I swapped my carry-on for a Dagne Dover diaper backpack — here's why it's the perfect travel bag even if you don't have kids

Business Insider

23-05-2025

As a single woman in her 20s without kids, I never expected to be traipsing around the airport with a diaper bag on my back, but here I am.
I once read about a flight attendant who said a diaper backpack is the best carry-on bag imaginable — even if you don't have a baby — and my recent impromptu flight to NYC spurred the perfect opportunity to put this theory to the test. I took the bestselling Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack in a size medium as my trusty personal item bag, and spoiler alert: I'll never travel without it again.
Diaper bags are quite literally designed to make your life easier and the Dagne Dover Indi bag did just that. It holds every essential, which in my case included liquids, snacks, a laptop, and every other thing I'd toss into a bag only to forget about later. And the best part? You'd never know it was meant to carry baby bottles.
Everything the Dagne Dover Indi Diaper Backpack can hold
One look at our Dagne Dover review should tell you everything you need to know about how our product experts feel about Dagne Dover: we love the brand's bags. It's clear that tons of thought goes into each design, and the Indi Backpack is a perfect example of this.
Just when you think you've counted every pocket, there's another one to be found. The two front zipper pockets conveniently open to one big one that gave me easy access to wet wipes, chapstick, and more. A glimpse inside reveals roomy storage, like two mesh pockets framing the sides that are surprisingly large considering the compact outer appearance. I used the mini pouch to hold my Airpods and chargers, and the changing mat doubles as a traveling WFH setup.
The diaper bag comes in small, medium, and large sizes — each offering roughly the same amount of convenient pouches. It has a wide dual-zipper opening that clips to the sides for a less bulky fit, but it can unclip when the bag fills up.
With more room than my usual tote bag, I felt encouraged to pack to my heart's desire. That included my laptop, which slid with ease into the inner mesh pocket alongside my stack of magazines. But it also left plenty of room for extra sunglasses and a quick stay for my liquids that were ready to show at security.
The medium-sized Indi backpack is perfect for solo travelers. It comfortably fits all the essentials, like a full-sized Hydroflask, into the side bottle pockets. My favorite part about this bag is its discreet back pocket, which is about the size of a wallet, for quick, easy access to my credit cards.
Even with a fully stocked bag, I had room to spare. It zipped closed with ease, and I didn't feel like I was carrying a stack of textbooks on my shoulders, though I opted to slip it onto my carry-on luggage using the back sleeve. Fortunately, I didn't struggle with it tipping over, but it did require a two-handed effort to roll around on the carpet.
Cons to consider
The Indi diaper backpack comes in a size small with a slimmer fit but you won't get the luggage sleeve that comes with the medium or large sizes. And while I'm obsessed with the soft neoprene material, some customers reported slight pilling over time. If you're bringing a baby on board, I'd check out the more surface-sturdy options like the lululemon New Parent Backpack.
The bottom line
A diaper backpack is the best travel bag you never knew you needed. And fortunately for you, Dagne Dover's Indi Diaper Backpack makes it stylish and convenient without raising eyebrows.