It's the question that stumps almost every parent while registry-shopping: backpack or tote? We've carried both for years. Here's the honest breakdown.
The backpack: hands-free wins
If you're chasing a toddler, wearing the baby, or pushing a stroller, a backpack is the move. The weight sits on both shoulders, your hands stay free, and you're not constantly shrugging a strap back into place.
It's why backpacks have become the default for most parents. The one downside: you usually have to take it off to dig for something — unless the bag opens from the front, the way our Crown Carryall does.
The tote: grab-and-go
A tote shines for quick trips. Run into the store, reach in, grab a diaper, done — without taking anything off. It also looks more like an everyday bag, which some parents prefer.
The catch: everything hangs off one shoulder, and an open tote turns into a black hole fast. That's why a tote works best with a pouch system — group everything into zip pouches so you're grabbing a pouch, not digging through the bottom of the bag.
It's exactly how we use ours now. When our kids got older and we could get away with a simpler tote, we just moved over the packing pouches and wet bag that came with the Crown Carryall — one pouch for snacks, one for pull-ups and wipes, and the wet bag for a spare set of clothes. Same system, different bag for quick trips.
So which one?
Quick rule: tote for short errands, backpack for full days, travel, and anything over an hour or two on your feet. Most parents end up reaching for the backpack way more than they expected.
If you'd rather not buy both, get one that does both. The Crown Carryall wears as a backpack, but the front pocket opens straight to the main compartment — so you can grab a diaper without taking it off. That's the one real advantage a tote had, built in. It also comes with everything: two pouches, a changing pad, a wet bag, and stroller straps.
What to check, either way
- Padded, adjustable straps — the bag only gets heavier
- Wipe-clean, water-resistant material
- An insulated pocket for bottles
- A pocket for your stuff, separate from the baby's
The Crown Carryall checks every box on that list — padded straps, wipe-clean fabric, an insulated pouch, and a secure parent pocket on the back. If you want one bag that grows from newborn backpack to big-kid tote without making you choose, take a look.
Still figuring out what goes inside it? Our diaper bag checklist has you covered.
— Holly + Caroline 👑
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