LE Diaper Bags at Sears (small tote pics)

[essnce629]

I just called my Sears and they said they just got a bunch of LE Diaper bags in. She said they had a whole bunch of them (like 3 or 4 styles) so I'm going to go check them out today since I had planned on going to the mall anyways. Just thought I'd share. Call your Sears if your interested in seeing any IRL. I really want to see the totes.

***Latia
Conner 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel

[kseltmann]

Please let us know which ones they had! Where do you live? I have returned LE Diaper bags to my Sears, but they have never carried them. This might warrant a trip this weekend!
Thanks for the FYI!

Kathryn
Emily 9.24.03

http://lilypie.com/baby1/040924/2/13/2/-5/.png[/img][/url]

[LD92599]

I was going to run over there tonight but I think i'll wait til the 8am (love, love, love that Sears opens at 8am on Saturdays for the summer!).

I'll see what they have...FWIW i've read that the Sears I shop in is the #1 Sears in the US in terms of LE sales, etc.

Laura
mom to William
3.5.2003

http://homepage.mac.com/ld14m

[masetane]

Ok - I'm curious - where is this Sears located that it's number 1?
Caroline
Isabelle 10/1/00
Nicholas 2/27/03

[LD92599]

Paramus, NJ!

They have a HUGE selection of LE for kids...all sizes...shhhh...don't tell anyone!

Laura
mom to William
3.5.2003

http://homepage.mac.com/ld14m

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030305/0/7/0/-5/.png[/url]

[essnce629]

Hey, I'm back. My Sears had the new updated DIA with the long straps (only one in navy), the new updated DIA with the old shorter straps (only one in light blue), the small tote (several in black), and the large tote (several in black). They didn't have any Little Trippers. I ended up buying a black small tote since it's big enough to carry my sling, mommy stuff, and a sippy cup which is the only things I take on small errand runs. I will post more details and pictures later...I have to go clean up my house. I'm going out tonight for a friend's birthday, but I never sleep so I'll probably post in the middle of the night :). I wish they had more colors besides black and navy though. I'm not into black at all, but oh well.

Kathryn-- I live in San Diego, CA.

***Latia
Conner 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel

[essnce629]

Ok, so about the bags.

Like I said, they had the updated DIA with both the long & short straps, the large tote, and the small tote. I bought the small tote that measures 12 x 10 x 5.5 with two handles that have a 10 inch drop which makes it perfect to carry over the shoulder. It has 3 compartments (all lined in light blue so no black hole!) and 4 mesh bottle pockets inside that are large enough to hold water bottles, wide mouth bottles, and sippy cups. Both main compartments are exactly the same except one has a key clip on a stretchy strap that can stretch 2 whole feet! The two main compartments have a zipper closure while the 3rd compartment has a velcro closure. The 3rd compartment is almost "secret" in that it is easily missed if you don't look closely. I didn't see it at first and I wasn't going to buy the bag, but after I found this extra compartment I was sold. When it's velcroed shut you can't see it at all which is why I almost missed it. I think it is meant to be a "mommy" pocket because it is the perfect size for holding a wallet, lotion, lipstick, cell phone, etc. I wasn't going to buy the bag at first because I really like an outside bottle pocket for his sippy cup and the bag didn't have one, but then I realized it fits his sippy cup perfectly and is really easy to access. So far all I have in the bag is my cotton zolo sling in one main compartment and my $4.99 wrist bag from Old Navy with my wallet, coupons, pen, and checkbook in the other compartment. I don't take any diapers or wipes with me on quick errands to the store since I have an emergency bag of supplies in my car trunk at all times. I'll probably put my hand lotion and antibacterial hand gel in 2 of the pockets. I really like the bag so far and it's perfect for those short 1-2 hour trips. I had bought an Escape Pod alternative at Walmart for the same reason, but then I had to carry my sling and Conner's sippy cup separately and my "Escape Pod" had to be carried by it's short handles and couldn't be carried over my shoulder which is a pain. So that it's for now. I really liked the large tote (better than the DIA) but I didn't want to spend another $40. It had 9 pockets in it though which I thought was wonderful.

ETA: The small tote comes with a dirty duds bag but it doesn't come with a changing pad. If you need one you could just use a disposable changing pad or a receiving blanket.

Bag and wet bag
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9590.jpg

3 compartments
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9591.jpg

"Secret" compartment
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9592.jpg

Packed bag
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9593.jpg

1st compartment
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9595.jpg

2nd compartment w/ key hook
http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/9596.jpg

***Latia
Conner 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel

[twofallbabies]

Latia,
Thanks for the detailed review, as usual! I'm intrigued by your mention of an "Escape Pod" from Walmart. Could you post pics? You've got me curious now!


Jessica, MD mama to
Dillon (9/18/98)
& Lucas (10/24/02)

Mia Bella's Gourmet Soy Candles:
http://www.bettersoycandles.com

[essnce629]

Jessica-- Here's the link to the review and pictures I posted of my $8.99 "Escape Pod" from Walmart.

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=63&topic_id=10290&mesg_id=10290&listing_type=search

***Latia
Conner 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel

[essnce629]

Ok, here's my thoughts on the updated DIA and the large tote.

I actually liked the large tote much better than the DIA, even though I was all set to buy the DIA after seeing it every day when the mom of the baby I watch brings it over. The large tote had 9 mesh pockets, 3 main compartments, and one snap in zippered compartment, while the DIA had just one main compartment plus the snap in middle zippered compartment and 6 mesh pockets. After careful comparison, one thing I didn't like about the DIA were the 2 shoulder straps. They just seemed too narrow and it's not a tote so the shape of the bag doesn't seem to match with that type of handle. It seems like it should just have a single detachable and adjustable strap with a padded shoulder area like most luggage-type bags. It can be worn messenger style, but I just didn't like the feel of how it felt with 2 straps. Another thing that really bothered me was that the middle snap-in compartment in the DIA seemed to unsnap at the slightest touch while the one in the tote was more sturdy. I examined this part in both the DIA bags that were on the shelf and both had the same problem. I felt like the minute I put anything in that compartment it would just unsnap and I'd just have a random zippered compartment floating around in my bag. Also the snap in compartment only had snaps on the top of it to attach it to the bag so anything from one side of it could easily slip under it and be on the other side. I think it would be best if it had snaps on both the top and the bottom-- truely separating the bag into two compartments. I really liked the completely separate 3 main compartments of the large tote. One could be used for diapering supplies and extra clothes, one could be used for all food times, and the third could be used for mom stuff, and there would still be plenty of room for a lot more. And the 9 pockets would definately keep everything separated and organized. I will probably end up getting the large tote to use on all day outings to the zoo, overnight trips, etc. I just wasn't ready to lay down another $40 for the large tote when I had just spent $30 for the small tote. I haven't seen the Little Tripper IRL yet, but I don't really like the look of it online and I think the small tote is a great alternative. JMO. :)

***Latia
Conner 8/19/03
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/a/aug2003angel

[shburks]

Latia--

Thank you so much for the photos--I couldn't figure out where the 3rd compartment was! After reading the OP message Friday, I went out to Sears. This was the only LE bag they had in stock; there were empty shelves and "coming soon" signs for some of the others. Anyway, I really liked this one--tried it on, pulled all the stuffing out to get a better look--and STILL didn't see the little 3rd compartment!! Thanks for pointing that out.

I like the look of this bag and LOVE the blue interior. Honestly, I think LE has me sold with this light interior. :)

Susan

[kseltmann]

HEY! That's MY Sears! Where are the diaper bags? I never have looked, but I am going tomorrow.
Thanks,

[LD92599]

Where are you located?!?! I'm thinking of stopping there tomorrow night to check on the LE Clearance..it's still *only* 30% off the pink ticket for LE...i'm holding out for 50% off!

The diaper bags are upstairs on a pillar at the start of the kids section. They have the black bag on the bottom of the pillar and lunch totes on top.

Laura
mom to William
3.5.2003

http://homepage.mac.com/ld14m

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030305/0/7/0/-5/.png[/url]

[Truska]

Thanks for posting the pictures! It looks like a great little bag!