When it comes to a diaper bag, do you just tough it out with the flowery one your wife got at a baby shower? Or do you go for one yourself? Do you get something that is an actual "diaper bag" or just a messenger bag? How about a backpack? Some makers offer diaper backpacks, or will a general purpose daypack do?

Let's talk about the features that we are looking for, or specific models that we like or dislike.

I posted a question like this on twitter and got a lot of responses. Evidently there are some strong feelings out there. I got a Diaper Dude, Dude Pack to try out and I like it. We're going to shoot a segment on it, so that motivates creating the thread.

I am a huge fan of Timbuk2 products. We have a classic messenger bag I carry when we are both going out (because I will be the one carrying the bag). My wife liked the paisley bag for the first year or so, but now that our boys are 2, my wife even tends to take Timbuk2 instead of green paisley. The cross strap is wide and confortable and doesn;t haave a big decorative metal buckle in the middle (man that thing hurts).

The great thing about Timbuk is that if we over-fill it with winter coats while we are walking around in stores, the straps are long and strong enough to hold our bag closed and secure.

I always put a caribiner on my bags as well (computer for work and my photography gear bags) because they come in incredibly handy. Bag full but still need to carry a water bottle? Hook a nalgeen on the caribiner! Its all about customizing to meet your individual needs, and a Timbuk2 allows just that

I have gone with industrial design. Maybe I should just be Daddy Frugal. $25 is about my limit on what i can tolerate and so far it's worked. My previous find was $14.99 at Baby Depot. It was a black diaper bag, just right for a single baby. When the second was imminent, I found a Jeep branded bag that was about 50% larger for $19.99. It's a little sparser with the extras, but I get a messenger format with cavernous space in the center. It's worked so far.

I don't plan to get more than 6 months out of there. 20 months beat the first one to a pulp. But I think that had I spent the big bucks, it would be no different.

The main reason I bought a Timbuk2 is because they hold up so well I plan on using this one for years to come. My first Timbuk2 was purchased in college when I didn't have a car and rode a bike everywhere (working at a bike shopped helped). The bag will be 15 yrs old this spring and is still my go to bag. Handmade quality that lasts. I love it.

This thing always makes me laugh
Diaper Vest