The Best Diaper Bags for Dads, According to Actual Dads

The Ready 22L Dad Backpack has the storage, organization, size and style that’ll work well for most dads, which is why it’s our (and Parman’s personal) top pick. One of Parman’s main criteria when choosing a diaper bag for himself was organization, and unlike a regular backpack many dads find themselves using, this bag truly has a spot for any and everything.

The Ready 22L is built like a tactical travel bag (minus the aesthetic), and keeps parenting functionality at the core. “What really made the Ready 22L stand out to me was that it didn’t look like a diaper bag—it easily passes as a sleek, everyday backpack,” Parman shared. There are two exterior insulated bottle pockets on either side of the front, with easy-access side pockets. The whole front panel of the backpack zips open so you can find what you need without digging, and the vertical front zipper pocket lets you peek in there to grab something without needing to open the whole thing. One parent wrote in their review, “I've been really stoked on this bag for weekend trips with the kids and airplane travel. It has lots of storage organization and space for both kids stuff and my stuff along with really well thought out pockets.”

There are nine interior pockets to keep everything sorted (think: snacks, sunscreen or tiny socks you forgot you packed). Parman says,“And maybe the biggest win: it holds four water bottles. That means one for each kid, and one for mom and dad too. It’s those little things that make a big difference.”

The versatility is another thing a few parents mentioned in their reviews, one sharing: “This bag has infinite possibilities! Starting on day one, I used almost every pocket when taking the big bro to school: snacks, water bottles, spare clothes. Day two, was with the baby and it had room for diapers [and] wipes. Day three, I took it to work. By far the best day bag I own.” 

The Ready comes in two sizes, too: 22L and 26L. Parman said he initially ordered the smaller version and ended up exchanging it for the 26L since he’ll be packing it for two little ones. As someone who is over six feet tall, he says the backpack is long enough that it feels proportional as a parent with a taller frame. “The moment it really won me over was when I was out all day with the family and realized how insanely comfortable the straps are—it stayed comfortable even fully packed,” Parman says. The overall design of the diaper backpack has a sleek vibe that dads appreciate, with one sharing, “It looks stylish, [you] wouldn't know it was a diaper pack at all. Great materials and well made.” 

There are few things not to love about this diaper backpack. As a newer brand to the market, we couldn’t find any cons other than the material not being what one parent expected. While the larger size comes with the changing mat, the 22L doesn’t, though you can purchase one separately. 

Additional Specs

• Weight: 2.6 lbs

• Dimensions: 19.5"H X 12.25"W X 7”D

The Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack is a top pick for parents looking for something stylish yet functional. It’s consistently called out in Babylist’s annual Most Loved Baby Products survey, especially for those who are sharing. “It is not only stylish for both my husband and I to carry, but it’s extremely functional,” a Babylist parent wrote in their review. Another raved, “My husband loves the look and is happy to carry the bag.”

Its sleek and simple design appeals to those who prefer a modern look without compromising on practicality. “There’s a huge gap between ‘cute and trendy’ and ‘military tactical’—most dads want something in between,” says Parman. The Indi stands out as a happy medium.

It’s crafted from water-resistant neoprene that is both durable and eco-friendly. It comes equipped with thoughtful features like a mini changing mat, an insulated bottle holder, two key leashes and multiple compartments to keep essentials organized. One Babylist parent wrote in our survey, “Our Dagne Dover Indi goes with us EVERYWHERE! It’s evolved so well from the early newborn days to almost a year old and has provided the best storage solutions. My husband also loves carrying it and that’s a huge plus.”

The Indi is available in three sizes—small, medium and large—to cater to different needs, whether you're packing for a quick outing or a longer trip. It also means you can find one that works for any body shape and size. Both the medium (featured here) and large sizes include a built-in luggage sleeve, making it a convenient choice for travel.

However, these are a few downsides to this bag. The first is that lighter colors tend to stain easily. “I was disappointed how quickly the bag showed stains and I haven’t been able [to] get them out,” one parent mentioned in their review. (It does come in a couple of darker colors like black and navy). And although it’s made of a scuba suit-like material, the bag is quite heavy when empty—weighing just under four pounds.

Additional Specs

• Weight: 3.8 lbs

• Dimensions: 11.75” L x 6.5” W x 12.75” H

The Huggies Day Pack has all the thoughtful touches you’d expect from a brand that knows diapers. It’s my partner’s go-to whenever he takes our toddlers out for some dad time—and the fact that it’s just under $50 makes it even better.

The Day Pack has all the storage and organization you could want in a diaper backpack. “It’s the best diaper bag, it has a dedicated wipes pocket, insulated bottle pocket, water resistant, has stroller strap attachments, a foldable changing pad and is totally a complete diaper bag,” one Babylist parent shared. There are more convenient features like a phone pocket, key leash, built-in stroller straps and a cushioned back surface. The padded straps make it super comfortable to wear—even for long days out (we even wore it around Disneyland).

Made of water-resistant nylon, the backpack is durable enough for everyday use. We’ve been using it for about six months and haven’t babied it at all. It gets packed to the brim, tossed in the stroller, thrown on the grass, sand or ground, and still looks great. One Babylist parent agreed, saying, “I was also surprised by its durability, as it never showed signs of wear during our hike.”

There are two downsides: While it’s durable, it’s not the easiest to clean (some stains can be stubborn), and it’s a bit cramped when packing for more than one kid. If you’re packing for a single baby, though, it’s a great option.

Additional Specs

• Weight: 2.66 lbs

• Dimensions: 18”H x 12”W x 6”D

This is one of our favorite diaper bags for travel, but it’s also a top pick for parents who have multiple little ones and those who like to pack a lot. The Getaway Bag’s standout feature is its unique, shelf-style organization in the main compartment, which you can customize to fit your needs. “We have three different diaper bags but this is the one we’ve used the most after the newborn phase. I love the shelf organization and we divide up by snacks, toys and clothes. I don’t have to lay the backpack down, I can whip the backpack to the side and get what I need,” one parent shared.

There’s an odor- and waterproof “emergency” compartment, perfect for soiled clothes or other messes. Another dad noted, “The side opening and shelving system specifically set this bag apart from the competition and they allowed us much easier access to toys, snacks, clothes, etc.” It’s also durable and well made: “I absolutely love this bag. I’m a guy that wants to buy the type of things that don’t fall apart, have nice zippers and are made to last,” one parent raved.

A common complaint: The bag tips over when you set it down, which can be frustrating, especially when you’re in a hurry. It’s also on the bigger side, which is great for those who overpack or have more than one child, but might be too much for every day if you travel light. At just over $230, it’s a splurge.

Additional Specs

• Weight: 2.7 lbs when empty; 3.4 lbs with the dividers and lunch bag

• Dimensions: 19.7”H x 10.2”W x 6.5”D

The Dude Dad Diaper Backpack is built for parents who like their gear rugged, ready for anything—and with a sense of humor. Inside, you’ll find playful details like surprise sayings tucked throughout the bag, including a standout hazmat symbol on the wet bag that one parent called“awesome.”

Designed by a dad who’s also a builder, this backpack combines practical features with a tool-bag-meets-parenting vibe. “When my wife hands me a bottle, asks for a bib or a baby wipe, it's easy to find and move on. I'm not digging through a Mary Poppins style diaper bag,” one parent said.

It’s packed with smart organizational features, like the wet/dry “Tendies” bag, a dedicated compartment for soggy or messy stuff (so it doesn’t touch the rest of your gear). 

It comes with a removable changing pad that’s easy to clean. The insulated cooler pouch keeps bottles cold and clips onto anything with the included carabiners, which is great when you don’t want to dig through the main bag.

The backpack is roomy but not bulky, with 30–35L of space—enough for a 14" laptop, diapers, bottles, snacks, toys, a change of clothes and whatever else you might need. Versatile carry options like stroller straps, a sternum strap and gear loops keep the bag secure and your hands free. “The Dude Dad bag is amazing. We had an extended stay in the NICU and it truly had all the space and packing organization we could ask for,” one parent wrote.

Parents also love the bag’s durability—reinforced stitching, sturdy handles and heavy-duty polyester make it tough enough for any adventure. “It’s so convenient, comfortable, well laid out and so thoughtful for parents! We love all the pockets to stash stuff in and how spacious it is. The quality is amazing and has held up to heavy loads on weekends,” one parent shared.

While many parents praise the durability, some mention zippers that get stuck or pockets that tore after a few months, but many report the brand is quick to remedy complaints.

Additional Specs

• Weight: 3.5 lbs

• Dimensions: 19”H x 14”W x 8”D

“If Batman carried a diaper bag, it would be the Daypack Diaper Bag,” one dad raved about Tactical Baby Gear’s Day Pack diaper bag. In fact, many parents say their partners were set on it long before their baby even arrived. “The ONLY thing my husband wanted for Father’s Day was the Daypack. He has shown the video of this pack to at least 10 of our friends and constantly rants and raves about how amazing it seems,” one reviewer said. 

Parents appreciate the tough, water-resistant fabric. One parent mentioned, “[You] can be hard on it for outdoor adventures.” They also like the intuitive layout and comfort features—especially the padded shoulder straps and wide clamshell opening that makes it easy to find what you need. There’s plenty of storage inside and out, plus handy details like the magnetic wipes pocket on the side and the built-in changing mat. “The Drop Zone changing mat gives us a good laugh,” one parent said.

The tactical look is a big draw, and the backpack has all the diaper-bag features parents need for outings with their baby.

• An expandable side bottle pocket that fits most bottles

• Dual-entry front pocket for fast access to essentials

• Soft-lined sunglasses pocket for glasses or your phone

• A hidden exterior pocket on the back for valuables

The MOLLE system (aka modular lightweight load-carrying equipment) lets you personalize your pack with extra pouches, clips or patches. One parent raved, “Everything is stitched perfectly, durable and so sharp looking. The Molle system is amazing, [and] the velcro is super strong.”

This backpack may not be for everyone—the tactical look is bold and the bag is on the larger side, which is great for storage but might feel bulky for quick trips or smaller caregivers.

Additional Specs

• Weight: 3.1 lbs

• Dimensions: 20"H x 13"W x 8"D