Top 3 Tactical Diaper Bags Reviewed

Raising children is one of the most precarious duties a man can face, but also one of the most rewarding. Keeping your child safe, clean, and healthy while on the go shouldn’t be a hassle and definitely shouldn’t cramp your style. Protect your baby and your pride by opting for gear that suits your style while storing everything you need to care for your heir.

The Top 3 Tactical diaper bags are:

• HSD Backpack: Best Overall Pick
• ESPIDOO Diaper Bag: Best Budget Pick
• TBG: Tactical Baby Gear Deuce 2: Best Premium Pick

Each of these bags has something different to offer in terms of style, color, and features. If you’re looking for the perfect bag to carry for a successful playdate without enduring sympathetic glances from strangers, tactical gear is for you! Check out the reviews below to learn more about each bag and how it can help you up to your style game while doing your part.

Why Choose a Tactical Diaper Bag

Let’s start with the basics. A tactical diaper bag is the masculine version of the traditional diaper bag. Instead of donning floral prints and soft fabrics, a tactical diaper bag features strong, durable fabrics and Earth-tones. They tend to be more masculine in appearance and are designed for performance. Although tactical diaper bags are designed with fathers in mind or those that need a diaper bag to fit their active lifestyle, they are just as popular with women. Modern parents with a contemporary wardrobe style often choose tactical bags over traditional ones. These bags have all the awesome features of regular diaper bags and even a few more!

Who Needs a Tactical Diaper Bag?

Rumor has it that these bags are designed especially for men. While that may be true, many women are opting for them, as well. There’s really no right or wrong when it comes to who carries these bags. If you prefer something functional and efficient, you should definitely consider a tactical diaper bag. They provide all the benefits of a traditional bag without the embarrassment of carrying something that looks like your grandma’s curtains!

Top 3 Tactical Diaper Bags: Product Reviews

After researching many different bags, we have landed on a list of top-3 picks that we think are the best for various reasons. Depending on your style and needs, one of these bags is bound to be perfect for you. Check out the reviews below!

Best Overall Pick: The HSD Backpack

This bag literally has everything you need to take care of your kids while on the go. It has many pockets, compartments, and space for toys, snacks, blankets, clothing, and more. You can store plenty of your own stuff, too! There are seven external pockets on this bag to keep the essentials within arm’s reach. One of these pouches is specifically designed for baby wipes to be dispensed at a moment’s notice. No more fumbling around in your bag, trying to get a hold of a wipe!

Bottles are also readily available in the two dedicated bottle pockets. There is one on either side of the bag. They are fully enclosed and insulating, allowing you to keep the bottles warm or cold, depending on what’s in them. There is a diaper changing mat included in the bag and also stored in a designated pocket. The pad is big enough to use for an infant or a toddler. You can also use the dedicated pocket to carry your laptop so you can get some work done during nap time.

It may or may not be completely necessary, but in case you need to know, these bags are field-tested in true military style. They are highly durable and backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

What We Like

• Veteran owned and operated company
• It’s waterproof
• YKK zippers that you can open and close with one hand

What We Don’t Like

• It doesn’t have a form or structure, so if it’s not full, it looks saggy
• It contains PVC in the lining

Best Budget Option: ESPIDOO Diaper Bag

This waterproof bag is essential for dads who need to store a ton of stuff without breaking the bank. It features 14 individual pockets and four large compartments to keep everything you’ll need throughout the day. It will store not only your baby’s stuff but your laptop and other items, as well. The super cool feature about this bag is the built-in molle webbing system. This is a system used in a lot of military gear and allows the user to attach more pouches, pockets, and other essentials to expand the space available. It also allows you to personalize it and make it something you’re proud to carry.

The “USA” and “DADDY” patches on the back proudly display who you are and what you’re all about. They are removable and can also be traded out with other patches via Velcro attachments. Tactical bags are designed for personal style, so there’s no reason not to personalize them. From a functionality perspective, this bag is one of the best. It features three insulated pockets that are designed to keep bottles cold or warm. There is also a dedicated side pocket for baby wipes, so they are always nearby. If you need to stay hydrated, you can do that too with a pocket and removable hose clip for a hydration bladder! Last but not least, this tactical diaper bag is designed with comfort in mind. It has adjustable shoulder straps and mesh padding on the back. It also has additional D rings for you to hang keys or other gear that you need to be able to access easily.

What We Like

• Ability to personalize it with removable patches
• Four huge compartments for the big stuff
• Hydration bladder to keep you healthy & hydrated
• Reasonable price point

What We Don’t Like

• It has so many pockets that you could lose stuff and forget where you put it!

Best Premium Option: TBG Deuce 2

The Tactical Baby Gear Deuce 2 is absolutely the premium option for diaper bags. This thing is loaded with all the necessities to get you through the most demanding challenges of the day! It’s a little different than the others we’ve looked at because it’s a messenger bag rather than a backpack. There are five external pockets, all designed for easy access to the essentials. One is specifically dedicated to keeping baby wipes readily accessible. Another one is for car keys and other items that you need to be able to grab and go with one hand. This pocket features Velcro instead of a zipper for ease of use with one hand.

There is also a long pocket that is the full width of the bag. This pocket is designed for tablets, laptops, coloring books, and other items that need to be kept flat. There is padding on both sides of this pocket to protect your electronics. The TBG Deuce 2 comes with a changing pad that is large enough for both babies and toddlers. It has a dedicated pocket on the backside of the bag. It’s water-resistant and easy-to-clean, so you can keep your baby safe. The outside of this bag features a molle webbing system across the entire back of the bag and a couple of individual pockets. This system allows you to customize your bag with additional accessories like bottle holders, cup pouches, and more. TBG offers a full line of accessories for you to choose from.

What We Like

• Tons of space, pockets, and compartments
• Messenger style rather than a backpack
• Full line of accessories to personalize it

What We Don’t Like

• It needs to be a little wider so you can fit a blanket in the middle pocket

Buying Guide

If you’re looking for a tactical diaper bag for yourself, your spouse, or someone else, there are several things you should consider. There are a variety of products on the market in different styles, colors, and price ranges. Here are some key things to consider when choosing the right bag for you.

Style

First and foremost, you need to consider what style of bag you’re looking for. There are two basic styles of bags to choose from: backpacks and messenger bags. There are also some unique styles, such as crossbody bags, but those are less common.

Backpacks

Backpacks are a great choice if you prefer to have everything on your back and out of the way. They typically have adjustable straps so you can secure the bag either higher or lower on your bag to avoid too much pressure in a single area. They also usually have chest straps to help alleviate the load from your back. The biggest issue to consider with a backpack is that every time you need something, you have to take your arm out of one of the straps and pull the bag around to the front. This can be a real hassle when you have a baby in your arms. On the other hand, if you’re traveling a lot, a backpack is definitely the way to go. It keeps everything out of the way so you can focus on navigating through the airport or train station with one or more kids.

Messenger Bags

Messenger bags are basically laptop bags with additional pockets. They are usually carried by one long strap that can go over your shoulder or across your body. A lot of parents like this style because it’s easier to access than a backpack. The drawback to a messenger bag is that it can easily slip off your shoulder. If you have a baby in one arm, a toddler’s hand in the other, and the bag starts to slip off your shoulder. It could get complicated really quickly! However, if you’re pushing a stroller around, a messenger bag is perfect because you can strap it to the stroller arms, which can be difficult to do with a backpack.

Crossbody Bags

Crossbody bags are basically a combination of a messenger bag and a backpack. Many of these types of bags are made to go on your back with one long strap going across your front. Others are designed to go across the front of your body but can interfere with an infant carrier. This is not a common style, but it’s important to know that they exist if you want to check them out.

Fabric and Colors

When you think of traditional diaper bags, you’re probably thinking sunshine and rainbow prints. That’s just not going to cut it for the modern dad. Instead, consider Earth tones and durable fabrics that suit your style and your taste. Some of the most popular brands on the market are only available in gray, black, camo, sand, and army green. If you’re looking for something that truly looks rugged and masculine, these are the colors to go for. No more flowers and butterflies for you!

You also want to consider the fabric. Most tactical diaper bags are made of durable materials that are water-resistant or waterproof. These options include nylon and other similar fabrics. The goal here is to make sure that the fabric you select can withstand whatever you and your kids throw at it. The more durable the fabric, the longer the bag will last. When inspecting the fabric, you also want to look at the craftsmanship make sure the seams are heavy duty and do not stretch or open when you put a little pressure on them.

Comfort While Carrying

We touched on this a little bit in the style portion of this buying guide. Since every person is different, everyone will be comfortable with different bags. This is a huge decision to make when purchasing your bag because the odds are that you’ll be carrying it around a lot! You want the bag to be comfortable to carry and not put too much pressure on a single joint or part of your body. Many people opt for backpacks because they are more comfortable and able to evenly distribute the weight across both shoulders and the chest. 

Conversely, messenger bags put all the weight on a single shoulder, which can become uncomfortable over time. Another aspect of comfort is the construction of the straps. Regardless of what style of bag you choose, you’ll want to check out the straps and make sure they are padded and adjustable. Those two elements of strap construction can make or break your carrying experience.

Straps

While we’re on the subject, let’s dig a little deeper into the straps conversation. Depending on the type of bag you choose, you’re going to want a few different carrying options. This will make your bag more versatile and easier to maneuver. A backpack should have not only the straps that go over your shoulders but also one on the top for you to grab and go. This makes it easier to pull the bag out of the back of your car, out from under an airplane seat, etc. It can also be helpful when you’re trying to get through a crowd somewhere, and you don’t want everything exposed by being on your back instead of in your hand.

Messenger bags should also have a variety of carrying options. The top three that we think are important are the shoulder strap, the hand straps, and the stroller straps. If your bag has all three, you hit the jackpot! To break it down a little more, stroller straps are a huge benefit of a messenger bag. They allow you to hang your bag on the handles of the stroller so you can easily access all of your stuff. Just be careful and test it before going out in public. Depending on how your stroller is designed, the weight of the bag could cause the stroller to topple over!

Number of Pockets

There are two types of people in this world: those who love tons of pockets and those who hate tons of pockets! There’s not much in between here! But on a serious note, the number of pockets in your bag can make a big impact on its functionality. When considering the pockets in a bag, there are a few that you should definitely look for. First and foremost, you need to make sure that your bag of choice has a dedicated pocket for baby wipes. You need them to be easily accessible at all times. If you’re a soon-to-be first-time parent, just trust us on this one.

Other helpful pockets include bottle pouches with thermal insulation, external pockets for your keys, watch, etc., and other dedicated pockets based on other items you frequently carry. By this, we mean laptops, tablets, etc. Some bags also come with a pocket for a hydration bladder, which can be really useful, as well.

Types of Pocket Closures

Another important element in the pocket discussion is what types of closures the pockets have. This may seem like a minute detail, but it really is important. If you don’t think it through, you won’t know you made the wrong decision until you’ve got an infant, a toddler, a stroller, and a dog, and the zipper gets stuck on the pocket where you keep your keys! There are a few different styles of pocket closures that you may see. Ideally, your bag of choice will feature a couple of different ones because different pockets require different closures. 

Here’s a closer look at some of the options:

Zippers	Standard closure for most pockets on diaper bags, as well as other types of bags. Great for pockets that have smaller items that might fall out.Ideal for storing anything that needs to be hidden, like wallets. The zippers keep everything tucked away where it’s safe and out of reach of wandering fingers. Super when traveling because whether your bag is in the backseat of the car or under the seat of an airplane, your stuff isn’t going to fall out all over the floor.
Velcro Flaps	When you need your car keys readily accessible, and you only have one hand, a zipper can be a nightmare! Look for a bag that has an external pocket with easy-to-open Velcro closure for this.Other pockets that are great with Velcro flaps are bottle holders, sippy-cup holders, and the like. These are also items that you tend to need in the heat of the moment. More often than not, you will find yourself with only one hand available to access them.
Snaps	Just as convenient as Velcro in terms of easy accessibility. But also a pain to close when you’re done in your diaper bag. Our advice is to steer clear of snaps because they’re not as simple as they seem.
Buttons	Don’t even go there! Our advice is to stick with bags with a combination of zippers and Velcro for the most functional bag you can find.

Accessories

Depending on the age of your child, you might have a variety of needs in terms of accessories. For example, if your child is still using pacifiers and bottles, you need a bag that can accommodate that and even has some that come with your purchase. You will also likely need a bag that comes with a changing pad. There’s nothing worse than being out in public, and your little one needs to be changed, and you have nothing to lay them on. Do yourself a favor and make sure your bag comes with a pad!

Some bags also come with smaller bags inside that can be removed. These can hold small items that you don’t want to get lost in the bottom of the bag. Better yet, you can even find bags that have carabineer hooks on the inside flap to hook things to (think car keys and pacifiers). You also might be interested in a bag that has built-in chargers for your electronics. Believe it or not, you might regularly find yourself with a dead phone, tablet, or other electronics because you were too busy caring for your heir! Opt for a bag that has built-in chargers or at least dedicated pockets for charges, and you’ll be fully powered at all times.

Customization

When you think about all the different things you and your kids might need for an outing, you may quickly realize that there isn’t a bag that meets all your requirements. Don’t worry! There are plenty of bags that offer customization options to fit your needs.

Molle Webbing

We mentioned the molle webbing system in a few of our reviews earlier. This is a system that allows you to attach additional pockets, pouches, and holders that you may need for various items. If you choose a bag that offers this option, you can rest assured that all your needs will be met.

Expandable

Other options to consider are expandable bags. This is very similar to luggage that unzips to expand when you need more space. There are some diaper bags on the market that do the same thing. If this is something that’s important to you, be sure that your bag has this feature!

Personalization

If you’re reading this article, the chances are that you want a diaper bag that will also reflect your personality. If rainbows and butterflies aren’t your thing, a tactical bag is more likely your speed. Choosing a bag that you can personalize with patches can be a fun way to show off your dad pride without damaging your ego. A lot of the tactical bags that are currently on the market have removable patches to show off your style. The patches range from American flags to “mom” or “dad” and a variety of other things. You can also have custom patches made with your last name, a favorite hashtag, or other words and images.

The goal here is to make the bag feel unique rather than just another diaper bag. If you’re interested in something like this, be sure to check for these features on the various bags you’re considering. It’s just a fun way to show your personality while carrying around all your kids’ stuff.

Warranty

Last but not least, consider whether or not your bag of choice comes with a warranty. Depending on how much you decide to spend, you definitely want to make sure your bag is protected. There are tons of things that could go wrong with your bag. Whether the straps break, the chargers don’t work, or the waterproofing is non-existent, you’ll need a warranty. Look for one that is at least 90 days or more, and make sure you get plenty of use out of your bag during that time. This way, no matter what goes wrong, it’s covered!

Conclusion

Buying a tactical diaper bag is a lot bigger job than just getting online and choosing an option. If you think through all of the items we’ve listed here, you will quickly learn that there is a method to the madness. Regardless of what parenting mission you’re running, your bag should be able to keep up! Check out the bags we’ve listed here and decide whether or not they have the features you’re looking for. If not, there are tons of online resources to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.