Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack Review: I’m Obsessed With This Travel Diaper Bag

Finding the best diaper bag is quite the task. You need something that’s functional with plenty of pockets, compartments and storage space. It should be comfortable to carry around and not a complete eyesore with your outfit of the day. The choice becomes trickier when you’re looking for a bag that’s fit for travel. As an experienced shopping writer and editor, I shy away from saying that any product is perfect for everyone—that said, speaking to my fellow parents, the Dagne Dover Indi diaper backpack is the ultimate travel diaper bag.

The Indi Neoprene Diaper Backpack is a more modern and fashionable take on the typical utilitarian diaper backpack. I won't lie, it has a higher price tag than you may regularly spend—so I was curious to see if it's worth investing in for frequent travellers like myself. I tested the bag on planes, trains and automobiles. Here's my honest Dagne Dover Indi diaper backpack review.

What is the Dagne Dover Indi Neoprene Diaper Backpack?

The Indi Neoprene Diaper Backpack is the functional, aesthetically pleasing bag for style-conscious parents. It’s a sleek, unisex option for those who need solid organization and versatility for all that life throws at them. The backpack comes with a washable zipper bag, two stroller clips, an insulated neoprene water bottle holder, a zip-top pouch and a wipeable changing mat.

The Dange Dover diaper bag comes in three sizes designed for storing daily items/big kid essentials (small), baby’s daily essentials (medium) and baby’s essentials and extras (large). It has designated compartments for diapers, wipes, bottles and mom and dad essentials. The small version can hold a smaller tablet or e-reader, the medium version fits most 13-inch laptops and tablets and the large version accommodates most 15-inch laptops.

The backpack style allows for hands-free usage, whether you wear it on your back or attach it to a stroller with the included clips. The backpack is 100% vegan and has a premium neoprene exterior, a recycled polyester interior and colour-plated zinc alloy hardware. It's lightweight, water resistant and easy to clean, making it a dream for caregivers. The medium and large models also have a luggage sleeve to slide over your carry-on suitcase handle for airport cruising.

First impressions

I ordered the large model of the Dagne Dover diaper backpack in limited-edition khaki. I appreciated its thoughtful packaging; the backpack came in a drawstring bag and the zipper pull tabs were covered to protect them from dings. The interior was stuffed with air bags so the backpack would hold its shape.

Once I unboxed the bag, my first impression was that it felt soft, which I wasn’t expecting. Neoprene is a synthetic rubber that’s known for being both flexible and durable. I wasn't expecting it to feel so light, since I snagged the largest size—it weighs just 4 pounds. When I took the stuffing out, the backpack wasn’t stiff, but it stood up pretty well (something that would later come in handy for packing).

Key features and functionality

Organization and storage

Pockets are a must when it comes to a diaper bag. The back features a luggage sleeve with two zippered pockets on each side. At the front, there's a larger zippered pocket, which is good for stashing your phone, boarding pass and other items you need readily available. There are even pockets within this pocket for smaller items like a pen or headphones. Below this pocket is a smaller zippered one for storing house wipes. No more digging through a stuffed bag mid-diaper change! Additionally, there is a deep open pocket on each side, which can hold water bottles or other items.

On the inside, there’s a wide open section that takes up the majority of the bag, with the remaining interior containing smart storage. There’s a laptop compartment, mesh pockets and a covered pocket on one side. Everyone will use these sections differently for baby’s must-haves and other necessities parents need on the go. The flexible neoprene makes it easy to shove in last-minute items before zipping up the backpack.

Comfort and wearability

When I travel with my husband, we’ll switch off with the bags, so we’ve each had our turns wearing the Indi diaper backpack. The neoprene shoulder straps are soft and padded, and even though I stuff it to the brim with everything from toddler snacks to travel toys, I haven’t experienced any discomfort wearing it.

My everyday diaper bag can be worn as a tote bag, a top-handle bag and a backpack. With this Dagne Dover one, you can only really wear it as a backpack. It has a loop at the top, but that's for hooking it to a stroller rather than carrying it by hand. This is why I really encourage it as a travel diaper bag: because you’ll want to wear it hands-free anyway.

Durability and ease of cleaning

When the Dagne Dover diaper bag isn’t filled, it does slouch quite a bit. I’m not sure that I’d say it’s losing its shape, but rather it doesn’t have as much of a structure to begin with. That doesn’t bother me, because like a soft-side suitcase, the flexible material is beneficial for fitting extra items inside.

So far, I’ve taken this diaper backpack on eight flights. It’s been under seats, in overhead compartments, on airport floors and everywhere else you can imagine. The bottom does have a few scuffs and marks, but nothing it's barely noticeable. Plus, I have the khaki model, but if you got the black hue, you'd probably see less dings. It's easy to wipe away imperfections like airport grime. After each trip, I use Clorox Disinfecting Mist to kill any bacteria and viruses the bag picked up along the way, and the fabric looks good as new.

Travel-friendliness

I personally don’t travel with a rolling carry-on suitcase (it just doesn’t make sense when I’m pushing a travel stroller), but I tried out the luggage sleeve at home. It is easy to use and holds sturdy. I’ve had zero issues fitting the bag under the seat in front of me or in the overhead compartment. It’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) friendly, too. Although the large version fits a lot inside, it’s not bulky. In fact, in the overhead compartment, I could fit a second one on top of it if I needed to.

Despite the relatively compact design, this bag has a large opening, which gets even wider if you unclip the ends of the zipper. That’s helpful when you’re thousands of feet in the air and need to find that one toy your toddler needs at that very moment. Real weight comes from what you bring along, since it barely weighs anything on its own.

Real-world testing: how does it perform?

Since I fly with my 2-year-old daughter every other month, I take my toddler-specific travel gear seriously. I want it to be functional, but I still want to look like a cool mom. I have other diaper bags that I could use instead, but there’s a reason I keep returning to the Dagne Dover one. It has a lot of room, and as a notorious overpacker, that just speaks to me. The exterior and interior compartments and pockets keep even the tiniest accessories organized, and I appreciate that there’s a space for my laptop.

Between waiting in line for security and walking through the airport, there's a lot of time spent wearing the backpack, but the padded straps keep my back from taking a hit. I tend not to use the stroller clips, because, frankly, I pack it with so many things that it weighs more than my kid and it would flip the stroller over. If you’re a smarter packer than I am, though, and depending on how your travel stroller is built, you can have a fully hands-free experience.

You could certainly buy this Dagne Dover bag even if a family vacation isn’t even remotely on the horizon. The spacious design would be useful on weekend outings or even just the daily hustle and bustle. It has enough space for parents' items, too, or for multiple kids' things. Since it doesn't look like a typical diaper bag, you could even continue using it long after the diaper days are in the rearview.

Who is the Dagne Dover Indi Neoprene Diaper Backpack best for?

The Dagne Dover diaper backpack is for parents who want a hands-free way to bring along their kid’s necessities. It’s well equipped for traveling, as the backpack style, luggage sleeve and clips mean you still have hands to push a stroller or haul your luggage. This TSA-friendly, unisex bag simply looks like a modern backpack, blending both style and functionality.

Final verdict

In all honesty, those who prefer an extra-large or budget-friendly diaper bag may not find the Dagne Dover Indi diaper backpack worthwhile. That said, it's an excellent investment for parents who are willing to splurge a bit. It excels in style, organization and durability. With thoughtful pockets and compartments, it helps you stay organized, especially throughout the chaos of travel. It's vegan for eco-conscious users and can be used for other things aside from hauling kids' gear. An all-around win, in my books.

Pros

• Thoughtfully designed with extensive pocks and compartments
• Spacious enough to hold baby/kids and parent essentials
• Weighs just 4 pounds
• Durable and vegan neoprene exterior
• Flexible design for optimal storage
• Range of core and limited-edition colours
• Has stroller clips and a luggage sleeve for travel
• Comes with zipper bag, insulated water bottle bag and other accessories

Cons

• On the pricier side
• Can only be worn as a backpack