I am really happy with my purchase. After tons of searching for the perfect, yet elusive, not-too-frilly bag this one just about hits the spot.Awesome things:
-Wearable as a backpack! This is among my favorite attributes, as messenger style has always been a pet peeve of mine (of which I consider it a great example of form over function; it doesn't seem ergonomic). True enough, one day I was wearing messenger style, and I started to get a bad ache where it was pressing down. I stopped for just 30 seconds (possibly less!) to convert it to backpack style, and proceeded much more comfortably the rest of my day.
-light
-stays upright
-Tons of useful compartments. Here is how I've been using it for the past two months: pacifiers in the side pockets (eventually will shove bottles in there), receiving blanket in the yoga mat holder-thing, hand sanitizer in one of the easy to reach outside pockets, random receipts and papers can be quickly shoved in other easy-to-open magnetized pockets, keys dropped into side zipper compartment, using the sun-glass case to hold loose change, interior zippered wallet in other zippered side compartment to hold wallet stuff, using the insulated compartment currently to hold rags and breast-feeding cover. In the main compartment: 10 size 1 diapers (5 in each of 2 clear pockets), skip hop wipe dispenser in one mesh pocket, in other mesh pocket: 2 onesies, leggings, and a beanie, and in the rest of the space more cloths, changing pad (that they include), sweater.
-magnets to hold some flaps closed nice detail, and way better and more attractive than Velcro.
The almost-but-not quite:
>I wish the strap was a little longer. When converting to a backpack, this barely fits me, and I have a petite-to-average frame. Anyone with a larger stature, especially men, will not be able to use it in backpack mode unless they are double-jointed.
>I have not experienced this yet myself, but I am wary of the insulation lining failing.
>my significant other is not a fan of the short handles, although I do not mind this. to him, they get in the way of accessing the compartments. he would've been happy with just the long strap.
As a comparison, here are other bags I had bought, but returned. Might be helpful for you, if you're in the market for something unisexy:
>Petunia Pickle Bottom Rubicon Rucksack Brown Buffalo Leather Tote lovely, lovely bag, yet heavy. and in hindsight, having now carried the SoYoung to the point of needing to use it backpack style due to weight, it was a prudent decision to not keep this bag. If I had more disposable income, I'd keep this as a second bag though; it was hard to let go of this one.
>Chocolate Waxed Cavas Satchedl Diaper Bag by Oi Oi looked great in the picture, but in actuality a bit cheap-looking, considering the cost. also didn't confidently stay upright on its own.
>Babymel Soho Messenger Diaper Bag, Black kind of puffer-jacket material and look. made my significant other feel emasculated.
>Skip Hop Via Messenger Diaper Bag (green) ok, but you get what you pay for (aside from the fact that I purchased this from a consignment store). the material/fabric does not hold up.
I had also looked into diaper dudes, but was not crazy about them from an aesthetic standpoint.
Highs:
1. In person, the unisex "non-diaper bag" look is still strong.
2. Inside there ARE lots of easy to see pockets for organizing loose items
3. I like that there are 3 main compartments
4. The insulated compartment is a good idea if you are traveling and don't want a seperate food bag.
Lows:
1. Suprisingly smaller than I realized it would be. Usually diaper bags are bigger than I imagined. If it HAD been larger I might have kept it as a baby travel bag backup in case we ever go on an airplane.
2. Center double zipper is terrible. Difficult to pull shut without two hands and who has two hands?
3. Side bottle pockets are very short. Taller bottles would fall out and I often carry my husbands water bottle too also would just fall out.
4. The conversion to "backpack" feature was useless for me. I'm 5 ft 9, 172 pounds my husband is 6ft, 175 pounds. The straps at its longest point were WAY to short for us to get on as a backpack.
5. Price: I paid $173. I have no problem with expensive bags but this price puts it in the range of Petunia pickle bottom bags which it doesn't compare to in quality. Of course most of the petunia bags LOOK like diaper bags which is a different problem.
My next purchases will be the least offending style of Petunia bag and a Timi and Leslie to see if I can achieve what I'm going for.
Buy SoYoung Charlie Unisex Diaper Bag (slate/charcoal) Now
I recently purchased a charlie bag. I watched all the available video reviews and had high hopes. However, upon receiving it, I feel that this bag is designed by someone already out of the diapering years. Because this bag does have some great features and because I am crazy about bags, I hope that the design team improves this bag benefiting future bags and moms.Things that I don't like:
1)the stiff and heavy material. This bag weights in at 2.8 LB empty and not including the messenger strap. The stiffness and thickness make it very awkward against the body no matter which way you wear it.
2)The compartment distributions are awkward, although I do love the three main compartments. Here is what I mean: The cooler compartment is one FLAT compartment. It is hard to put any juice box or food in it. Moms would end up putting drinks/juice box/bottles in the middle main compartment. Then food will end up mixing with diapering items. If moms were to put diapering items in the cooler compartment instead, it won't work either because the flatness of the cooler compartment won't accommodate all the diapering items. So I think the cooler compartment should have a little thickness to it and some pockets to help with food organizations. Or alternatively, make the middle main compartment cooler compartment for food and the outside compartment for diapering. Also, in the main compartment, the slip pockets won't fit size 5 diapers or a disposable pouch of wipes of 72 counts.
3) Again due to the stiffness of the material, the mommy pocket would barely fit my cell phone and my large wallet.
4)The side pockets for bottles are short. The water bottles sticks out too much.
5)At the end of the double zippers to the main compartment should be a concealed magnetic closure. Velcro is loud and annoying and unaccepted at this price level.
6)zippers are not smooth
Things that I like:
Many pockets inside and out and with magnetic closure to external pockets; 3 clear pockets in the main compartment for see through; the idea of 3 main compartments(diapering, food, and mommy compartment) is very practical.
So this bag has many potentials. It just needs to be fine tuned and made of a lighter material.
Read Best Reviews of SoYoung Charlie Unisex Diaper Bag (slate/charcoal) Here
I did a massive amount of research on what baby bag to go with for both daddy and mommy and the So Young Charlie is it. My babe isn't yet here, but I have the bag packed for the hospital with all of the items necessary for the birth-stay including mommy's snacks for delivery! Though I can not speak to longevity, it seems very durable and I can't complain about any of the features. The only con for me would be that the bag is VERY boxy. So from an aesthetic view point I prefer something that can conform a bit to its contents, but other than that... zero complaints. Though I can see why one mom would think the bottle compartments are too big, they are the perfect size for my Tommee Tippees. Looking forward to getting a TON of use out of this bag now and in the long term.Want SoYoung Charlie Unisex Diaper Bag (slate/charcoal) Discount?
I've owned this bag for about six months now so I feel I can provide a fairly honest review. I won't bother typing up all of the awesome features because there is a great comprehensive video on the So Young website that runs through each of the little pockets and what they are all for, but I will give my pros and cons;Pros
Very sturdy. I am not gentle with any of my diaper bags and this one has held up really well. The fabric has worn a little from being used each day but as I have the charcoal colour it just makes the bag look like a loved pair of denim jeans.
There is a compartment for EVERYTHING. There are so many useful pockets and compartments that I literally never have to just 'throw' anything into the bottom of the bag. There has obviously been a lot of thought put into the design of this bag and exactly how many/what kind of pockets a parent will need.
HUGE. This bag will carry anything I could possibly require for one or many children (would make a great twin or multiple's bag).
Cons
The drink bottle holders (one on each side) don't really hold drink bottles very well. If the bag is tipped on it's side then most bottles will fall right out. This has bugged me quite a few times when I am wearing the bag on my shoulder and then bend over to pick something up, but it wouldn't be a dealbreaker for me.
The handles can sometimes get in the way. I like to keep the messenger strap attached and use that instead of the shoulder-straps, which means the shoulder straps are often getting in the way when I need to quickly zip/unzip the bag. Again, not a dealbreaker.
The middle zip is a bit weird... it's actually one big handle attached to two zips that unzip the entire middle section in one go (if that makes sense). It's a bit annoying when I need to get quick access to the middle part of the bag.
One thing to note is that this bag is big. Even with nothing inside the bag itself takes up a bit of space. This isn't a problem for me because I love carrying a big bag, and it fits nicely on the back of my stroller or over my shoulder, but if you want something compact then this bag isn't for you. This is the kind of bag you buy to use for your kids, and then convert to a little weekend bag or carry-on later in life. It's worth the price because it's well designed, well made and will serve you well for many different uses.
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