As a former fashion publicist and new mom, I immediately gravitated toward using a basic black leather shoulder bag as a diaper bag. It served its purpose when my son was an infant, but now that he’s a toddler, I feel like I am constantly digging for snacks, toys, wipes, etc., and my tote, with just a few side pockets, was not cutting it. I came across the HaloVa Diaper Bag Backpack and liked that it didn’t scream, “I’m a diaper bag!”—so I packed it up and went out for a day of activities with my 18-month-old son. Did it store what I needed? Was it functional as well as fashionable? Read on to see what I thought!
Design: A stylish bag, but could function better for the parent
This is definitely one of the cutest diaper bag backpacks I’ve seen. At just over 10 inches long, 8 inches wide, and 16.5 inches tall, the HaloVa Diaper Bag has a pretty slim design compared to others on the market. It can hold the essentials you need for a day out, but it’s better suited for day-to-day use than for travel. The backpack comes in a variety of neutral colors including black, gray, and dark blue. I love gold, so I was immediately drawn to the gold zipper and appreciated this design detail on a diaper bag. The HaloVa can be worn as a backpack or the top two handles can be snapped together to hold like a tote. However, I wish that there were also stroller straps for the times I wanted some relief from carrying it on my back. Another flaw: There is no back padding and barely any padding on the shoulder straps, so it really wasn’t that comfortable. After about an hour of carrying the bag, I was feeling some back pain.
Pockets and Features: Plenty of organization, but no changing pad
I liked that the large main pocket pops open and stays open, making it easy for me to pack the bag. There, I was able to store diapers and toys. On the inside of the bag, there are four smaller pockets for storing sippy cups and snacks and two smaller zipper pockets, one of which is designed to hold wet clothes—but it seemed way too small to fit a toddler’s outfit. On the outside of the bag, there are three insulated bottle holders, as well as a side pocket for a sippy cup or water bottle and a side pocket for wipes. A small pocket located at the back of the bag held my valuables while I was out with my son. While I did like all of the storage, I was disappointed that there was no changing pad included (it seems to be a standard feature of diaper bags today); I had to borrow one from my original diaper bag. I also felt the wipes pocket was too small. My pack stuck out of the top of the pocket, and the wipe itself didn’t fit as well in the slot provided. The bag also comes with a wet clothes pocket.
Ease of Cleaning: Designed with water-resistant fabric for an easy cleanup
Like many diaper bag backpacks out there, the HaloVa Diaper Bag Backpack is designed with a durable water-resistant fabric that is easy to wipe or spot clean should there be any spills. My container of berries spilled in the bag during our day out, and I was able to easily wipe up the mess with a wet wipe—no stains at all.
Price: Looks more expensive than it is
I was pretty surprised to see that this bag retails from $35 to $55, making it one of the less expensive diaper bag backpacks out there. Yes, it has flaws, but if you’re on a budget and looking for something with some style to store what you need for running errands or going to the park, this is a fine option. If you’re not completely satisfied, the brand will give you a full refund within 90 days of purchase.
HaloVa Diaper Bag Backpack vs. Hap Tim Diaper Bag Backpack
Not many diaper bags are as stylish as the HaloVa and offer better features. I also tested the Hap Tim Diaper Bag Backpack, which retails for around $40 and comes in a variety of colors. It’s designed with the typical diaper bag pockets, but it also comes with a changing pad and has shoulder padding, back padding, and stroller straps. So if you’re willing to sacrifice a little bit of style and spend the same amount of money, I would check out the Hap Tim backpack. The HaloVa Diaper Bag Backpack is a stylish and inexpensive bag, but it has a few design flaws. You’ll have to weigh what’s more important to you: fashion or function.
