Nappy bags - is more expensive better?

I am drowning in a sea of nappy bags! I just can't seem to decide. Kmart has a Tiny Little Wonders bag I quite like for $30. DH likes the P&T Diddie bag, but it's $80 - is it worth paying the extra? I have also been looking at luggage/cabin bags that aren't purpose made. All seem OK, it's just a matter of price. I wanted something that's a bit nice as I won't be carrying a handbag too, but it has to be comfy and not too girly or obviouisly baby plus fit under the pram.
I suppose what I'm asking is, is it worth paying extra to get a purpose built, 'branded' bag or will a cheaper one do the same thing? What do you lovely ladies use and what would you recommend? What features are essential and what are a waste? I already have 3 portable change mats and heaps of insulated lunch bags!

I bought heaps of baby bags too, even an GR8x one (or whatever the brand) in the ended, the best bag was an empty bag (shopping bag) which i can chuck everything in without fiddling with compartments.

Although i do remember how exciting it was getting a new nappy bag and setting out all the nappies, creams, wipes in the bag, but they all get jumbled into a mess once you have a baby anyway.

Goodluck with your options =)

are you crafty at all? I made my own nappy bag, it was individual and set out how i wanted it and didnt cost the earth to buy and because it doesnt look like a nappy bag we use it as our swimming/beach bag now or when we go away

I think a good quality bag is important - I have a Kapoochi Vintage and an Storksak - both quite expensive (got the Storksak half price tho) Both bags have been used a lot and still look as new with no probs - friends have bought cheaper bags that have fallen apart very quickly.

I like a purpose built bag. I love both mine and I like having lots of compartments so I am not digging to find things. I also find the insulated section important now we are on solids. If you want to use a regular bag - google the Pouchmiss - it is an insert for a regular bag but with all the features of a nappy bag. I am planning to buy one to use with my massive handbag collection :)

I had a steelcraft branded bag for baby #1 and it was only around $40, but it barely lasted the first year. I brought a Baby Taft brand one when he was 8mths old for $80 and it lasted me for the next 6 years! I decided with baby #4 though that I would treat my self to a gorgeous OiOi bag. I gave the baby taft bag to charity, it was still in that good a condition - no tears or signs of wear and only the slightest fading of colours. The OiOi is still going strong too and again, no signs of wear or tear with it. I think that the more expensive ones are made with better quality materials so they do last longer and they have to otherwise you wouldn't buy one. if you DH is prepared to let you spend that much, then I would buy it LOL.

We bought a $40 cheapy from Target with the expectation that it won't last. I figured I could splash out on a nicer one once this one falls apart, and by then I'll know what we expect/need.

My favourite bag was a green leather $360 bag but DH wouldn't let me get it :(

I have Kapoochi Classic one which wasn't expensive compared to some of the others. Inside is all open but I find all the pockets around the inside of the bag really handy. I like being able to lay my hands on something quickly so I always know which pocket has my phone or wallet or DS' dummy in it.

I have the P&T bag in question..not worth the money seriously i just sold it with my P&T pram actually.

Im getting a Roxy leather bag for $80 then you can buy the organisers which turn any bag into a nappy bag, IMO roxy, billabong and the likes are always good quality.

i use a reusable shopping bag one i got from cotton on kids lol i paid $2 for it fir the money to go to charity its still going strong at 10 months lol im thinking of getting a bigger bag to fit #2s stuff in or maybe just get another bag so they can each have their own bag lol

We spent a little bit more then we usually would this time for a decent Nappy Bag, i went through 4 nappy bags with DS by the time he was 2. This time i was recommended a few brands that have lasted acouple of friends AGES so i decided to go with the Ju Ju Be BeAll hopefully it lasts :)

we bought an OiOi bag and it worked a treat! it is in great nic and fits heaps of stuff (especially in the newborn days of needing a few changes of clothes for the JIC vomit moments).

all i recommend really is getting a nice looking bag that you are happy to stroll around with, as you will be using it in whatever shape or form for years to come.

i recently went to the stocktake sales at myer and also picked up a massive kenneth cole leather bag for $100 and am stoked as i can not only use this as a handbag but also with my nappy organiser for when this new bub arrives. that way i have choice between the OiOi lol!

HTH!

Well I've had a couple.
I had an Allerhand messenger bag that was about average price and it lasted a couple of years - but it did get travelled with all over the country and has been overseas. It got used to death but the lining has come away from the inside and it's hard to clean.

I got an Oioi bag with DS and while it is beautifully crafted and will certainly last a while, I have to say it doesn't get used much.
I hate the compartments as like one of the PPs said it all gets jumbled anyway, and just irritates me.
I only take it when we travel (so a fair bit) or out the whole day (rare).

Usually I'm just a fan of a canvas tote, which cost pittance.
I don't do the handbag thang often so maybe that's why I'm none to keen to tote a huge bag around.

So that doesn't really help you does it. I mean i think 'nappy bags' are a great idea in theory, but it's a highly overrated concept for me and I won't be spending big $$$ on another one.

Thank you ladies for all your opinions and advice. Part of me just wants to grab an old shopping bag but part of me wants a trendy bag! DH wants to have a look this weekend (yes, he thinks it's as much his decision as mine!) so it looks like the search continues...

I'm having the same dilemma, JLeigh! I have included on my list of possible baby shower gifts, told my best friend (who is organising) that if a few people want to go in together, I would love to have one of the nicer (read: more expensive) baby bags. Hopefully that will solve my indecision/guilt over spending lots of $$ on a chic bag!

Oh Trillian, I just looked at the OiOi website, they are all so beautiful! Talk about a lust item! I won't hold my breath at getting one of those, none of my friends have had kids yet so I doubt they would have heard of the brand! Sigh... ;)

i splurged & bought an oioi bag. but i do have a handbag obsession & a nappy bag still comes under the handbag heading for me! :lol:

i've found it great so far - really well made & also easy to clean. i find that i do use the internal pockets but haven't ever really used the change mat or bottle insulator (still BFing). i wanted a bag that could stand being used on a day-to-day basis (i really only ever use a handbag at the moment if i'm going somewhere without DS & it isn't that often!), fit over the pram handle as well as under the pram & also looked semi-like a handbag! it has so far fit everything i need in it for a day out.

one thing you may also consider is whether it's a bag your DP is happy to carry. sounds a bit weird but DP's bro wanted a black backpack so that he felt okay carrying it around when he has their DS out & about by himself.

Any bag will do!! Anything big enough to hold your purse, water bottle, a few nappies, bunny rug, (bottles if FF)
I stressed and stresseed over which bag to buy, and then I got given a normal handbag, not even very big, and it's got plenty of space even with everything in it! I'm pretty sure the bag cost $15, and when it breaks, I'll just buy another $15 bag.

I bought an OiOi bag for $140 I think and I loved it! I used it for the first 10 montsh and now its in the cupboard as I just bought a gorgeous bobbleart childrens backpack for DD. I use that to take out now as her bag. DP doesnt mind carrying it and he didnt mind carrying th OiOi bag. Its totally up to you but just letting you know there is the bak pack option too. You could get a cute Thomas one or a dinosaur one and people will know its DS's bag :)

i have an isoki bag - love it - it's open inside (has some little bags that you can throw in with bottles or whatever in them) - it was more exxy, but i looked at the size and how neutral it is to look at - yeah, it's a nappy bag, but as bub grows up, there is no reason why it can't be used as an overnight bag or a beach bag. it's a bit weighty as it is made sturdy - and heavier still cos you can easily pack a lot into it - but it is great for us as i usually go out for at least 8 hours if i leave the house - with a power chucking, cloth nappied baby, i have to pack a bit for that amount of time! when we go into shops, we tend to put a puke rag and bib in the pram, put a clean nappy in a wetbag and head off, so we don't lug a lot around the shops with us - the nappy bag does more time int he car. when we go to friends for an arvo/dinner, we can pack enough clothes, toys, nappies, rug etc forher including jim jams and stuff for her to change into before we go home.

a nappy bag is a REALLY difficult decision. look at what you will need to pack, where you'll be going, whether you'll be carrying it or under the pram, whether you'll be a baby wearing parent, whether your partner is content to use it etc. mine is reversible and fairly neutral colors so DH is happy to use it - but some of them are far more feminine and a lot of man won't use the same one!

I have the same bag as BG and I love it.
It is heavey but a lot of that comes down to whats packed in there and when its full of cloth nappies thats always going to add to the weight.
But, I'm rarely carrying it as its normally on the pram handle.
I had a GR8X that i paid $70 or so for with my first son and it fell apart.

DH doesnt like my isoki because of the weight factor. He uses a crumpler satchel.

I was convinced I wanted the Oroton nappy bag, but inspection it turned out to be pretty average. So mum bought me a kapoochi backpack - it was ok but the zip broke by the time DS#2 came along. So we now use an Adidas satchel bag and I'll continue to do that for #3. Really, all you need is a bag...a mate of mine swears by green supermarket bags!

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Im getting a Roxy leather bag for $80 then you can buy the organisers which turn any bag into a nappy bag, IMO roxy, billabong and the likes are always good quality.

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I had 2 roxy purses die on me. First zipper bust in 2 months and I make sure I don't keep too many coins in it. Second the stitching went in 3 months.

My MIL got me a cheap nappy bag which is irritating with all the different compartments and cheap zips that jam. I wouldn't have picked it personally. i just use a dangerfield cross body bag but one that was free with a purchase. I never carry much anyway.

Oh, ladies, you are very cruel! I've just been onto the OiOi website and I am totally in love! They are all just gorgeous.

Erin - I had a nappy bag on my baby shower wish list and it (and a brush and comb) were the only things I didn't get! I hope your friends get you something nice!

There's a online bag company Rushfaster. They have every type of bag you can imagine. Most are discounted.I have got some great bags at bargaing prices. Good luck. I think bags are really a personal choice thing.

eBay!!!

I bought a OiOi from a shop & adore it, but after using it for two years I found i was getting bored with it recently. So I hopped on eBay.

I got a Kechi Mommybag & an Annique nappy bag for a combined $45 Inc postage. They both retail for around $80+ and the bonus was that the Kechi was brand new :D

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Oh, ladies, you are very cruel! I've just been onto the OiOi website and I am totally in love! They are all just gorgeous.

Erin - I had a nappy bag on my baby shower wish list and it (and a brush and comb) were the only things I didn't get! I hope your friends get you something nice!

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I know, aren't they beautiful? Sigh.... And naturally I like the leather Hobo bags, which are the most expensive.

Lol yeah, it is an expensive item, I told my bestie that I'd really like a nice one, so I'm kind of hoping she'll organise a few people to chip in, she's good at that kind of thing and knows my taste. Fingers crossed! But if I don't get one I might check out eBay, like Sarah did. Well done Sarah, sounds like you're good at sniffing out a bargain! :clap:

It's over - DH just bought me a black leather OiOi bag on eBay! :dance: He is just the best! It's gonna be my first ever Mother's Day pressie. I feel very spoiled! Thanks everyone for your help.

My favourite nappy bag is my trusty rucksack. It meant I could carry a baby and the bag, which can be invaluable. It works with a sling, not just a pram, and can be stacked under the pram no worries. Also the one large compartment is easier for craming everything into, with small side pockets for nappy sacks and creams.

The best nappy bag is the one that suits all your needs.

I use a krumpler courier bag, can go over shoulder, or has an extra strap to go on back.
is water proof, and has little pockets inside.

if you buy expensive you will want to use it, my sister just sold her oi oi nappy bag for $5 at a garage sale, it was in really good condition! at a second hand baby shop would have easily gotten $50

We have been using (for 2.5 years) the backpack that our medical center grab-bag of free baby goodies came in, so it is green with "mid north health" printed on the back not "Gucci". It is brilliant - backpacks keep your hands free. The pocket we use the most is the drinks one on the side, which is starting to tear. The new grab bag I've got from them is an even better quality navy backpack, which is currently packed with all my hospital stuff :)

Honestly I reckon you could just go a plain schoolbag rather than anything specifically baby.

i have a jooki bag- that i love - i have to kids (205 and 11 months) and i can fit change of clothes for both and bnppeis etc- and it looks like a normal handbag!! - fit ove the pram too
love it

For wandering around my community, I just used a P&T bumbag that I'd vacuum-pack a couple of nappies into with some wipes, 2 bottles and ziplock bags of formula ... that was just perfect for short trips ...

Kathmandu has some great bags too ;)

I had a Mimco nappy bag 250$ was the biggest waste of money. So i got a in between Penny Scallion bag fantastic.
But with this baby I have on my list I just would like to get a half decent one.. SO i am wanting a new isoki bag its black and white.
I just want something I can have ready all teh time to walk out the door with baby stuff in it as well as DS and DD..

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i use a reusable shopping bag one i got from cotton on kids lol i paid $2 for it fir the money to go to charity its still going strong at 10 months lol im thinking of getting a bigger bag to fit #2s stuff in or maybe just get another bag so they can each have their own bag lol

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I'm exactly the same. I bought a Mr. Men reuseable bag and 7 months on, still going strong :)

LOL I have to say I am giggling at some of these posts. WHAT ON EARTH are you ladies doing to your bags to have them not last? I bought a $30 bag from Kmart or Big W I think, just a cheap one, and it is still going strong. And I didn't have my license for the first 20 months of my daughters life so unless my partner was home (she worked full-time, 5 days a week, for the first 18 months) I relied on public transport to get anywhere. I just hung if off the pram. My nappy bag did get a work out, I'd cram as much into it as possible. But still no rips or tears, no sign of aging really. The only way I'd get a tear or rip is if I dragged it behind me!

Having said that though, I only own one 'handbag' which I've hand since 2005. My sister (who worked in a few high quality handbag shops, and she owns about a million and I don't think thats much of an exaggeration) says I should never give bag advice.

I posted recently about the bag I use, and still really like it, but now with 2 have found myself mre and more, reaching for any ol bag, shoving clothes & nappies etc in it and going out,
I just bought myself a cute $30 cloth/string back pack from our visit to the zoo yesterday, I'm hoping this will be the one, it's got an appliqued elephant on it.