I Tried CALPAK's Baby Collection: Review and Photos
I Tried Calpak's New Baby Collection and Found the Nappy Bag of My Dreams
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Since having a baby about seven months ago, I've accumulated more nappy bags than seems necessary or even appropriate — at least a half dozen. I have big nappy bags, mini nappy bags, nappy backpacks, expensive nappy bags, cheap nappy bags, and tote bags that I now use as nappy bags. But until I tried the new Calpak Baby Collection, I still hadn't found my perfect nappy bag. Now, I have; in fact, I found two of them.
Calpak gained popularity over the past several years for their smart travel products. Calpak luggage, cosmetics cases, and packing cubes all make stowing and transporting your necessities super easy. So news that they were debuting a baby collection was met with a lot of excitement. After all, if anyone needs products that make it easier to stay organised while hauling a ton of stuff around, it's parents.
Calpak's Baby Collection includes six products: a nappy tote bag, a convertible mini backpack, a nappy backpack, a portable changing pad clutch, a convertible stroller caddy crossbody, and stroller straps that let the other bags hang from your stroller handle. Bonus: these straps also come with the crossbody. The brand let me try out the last four products in the collection — and they helped fill a hole in my nappy bag game that I didn't know existed.
What I Like About the Calpak Baby Collection
First things first: the Calpak Baby Collection products are light. All the products are made of the same recycled nylon, which is super lightweight, something I appreciate given how much gear I'm usually stuffing inside. My previous favourite nappy bag was durable, but it had hardwear that made it weighty even when totally empty; when it was full, it was a back injury hazard. Even when I stash my laptop and breast pump in Calpak's nappy backpack, along with the typical nappies, wipes, bottles, toys, etc., it doesn't have that extra heft, so carrying it around is that much easier. (Personally, I always prefer backpacks over shoulder bags; and Calpak's straps are wide and soft for even more comfort.)
The recycled nylon is also water-resistant and durable, two qualities that are a must in a baby line, considering the amount of bodily fluids they come into contact with on the regular.
I also love how simple the Baby Collection is. Each product looks clean and minimal from the outside. But inside, they have all the compartments you could need to keep your baby gear organised. I especially love the insulated bottle holders in the nappy bag and crossbody, which keep my bottles cool and safe when out and about, and the clutch's ingenious baby wipe compartment, which lets you access one wipe at a time, without having to pull out an entire package. (The Baby Collection's tote has the same feature.)
And because it's Calpak, they're designed with travel days in mind. The nappy backpack has a trolly sleeve that slips over luggage handles, for instance.
Finally, the magnetic closures make Calpak's bags easy to open and close one-handed, which is a must when you're juggling a squirmy little human.
Who's the Calpak Baby Collection Best For?
The beauty of Calpak's six-piece Baby Collection is that there's a product for every parent. Since I live in a city, I love the crossbody, which functions as a mini nappy bag when I'm just popping out to the store with my baby and only need a couple nappies, one or two toys, and an emergency bottle. It's the perfect size for my smaller stroller, or when I'm using a baby carrier and no stroller at all.
The bigger nappy bag, on the other hand, is roomy enough for longer excursions out, or for when I'm going straight from daycare drop-off to the office and need to stash my laptop, pump, and lunch along with a few baby essentials.
The portable changing pad clutch comes in handy when I want to pack even lighter. I typically keep it packed with wipes, nappies, and nappy cream; then I can just toss it into the bigger nappy backpack or my own purse as I head out the door. I anticipate it being super useful on trips — keep it in your carry-on to make mid-travel nappy changes that much easier.
The mini backpack is perfect for parents who need that mid-size option, between the larger backpack and the mini crossbody. And the tote is just right for parents who prefer a tote bag to a backpack.
What to Consider Before Trying the Calpak Baby Collection
The main differences between the products in the collection come down to size and design, so while some of the products can be used together (like the stroller straps and the nappy backpack), if you want to purchase just one of the bags, consider how you best like to carry gear (backpack, tote, or crossbody) and exactly how much equiptment you're usually toting to settle on the perfect fit for you.
Additional details
- There are six products in this collection: Nappy Tote Bag with Laptop Sleeve ($178), Convertible Mini Backpack ($138), Nappy Backpack with Laptop Sleeve ($178), Portable Changing Pad Clutch ($74), Convertible Stroller Caddy Crossbody ($98), and Stroller Straps for Nappy Bag Straps (set of 2) ($28)
- Each product comes in six colorways: Black; Hazelnut; Slate; Peony; Lime; Oatmeal
- The products are made with recycled nylon and lined with recycled polyester, and are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified (meaning they've been produced without the use of harmful chemicals).
Where Is the Calpak Baby Collection Available?
The Calpak Baby Collection is available on Calpak.com.
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Mirel Zaman is the wellness director at POPSUGAR. She has nearly 15 years of experience working in the health and wellness space, writing and editing articles about fitness, general health, mental health, relationships and sex, food and nutrition, astrology, spirituality, family and parenting, culture, and news.
