It’s got nine pockets, including two side bottle pockets for water bottles and a personal zip pocket. It includes a packing cube for organizing clothes and also features stroller straps, a paci pocket, a bottle bag, and a changing pad for added convenience.
The Skip Hop Diaper Backpack is a good looking bag with three styles to choose from, each of them sleek, chic, and classy.
- Material type: Faux leather, polyester
- Care instructions: Wipe with damp cloth
- Weight: 2.25 pounds
- Price: $100.00
BabbleRoo Diaper Bag Backpack
This diaper bag backpack offers a ton of storage and has the structure to keep you organized. With two main compartments, five insulated pockets, a wipe pocket, keyloop and dedicated changing pad, you’ll be ready for whatever your baby throws at you during your travels. It even has a padded pocket to hold your laptop or tablet. It’s made of tear-resistant, waterproof material and comes with cushioned straps and a padded back panel for added comfort. It also has stroller clips for when you want to sit down or take it off for a bit.
- Material type: Polyester
- Care instructions: Hand wash only
- Weight: 2.1 pounds
- Price: $42.99
REI Co-op Trail 25 Pack
A friend of mine with twins recommended the REI Co-op Trail 25 backpack for those of you who need more space and don’t want to sacrifice comfort for the heavier load. Its padded straps are also covered with mesh keeping them cool and comfortable. There are a total of five exterior pockets in addition to the main compartment. And because it’s technically a hiking backpack (though you’d never know it by looking at it), it comes with a raincover making it perfect for travel and places like Disney World!
“Each kid has a packing cube within the backpack. Stuff stays separate, husband doesn’t mind carrying it, easy to locate stuff quickly. It’s kind of a weird system, but it works well for us!” - Paige Pittman Lee
- Material type: Recycled ripstop nylon
- Care instructions: Not available
- Weight: 1 lb, 15 oz.
- Price: $79.95
Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack
This diaper backpack is probably the most stylish diaper bag on the list. It's versatile, durable, and perfect for travel and any on-the-go activity if we’re being honest. Made from high-quality neoprene material, this backpack is both water-resistant and easy to clean. With multiple compartments and pockets, it provides plenty of space for all your essentials.
The padded straps and back panel ensure maximum comfort, making it great for long days out. It also includes a mini changing mat, easy access to wipes, a washable zipper bag (perfect for dirty clothes), a laptop sleeve, and stroller clips. It’s on the more expensive side, but comes in 6 different colors so whichever you choose, you know you’ll be the envy of other moms at the airport.
- Material type: Neoprene
- Care instructions: Hand wash with mild detergent
- Weight: 3.5 pounds
- Price: $215.00
No Reception Club: The Getaway Bag
This diaper bag is always sold out, but I’m adding it to the list just in case it happens to be restocked as you read this. This was made specifically for the traveling parent! It comes with two customizable shelves to help you stay organized. It also has a shoe compartment on the bottom. Need a place for your laptop or tablet? No problem. A zipper pocket on the top is the perfect place to store items you need to access often in an airport like your wallet or phone. It also comes with an insulated lunch bag, fits over your roller suitcases handle, or it can hang on your stroller.
- Material type: Water-resistant polyester
- Care instructions: Hand wash with wipes or machine washable in cold on gentle cycle
- Weight: 2.7 pounds
- Price: $275.00
Tushbaby Hip Carrier
I saved this one for last because it technically isn’t a “backpack,” but hear me out. Since I got the Tushbaby Hip Carrier, I’ve actually been using it more than the backpack because it serves two purposes. It has ample pocket storage space for my baby’s essentials like diapers, wipes, paci, one back-up outfit and my phone and credit cards. But the bonus is that it also serves as a seat for my little one to sit on which saves me from muscling all 23 pounds of him on my hip when he wants or needs to be carried. He can face forward or backward and enjoy the views as we walk. Of course, this hip carrier is not hands-free, so it doesn’t have all the benefits of a backpack. But, you could say that what it lacks in being hands-free, it makes up for in function if you have a baby who loves to be held. The platform also helps prop your baby up while nursing, so it can replace your Boppy pillow when you’re on the go. I can’t recommend the Tusbaby hip carrier enough.
- Material type: Depends on color
- Care instructions: Machine washable
- Weight: 1 pound
- Price: $85.00
Investing in a good quality travel diaper backpack will make your life as a traveling parent much easier. Choose one that suits your style, budget, and travel needs to make adventuring with your baby stress-free.
Extra Items to Consider for Organization and Efficiency as You Travel
Mother Load Diaper Bag Organizing Pouches
These pouches come in a variety of cute colors and different sizes. They're already labeled with a cute design showing you exactly what it’s meant to carry from toys to a change of clothes to diapers. These help you stay organized in your travel diaper backpack if it doesn’t have as many pockets as you’d like.
ALVABABY Wet/Dry Bag
I recommend a wet or dry bag so you have a place to put dirty clothes or cloth diapers to keep them away from the other items in your travel diaper backpack. Blowouts happen. Spit-up happens. But, having a bag that will keep soiled items contained is key. Look for one that can be easily thrown in the washing machine with your soiled clothes or cloth diapers. I’ve put a soaking wet swimsuit in the ALVABABY wet/dry bag and it contained the moisture!
OxiClean Stain Remover Pen
This will give you peace of mind as you’re traveling on the go with your baby–or without! Having a stain remover pen handy will help your shirt last a little longer after all the spills and sticky hands happen.
Travel-size Hand Sanitizer
This is a no-brainer if you have a baby. But make sure to refill your hand sanitizer before a trip. Just think about the germs that are carried on an airplane’s arm rests and tray table. These days, flight attendants are handing out cleansing wipes as you board the plane. Stock pile these in your travel diaper backpack. You’ll never know when it’ll come in handy.
Keep Going Travel First-Aid Kit for Kids
This is the ultimate first-aid kit for babies and toddlers. It comes with scissors, tweezers, finger splint, tick removers, triple antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, burn cream, hand sanitizer, lip balm, nosebleed plugs, safety pins, thermometer, first-aid tape roll, sewing kit, gauze, cleansing wipes, and dozens of bandaids in a variety of sizes. It literally has everything you’ll need to be prepared for any skinned knee or accident. What’s more? It’s tiny! It won’t take up much space in your travel diaper backpack.
The Best Travel Diaper Backpacks for Your Next Adventure
Staying organized is the key to your sanity when it comes to traveling with a baby. Having enough storage and knowing exactly where you put the diapers, wipes, paci, and other items are important factors to consider that will put your mind at ease. My list of the best diaper bag backpacks was curated by interviewing other parents whom I trust immensely, so this is not your average list.
There’s a travel diaper backpack here to fit every budget and style. Whether you're hitting the road or flying across the country, these travel diaper backpacks will make your journey easier and more convenient. Investing in a travel diaper backpack is a smart choice for any parent who wants to simplify their travels and make the most of their adventures. So, pack your bags and hit the road with confidence, knowing that you have everything you need to keep your baby comfortable and happy on the go 💕.
Do you have a favorite travel diaper backpack that I’ve left off the list? Leave us a comment here and let us know what it is and why you love it!
About the Author
This guest blog post was contributed by Kelsey Lawrence an award-winning journalist and freelance writer with a passion for travel and the great outdoors.
Kelsey is the blogger behind Adventure Baby, a website aimed at inspiring first-time parents like herself to get outside, travel, and make the most of every moment with their new sidekicks.
You can follow Kelsey on Instagram: @adventurebabyp or TikTok: @adventurebabyp
