Help a Newbie Pick a Bag

[sarahlin]

I am looking to get a Tom Binh bag to use as a diaper bag. Right now I use a Timbuk 2 cargo tote and the size is ok but there are not enough pockets.

We cloth diaper and those take up more room than disposables.

I tried an ego but it was to big for me. Does anyone have any recomendations?

[maverick]

hi sarahlin!

did the ego have too much capacity, or did it seem to big to carry?

are you open to backpack designs, or would you prefer a messenger style bag?

thanks!
-m

[sarahlin]

I prefer a messenger style.

The ego just looked off. It was to much like a laptop bag for my taste (so basically, it looks like it is supposed to) but I loved all the pockets it had. It was on the large side of what I need and I could go a bit smaller without losing anything.

[maverick]

hi!

how about the imago?

its dimensions are 14.5" x 12.25" x 3.5" and its capacity 13.5 liters.

to contrast, the ego is 15.3 x 13.3 x 6.3" with capacity of 23 liters.

while a bit smaller, it doesn't look like a laptop bag.

the id is in between the imago and the ego at 15.75 x 12 x 5.5" and capacity of 20.9 liters, but it does look more like a laptop bag.

if you wanted to consider a backpack, i was going to recommend the ruck's sac because it's not too big but lets you carry the essentials for your baby. i used this for a little while as a diaper bag and then to carry other stuff for our outings when my son was out of diapers last summer and it worked out quite well.

i'm not sure how much bigger cloth diapers are, but with the quantity of cloth diapers you want to carry, how many size 5 diapers would you estimate would take up the same space? what else do you want to carry in the bag? i can do a little fit test when i get home tonight and post pictures of what the ruck's sac would hold if that helps.

-m

[timarelay]

The Imago gets cramped fairly quickly. I love the bag to pieces and it's my purse, but that's exactly my point. It's my purse. I can add my netbook and a small sweatshirt (or my hat and scarf) and a book or two but not much else if I want it to be comfortable. The ID is probably about the right size.

The Tom Bihn messenger bags are mostly designed to be laptop bags, so that's what they're going to look like. =/ There's supposed to be a dedicated diaper bag someday, but it doesn't seem like that day is going to be any time soon.

[MagicTiki]

I love my ID and I use it for many things. It is a bit smaller than the ego for your purposes, but it does have a bit more of a "professional" look to it.

Having said that... I use it all the time for my "daypack" - work, vacations, kids sporting events, etc. I posted some pics from a trip to Disney last year that you could use to see it in "casual" mode (I am a six-foot, 210 pounds if that helps you size it up):

http://forums.tombihn.com/showthread.php?t=1521

I find it immensely useful for day trippin', but your own use and sense of style may vary. :-)

[bobster]

If it is any help at all, our family is a huge fan of the Ruck's Sac backpack. It looks small, but this thing holds more than you think. I have 8 year old twins (a boy and a girl) and you would be amazed at what they can fit in their Rucks. His is black and hers is purple. I have a red one that I use when we go bicycling (to hold snacks and drinks) and these things are indestructible. And pockets and compartments that you won't know what to put in! One thing I love about all Tom Bihn bags (beside the fact that they are well-made, come in great colors, and hold up to lots of use) is the fact that they are an organizational person's dream come true. I think you will find lots of little pockets for diaper pins and other baby items (not to mention the main compartment for cloth diapers. Give one a try...I don't think you will be disappointed.

[mrae]

I actually think the Swift would be a great diaper bag. You could use the stuff sack that comes with it for items that you want to keep separate from other things in the bag.

[Darcy]

I actually think the Swift would be a great diaper bag. You could use the stuff sack that comes with it for items that you want to keep separate from other things in the bag.

That's a great suggestion!

[moriond]

I actually think the Swift would be a great diaper bag. You could use the stuff sack that comes with it for items that you want to keep separate from other things in the bag.

I agree that the Swift would work better as a diaper bag than the ID bag or Imago. It's worth remembering that when the Swift's immediate predecessor, the LUX, was introduced, Tom originally planned on designing a diaper bag insert. I don't have the new tall stuff sack to try with this, but the Convertible Packing Cube is nicely sized to fit in this bag, and could be used both to separate items stored in the bag or be carried outside the Swift on a shoulder strap.