Pics of Mothership, Alpha 7, Marsupial inside and out with the same cargo

[Lucian and Gabriels Mommy]

These are the diaper bags that I have acquired (or as hubby says, "Aquired? You mean BOUGHT!) in the last month. I thought I would load each up with the EXACT same cargo to see how the same items fit in each. I thought it might help for those who are looking at these bags. For me, I am able to get almost the same amount of gear in the Marsupial and Alpha 7. The Mothership I would say can hold at least a third more. The sippy cups fit the best in the Marsupial, quite a tight for the Alpha 7. I did put them in the Mothership, although you can't see them in the pic. The Mothership holds more when you take out the changing pad, so there are 2 pics of that. Also, they all look much better IRL as far as color goes. The Marsupial is not as shiny as the pic looks. The denim Mothership was hard to capture because of the vinyl reflecting the flash.

Anyway, here is what I put in all the bags:

2 Playtax 9 oz. sippy cups
2 size 3 diapers
2 size 5 diapers
Huggies Wipes containers
wallet (not checkbook type)
cell phone
Loom Watermelon Clutch with a few lipsticks, aspirin, hair elastics, pen, coupons
Bath and Body antibacterial Cleanser
small hairbrush
Small Clinique make-up pouch with several personal items., more lipsticks
2 Sassy snack containers
A complete change of clothes for 8 month old- jeans, socks, short-sleeved shirt, long-sleeved shirt
3 baby toys
2 of DS #1's toys (small bikes)
keys
changing pad, dirty gear bag that came with each

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_006.jpg
http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_011.jpg
http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_003.jpg
http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_004.jpg
http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_010.jpg
http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_007.jpg
http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_008.jpg
http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_009.jpg


Well, that's about it!
Gretchen
Lucian 12/18/01
Gabriel 8/22/03

[RiaHannam]

Wow, thanks for taking the time to do that. The pics are great.
You have some great diaper bags there! I bet you are enjoying all of them!

[Chelsey333]

Thanks for taking the time to do that! Which bag do you use the most? Whereas they are somewhat similar in size, do you feel you need all 3? Just asking bec I have the Loom and now am dreaming of the Mothership. I really like my Loom and am trying to be happy with that alone.

[Lucian and Gabriels Mommy]

I use my Loom everyday. I love it - right now my definite favorite. I just think it has the best organization of all 3. I justified the Mothership because I got it thru right start for a great deal. I used it when we went to the zoo the other day and it worked well, I was able to put quite a bit of gear in. But, right now I don't see myself using it as my everday diaper bag. I do like having the option though of the bigger bag, since the Loom can only hold so much. Maybe I would use my Mothership more if it was more fun - the denim is pretty conservative. I'm happy with it, though and hubby doesn't mind lugging it, either.
Now, the Alpha 7 I haven't actually tried yet. Honestly, I'm not ready to switch from the Loom. I justified this bag because I feel that I will eventually want a change from the Loom adn the fiesta stripes is kind of fun.
Would I get a Mothership if I was you?? Well, I'm a bad one to ask, I seem to be addicted. If I were to get one I would probably do ebay or I did find a site that has a few colors for $104. Let me know if you need more info. on that, can't remember what it was right now.
Just another note, because of the quality of the Loom I will probably end up getting a Bandicoot when they come out- don't forget that option!!!!
Oh, so many choices! (But, it's so much fun!)
Gretchen

[tina-t]

Thanks for doing this. I have been so tempted to get the alpha 7 but couldn't really justify the purchase. I do have the loom in the same color as yours and am expecting the mothership in the indigo also :)!

[supercalifragilous]

Thanks for posting those! Nothing describes a bag better than a picture! Next best thing to seeing it IRL! I just have a few questions:

How are the Alpha 7 backpack straps? Are they fully detachable like the Petunia Pickle Bottom straps?

And how long does the Alpha 7 messenger strap get?

How long does the Loom Marsupial strap get?

[jasabo]

Wow! Thank you so much for doing this! It's much easier for me to judge things after seeing pictures. I just ordered an Alpha & and can't wait to get it - looks like I'll be able to fit everything I need in there. I agree with you re: the Loom organization and quality. They did a really nice job. I bought one but returned it primarily because it didn't fit me well as a messenger and I wasn't crazy about how it looked, but I really liked the organization inside. I'll be interested to see pictures of the Bandicoots interior once people start receiving them.

Anyway, thanks so much for doing this!

Lisa - mom to 11 month old twin boys

[Lucian and Gabriels Mommy]

I took a couple of pics of the backpack straps out of the bag and in the bag. When you don't want to use them the bottoms clip off and you tuck them in the back of the bag. They are not padded or anything, so they do not take up much room when stored. The messenger strap is about 43" and is completely removable. I am 5'4" and it hangs fairly low on me when it is all the way out. I think that it is a fairly generous messenger strap. I do not have the Loom right now to measure exactly, my hubby has it in the car. It is not as long as the Alpha 7. When it is at it's longest. it hits me quite a bit higher. I can measure it later if you's like.

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_014.jpg

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_015.jpg

http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v122/mushymush72/Diaper_Bags_-_in_and_out_016.jpg

[Lucian and Gabriels Mommy]

Cool, I hope that you like your Mothership- for the money I think you can't beat it. We must have similar tastes! I'll have to do a review of the Alpha 7 once I use it for a while - it is cute!

[Lucian and Gabriels Mommy]

I think you'll like the Alpha 7 as a messenger. I don't really think the Marsupial makes a great messenger, either. I primarily use it over my shoulder. The straps on the Alpha 7 are much more generous. Can't wait to hear your review!

[boys2enough]

Hi, I am not in the market for any of these bags, but have been lusting after them. lol. I just want to send you a big THANK YOU for taking time out to do this for everybody here on the board. As a mother of 2, you obviously don't have much time to spare, so that makes me and I am sure everybody else appreciate your doing this even more. It is really fun for me to see all the bags loaded up, inside and out. Almost like I have seen them IRL. THANK YOU!!!

Now, why can't the on-line merchants do things like this since they have everthing to gain and nothing to lose??? ;-)

Cheers, Lin
Mom to 2 wild boys
D 3/98
G 11/02

http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/pnoodles.gif

[ppshah]

I have the same one as Gretchen.

I've been using it for about a week now. It's really too big for me for quick trips to the grocery store or target. For that I usually use my ISM large tote.

But if there are meals/snacks or toys involved it's a great bag. I've also been using it as a work bag. I holds my papers and gear really well. I get tons of compliments at work. No one knows it's a diaper bag but me!


Here's what I like about it:

I love the three front pockets. I have my cell. chapstick/ lotion, tampons in there. I usually keep my wallet & PDA in the side pockets.

The bags works really well on the shoulder, messenger or as a backpack.

Finally a bag with feet- yeah!!!

I like being able to but all my "diapering" stuff in one large pocket inside- seperate from everything else.

I like the bottle holder on the inside. I actually don't like sippy cups on the outside - this screams " diaper bag" to me.

What I wish was different

Magnetic snaps instead of velcro
Another bottle holder on the inside- for me

I guess the loom has these features but I like the look of the alpha 7 better b/c I think it's more unisex and I don't like the metal holes on the strap of the loom. aLso I like the backpack option.

hth

[JLiebCamm]

This has nothing to do with thread, but I always mean to ask you if you are from Ebensburg, PA. If Shah is your married name then it wouldn't be you, but I remember a Purvi Shah in high school.

[ppshah]

Sorry no...Shah is my married name and I'm from nyc.

Believe it or not but there are quite a few purvi shahs out there

[JLiebCamm]

Oh well, it was worth a shot!

[helaina]

Wow, what an incredible post, Gretchen! Since you managed to fit so much stuff in your Alpha 7 I'm guessing that I could use one for a newborn? Style-wise this is my favorite bag.

[Lucian and Gabriels Mommy]

I think it would be just fine for a newborn. It is a really cool/fun bag. I really like mine, but with 2 in diapers I find myself using my Mothership all the time. I actually haven't taken my Alpha 7 out yet and I just put it up for sale. But now that everyone is talking so much about them, it's making me reconsider!
Good Luck!

[jasabo]

Ok, I feel like a big dork!! I've had an Alpha 7 for like 2 months and never figured out that you could tuck the backpack straps into the back pocket !!!????!!! Wow! That's the coolest thing ever! I liked the A7 already, this makes it even more fabulous!!

I can't even believe I never thought of that. Boy. Can you say Baby Brain big time?!? :) Thanks for the info!

Lisa - mom to 1 yr old twin boys