Today on Travel Gear We Use, we’re excited to showcase the best diaper bag we’ve seen in a long time. The Timbuk2 Stork looks and acts like a rugged messenger bag, but has everything families with babies need while on the go. When my kids were babies, this bag was not yet available, but ironically, I used a standard Timbuk2 bag as a diaper bag, because it was tough enough for our travels and ‘manly’ enough for my husband to use too. Now one of my Pit Stops for Kids baby gear reviewers has the real thing! Here’s what Karyssa, mom of baby Deklan, has to say.
A diaper bag is an everyday essential for babies that can be utilized for the early years. Finding the perfect bag that is both functional and stylish can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. It is important to have a bag that will hold up to daily wear, and won’t fall apart prematurely.
I was excited that the Timbuk2 Stork could be completely customized (it comes in standard colors or a build-it-yourself customizable option). I could create a bag by choosing fabric colors, trim and even liner colors. I chose to design a bag that my husband could also carry around without feeling like I was stripping him of his manhood. Some diaper bags are too much like a purse. If I wanted to carry around a purse for a diaper bag I would throw some diapers in a purse!
Other diaper bags scream cheap because they are made of plastic vinyl and lack quality construction. TimBuk2 doesn’t skimp on color and fabric options. There were probably over a hundred different options for mixing up the colors and design of the bag. Options were endless including herringbone, pink, blue, yellow, and trendy prints. It took me a couple of hours to make a final decision. Including my husband and best friend in the decision without dragging anyone to the store was a definate plus!
I really wanted a bag that I could use to organize all of the little things and still have room for the big necessities. The Timbuk2 stork messenger has an amazing ability to stay compact while making you feel like you can fit everything you need to keep your little one happy.
There are a lot of pockets…more than I could actually fill. I loved the individual interior pockets, which are the perfect size for things like tylenol, lotions, nail clippers and toys. There are additional zipper and velcro pockets on the outside under the main flap for items like keys, sunglasses etc. The big interior pocket is for a nice sized changing pad. I had enough room to store everything in the main portion of the bag with plenty of room to spare. With other diaper bags I have had the issue of having to pull everything out just to get to a pair of pants or the wipes (always at the bottom).
When the Stork Messanger is opened, it is wide enough to see and grab any items you need with ease. I didn’t need to pull everything out to find what I was looking for. I chose a dark color for the interior; it is a very soft waterproof fabric that can easily be wiped clean. The exterior fabric is very durable and very high quility that will last for years to come. The colors that I selected ended up being vibrant and crisp. I was so happy with the custome trim and colors right down to the embroidered logo.
There are two types of closure on the bag: two strips of velcro and two clips to snap it closed. The velcro is pretty sturdy, but I was able to open up the bag fairly easily while holding my son and having my hands full.
Another plus is the bag is very lightweight even when it is packed full. I was suprised how comfortable the strap was while I was wearing the bag. Using the crossbody option I didn’t have to deal with the bag falling off my shoulder as some heavy bags have the tendency to do. Using the adjustable clip the strap will fit parents of all shapes and sizes.
Pick up the Timbuk2 Stork at the official site to chose the customized option for $184, or save some cash buying on Amazon for $149.
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