Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Molehill Mountain Back Pack Diaper Bag > Thomas Vickers > Field Report

Molehill Mountain Equipment Backpack (Diaper Bag) Field Test Report

January 11, 2006

Tester Background:
I grew up in the piney woods of southeast Texas. Camping was a quick trip into the mosquito-infested woods behind the house. My style has evolved and over the last 4 or 5 years, I have begun to take a lighter weight approach to hiking gear (I still use sleeping bags and tents, just lighter versions). While I have flirted with lightweight hiking, I feel that I am more of a mid-weight hiker now. My philosophy is one of comfort, while carrying the lightest load possible.

Filling up the empty space:
On a typical trip out of the house, the Molehill Mountain Equipment Diaper Bag was not that full.  The back compartment contained most of the essentials, but I did like the way the variety of other spaces helped organize other things I needed to carry. The picture above shows the typical load out of the pack for an afternoon out.  These items are carried in the back compartment, the side pockets, and the front accessory pockets of the pack. None of these are in the main front compartment which means more room for more stuff. Here is a list of this typical load:

Plastic bag
Extra Blanket
Extra Clothing (Jumper, pants, shirt)
Nursing pads
Hand Sanitizer
Diapers (4-6)
Towel
Pacifier and pacifier clip
Wipes
Changing pad

Fit:
Other than not liking any pack that doesn't have a waist belt, I don't have any  fit issues with the Molehill Mountain Equipment Diaper Bag.  It fits well and the shoulder straps are adjustable enough to fit myself or my wife. I do like the way the changing pad fits into the back compartment and stiffs up the back of the pack.  It feels good against my back and makes carrying the bag that much more enjoyable.  It rides well with or without a huge load in the main compartment.  This is important since on most short trips I don't load much in the main compartment.   

Construction:
The bag has held together very nicely so far and I have really had a chance to fill it up on several occasions.  On a recent trip out of town, the bag held the baby's diaper changing supplies (back compartment) and a complete change of clothes for my wife and I (front compartment). It was bulging at the seams, but it held everything and was easy to carry.  The fabric has so far proven to be very resistant to friction of all sorts. It has been dragged across portions of parking lots (yes carrying baby and baby bag can be tricky), across the heads of fellow church goers, and on one occasion across the tile floor of a bathroom. 

Other Notes:
I really like the fact that I can go out for an afternoon and take everything I need in the Molehill Mountain Equipment Diaper Bag.  If I am going out for longer, I can add more baby supplies to the main compartment and stay out even longer.  I also like the fact that I can carry it like a backpack.  It keeps the bag handy at all times and when in church, carrying like this usually keeps me from hitting people in the head as I get up and dash to the restroom while carrying the diaper bag and baby. 

One thing I had a fear of was that the hang loop on the top of the bag was going to cause the bag to hit the floor when suspended from the changing tables in many public restrooms.   This fear went away when I finally had to hang the bag, open the back compartment one handed (baby in the other) and pull out the changing pad. To make matters even better, it was extremely easy to access all the changing supplies I needed (diaper and wipes) with the back compartment unzipped a little ways at the top.  It had crossed my mind that getting to everything in the bag was going to force me to lay the bag down on the floor and completely unzip the back compartment, but this was not necessary.  The only problem I had with hanging the bag from a changing table was that it was difficult to get the folded up changing pad back into its pocket with only one hand and with the bag partially zipped open. This isn't a big issue in my book, but it took some practice to get it right. 

There are a couple of things that I am not that thrilled about.  The first I noticed rather quickly while examining the bag.  If I want to fully unzip the back compartment to get to baby changing supplies, the shoulder straps need to be unsnapped from the quick release buckles at the bottom of the strap/bag body.  This isn't too big of a problem, but it means that opening the back compartment up all the way takes a bit more effort and time.  The other issue was actually suggested by my wife.   The Molehill Mountain Equipment Diaper Bag does not have an  insulated area where a bottle could be kept cold while carrying the bag.  I had no idea that this was even a feature on diaper bags, but according to my wife, it is pretty standard and could limit the use of this bag by a family who bottle feeds their children. 

Overall, I am happy with this bag. It has plenty of room for carrying baby and adult supplies of all sizes. It is also is durable and can be used one handed in most situations.

Reviews > Packs > Frameless Backpacks and Day Packs > Molehill Mountain Back Pack Diaper Bag > Thomas Vickers > Field Report