For those following along at home, in the past I have admitted to having a small crush on a Skip Hop bag in the past. It's held everything from diapers and pacifiers to camera gear and church books (did I mention it's still around?) and I love it dearly. I didn't think it could get any better until recently when we spied this new Bento Bag. Well color me corrected as this bag is all that and a bag of chips (assuming you remember to pack them that is!). Did we mention it's even cool for dudes to carry?
The Bento Bag from Skip Hop has many of the same conveniences that previous bags offered, but with a few more additions.
This bag boasts a neutral color palate making it easy for men and women alike to carry it and also has a new zip open insulated pouch on the bottom. This section will make fresh foods easier to transport and keep them chilly or warm, depending on what you're little one is in the mood for. You can pick up a meal time kit that includes the small zip bag above, 3 small containers that fit inside and a water bottle.
Extra pockets have been added to the outside and ends that close with zippers instead of their more traditional magnetic and velcro closures that previous bags have seen. Inside the bag you'll find a similar structure to bags past with easy collapsible pockets for when you need divided space (that tuck away easy when you don't).
The bag retails for $99 and can be found in 3 different color ways here, from Skip Hop.
(Images: Skip Hop)
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I looked at Skip Hop bags because they are a bit more masculine/basic. However, I felt like there were too many bells and whistles. I may think I'll use a pacifier pocket, but in reality I will not.
I ended up buying a Manhattan Portage bag. Half the price.
@pennyluxe I've always admired the Skip Hop bags because they are so utilitarian, but agree that $100 is too much. After all, it's just a bag. I really like the look of the Manhattan Portage bag, but for toting my kids stuff around, bottle pockets for sippy cups and water bottles are essential. Does the Manhattan Portage have bottle pockets?
I just want to know how they keep that Maclaren upright with that big ole diaper bag hooked on when the baby comes out.
This bag is huge! I do like Skip Hop bags, though. I first got the Duo but returned it, stuff wouldn't fit in it. Then got the Dash, and liked it very much. I liked the fact that I could clip it to my Maclaren. I did have to unclip it every time I was to take the baby out, but didn't find it to be much of a pain.
i used a large sized diaper bag in the beginning months (not a Skip Hop), but by six months i have opted to use something smaller. because when i had a bigger bag i just stuffed it to the brim with things i "might" need, but found i almost never did. i like the duo and dash (and all of skip hop's stuff really), but i looooove the owl zoopack! it's only twenty bucks and i always have room for the basics: diapers (5-6), a couple pacis, a burp cloth, bib, diaper ointment and a formula dispenser. there's an adjustable side pocket for a bottle and the front zippered pouch is big enough for a changing pad and a wipes case! it fits on our stroller perfectly, and on me and my husband's backs when the straps are adjusted accordingly. although i DO have a pretty awesome husband who could not care less about it's appearance anyways. he thinks it's pretty darn cute actually. AND, if we take good care of it, it could eventually be our lil gal's preschool backpack! but, for only twenty bucks, it wouldn't be a tragedy if it got ruined somehow and i had to buy another.
okay, i'll get off of my Skip Hop Zoo Pack soapbox now.
I love this! But I ended up first using an oversized purse and then a simple drawstring backpack filled with Ziploc bag "kits" - one with all the diapering stuff, one with food, one with hand sanitizer and tiny first aid kit, etc. I've scaled back a lot on what I carry with me.
Helllo, Daddy!
Now that Jack's bigger (17 months), I just pop a few diapers and some wets in a ziplock and put it in my perfectly fashionable leather purse with a ziplock of crackers and a box of raisins. Good to go!
I'm due with my first and second (twins!) in June and would like to carry the smallest bag possible, so compartments that are actually useful would be great. Does anyone know if the meal time kit fits in the base zipper pocket with the water bottle still attached to top?