How to Choose the Best Nappy Bag for You

Looking for the perfect nappy bag but not sure where to start? After over 25 years of selling our award-winning designs all around the world, we know a thing or two about what makes the best nappy bags.

In our ultimate nappy bag buying guide, you’ll find: 

• What is a nappy bag?
• Do you need a nappy bag?
• How to choose a nappy bag
• What to look for in a nappy bag?
• What type of nappy bag should I buy?
• What nappy bag material is best?
• What is the most popular nappy bag?

What is a nappy bag?

Also referred to as baby bags, changing bags or diaper bags; nappy bags are used to carry all of your children’s gear when you are on the go.

What makes nappy bags different from normal bags is that they’re specially designed for organising all of your baby essentials and often feature more durable materials, special insulated compartments for bottles and other benefits that make getting out & about much easier with kids.

Do you need a nappy bag?

We get it, shopping for your baby is super daunting! There are definitely lots of products first-time parents buy (or receive) that they never end up using, but a well-designed nappy bag is not one of them.

Gone are the days where you would leave your house with just your keys and phone. With a new baby comes lots of new things to carry, so having a dedicated bag for all of your gear makes life much easier because you can simply grab & go.

Although you can use a regular tote or backpack, these designs are unlikely to have the features needed to withstand the rigours of life with a baby or toddler. In particular, as a parent you will quickly discover the necessity of being able to find things in your bag quickly - there is nothing worse than rummaging around for a nappy, change pad, wipes & new romper mid poo explosion with a crying baby!

You will be carting around your baby essentials most days, so it is worth investing in a quality & stylish nappy bag that will keep everything organised so you can quickly find what you need when you need it.

Fun fact: Our founder Lisa did try using her normal "little black handbag" for a few months with her newborn. It was impossible to clean and she felt super disorganised, which is why she started OiOi.

How to choose a nappy bag

Finding the perfect nappy bag is subjective, but understanding what features you need and the differences in styles will help you narrow the field when it comes to making your choice.

What to look for in a nappy bag?

You can not put into words what a big difference it makes when you invest in a nappy bag that ticks all of the boxes. Some parents go through several bags before they finally purchase “the one” but with the below tips, you’ll find your perfect match in no time.

Here are some important things to consider when buying a nappy bag:

• Size: Although buying the biggest nappy bag you can find may seem like a great idea, in this case, bigger isn’t always better. Watch packing videos to help give you an idea of if a nappy bag will fit all of your daily essentials without being cumbersome. You can always keep a spare nappy clutch in the car or pram basket for those emergency extras.
• Pockets: Again, watch videos to see if you like how the space is utilised & try to visualise how you would organise your own baby gear. If you like to have everything in its place, look for a nappy bag with lots of pockets. The type of pocket is important too - elasticised pockets are versatile whereas zippered pockets keep things secure - you want a combination of both to make packing a breeze.
• Weight: As a general guide, we recommend nappy bags that weigh around 1kg - that way you know it is made from quality materials but will not make your bag extra heavy to carry once packed.
• Materials: Look for a design with a water resistant finish inside & out so you can easily wipe up any inevitable spills! High quality YKK zips are also important so your nappy bag never splits open.
• Wearability: Hands-free is the way to go! A nappy backpack may seem like the obvious option here, but you can also be hands-free with a tote style nappy bag if you attach a messenger strap.
• Comfort: Look for adjustable wide or padded straps (especially when it comes to backpacks!)
• Style: This comes down to your personal taste - don’t forget to consider who else will be wearing it too.

The following features make the best nappy bags:

• Easy access: Look for designs that maximise visibility and allow you to access essentials with just one hand. Avoid bags with messenger-style flaps which can keep falling down when you are trying to grab things.
• Insulated pocket: Keeps bottles warm or cold for long periods of time - ideally in the form of an elasticised pocket on the outside of your bag for easier access. You can also buy a portable bottle holder.
• Changing mat: A must have for when you need to change your baby's nappy when out & about. If your nappy bag doesn’t come with one, you’ll have to factor in the cost of purchasing a portable change mat separately.
• Stroller clips: These attach your nappy bag to the handlebar of your pram, especially if you don’t have enough basket space. Stroller straps can be repurposed to hold your keys or toys too.
• Protective feet: To help protect the base of your bag.
• Versatility: Choose a design that you can use post-baby, whether as a weekender or stylish work bag.

What type of nappy bag should I buy?

We often get asked “what should I get - a tote or backpack style nappy bag” and one isn’t objectively better than the other.

Backpack Nappy Bags

Following the same design as a traditional backpack, a nappy backpack differs as they typically have more storage compartments for all of your baby changing accessories and (especially in the case of OiOi) the straps are infinitely more comfortable for all day wear!

Why people love them:

• Easy to carry - simply throw it on your back & go!
• Evenly distributes weight across your shoulders
• Keeps both arms & hands free
• Generally more unisex
• Well suited to active parents

Things to look for:

• Some nappy backpacks can be very big and bulky. When researching, be sure to check the measurements & lifestyle photos to make sure the size will feel good to wear.
• Some nappy backpacks have thin straps which make them uncomfortable to wear. Look for designs with padded & adjustable straps as well as padding along the back of the bag so things don’t poke into your back.
• Some nappy backpacks are really hard to organise. With other brands, parents have complained that everything ends up on top of each other & the openings make it really difficult to find things when you need them. We've designed all of our nappy backpacks to be easy to organise with easy access pockets on the outside and multiple pockets on the inside, as well as large openings.

We offer two styles: The Signature Nappy Backpack and the Multitasker Nappy Backpack.

The Signature Nappy Backpack is the one we are most well-known for - it is spacious, really easy to organise and the big opening makes it super accessible. It constantly wins awards, the most recent being crowned Bounty's Best Nappy Bag 2024.

We designed the Multitasker Nappy Backpack because we saw a need for a larger option. This design has been a favourite with families with 2 under 2 and we have also found that lots of Dads prefer the look of this one.

Here is a packing comparison to give you a good idea of the differences:

@oioi_global Multitasker Nappy Backpack vs Signature Nappy Backpack packing comparison 🧡 Backpack style baby bags are the most popular choice for parents right now, and we offer two options. The Signature Nappy Backpack has been the Highest Rated Nappy Bag in Australia the past 5 years ✨ We then introduced the Multitasker Nappy Backpack 12 months ago for those looking for something bigger. It has two main compartments for easy organisation. Which one is your pick? 🫶 #babybag #diaperbag #babyessentials #nursery #babymusthaves #bestbabyproducts ♬ Small Change - Don West

Shoulder Bag Style Nappy Bags

A large-style handbag, shoulder bag style nappy bags offer more room & pockets to organise your baby gear.

Why people love them:

• Most nappy tote bags offer more room & compartments than other types of nappy bags
• They are very easy to access in a hurry
• Looks like a regular handbag
• Versatile - can be used as a work bag or overnighter later on
• Popular with parents who expect to use their pram most of the time, so ergonomics of the bag isn't as important

Things to look for:

• Unlike OiOi, most nappy bag brands don’t offer a cross-body strap which means you don’t have the option to wear the bag messenger style & be hands-free.
• Depending on the design, tote nappy bags can be uncomfortable to wear on one shoulder when heavy. We have designed ours with padded straps to assist with this, and you also have the option to wear the bag messenger style with the included cross-body strap.

We offer two styles of shoulder bags: the Triple Tote and the Carry All.

The main difference between the two is that all compartments of the Carry All zip up, whereas the Triple Tote has an open middle section.

Here is a packing comparison to give you a good idea of the differences:

@oioi_global Shoulder bag style nappy bags 🧡 Triple Tote vs Carry All packing comparison #nappybag #babybag #whatsinmybag #packingvideo ♬ Get Ready - SUPER-Hi & NEEKA

Nappy Clutches & Wallets

Similar to a small purse, a travel change mat is a lightweight, small capacity wallet or cutch that allows you to carry all of the baby changing essentials (mat, nappies, creams, wipes etc.) wherever you go.

Why people love them:

• Minimalist & compact
• Handy to use for quick trips where you don’t need everything in your nappy bag

What to be mindful of:

• Due to the small size, you are limited to how much you can fit

We offer two options: the Change Mat Clutch and the Changing Pouch.

The Change Mat Clutch has been in the OiOi range for the longest. It is an all-in-one piece with the clutch folding out to reveal the mat, pockets with nappies and another pocket with creams.

The Changing Pouch is an option we brought out more recently after we saw a need for a wallet that fit more neatly in our bags, allowing all of the nappy changing essentials to be pulled at "at once" as needed. This option is a 3-piece-set, so it means you can use the pouch beyond the baby years as a stylish evening purse.

Here is a video comparing the two to help with your decision:

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What nappy bag material is best?

Nylon

Perfect if you want a nappy bag that is: lightweight and durable.

Our Sateen Nylon Nappy Backpack is the lightest in the OiOi range, weighing 900 grams.

We also offer a Quilted Nylon fabric option. This fabrication has been in the OiOi range for over 10 years because it is well-loved for its classic, unisex style.

Nylon is best known for withstanding daily use very well and is definitely the best option for you if you have a tendency to be rough with your bags.

We have finished our nylon range with a water-resistant finish for extra protection and easy cleaning.

Shop our Nylon nappy bag range

Vegan Leather

Perfect if you want a nappy bag that is: easy to clean and affordable.

Our most popular nappy bag material in 2024 is Vegan Leather. This range weighs just under 1kg, so it is lightweight whilst still having the on-trend leather look.

Vegan Leather is also popular because it is water-resistant so super easy to wipe clean. 

It is important to note that similar to Genuine Leather, Vegan Leather can be damaged if scraped on a harsh/abrasive surface. We do have protective metal feet on the bottom of the bags to minimise this risk and worst case it is easy to touch up using an acrylic polish.

Learn more about the Vegan (faux) Leather we have chosen for our range here.

Shop our Faux Leather nappy bag range

Genuine Leather

Perfect if you want a nappy bag that is: going to stand the test of time.

Leather is very-well known for getting better with age, therefore a great long-term investment.

We have ensured to source a high-quality genuine leather from a tannery that has been certified by the Leather Working Group. This means that the tannery process is 100% traceable and has followed a strict socially & environmentally responsible protocol. The leather we have sourced is also a by-product of the food industry.

It is the heaviest material available in our range, however OiOi's leather nappy bags still weigh under 1.5kg which is considerably less than some other brands.

In terms of care, we recommend using a leather care conditioner to maintain the beautiful look of your bag.

Shop our Genuine Leather nappy bag range

Canvas

Perfect if you want a nappy bag that is: beachy and coastal.

We offer our backpack in a beautiful natural cotton canvas with a vegan leather trim.

The cotton canvas does have a water-resistant finish to help prevent stains, however please still be mindful to take extra care with this design as it is more difficult to clean than others in our range.

Shop our Canvas nappy bag range

What is the most popular nappy bag?

Overall, our most popular nappy bag is the Signature Nappy Backpack. It has won a number of people's choice awards including the Tell Me Baby Highest Rated Nappy Bag 2024 and Bounty Baby Award for Best Nappy Bag 2024 and we are always selling out of it!

For this reason, the Signature is available in the widest range of colours and materials to chose from.

Final thoughts

A well-designed, quality nappy bag will be your constant companion. It is the place for everything you need when you leave your home, so it is worth investing in a design that you will love.

When you find the perfect nappy bag, it will be one of those baby accessories that you won’t know how you lived without it before having one.

For extra help, find a nappy bag stockist near you to compare designs in person or talk to one of our experts for tailored advice.

OiOi have been designing nappy bags since 1997. Our founder Lisa Bennetts began the brand the same year she gave birth to her beautiful baby girl Isabella who has now joined the business. OiOi has built an outstanding reputation for stylish, quality & practical nappy bag designs that have won numerous awards & accolades globally. Discover the full range today.