Changing bags: full test results
- Blooming Marvellous Leatherette Rucksack
- The Caboodle Bag
- M@G Baby Combibags
- Mothercare Navy Flap Bag
- Baby Bjorn Backpack
- The Caboodle Weekender Bag
- Oi Oi Rucksack
- Baby Bjorn Diaper Bag
- Tomy Le Bag
Blooming Marvellous Leatherette Rucksack
Price: Around £18.99
Score: 
What you get: Leatherette ruck sack with drawstring and velcro over flap, zipped pocket with elasticated bottle holder bands and two side pockets. Includes changing mat and 'mess' bag.
Stockists: Tel 0870 751 8966, or visit www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk
babyworld verdict: This is a sensible, straight-talking backpack which does the job in a no-nonsense way for a very fair price. Hard-wearing and practical.
Parents' comments:
Good size - not too big but roomy enough for all the essentials with useful pockets and accessories.
Waterproof interior guards against spills.
A removable rigid base helps to hold the bag open so you can find things easily.
Easily adjusted shoulder straps, comfy to carry.
Suit mum or dad - and could be used beyond baby-changing days.
Excellent value for money.
The Caboodle Bag
Price: Around £19.99
Score: 
What you get: Fully washable fabric shoulder bag with side bottle pockets, see-through internal storage pockets and waterproof 'mess' pocket. Includes a changing mat.
Stockists: Tel. 01795 590664 or visit www.caboodlebags.co.uk
babyworld verdict: This doesn't try to hide the fact that it is a baby's changing bag but it certainly does the job effectively for a fair price. A useful size with some good features for everyday use.
Parents' comments:
A good mid-sized bag - roomy without being too big for everyday use.
Optional rigid internal base helps hold main compartment open so you can see what you have got easily.
Internal pockets are plastic so you can quickly see what you have put in them.
Main compartment is accessed through a single, velcroed flap - very quick and easy to open up or close.
Washable
Extra large changing mat is excellent, although it does take up a lot of space.
M@G Baby Combibag (luxury)
Price: Around £19.99
Score: 
What you get: Fabric shoulder bag which unzips and unfolds to create an extra large changing mat with four velcro-fastening storage pockets.
Stockists: Tel. 01825 761 782 or visit www.combibags.com
babyworld verdict: First impressions of this were not that great but when you actually use it, this is practical and user-friendly. Not the most chic but ideal if baby's comfort and convenience are key.
Parents' comments:
Quick and easy to unfold and open out to create a large changing area.
When open, baby can lie on a wipe clean area or on the lightly padded fabric - it can double as a play rug.
When open, all pockets are easily accessible alongside the baby. When closed, pockets are still accessible.
Fabric is very flexible which means you can easily squish the whole thing into another bag or stow in a crevice in the car or pushchair.
Doesn't hold a huge amount but what it does hold can be well-organised so everything is easy to find.
Fabric base means you can't put it down on wet or grubby surfaces.
Mothercare Navy Flap Bag
Price: Around £14.99
Score:
What you get: Lightly padded, wipe-clean shoulder bag with poppered over flap, one main compartment with elasticated bottle holder bands and two zipped pockets. Includes changing mat and 'mess' bag.
Stockists: Tel. 01923 210210, or visit www.mothercare.co.uk
babyworld comment: There is nothing particularly clever or sophisticated about this bag, but for everyday use - going out to the shops or playgroup - this is ideal. Very reasonably priced for something that works well in a no fuss, no frills way.
Parents comments:
Very low-cost for something that certainly does the job.
Unobtrusive size and style.
Good sized changing mat and useful 'mess' bag.
Ideal for short outings and everyday use - can be hung over a buggy.
Fairly basic design but more than adequate.
This seems small but does in fact expand quite dramatically and holds much more than you think.
Baby Bjorn Backpack
Price: Around £32.99
Score:
Score:
What you get: Canvas-feel rucksack with waterproof lining and multiple bottle, baby food and storage pockets. Includes a changing mat.
Stockist: Tel. 0870 1200543, or visit www.babybjorn.com or through Blooming Marvellous on 0870 751 8966, www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk.
babyworld verdict: This is a roomy backpack that means business and is ideal for long days out and about when you have lots to take with you. Suits both mum or dad, and has plenty of pockets to help organise you without being fussy or fiddly.
Parents' comments:
Tough and hardwearing.
Well padded, adjustable shoulder straps for carrying comfort.
Lots of useful internal pockets plus easily accessible bottle pockets on either side.
Lightweight and machine washable.
The big bag will hold a lot but is bulky and not the best for everyday short-trip outings.
This is a deep bag which means it is quite easy to loose things at the bottom.
The Caboodle Weekender Bag
Price: From around £22.99
Score:
What you get: Large, fabric, hold-all style bag with one central compartment and two large pockets either end.
Stockists: Tel. 01795 590664 or visit www.caboodlebags.co.uk
babyworld verdict: This is too big for everyday use but perfect for weekends away. Sufficiently roomy without becoming a bottomless pit from which you can never find the things you want.
Parents' comments:
Lightweight and washable.
Very roomy - plenty of space for everything your baby would need for a weekend away.
Adjustable, easy-to-use shoulder strap.
Not that many compartments but those you get are of a useful size. The main compartment works almost as a portable draw - things are accessible and don't get lost deep down in the base at all.
Has very small plastic feet on the base but you couldn't really put it on a wet or grubby surface with much confidence.
No accessories such as a changing mat or mess bag.
Oi Oi Changing Bag
Price: Around £39.99
Score: 
What you get: A micro-fibre, wipe-clean fabric rucksack with drawstring and poppered flap, two side pockets plus internal pockets and zippered access at rear of bag. Includes insulated bottle bag and changing mat.
Stockists: Tel. 01273 834606 or visit www.oioi.com.au
babyworld verdict: This is a good looking, stylish backpack which would suit anyone chic and image conscious - it has some useful pockets but wasn't the most practical.
Parents' comments:
Chic and stylish - could be used just as a backpack once baby changing days are gone.
Easy to wipe clean, quite hard-wearing.
Zippered access at back allows you to find items quickly if need be.
Quite a few pockets but overall not that roomy.
Unexpectedly heavy.
Expensive for what you get.
Baby Bjorn Diaper Bag
Price: Around £59.99
Score:
What you get: A rigid, vanity-case style shoulder bag with multiple storage sections, padded bottle case and changing mat.
Stockists: Tel. 0870 1200543 or visit www.babybjorn.com or through Blooming Marvellous on 0870751 8966 or www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk.
babyworld verdict: This looks stylish and business-like and doesn't shout baby-change at you, but is very expensive for something we didn't find to be terribly practical. What you carry in it can be very well organised but must be neatly folded and carefully stowed, which won't suit anyone who wants to stuff things in fast and go!
Parents' comments:
Smart, designer look - executive style.
Good size mat and useful bottle case.
Easily adjustable poppered strap with non-slip backing to help keep it on your shoulder.
Lots of intricate compartments so you can be very organised, but doesn't actually hold a great deal.
You have to undo four zips to get the whole thing open which is not quick or easy to do if you're in a hurry.
Very expensive
Tomy Le Bag
Price: Around £14.99
Score:
What you get: Backpack style bag with integral, fold-out changing mat, insulated pocket for bottle, waterproof pocket for messy items, accessory clip for toy or soothers.
Stockists: Tel. 02380 662600 or visit www.tomy.co.uk
babyworld verdict: This is a well-made, tough backpack with some interesting design features for a very fair price. The integral changing mat means you never forget to take it with you, although having it attached does not always make for the easiest of use.
Parents' comments:
This is a good compact size - not too huge but quite roomy.
Useful insulated side pocket for bottles.
Robust and good value.
The integral changing mat is the key feature and seems an excellent idea but we found that when in use the baby pulled the attached bag onto herself all the time and thought this a great game!
Lots of design features but not all are as useful as they at first appear.
This is tall and deep which means things often get lost way down in the bottom of the bag.
Where to next?
Go to our brief summary on changing bags
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See babyworld's other product tests
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Read babyworld's advice on changing nappies
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Share your experiences – good and bad – of the baby products you have used on our Product talk discussion forum.
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