A diaper bag that both mom and dad are equally fond of? Believe it or not, one does exist. My husband and I were recently offered the opportunity to review the Scout by Petunia Pickle Bottom Tactical Tote, and we couldn’t have been more pleased by our experience.
I love the Tactical Tote’s rugged style—it’s clearly up for whatever adventure we are! The rough-and-tumble canvas, woven straps and super strong stitching are a nod to the bag’s industrial strength, but the handsome bag manages to remain refined and even chic (don’t tell my husband).
Looks aside, the bag functions practically. It can be used as a sporty backpack or cool tote and is plenty big enough for all-day trips for even weekend getaways. In fact, the bag is so big in tote form I would almost recommend you reserve using it as such for haul-all kinds of days. I find it’s a little large on my small frame to carry it that way regularly. As a backpack, however, it’s perfect. It’s a little smaller (since the top has folds over the close), and it seems to hold just the right amount of belonging for our daily needs. (I’m not an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink kind of mama, but I’m certainly not a minimalist.) Carrying the bag on my back keeps my hands free, and it also leaves me perfectly balanced when I’m wearing our peanut on my front.
In terms of organization, the bag has two deep pockets and one medium-size zippered pocket inside. On the outside, the bag has two bottle pockets and a large slat pocket with two more pockets, penholders and a changing pad within it. The system works well for our family because it offers some sorting capabilities without overdoing it. (Some of the bags I’ve used have what seems like an excessive number of pockets, and I struggle to keep up with what I’ve put where!) I have a few pouches and containers I use frequently to store spare outfits and snacks, and they each fit nicely into the bag.
My only (teeny-tiny) complaint? The Tactical Tote snaps closed, which looks great but isn’t super quick to do one-handed while wrangling our baby and two other children. Truthfully, we usually leave it unsnapped, unless we’re traveling in a crowded place where we’re afraid someone might try to swipe our Sophie the Giraffe. (Ha!) I would love if the closures were magnetic instead, but the snaps are well suited for the military aesthetic of the bag.
In our month or so using the bag so far, we’ve found it’s held up really nicely and served our family well. We receive lots of compliments on it, and my husband isn’t reluctant to carry it (which automatically earns it two thumbs up in my book!). Petunia Pickle Bottom always puts out a quality product, and the Tactical Tote is no exception. I’m thrilled to it’s become a useful, stylish part of my everyday.
Price: $150
To buy: petunia.com
