ISO Backpack

[LD92599]

I'm ISO of a backpack :-) Doesn't need to be a specific diaper bag, but i don't want something that's very schoolish looking (ie: LL Bean, Jansport, etc).

I'm picky! I'd prefer something lightweight, neutral in color/pattern and w/ some organization. I walked around Lord & Taylor and Nordstrom today but nothing jumped out at me. Nordies had a Kate Spade backpack that was too small; the LeSportsac backpacks seem too boxy (though lightweight and light interior depending on the overall pattern). I liked the shape and weight of Longchamp but it's too small.

Since DS is in the midst of potty training and pretty much day-trained for now i'm finding myself needing to be hands free much more. I'm carrying 1 change of clothes, 2 pull-ups, wipes case plus the "first aid" pouch i've had since day one! I'll also add some snacks, matchbox cars & straw cup plus my cell phone & wristlet.

I have a chester on order in blackberry (just not sure if that's the backpack for me!); i'm currently using a black Eddie Bauser rucksack backpack - super lightweight but soooo dark inside and no shape whatsoever. I also hate the pull closure.

Does my bag exist? Probably not LOL!

Any suggestions appreciated! I tend to like to run into a B&M store to check things out, but online is OK too.

Laura
mom to William

LKibala at optonline dot net

http://lilypie.com/pic/050530/616a731.jpg[/img][img]http://lilypie.com/baby3/030305/1/2/0/-5/.png

[tina-t]

Laura, we are pretty much carrying the same amount of stuff and I am using the Chester backpack ( in blackberry). I like it very much. Not much for organization but it is lightweight and a good size for the amount that I need to put in the bag.

I think that the Timi and Leslie backpacks would be too big. I had one and sold it. The Sally Spicer backpacks are pretty though. http://www.sallyspicer.com/babypage.html#

[asmith130]

I am also ISO the perfect backpack and just wanted to ask you about the Timi and Leslie bag. I have 2 children in diapers (2 months and 16 months) and need more space and would love another backpack. Tell me about the Timi and Leslie bag if you don't mind. How was the interior organization? Was there enough room for 2 different sized diapers, change of clothes for little one, my wallet, etc.? Place for my lipstick, cell phone? Sippy cup?

So sorry to ask you all of this but you are the first person I've seen who has had one (just started checking this site). I can understand it didn't work for you but IYO will it work for me?

Thanks!!
Amy

[Rachels]

For more than two years now, the only thing I've ever carried is the Healthy Back Bag. It holds absolutely a ton of stuff, and it has met our needs just fine all along. I think with two children, one potty training and one a newborn, I'll need a messenger kind of bag for a while, but this has been a perfect solution until now.

http://www.healthyback.com/store/traveling/healthybackbagmicrofiber.htm

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
New baby coming in October!
(Holy smokes, it's a boy!!!)


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya Angelou
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbons/ribbon_amethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

[Ami]

If you like sporty, great organization and a built in cooler Baby Sherpa or the Short Haul Sherpa are excellent. We just came back from a weekend drag racing of all things and used both bags on different days, depending how much gear we were taking to the track.

Both bags carry a ton, are ergonomic and come in neutral colors. They have a silver/gray lining so it is easy to find your stuff and have lots of loops, clips and bungees for hanging stuff on the outside of the bag. The diaper pad is a good size (we used ours for a cushion for our seats at the races).

You can find them online or check their website for retailers.

HTH,

Ami

[kensjen]

Have you looked at this backpack by Vera Bradley?

http://www.verabradley.com/ProductDetail.aspx?qs1=61681

I am not into the quilted floral prints, but I do like her microfiber bags. This one is really nice, and would work great for a diaper bag. I am planning to get one eventually, maybe for my birthday or something...?? ;) I have wanted it for awhile.

Several stores in my mall have it, so you should be able to see it somewhere IRL. Some hallmark stores carry them. And then possibly you could find it cheaper online...browns on 5th has sales, free shipping sometimes, etc.

HTH!

[audball]

Not Christina, but I have the Timi and Leslie Backpack...here's an interior pic. I think it would be great for 2 kids in dipes (I have two in dipes as well). Since it is a duffle bag style, you can put the extra clothes in the center area and put the diapering stuff in the pockets on the side. There is one insulated bottle pocket, which I used for DS's bottle, but the sippy I kept in the center area and just used the convenient side zipper (love this feature!) to access it quickly.

There is one zippered pocket in the rear interior, two key clips, one insulated bottle pocket on the side interior (other side interior has the zipper), and two elasticized pockets which go quite deep in the front interior. I put my wallet, cell phone, etc. in the front zippered pocket of the backpack..



http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/28906.jpg

[asmith130]

I have the Vera Bradley and do like it a lot! However, for me it's just not big enough for right now. Half of the time I'm walking around with it unzipped because the bottom is plenty big but the top narrows significantly. A friends of mine has one with a newborn and a 4.5 year old and loves it. We both have used it as a personal bag, not a diaper bag. Overall it's a great bag, I just need something bigger for a while.

Amy

[asmith130]

The T&L looks great - thanks for the picture. It helped a lot!

[ask_dec2005]

Hi--
The T&L bag looks like something I'd want as well but isn't it hard to clean??
Arati

[audball]

Well, if by hard to clean you mean, if you get a spill on the inside is it a disaster - possibly, yes! The bag is vinyl-coated (very soft vinyl), so spills on the outside are no problem. In fact, it's my rainy-day bag...

But the interior is a different issue. The nylon is water-resistant, but not water-proof. This being the case, it will be ok for light moisture (like bottle condensation) but it is not the bag to bring if you are prone to leaky or exploding milk bottles! I would imagine the milk or water would leak right through the nylon interior. And then the vinyl coating would make it impossible to completely dry. I have seen more than a few T&L bags on ebay with "water damage" and it looks particularly bad on the lighter colored bags....

But if you have older kids, had good luck with your (water)bottles/sippys, or are nursing, this is a very nice large-capacity bag that is super-comfy to wear...

[ask_dec2005]

Hi--
Hmm... Thanks for the info! I'm a FTM (to be) so I have no idea what might happen. But it looks really nice. I like the fact that it opens up fairly wide & you can see stuff. Any recommendations on where to buy?

Also, this backpack (see URL below) seems like it might also be okay: not too schoolish for your needs perhaps? But I dunno if anyone has any experience with it. I haven't seen it in IRL but was also contemplating it.

http://www.diaperbags.com/store/html/Samsonite_Diaper_Bags/Samsonite_Easy_Access_Sling_Back_Diaper_Bag.html

Arati

[audball]

I purchased mine from this board, when Timi & Leslie had a sale. I got it for $75, but I know that the yahoo babybags group has some for sale as well...

You may want to wait until your little one is here before you decide on a bag - capacity-wise, your needs may change and it's worth waiting and investing in the right bag.

[LD92599]

Wow - i have a lot of ideas to explore now! I also happened to see a backpack in Macy's today from Fossil (corduroy), but i can't find it online at all. I believe it's for the fall because they had a ton and weren't on sale yet! Reminded me of a messenger but w/ backpack straps. DS & DH were w/ me so i didn't check it out fully - I will next week one day. I also saw a simple black Guess backpack, plain and black :-( But i want to look further as well.

I'll also check out the Healthy Bag and Sally Spicer - plus the other suggestions!

Thanks!!

Laura
mom to William

LKibala at optonline dot net

http://lilypie.com/pic/050530/616a731.jpg[/img][img]http://lilypie.com/baby3/030305/1/2/0/-5/.png

[smbirth]

Some one on the boards posted a review and pics of the Dakine Helix backpack and I have been wanting one ever since! I think you can get it on Ebags--I will try to find a link for you!

[smbirth]

Here is the post I was thinking of :

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=63&topic_id=22285&mode=full

However the pics have been disabled since it was a while ago! I will try to find it on a website for you---you have renewed my lust for this bag!!

[smbirth]

OK---it is discontinued on Ebags but I found it here:

http://www.rockymountaintrail.com/detail.aspx?ID=8232

also you can go to their website at: www.dakine.com

What I liked about this bag is the fact that it doesnt look school bagish and is very stylish. It has a fleece lined pocket for sunglasses, a port for headphones (if you need that kinda thing) and the inside is a bright color to avoid the black hole syndrome. If I remember correctly the beige bag had a pink interior. The pics the previous poster had listed were great--this bag looks awesome.

If you do a search here on Babybargains you can find some more posts on this bag!

Hope you find what you are looking for!!

[MommytoLayla]

If you are part of the Yahoo baby bags group there are pictures in the file section that I put there of the Dakine Helix. I have the Gray one which has gray lining and it is agreat bag.. not too big not too small and has the bottle/cup pockets on the outside.


Shannon
http://lilypie.com/baby2/040421/3/0/1/-5/.png[/url]

[smbirth]

Thanks Shannon!! Those pics really make me want this bag now!!!!