Is the Best Diaper Bag a Tool Bag?

[victor252]

My wife and I are expecting our first child in a few months. She bought this tiny flimsy backpack that feels like it will fall apart, and I can barely wear it. I'm thinking about going different route and picking something that is durable, spacious enough, and has multiple compartments. Why not a tool bag with a shoulder strap or something in that vein? It will look better, hold up better, and when our son no longer needs diapers, it's still a fully functional tool bag. These options are also cheaper than some of the purpose-built bags. Am I way off base? Here are some options I'm considering:

Husky 16 in. Large Mouth Tool Bag with Tool Wall 67126-02 - The Home Depot

Carry your tools to the job site in style by choosing this Husky Large Mouth Tool Bag with Tool Wall. Comes with Removable tool wall for easy access.

www.homedepot.com

Husky 18 in. 41 Pocket Heavy Duty Large Mouth Tool Bag with Tool Wall 67127-02 - The Home Depot

Add this innovative breakthrough in comfort and support to your tool by choosing this Husky Large Mouth Tool Bag with Tool Wall.

www.homedepot.com

DEWALT TSTAK 17 in. Multi-Purpose Tool Bag DWST17623 - The Home Depot

Keep your tools organized and within reach while you work by choosing this durable DEWALT 20-TSTAK MultiPurpose Tool Bag.

www.homedepot.com

DEWALT TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0 22 in. Tool Bag DWST08350 - The Home Depot

Give a professional upgrade to your tool set with the addition of this DEWALT 8-TOUGHSYSTEM Tool Bag. Features an ergonomic design.

www.homedepot.com

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-CM-TradeStack-Multi-Access-Bag/5002861279

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-VERSASTACK-17-in-Zippered-Tool-Bag/1001339714

A tool backpack like this might also work:

Husky 16 in. Pro Tool Backpack H-68004-03 - The Home Depot

The Husky Pro Tool Backpack helps you stay organized and efficient with easy access to your tools on-the-go. Constructed of heavy-duty, water-resistant 1680D polyester fabric for long-term durability with a waterproof molded base that provides stability to keep the bag upright for easy tool...

www.homedepot.com

What does the GJ crowd think? What do you guys use? Does anyone have any experience with these?

 

[dchawk81]

First child: huge diaper bag stuffed with EVERYTHING.

Second child: a spare diaper stuffed in her purse.

 

[gtae07]

We just found some backpack (like a computer bag) and a little insulated soft lunchbox for keeping the bottles cold (seriously, we fed him cold bottles from the start, no f'ing around with warming them). You will want something that keeps your hands free, so all but the backpack would be out.

For contents...
Food
Diapers
Wipes
Changing pad
Burpcloth(s)
Spare set of clothes for kid (or two, there WILL be occasional blowouts)
Toys/teethers/pacifier as applicable
Maybe even a spare shirt for you or wife, just in case

 

[RTM]

First child: huge designer diaper bag stuffed with EVERYTHING.

Fixed it for you.

One of my other hobbies is photography, and some photographers were stashing their gear in diaper bags a few years back, so it wasn't like wearing a large target saying rip me off.

In that vein, you might want to consider a cheap brand of tools, to reduce your chance of running into a very disappointed thief.

 

[2oolhound]

Ha ha, I was thinking just the opposite. Use a tool bag and you're likely to save on washing expenses and duties.

 

[Samuel D]

One of my other hobbies is photography, and some photographers were stashing their gear in diaper bags a few years back, so it wasn't like wearing a large target saying rip me off.

I did the opposite. Put a couple of nappies (diapers) in my Billingham camera bag on many an occasion.

I’ve been carrying that thing or visible cameras around dodgy places for many years. Never had anything stolen, although I did have a knife pulled on me once (I ran on instinct).

Speaking of luxury, one of my most-used bags for baby stuff (when I need more than two nappies and a pack of wet wipes, though I always try to travel light) was / is a day bag called Le Pliage (the folding) by Longchamp. Looks class in navy with brown leather handle, is extremely light, folds down to nothing, carries lots, and is tough wearing.

I don’t like anything with a maze of pockets, compartments, and other gizmos.

You’re on the right track getting a bag for general purpose use, victor252.

 

[yyc_ranger_4x4]

5.11 Bail Out Bag....add a couple pockets on the ends for items of your choice. Easy to grab, looks better than most diaper bags and you'll never wear it out on diaper duty. Mag pockets work great for bottles and other items.

 

[flyingblind]

I use one for the gun range so why not.

 

[victor252]

5.11 Bail Out Bag....add a couple pockets on the ends for items of your choice. Easy to grab, looks better than most diaper bags and you'll never wear it out on diaper duty. Mag pockets work great for bottles and other items.

I use one for the gun range so why not.

I actually have the original LA Police Gear Bail Out Bag that probably inspired the 5.11 model. They look very similar. I love my range bag and have bought the same bag for my dad and my Army buddies as gifts. I was looking for something less tactical, but those mag pouches do make sense as bottle pouches...

 

[Jgaz]

LA Police Gear Bail Out Bag available in two sizes

 

[victor252]

LA Police Gear Bail Out Bag available in two sizes

I have the original model, not the jumbo size. The original is perfect for taking a couple pistols with ammo and mags to the range. it also has a couple pockets on the end for water bottles, but I use them for storing eye-pro. Now that I look, the jumbo model does have a picture with it being used as a diaper bag. Still kind of tacti-cool.

 

[Jgaz]

Gray or Maroon might tone down that look

 

[dchawk81]

Third child: almost forgetting to bring the child.

Fourth child: the other three children are responsible for it.

 

[cvairwerks]

Something a little less tactical and wife centered:

Girly Girl Gun Bags is under construction

girlygirlbags.com

Scroll down for the various versions...

 

[WAID]

My preference was folding changing pad in a backpack with whatever clothes, snacks, whatever were needed for the trip.

 

[victor252]

Something a little less tactical and wife centered:

Girly Girl Gun Bags is under construction

girlygirlbags.com

Scroll down for the various versions...

I can never show my wife this website...I'll be broke!

 

[victor252]

My preference was folding changing pad in a backpack with whatever clothes, snacks, whatever were needed for the trip.

Someone recommended a small bag like this that can fit on the bottom shelf of a stroller. As a man, who needs a bottle to feed a baby, I think I still want something that can hold a bottle. But maybe I can let my son have a bottle next to him in the stroller and travel light.

 

[WAID]

Someone recommended a small bag like this that can fit on the bottom shelf of a stroller. As a man, who needs a bottle to feed a baby, I think I still want something that can hold a bottle. But maybe I can let my son have a bottle next to him in the stroller and travel light.

The bottle was in the backpack or a cooler depending on the trip, though I didn't travel much without Momma and when we did take a bottle it was usually in the camper with a fridge. #1 was born pretty much right in the covid lock downs so that changed our trips out for a while. We needed to carry diapers longer than bottles.

I preferred a backpack since I could carry it and have my hands free and it still worked with whatever carrier we used for kiddo. I don't much care for heavily organized bags since they aren't as flexible, cost more, and are heavier. The folding pad could handle the organization for all the diaper activities and go in whatever stroller, backpack, etc. Then when we potty trained I chucked the diaper stuff and still use the backpack to carry a change of clothes, sunscreen, snacks, hot wheels, etc.

I'm going to have to throw the diaper stuff back in come January so we'll see if I change (or remember) anything.

 

[bonneyman]

Cross-purposing items is a smart move. I've tried instilling in my apprentice to look for something already made that you can modify rather than re-invent the wheel every time.

I've used an "old fashioned" shaving bag for carrying my clamp meter with accessories for years. Works great!

 

[mike93lx]

Don't over think it. Use whatever bag you already have to start then see what you actually need.

For me, we found my wife would carry around her bag, regardless of what I packed, so it was unnecessary. And if I was going somewhere with the kiddos alone, she would pack stuff for me to take, or I'd just grab her bag. Buying my own was a waste

 

[Samuel D]

I don't much care for heavily organized bags since they aren't as flexible, cost more, and are heavier.

Agreed. Especially for baby stuff – which really doesn’t require many items – but for travelling in general, I find it better to prioritise lightness and versatility (maybe in part because I’m often walking or using public transport, rarely the car). I take this to the logical extreme and favour a single large compartment, but I can see the appeal of a pocket or two for small items. But having a special pocket for a bottle, one for nappies, one for a wallet, one for an iPad, etc., seems needlessly restrictive to me and no real convenience boon. YMMV.

My daughter is now two and a half and basically potty trained (nights excepted), which makes packing for outings a bit easier.

 

[david3921]

You could just get a back pack designed for carrying baby stuff but doesn't look like it. Two of the step daughters have one and love it. Looks like 15 different colors including Army green.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M3KHMLB/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[victor252]

I'm going to have to throw the diaper stuff back in come January so we'll see if I change (or remember) anything.

Congratulations!

 

[WAID]

Agreed. Especially for baby stuff – which really doesn’t require many items – but for travelling in general, I find it better to prioritise lightness and versatility (maybe in part because I’m often walking or using public transport, rarely the car). I take this to the logical extreme and favour a single large compartment, but I can see the appeal of a pocket or two for small items. But having a special pocket for a bottle, one for nappies, one for a wallet, one for an iPad, etc., seems needlessly restrictive to me and no real convenience boon. YMMV.

My daughter is now two and a half and basically potty trained (nights excepted), which makes packing for outings a bit easier.

We also do a fair bit of walking around the neighborhood or wherever we are and saw no need to bring too much stuff. I always leaned toward the one big pocket idea with backpacking so that probably shaped my thoughts.

The bag we use is more or less the standard one big pocket and a front pocket design. he front pocket has some emergency snacks for mama and boy when hanger strikes along with a small first aid kit. The main pocket has some things like coats and sweaters(for all 3 of us) just crammed in and some is organized in a packing cube and a couple pouches. The packing cube holds a couple changes of kid clothes. One pouch has an assortment of small toys, mostly hotwheels or similar sizes construction vehicles. Another pouch has a charger and cable for things we might take. A final pouch with some misc helpful things like a shopping bag, emergency coffee, etc. Then a couple waterbottles are usually in the side pockets.

 

[Samuel D]

small toys, mostly hotwheels

Ah, that’s what you meant by “hit wheels” in a previous post. I was afraid to ask in case it was some American slang I didn’t understand or something.

emergency coffee

Ha. Now you’re talking!

Fun to hear about other people with young kids, etc., on here. I’m raising my daughter on the likes of Snap-on and PB Swiss. She’s going to be an unbearable tool snob.

Good luck to you all.

 

[bp460]

When my kids were babies, I started wearing cargo pants. For short excursions I would put a diaper or two in one side pocket and a small ziplock bag stocked with wipes in the other along with a bottle. I used glass baby bottles which were tall and skinny.

 

[mike93lx]

When my kids were babies, I started wearing cargo pants. For short excursions I would put a diaper or two in one side pocket and a small ziplock bag stocked with wipes in the other along with a bottle. I used glass baby bottles which were tall and skinny.

I always carried an extra zip lock to have a place for the ****** diaper in case a trash can wasn't available

 

[Woody1320]

My wife found a Vera Bradley diaper bag at the local outlet mall on a deep sale (we've done that twice...once for each child). The second has lasted a couple years (and we've punished it lol). As they get older, the backpack and pad will be PLENTY. Make sure you have a small first aid kit...I made a small one after my oldest scraped his knee while we were at a birthday party a few years ago.

 

[MarcSeattle]

Take a look at messenger bags, like Timbuktu.

 

[ecotec]

Take a look at messenger bags, like Timbuktu.

I used the smallest model of messenger bag from Chrome.

I don’t think that a lot of individual compartments is ideal. A few is fine. Mostly, you want an open space.

 

[honcho]

Fixed it for you.

One of my other hobbies is photography, and some photographers were stashing their gear in diaper bags a few years back, so it wasn't like wearing a large target saying rip me off.

In that vein, you might want to consider a cheap brand of tools, to reduce your chance of running into a very disappointed thief.

In the mid 80s when my eldest was born, I convinced my wife to go the opposite direction and use a rather generic looking cordura camera bag as a diaper bag. Lots of utility and there was even room for a camera.

 

[bdbecker]

I used a SOC Three Day Pass backpack.

Three Day Pass - Black

Mid-sized pack to keep your gear where you can find it. Easy access to books, clothing and accessories in the generous main compartment. Organize pens, pencils, business cards, etc. in the Organizer Panel. Compact enough to use virtually anywhere, but with the capacity for a few days of clothing...

sandpiperca.com

The reason for choosing that particular model is because it has a nice combination of a main storage area along with some smaller integrated organization pouches. I tend to prefer backpacks over shoulder/messenger style bags because of the better weight distribution, and it keeps the bag out of the way for when you need to bend down and tend to the little ones.

I agree with the idea of getting something that is versatile and can continue to be used as the kids grow up. Instead of diapers, wipes, toys, pacifiers, and bottles, now I use it to carry snacks, more snacks, water bottles, even more snacks, an assortment of cool looking rocks, a walnut or two, and a pretty leaf. I also use it as a hunting bag, day hike bag, or as a carry-on bag.

 

[Robinson1]

I can’t offer much advice because my wife ordered this crazy expensive custom diaper bag from a seller on Etsy. I will say it was nice quality.

The first trip we took she had this thing stuffed so full it wouldn’t close and it’s about the same size as an average backpack. In addition to a case of diapers a case of wipes and enough clothes to last a week.

The next trip the bag would close but still insisted we needed the case of diapers, case of wipes and a weeks worth of clothes.

By about the sixth trip everything fit in the bag.

Now almost 19 months in and the bag has became a catch all for random **** plus a couple diapers.

The biggest issue now is the amount of toys that my wife insists he needs to bring everywhere.

My son rode with me for four hours in a cabbed tractor last Saturday. I had zero toys and stuck two diapers behind the seat when we left. He spent the entire time watching the front tires turn then he would spin around and watch the grass disappear under the bush hog. He had an awesome time just watching the equipment work.

 

[victor252]

My son rode with me for four hours in a cabbed tractor last Saturday. I had zero toys and stuck two diapers behind the seat when we left. He spent the entire time watching the front tires turn then he would spin around and watch the grass disappear under the bush hog. He had an awesome time just watching the equipment work.

There's no substitute for quality time!

 

[firefightercfd]

Tactical baby gear. Best diaper bag. They have backpacks and messenger style bags.

 

[fletcher94]

I joked about using Milwaukee pack out an no humor was found from my wife. Next day mother in law ordered some pink thing off amazon for over 150 bucks. Nice gift but I still think a pack out would be practical lol

 

[Kurt4440]

I vote for a backpack for several reasons.
Here are just a few examples:

You will be bending over to pick up stuff.
You will inevitably have to run after a child.
It is easier to push a stroller with 2 hands especially over rough terrain.
With multiple children, you will be carrying one child while your wife is pushing the stroller with the other child.
With multiple children, you might be holding two childrens hands simultaneously.