Diaper bags: They're the best support system for parents on the go. These travel companions are there for you whether you’re catching the sun on Bali’s Padang Padang Beach or enjoying your neighborhood park—and they do it all with style. 

The best diaper bags keep up with your travels, helping you and baby breeze through each  day. No matter where you and your family are headed on your next adventure, our ultimate diaper bag buying guide will help you get there.

Choosing the Best Diaper Bags for Your Family

Wondering what to look for in a diaper bag? Top features should include flexible compartments, wipeable and easy-to-clean designs, and tons of pockets. We’re all about pockets: big, small, and everything in between. That way, you can slip in those last-minute wet wipes, stuffed animals, and pacifiers and everything else you might need on-the-go. 

When you're traveling, your diaper bag needs to work extra hard to keep you and baby as organized and comfortable as possible. Along with diapers and soft blankets for your little one, functional diaper bags need space for parent essentials like passports, phones, water bottle holder, and your favorite snacks. 

Another top feature in the best diaper bags? High-quality materials that stand up to life’s adventures (and misadventures). You want a bag that doesn’t fail in its duties when messy moments happen. From wipeable liners to rugged zippers and hard-wearing, baby-proof sides, how travel diaper bags are built is as important as how much they can hold. 

A handy compartment that stores dirty items out of sight can be a lifesaver, too. At Away, we know that family travel can be unpredictable and that it’s best to go with the flow. That’s why we created The Double Diaper Backpack and The Double Diaper Tote with a bottom compartment that zips the mess away (at least until you can find a waste bin). Parents everywhere, you’re welcome. 

The Absolute Must-Have Features of Diaper Bags

Whether it's a diaper bag tote or backpack, what are the best features inside and out? This is where the fun starts. The best diaper bags come with the following accessories and essentials:

• Base: Nothing is more frustrating than a diaper bag that keeps falling over. A wide base keeps the bag upright so everything stays organized.
• Main compartment: Pockets are great, but a roomy main compartment is also important.
• Material: You want a bag that you can wipe down quickly.
• Closure mechanism: Don’t fight buttons; look for a zipper or magnet clasp.
• Bottle pockets: Baby’s going to grow and their bottles will, too, so look for pockets big enough to hold bottles of all sizes.
• Insulated pockets: Keep sippy cups, water, or breastmilk safe and at the preferred temperature.

The Best Diaper Bag for Travel

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the best type of diaper bag. You want your bag to be functional, but you also want it to look good and suit your travel uniform.

Totes and backpacks are the most common options. Which one you choose comes down to personal preference. Let’s take a minute to review the diaper bag tote vs. backpack debate—and see which one best fits your personality.

1. Diaper Bag Totes 

These bags have a wide zipper opening and expand toward the base for stand-on-their-own usage. If your hands are busy with your little one, you don’t have to worry about the bag tipping over (or that diaper rash cream tumbling down the hill). Large straps make one-shoulder carrying a breeze.

Spotlighting Away's The Double Diaper Tote

Totes are some of the most versatile travel companions. With The Double Diaper Tote, we took our classic totes to new heights with a bag perfect for parents and babies.   

You’ll love these features:

• 1 large exterior front pocket
• 2 zippered compartments (one with mesh side pockets, the other with a padded horizontal tech sleeve)
• D-rings for stroller attachment
• Trolley sleeve
• Stroller straps with clips
• Bottom zippered compartment with wipeable liner
• 2 exterior zippered, expandable bottle pockets
• Padded shoulder straps

With a spacious 30L capacity, The Double Diaper Tote holds even more of your travel must-haves. Baby blanket? Check. Stuffed animals? We see you, Mr. Bear. Bulky items fit in with room to spare. We also included a foldable, wipeable changing pad, and zippered carry-all pouch for small creams, diapers, and other essentials–check, check, and check. 

2. Diaper Bag Backpacks 

Backpacks tend to be deep rather than wide, so they’re better suited to urban areas or crowded airports so you can get around easier with less baggage. They also have two padded straps to balance the weight and keep your arms free. 

Spotlighting Away's The Double Diaper Backpack

Who said backpacks were just for school? With The Double Diaper Backpack, you’ll be ready to board the plane (or just do your  errands) with everything baby needs.

You’ll find features like:

• 2 zippered compartments (one with mesh and clear pockets, the other with a padded vertical tech sleeve)
• 2 exterior front-facing pockets
• 2 expandable bottle pockets
• Bottom zippered compartment for messy items
• Padded handle and straps
• D-rings and a trolley sleeve
• Stroller straps with clips

The Double Diaper Backpack has a spacious 23L holding capacity, giving plenty of room for your travel essentials. The best-quality diaper bags are full of pockets to keep parents organized, but we went even further by including accessories like a changing pad and carry-all pouch. It’s streamlined travel that fits the modern world. 

Diaper Bags + Travel: Happy Baby, Happy You

So which one makes the best diaper bag for travel? If you like timeless styles that give you versatility, organization, and easy access, choose a tote. If you have an active lifestyle and favor pouch-style organization and freedom of movement, go for a backpack. 

Either way, you’ll love how the best travel diaper bag gives you room for baby essentials while keeping your travels on track.

Diaper Bag Accessories To Elevate Your Travel

You’ve got your eye on a stylish, good-quality diaper bag full of pockets, inner compartments, and wipe-and-go fabric. Now you’re on the hunt for accessories to take it to the next level. 

Some of the best diaper bag accessories focus on organization. With a little one in tow, you don't want to spend all of your time rummaging. Whether you're taking a shopping trip through Paris’ Champs-Élysées or just heading to the grocery store around the corner, Away’s diaper bags come with functional accessories to help you find what you need when you need it. 

Start With Diaper Bag Organizers

Topping the list are diaper bag organizing pouches. They’re like mini goodie bags. They give you a burst of happiness upon opening (extra onesie or pacifier, there you are!), and they’re easy to collect and store. 

Many parents discover that organizers become their travel-with-baby BFF— Keep all of your essentials at your fingertips with a convenient carry-all pouch, available in both The Double Diaper Tote and The Double Diaper Backpack. Designed to fit seamlessly, it holds a handful of diapers, wipes, and creams, making on-the-go changes effortless and organized.

These organizing pouches are even perfect for you. Slip in your sunglasses, phone charger, and snacks, and never look back. At last, no more digging around to find that rogue parent essential.

Add a Changing Pad

Accessories can be as simple as having a clean place for your baby during diaper changes. A diaper changing pad is essential on travels because you never know where you’ll be when a whoopsie happens. On the road between Milan and Turin? Getting off the train at Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station? With a diaper bag and changing pad, you’re all set to do a quick diaper change and get on with your day.  

Make on-the-go diaper changes a breeze with our foldable, wipeable changing pad. Thoughtfully designed to fit perfectly in your Away diaper bag, you'll always be ready no matter where your little one takes you.

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Finish With Other Extras 

Other popular accessories include stroller clips, an insulated bottle case, and even bag charms. The last are more functional than you think. Not only do bag charms add a fun pop of color, but they help you identify your bag from a distance. Are we speaking from experience? You bet. Grabbing the wrong diaper bag is a travel faux pas no parent wants to repeat. 

Now that you've got your accessories lined up, are you wondering what to pack in diaper bags? Read on for handy tips. 

Let’s Talk Essentials: The Diaper Bag Checklist 

What goes in a diaper bag depends on where you’re going and how long you’ll be away. Whether it’s a short morning journey or an all-day adventure, don’t skimp on these diaper bag essentials:

• Diapers (one to two for every two hours you’ll be out)
• Pack of wipes and diaper rash cream
• Hand sanitizer
• Burp cloths
• Extra outfit (two if possible)
• Extra socks (two pairs)
• Soft blanket
• Stuffed animal friends or toys
• Bottles and enough formula or milk
• Nursing cover
• Pacifiers (in a resealable bag)
• Waste bags (compostable if possible)
• Baby food, snacks, and water
• Sippy cups and bib
• Bandages and first-aid cream

Plus, don't forget about essentials for traveling parents:

• Phone
• Charger
• Adult snacks and protein bars
• Extra shirt
• Sunglasses
• Wallet
• Keys

Adjust the baby essentials by season. For example, summer hats and sunscreen keep your baby safe from sunburns, while wooly hats and gloves add warmth when it’s cool (or you’re out later than expected). Once you know what to put in a diaper bag and have it packed away, you can focus on all of the fun memories you’ll make together.  

How To Pack a Diaper Bag for Travel

You have the accessories. You’ve checked (and double-checked) the list. Now it's time to figure out how to pack a diaper bag.

Start with function. Diapers, wipes, and rash cream should be stored together. So should baby formula, bottles, and burp cloths. It’s also a good idea to put the same items in the same compartments each time you travel. This way, you're always one step ahead.

Put the most-used items in side pockets and compartments, while other essentials can go into handy organizers. 

What about how to organize a diaper bag's cozy comforts? From blankets to stuffed animals to extra outfits, these essentials tend to take up more room—but you should never go without them.

Away’s The Insider Packing Cubes or Pouch Duo gives you the ultimate organization for bulkier items. We know how important versatile packing is, which is why all of our organizers feature wipeable surfaces and full zippers. From baby essentials to storage for kids on the move, these long-lasting organizers go wherever your family does.

Away Has Your Family Covered

If you’re ready to find your ultimate travel companion, we’re here with some of the best diaper bags around. Away’s diaper bags feature durable materials, functional designs, and the versatility you need. From The Double Diaper Tote bag to The Double Diaper Backpack, Away has you and your family covered. 

Our diaper bags also work with our other products, giving you a seamless travel uniform wherever the world—or your errands—will take you. Our diaper bag backpacks and totes even have handy trolley sleeves to fit on all of Away's award-winning suitcases. 

Instead of wondering how to choose a diaper bag or how to pack a diaper bag for travel, you’ll soon be saying, “Where to next?” With Away by your side, it's time to head out on those memorable family outings and vacations. 

Travel With Baby and Our Favorite Diaper Bags

What is the best diaper bag? Totes and backpacks are both favorites, so which you choose depends on your style, personality, and preferences. Browse our diaper bag collection and see for yourself how Away bags mean effortless travel. 

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