Tools Of The Trade: Diaper Bag

Diaper bags are one of those items everyone needs to have and most are made with women in mind. There are some more masculine models out there but they still sort of look like a "diaper bag" maybe just made with a dad in mind. There may be a mental component to designing bags with the thought of them being a baby item in mind even though the diaper bag is an accessory for parents and babies neither care nor are really aware of what they look like. So, we found a different solution that not only fits the bill as a top notch diaper bag but will live on as a favorite after the diapers are long gone.

We use a Chrome Industries messenger bag. It looks great, outperforms most diaper bags and is designed with urban bicycle messengers in mind. That means they are durable, functional and adhere to at least a basic level of stylishness.

The only thing they lack is a changing pad but there is ample room for one. The best features, as far as using it for a diaper bag are concerned, are probably the "truck tarp" liner that cleans up with a sponge and the seatbelt-buckle on the strap that allows you to take the bag off while still holding your little one. Bonus, the waterproof liner makes the inside of the storm flap usable as a changing pad if you elect not to carry a separate one. It cleans well with diaper wipes.

I've had two bags from Chrome; one before baby and one for use as a diaper bag. The initial bag has survived several years of lugging around camera gear, climbing equipment, books and plenty of rough travel. The diaper bag is beginning it's second year with no signs of wearing out and mommy likes it too.

While it won't satisfy the Vera Bradley crowd it will keep baby's essentials dry in a downpour and save your back along with your identity as a man. Well worth the investment.

From their website:

"Built to last a lifetime: Guaranteed Our messenger bags are constructed here in the USA with the most rugged assembly of industrial materials and hardware available: military spec. seam binding, 1,000 denier Cordura outer shell, 18oz. weatherproof truck tarp inner liner, five bar seatbelt webbing, and nylon 69 thread.

� Functional Our messenger bags are designed with an anatomically correct EVA foam padded shoulder strap and cross chest load stabilizer. Our signature quick release seat-buckle closure allows for on-the-fly one-handed tightening and loosening of the shoulder strap, which features a Velcro accessory mounting strap.

� Weatherproof It's like a bag within a bag. The independently suspended weatherproof liner freely floats within the outershell, eliminating seams exposed to the outside elements. "