"Daddy Bag" Advice

So I'm going to have a daughter in April. Very excited.

My baby mama is asking about gifts for me for Xmas, which is always difficult (as I am sure it is for all SF members' partners), but I thought a good idea might be to ask for a quality "daddy-bag" for me to carry necessities like diapers, wipes, and other miscellaneous gear that might be necessary as my little girl grows up. Might be nice to have some functionality for myself, too.

The challenge is that none of the purpose-built daddy bags I have seen are remotely attractive to me. They are ballistic nylon and such, and while they're probably very functional and waterproof and blah-blah-blah, I am resisting them. If I wanted everything to be waterproof and purely functional, I'd wear cargo pants and Crocs.

What I have in mind is more of a quality brown or tan leather messenger bag or shoulder bag, perhaps even a backpack, that will probably sacrifice some functionality but be way, way up the style meter. Something that will work with my conservative tailored wardrobe. Trite as it may sound, what's coming to my mind is something like a bag you'd see Indiana Jones carrying - stylish yet fairly rugged, and if I get some baby puke on it, I can write it off to patina.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I welcome advice, too, as in what functionalities I should not be willing to compromise on.

Thanks in advance.

I know Men's Vogue ran a piece about this a few months back. They recommended the Filson Tin Cloth Tote.

Don't get a bag. Get a vest.

I take it this is going to be your first baby, ever?

That idea of wanting to look good, to sacrifice functionality for good looks, it will fade away, super FAST.

Perhaps something from Petunia Pickle Bottom's new Scout line of diaper bags for dads?

Something like a British field bag with quick release straps?

Storck Sak "Jamie".

Originally Posted by robin

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Something like a British field bag with quick release straps?

Awesome. Thanks for the suggestion. Is this a good general term ("British Field Bag") to use when searching? Any particularly quality brands to look for?

Barbour are a good English manufacturer http://www.bennettsirongate.co.uk/ou.../barbour-bags/ . Sometimes they'll be described as field bags, sometimes shooting bags, sometimes gamekeepers bags... Also look for fishing bags (Orvis?) or maybe something like a Billingham camera bag http://www.morco.uk.com/latest/billingham.htm .

Get a Filson tote or 257. The standard-issue diaper bags are useless. Too small and ugly. All you need is a regular bag and a changing pad. In fact, buy a changing pad and you won't need a new bag...

Originally Posted by Douglas

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So I'm going to have a daughter in April. Very excited.


First of all, contratulations, D...it will be quite a trip!

Second, you're right: don't fall for that "it's made to be a diaper bag" stuff. Get something you like. The only thing you really need is a diaper pad so you can address execrement in any location, and compartments in the bag to hold diapers, cloths, food, etc.

I wouldn't do leather because the nicest bags are somewhat inflexible (e.g., bridle) and you want to be able to pack the thing with odd items. You can never predict what you have to put in that thing.

How about a Filson from Crane's above? E.g.:






- B

Originally Posted by bigbjorn

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Get a Filson tote or 257. The standard-issue diaper bags are useless. Too small and ugly. All you need is a regular bag and a changing pad. In fact, buy a changing pad and you won't need a new bag...

Yeah, what Bjorn said ^^^.


- B

Originally Posted by TopHatCat

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Perhaps something from Petunia Pickle Bottom's new Scout line of diaper bags for dads?

I hadn't even looked at this until now, assuming from the name it had been a joke. Actually a nice suggestion, thanks!

Also thanks to all for the other suggestions. I now have a short list to consider. As always, SF delivers with the goods.

I would just let baby mama worry about that stuff

Originally Posted by dkzzzz

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Storck Sak "Jamie".

nice bag



http://cgi.ebay.com/StorkSak-Jamie-B...1%7C240%3A1318