Stuck-Oi Oi Carry All vs. Chelsea Henry vs. Marsupial (long)

[jay]

Hello. I am a fellow bagnut and I have been checking out bags on the internet and then going into store to look at them for the past 3 weeks. I just opened my BBB book last night and realized there was a website for fellow bagnuts – so after looking at all your suggestions (for 4 hours) I’m finally ready to post! I would love to hear any of your suggestions/comments. Of course, this is my first child, so most of my opinions are based on what I perceive and not from actual experience. I would love to hear feedback from people with more “experience”.

I’m looking for 2 bags (for now). Here are my requirements (in order of importance)
1) Functional use of space (I like to have lots of compartments – mostly to pretend I’m organized. Hate the “black hole” effect. Love insulated bottle holders)
2) Able to be used for other purposes (i.e. beach bag, travel bag, shopping bag). I like to get a lot of mileage from my bags!
3) Nothing too flowery or too many colors (want it to be used for all seasons)
4) I’m 5’3 – don’t want a bag that overwhelms me
5) Must fully close on top
6) No backpacks. Maybe messenger. Prefer totes.

Oh btw – I went from wanting to by a designer bag (i.e. Kate Spade, Jane Buzz) to bags designed by companies that specialize in diaper bags – unless someone convinces me otherwise again…

Skip Hop – I’m getting one, convinced by everything I read. This will be my every day + quick trips and stroller bag. The only con about this bag is that is it not very “pretty” and I will not carry it again after the baby outgrows it. But figure I get it because it is so “functional.” Trying to decide between canvas and jean. Will make husband carry this one!

Oi Oi Carry All Bag –
http://www.calliopeboutique.com/shopexd.asp?id=140
The tan and white or the black version. I thought the organizational space in this bag was fantastic (went into store to check it out). I also like the style – looks like carry on luggage as well as a slightly dressier all season bag. However, after reading the board, I realized people had a lot of quality issues with the messenger style. Has anyone tried this version of the bag in particular? Is it too big/heavy? Is the quality really that much worse?

Chelsey Henry
http://www.brownson5th.com/store/chelsey_henry.html
Saw some pictures of this on the message boards. Love the look. Haven’t actually seen one in stores though. So I’m still on the fence.

Posh by Tori Diaper Bags
http://www.brownson5th.com/store/pbtaudreydiaper.html
Never actually seen on in the stores. Love the look. Would like to see more pictures of the inside.

Loom – Marsupial
http://www.diaperbags.com/store/html/Loom_Diaper_Bags/Loom_Black_Marsupial_Diaper_Bag.html
Thought this bag was really functional (good organization, easy access due to magnetic closures). Thought the style was “so-so”.But since it was so functional and well loved by everyone on the board, couldn’t resist throwing it in the fray.

Dante Beatrix
http://dantebeatrix.com/shop/item/baby_bag
I saw these at the store. Beautiful bags, falls into the “designer” bag category though. Definitely usable for shopping + going to beach + traveling. However, pockets are deep (potential black hole effect) and no insulated bottle holder. Anyone have one?

Talene Reilly
http://babyoliverboutique.com/talene-reilly-diaper-bag-soda-shop-pink.html
Saw this one at the store as well. Very well crafted bag (I know people who have the lap top version – they rave about it). Also potential “black hole” effect and no insulated bottle holder. Anyone have one?

[audball]

I can ony comment on the OiOi Carry All and the Loom Marsupial. I'm not sure how much you intend to carry (this is why, in retrospect, I think I should have waited until my kids were born to figure out what diaper bag to get!). If you think you will be carrying a lot, the Marsupial may not be for you. It's a great organizational bag, but I think it works well for those people who know that they are only going to carry the same stuff most of the time. Not a lot of "play" if you need a blanket for an outing, an extra change of clothes if the baby spits up, etc. I use it for my toddler and one-year old, but I think I would have had to use a bigger bag when DS was younger.

I have the OiOi Messenger and I don't have any quality issues with it at all. In fact, it's one of my nicer constructed bags. But each person has had her own experience, so you would have to read a few more reviews. There is a Red Stripe Messenger on sale (I put it on a previous post:http://www.diaperbags.com/store/html/Oi_Oi_Diaper_Bags/Oi_Oi_Striped_Messenger_Diaper_Bag_-Blue.html) for $50, but it's a canvas material inside and out - not very forgiving for spills and may get dirty on the outside, as they have no feet on their messenger bags.

I had the Carry All and returned it. I had it in the black and although it looked nice, once it was filled, there was definitely a "black hole" effect, not because the interior was black, but the nylon that they use to line the interior has "give" - presumably to allow stuffing the bag. Well, I had to dig for everything! And the pockets were deep where I didn't want them to be deep. There is a
sale page on strollandgo.com: http://www.strollandgo.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1795

And I think I saw the black for $50 somewhere - just wish I could remember where. That's the price I bought it from. Nice changing pad and bottle holder though! And it was a handsome bag - just not practical for me...

HTH!

[jay]

Thanks for your input on the Black Carry All. I didn't realize there would be a black hole effect. Makes me sad. Thought I was so close to finding the perfect bag. Guess I will keep on searching!