I traded my carry-on for a Dagne Dover diaper backpack—here’s why it makes the ultimate travel companion, kid or no kid.

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As a unmarried woman in her twenties without children, I never imagined I’d find myself at an airport lugging a diaper bag over my shoulder, yet here we are.

I once came across a story from a flight attendant who mentioned that a diaper backpack is the best option.
best carry-on bag
conceivable — even without having a baby — and my spontaneous trip to New York City provided an ideal chance to validate this hypothesis. I seized the opportunity to take the best-selling
Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack
in a medium size as my reliable one
personal item bag
, and fair warning: I’ll never go anywhere without it again.

Diaper bags are essentially created to simplify your daily routine, and the Dagne Dover Indi bag excelled at this task. It accommodates all necessities; in my situation, these items comprised beverages, snacks, a computer, along with anything else I would typically cram into a bag but eventually lose track of. The most impressive aspect is that you wouldn’t guess it was intended for carrying infant formula containers.

All the things the Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack can carry

One look at our
Dagne Dover review
We should let you know all you need to understand regarding our product experts’ opinions on Dagne Dover: We adore their bags. It’s evident that considerable thought is put into every design, with the Indi Backpack being an excellent illustration of this dedication.

As soon as you believe you have located all the compartments, you discover yet another hidden one. The pair of zipped pockets at the front easily merge into a single spacious compartment for quick access to items such as wet wipes, lip balm, and others. Peering inside uncovers ample space with sizable mesh side panels offering unexpected capacity relative to the exterior size. I utilized the small pouch for storing my earbuds along with their charger, while the included changing pad can also serve as a portable workstation during travel.

The diaper bag is available in three sizes: small, medium, and large — all providing an equivalent number of practical pockets. It features a broad double zipper that detaches to the sides to reduce bulkiness; however, this might become loose as the bag gets fuller.

Offering more space compared to my typical tote bag, I was motivated to fill it as much as I wanted. This allowed me to include my laptop, which fit smoothly into the internal mesh compartment next to my pile of magazines. Additionally, there was ample room left over for additional pairs of sunglasses and a compact section where I could store my liquid items, all set for an effortless screening process at airport security.

The mid-size Indi backpack is ideal for individuals traveling alone. It can easily accommodate everything you need, including a standard Hydroflask, thanks to the spacious side compartments designed for bottles. What I love most about this pack is its hidden rear pouch, roughly the same dimensions as a wallet, providing convenient access to items such as your credit cards when needed.

Despite having plenty of space left, even with all my belongings inside, closing the zipper was effortless. I felt as light as air compared to lugging heavy textbooks, although I decided to attach it to my carry-on suitcase via the rear compartment. Thankfully, balancing it wasn’t an issue; however, maneuvering it across the rug demanded both hands.

Cons to consider

The Indi diaper backpack in the small size has a sleeker profile but lacks the luggage sleeve featured in the medium and large versions. Although I love the softness of the neoprene fabric, several customers have noted minor fuzzing after extended use. For those traveling with an infant, consider exploring sturdier alternatives such as the
lululemon New Parent Backpack
.

The bottom line

A diaper backpack is an essential travel accessory you might not have realized you were missing. Luckily for you, Dagne Dover’s Indi Diaper Backpack adds both style and convenience without drawing unwanted attention.