Every parent has a diaper bag, but you may be wondering if your diaper bag is suitable for travel. I have traveled extensively with babies and toddlers and I’ve owned a few different diaper bags, and I can tell you from my first-hand experience that the best one for travel was definitely a diaper bag backpack!
When traveling, I have found that having my hands free for chasing toddlers or carrying a baby is a must! With a backpack-style diaper bag, you don’t have to worry about it falling off your shoulder or getting in the way. In this post, I’ll share my research into all the latest, best travel diaper bag backpacks. You’ll be so glad you went this route on your next family holiday!
You have enough to think about getting through the airport when flying with a baby or holding your toddlers hand walking down the busy city streets. Diaper bag backpacks offer traveling parents, like myself, hands-free access to handle anything I need to do with my baby or toddler.
Plus, carrying all your baby travel essentials is much easier to do on your back in a diaper bag backpack than a shoulder bag. Any of these backpack diaper bags for travel will gives us parents the comfort of having our things safely and neatly organized within arm’s reach.
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Best Travel Diaper Bag Backpacks
While curating this list, I’ve shown a wide range of baby backpack diaper bags to choose from when searching for your best fit. Whether it’s a fashionable backpack diaper bag, a trendy backpack diaper bag or the best diaper backpacks for dads, my list gives you plenty to choose from.
For those of you traveling with twins, you aren’t left out. An extra large backpack diaper bag is the best travel diaper bag for twins.
My Top Pick
1. RUVALINO Travel Backpack Diaper Bag
The RUVALINO Multifunction Travel Backpack has a spacious main compartment, along with all the other must-have features in a diaper bag.
Spacious and easy-to-carry
With elastic, open-top bottle holder
Comes with several pockets for storage
Made from lightweight durable fabric
2. The Getaway Bag by No Reception Club
The Getaway Bag from No Reception Club has features unique to this travel backpack for parents. The main compartment has 2 shelves that can be customized, making sure you have room for all your baby essentials.
With parent pockets for your own essentials and a TSA approved laptop sleeve
Has a secret pocket for passports and valuables
With two external water bottle holders and it comes with a insulated lunch bag and stroller clips
Its travel bundle also comes with Sidekick hip bag and a diaper change pad
3. BabbleRoo Baby Backpack Diaper Bag
Thoughtfully designed with tear-resistant waterproof fabric, the BabbleRoo Baby Nappy Changing Bags feature padded back and shoulder straps that distribute loads evenly across parents’ backs.
With 18 pockets
Comes with a foldable changing mat and a detachable pacifier case
With padded back and shoulder straps
Affordable, practical and trendy
4. Freshly Picked - Convertible Diaper Bag Backpack
Designed for moms by moms, this vegan leather backpack diaper bag effortlessly combines style and practicality.
Multifunctional
Spacious central compartment
Versatile and fashionable
With several pockets to organize your baby’s things
5. HSD Dad Diaper Bag Backpack
The HSD Dad Diaper Bag Backpack has seven exterior pockets and boasts of YKK zippers that allow you to open and close the pockets with just one hand. With a large main component, the bag is spacious enough for the belongings of not one, but two kids, making it one one of the best backpack diaper bags for twins.
Tested based on military standards for rough use
With baby wipes pocket and two insulated bottle pockets
With large diaper changing mat in a pocket that doubles as a laptop holder and hydration bladder
Heavy-duty
6. Petunia Pickle Bottom Tempo Backpack Diaper Bag
Combining style with function, this versatile backpack diaper bag by Petunia Pickle Bottom covers all the bases. It has 8 spacious pockets, insulated side pockets for bottles.
With top grab handle and a sleeve to attach the bag to a suitcase
With luxurious vegan leatherette fabric and metal hardware
Has laptop sleeve for work-trips
With adjustable backpack straps and a washable changing pad
7. Itzy Ritzy Diaper Bag Backpack
The Itzy Ritzy Diaper Bag Backpack might not look very big but you are in for a surprise when you open it because it’s more than enough for everything you need.
Does not collapse onto itself even if it is relatively empty
With a signature rubber bottom that makes this backpack airplane friendly
Has an inner compartment that can easily fit a laptop and a changing pad at the same time
With insulated pockets, and a felt-lined valuables pocket
8. Diaper Bag Backpack for Travel by KeaBabies
The diaper bag backpack by KeaBabies is ideal for parents who are travelling with more than one kid. With all the extra storage, this backpack is also great for parents who plan long journeys and travel with lots of luggage.
Has zippers that are easy to use and open
With compartment dedicated to diapers
With insulated pockets to keep your baby’s food toasty
With a cushioned back for support and a diaper changing mat
9. Upsimples Backpack Baby Diaper Bag
When travelling, you know that one of the biggest hassles is a phone that’s out of charge. Well, with the Upsimples backpack diaper bag, that will hardly ever be a problem again! This affordable backpack by Upsimples comes with a USB charging port, in addition to plenty of space and even a side pocket for keeping baby wipes accessible with just one hand.
Designed to be opened from both the top and bottom
With insulated pockets and compartments that are adequately lined
Comes with a USB charging port
Has plenty of space and even a side pocket for keeping baby wipes accessible with just one hand
Why a Backpack Style Diaper Bag is the Best Diaper Bag for Travel
In short, a backpack diaper bag is perfect not just for your baby’s needs but for your needs as well, and here’s why:
- Portable: Most would agree that our backs are better suited to carrying heavy loads than our arms are. Especially when carrying things for two babies, you will need a bag that’s easier to carry than the conventional single-strap diaper bag. Plus, with your arms freed up, you get to carry your little bundle of joy with more ease.
- Spacious: Backpack style diaper bags have multiple storage compartments and plenty of pockets. This makes organizing your toddler travel essentials a lot easier than an ordinary backpack or diaper bag.
- Multifunctional: Most of these bags can be used in a variety of situations. Whether it’s a typical outing to the local grocery store, a full-blown vacation, or a quick run to the workplace (even without baby), these bags will have you covered. Efficient design means most of these backpack bags can easily be converted into handbags as well.
- Perfect for your needs: Backpack style diaper bags come with a variety of facilities like changing pads, insulated pockets for food and drink, and even USB ports for busy parents on the go. All this innovation in compact, back-friendly, ergonomic designs? Yes, please.
- Durability: Backpack diaper bags are made of durable materials that are very easy to clean. Some of the diaper bags featured on this list are made of vegan leather and are therefore environment friendly as well!
- Unisex: Most backpack diaper bags come with a unisex design, so they can pretty much be worn by anybody, anywhere!
Using Backpacks as Diaper Bags
Unlike ordinary backpacks, backpack diaper bags come with features that are specifically customized for parents’ needs. These include insulated pockets, baby wipes pockets, separate pacifier bags, and changing pads.
Good luck trying to find these in an ordinary backpack!
Most of them don’t have the smart compartmentalization required to contain all these baby essentials in an easily accessible way, either.
Furthermore, ordinary backpacks often do not come with smart zippers. Parents know the agony of trying to open a bag with just one hand while dealing with a squirmy baby in the other hand! Flimsy zippers are simply a no-go during times like those.
Backpack diaper bags are built to withstand overstuffing as well, which makes them a blessing when packing for a baby - because we all know, it’s just never enough!
You can count on backpack diaper bags and their strong zippers to just handle things for you.
What to Pack in Your Baby Backpack Diaper Bag for Travel
Here are some items you can pack in your baby backpack diaper bag for travel to make your adventures with your baby easy and hassle-free:
- Wipes: As any parent knows, plenty of wipes is an absolute must. Don't forget to pack your baby wipe travel case in the dedicated wipes pocket that comes included with some baby backpack diaper bags.
- Wet Bags: These are great for tucking away soiled diapers and baby clothing. Buy extra wet bags to store your bottles and pacifiers hygienically.
- Diapers: Considering that an average baby needs a diaper change every two hours, it’s a good idea to carry plenty of these.
- Ointments: Make sure to take travel-friendly tube-based creams to avoid messes.
- Pacifiers: Pack your pacifier hygienically, and don’t forget to pack extra bottle nipples.
- Changing pad: Many diaper bag backpacks come with a changing pad, but if not you'll want to pick up one of these best diaper change mats to have with you!
- Hat, umbrella and blanket: Weather is so unpredictable, especially during travel, which is why it’s best to stay prepared. Carrying a hat, umbrella, and blanket will help you shield your baby from the sun and the rain.
- Washcloths: You can never have too many of these.
- Food: If your baby is eating solid foods, you’ll need to manage baby food while traveling. Whether it be pumped breast milk, formula, or solid food, pack enough to last the entire time you’re out (don't forget a baby bottle warmer and a compact travel bottle drying rack).
We all know how much toddlers love to snack, so you'll also want to pack a toddler spill proof snack cup. - Sunscreen: If your baby is six months or older, keep sunscreen in your backpack diaper bag to keep your baby safe in the sun.
- Extra clothes: Poop, spit, pee, and food, are only some of the things that soil babies’ clothes. Having extra clothes in your backpack can save you a lot of time and avoid unpleasant situations. It’s also a good idea to carry an extra pair of clothes for yourself, if you can fit them in.
- Toys: Baby travel toys are an essential to entertain your baby when they start fussing. You can also pack some of these screen-free toddler toys to keep your toddler entertained anywhere.
- A first-aid kit: In case of an emergency, it never hurts to have a first-aid kit easily accessible.
- Travel size baby products: If you are using your diaper bag as your carry-on, it never hurts to pack some travel size baby toiletries so you have them on arrival!
- Your own things: Your wallet, keys, cards and other adult things should all find a place in your diaper bag backpack. You don’t want to be carrying around multiple bags after all, do you?
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.