Skip Hop Saddle Diaper Bag Review

I purchased the Skip Hop Saddle Bag from an online retailer for about $20 (on sale). This diaper bag normally retails for about $28. It comes in a very large variety of colors, including charcoal, red, navy and orange. My bag color is called "Uptown Stripe," which is a multi-colored vertical stripe pattern.

QUALITY

The Skip Hop Saddle Bag is a very nice quality bag, especially considering the relatively low price. The stitching stayed strong despite regular (and sometimes pretty rigorous) use. The fabric was quite thick and sturdy. The buckles were standard plastic buckles. The zippers didn't stick or catch, and they operated smoothly. The handle strap was a standard nylon strap that was neatly stitched to the top of the bag.

The hook-and-loop tabs that are designed to attach the Skip Hop Saddle Bag to a stroller were more than adequate. They were tightly stitched to the diaper bag and offered plenty of hook-and-loop surface area for very secure attachment. I never worried that the Skip Hop Saddle Bag would accidentally detach from my stroller.

The mesh bottle holder on the side of the Skip Hop Saddle Bag is average. I suspect that extended heavy use-such as always placing a large, heavy water bottle in it-could possibly lead to tears or rips in the mesh. I, however, used it very lightly (mostly for my baby's sippy cups) and never experienced a problem.

PERFORMANCE

The description of the Skip Hop Saddle Bag on the online retailer website reports that this diaper bag will fit on the sides of most strollers. I was skeptical but hopeful, as I have a Chicco C6 stroller (an umbrella-type stroller with almost no storage capacity). I hoped that--if the Skip Hop Saddle Bag could be hung on the side of my Chicco stroller--I wouldn't need to carry a regular diaper bag on my shoulder, too.

The Skip Hop Saddle Bag has three hook-and-loop tabs for attaching it to the side of a stroller. I found that the three tabs created a lot of versatility. Indeed, there were multiple ways in which I could have attached this diaper bag to the side of my stroller. I found the best way for my needs and easily secured it. I was able to fold my stroller with the Skip Hop Saddle Bag still attached, which was quite convenient. It fit nicely on the side of my stroller (not too large, not too small) and I was very pleased with the convenience it offered me.

The biggest drawback to the Skip Hop Saddle Bag is its size. Don't expect to use it as your only diaper bag, especially if you have more than one child. At best, the size of the Skip Hop Saddle Bag permitted me to carry enough gear for one baby for a single day's excursion. Inside the Skip Hop Saddle Bag I could usually fit: 3-4 diapers, a few disposable changing pads, a light change of clothes (like a onesie and a small sweater), a spare pacifier and pacifier keeper, a small receiving blanket, a few small toys (such as 3-4 teethers or rattles), a package of travel wipes and a package of travel tissues. A bottle or sippy cup could also be stored in the mesh bottle holder on the outside of the bag. There was probably still room to squeeze in a few more small items, but I do not like the appearance of an overstuffed bag.

The only other drawback to the Skip Hop Saddle Bag is its lack of organizational pockets. Aside from the exterior drink holder, there is one main pocket, one main slip pocket, and a zippered pocket on the outside flap of the diaper bag. Personally, I would have preferred a few more smaller pockets-such as small slip pockets or small zipper pockets-inside the bag. This would have allowed me to keep small, frequently used items (like a pacifier) within easy grasp.

MY RECOMMENDATION

Overall, I would recommend the Skip Hop Saddle Bag for mommies who want light storage on-the-go. This is an excellent bag if you want something that affixes to the side of your stroller so you don't have to carry a heavy diaper bag when you're running errands or shopping in the mall. It's big enough to store the bare essentials, but not so large that it dramatically affects the weight or handling of a small stroller.