I thought I was all set. I ordered a Spec Ops All Purpose Bag and Accessory strap thinking I had found the ideal hard use diaper bag. Then I got it in the mail... and it is much smaller than the photos online make it look! My wife gave me that, "you're such an idiot" look and said, "We can't use this for a newborn, we need a bigger bag! Send it back!"
She was less than thrilled when I gently told her that I couldn't send it back, because it was an Ebay purchase and returns were only accepted for manufacturer's defects.
I still think we can make it work, but I'd also like to get some alternatives in mind. Otherwise, I'll be stuck toting around another Eddie Bauer diaper bag <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

I looked at bags that Maxpedition offers (another favorite brand of mine) but didn't really see anything that would fit the bill. I'd like to spend no more than $50 for the bag, and have it be made of quality materials that will stand up to hard daily use. I planned to use this as a family essentials bag later on for trips to the mall and things like that...to carry the antibacterial wipes, a few snacks and other kid type stuff.

I prefer the military type bags, just because they seem to be made to better standards. The Spec Ops bag I got is khaki...didn't think my wife would go of OD <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
And the Spec Ops bag holds 500 ci...so the bag would have to hold more than that.

Any suggestions? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Maybe stupid but what about a EMT-bag:

This manufacturer makes pretty good bags:
http://www.x-cen-tek.de/index.php?lang=2

Ors, that's a strangely shaped bag (I prefer thinner profiles as they "bounce around" less. Here's a few suggestions; not necessarily for specific equipment, just learned along the way.

1) Don't make it TOO big. In fact, your wife may be going the wrong way with saying that bag is too small.
2) Multiple pockets accessible externally or compartmentalized internally - though less desireable - is really important.
3) At least one bottle holder outside with cinch straps or elastic. The latter is easier access, though spillable if not strong. 2 holders isn't a bad thing either.
4) It will get dropped, yanked, pulled, drug along, kicked, spilled on, and otherwise abused. Make sure it's quality, but light material.
5) Make sure it has a comfortable shoulder strap. The strap should have rubber grips. A backpack isn't amiss.
6) Get at least 2 bags. One is always ready to go for quick trips to town and shouldn't have much beyond the basics, and only doubled up on any one thing (diapers can be trippled). The bigger bag is for long trips or outtings. Surprisingly, newborns actually require less, and the more you have the carry around, the less fun (so you're purchase probably isn't a bad thing!)

Aloha Ors,

Are you guys using disposable or cloth diapers. I find that your chaoice will make a difference in many ways. Cloth diapers will require more carrying capacity as you will also need your diaper covers and the diapers themselves are more bulky.

Despite that, we went the way of the cloth diaper. Kids seem to potty train faster because they can feel the wetness. Also they get changed faster after their, uh, delivery.

Probably even more important with boys as my wife was telling me she read somewhere that disposables can increase the likelihood of testicular cancer. I don't know if this is true or not. But we really didn't find the cloth diapers too inconvenient.

Ors,

I tried to do the same thing with my first kid, and I eventually found out that zippers and clips, fastex buckles, etc are great, except when you have a crying baby in need of something in your bag. You can’t get into it fast enough to find a pacifier or a diaper.

I tried to use my Maxpedition condor and it failed the real world test for a diaper bag. The opening isn’t big enough (if you can believe it) and the pockets aren’t well designed to carry diapers, wipes, bottles, etc. Plus, since my wife does most of the day to day with the baby, she didn’t want the bag anyway. You best bet, IMO, is to just bite the bullet and buy a real diaper bag. They aren’t as cool as a Maxpedition bag, but they are better suited for baby care!!

I have, while traveling, used my Condor as an expedient bag for a short trips, but overall, just get a diaper bag and suck up the embarrassment of carrying a baby bag to the head to change a diaper.

Garrett

To answer a few questions: we are using disposable diapers, and it's not that I don't think I look cool carrying an Eddie Bauer bag, it's just that they wear out quickly.

And I think the Spec Ops bag might be a good size. I think it will hold all the essentials. Some diapers and wipes, a few changes of clothes, tylenol, mylicon, teething tablets, bottles and formula... it's still too early to buy all the meds to put in there, but I could tear open one of the packs of diapers and see how many newborn didees fit. Later on, some cereal and baby food. I really think it will work.

But I might go with the two bag approach. We had a big bag with our first child, then graduated to a smaller one. With our second, I think we only used the smaller bag.

Maybe I just need to let her get the bag she wants, and I'll pack the Spec Ops bag, and see how we get along. I'm also thinking of the SO bag as an EDC bag for family outtings later on...wipes come in handy for all sorts of kid things, and maybe some other kid essentials.

Then again...you should see the suitcase my wife carries as a purse! I guess I'm not surprised that she thinks the SO bag is too small. I guess I shouldn't complain...she carries all the gear that I put in her purse for her...not that she uses much of it, but it's a start!

Thanks for the ideas...keep them coming!

If you really want to go with the operational look....

Take a large ALICE pack, with a cut down Peak1 (or molle, but it's not as flexible) frame and the frame's straps.

Think about it: Space for three bottles in the small pouches. Bib goes in the map pocket in the flap. One outside pocket gets Mr Bunny. One outside pocket gets the baby wipes. Third outside pocket gets the hat, the spare socks, etc. Inside, under the radio pouch, you have space for two waterproof pouches- one for used (double bag that one, one for unused. Plenty of room of a small box of baby meds. Roll up the blanket, strap that to frame under the pack. Roll up the changing pad, strap it to the bottom of the pack (so it is seperate from the blanket). Attach a CountyComm EOD bag or similiar to the flap straps at the top, for a couple changes of clothes and a basic FAK. Clip a water bottle pouch to the bottom of that, with a nalgene, to refill the little bottles. Clip a pouch to the offside shoulder for two pacifiers, a rattle, a second bib, and a spit up rag. Slip a second spit up rag under between the flap and the EOD pouch. If possible, add a hexamine stove and a nalgene cup with a spacer, so you can warm bottles.

Worst case scenario, a baby probably fits in the radio pocket, but make sure you replace the horrid metal thingy with a fastex buckle or you'll never get the kid out of there. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

And if you wife is annoyed, or your kid ends up more equipped that you are in ten years, don't blame me.