JoJo Maman Bébé
Avery Row Natural Changing Bag
7.6/10 overallAbout £45
A backpack-style changing bag that keeps both hands free, popular with parents managing a toddler and a pram at once.
The verdict
This JoJo Maman Bébé backpack changing bag, around £45, keeps both hands free with adjustable padded straps plus the usual fold-out mat, insulated pocket and stroller straps. It's well-priced for the feature set, best for parents managing more than one child or who find a heavy bag on one shoulder uncomfortable — though it's slightly slower to access one-handed than a tote.
Backpack-style changing bags solve a specific problem tote-style bags don't: keeping both hands free, which matters a lot once you're also holding a toddler's hand, pushing a pram one-handed, or managing stairs. This one includes the usual changing-bag features (fold-out mat, insulated pocket, stroller straps) in a backpack shape with adjustable, padded straps.
Against tote-style bags like the Skip Hop Duo Signature, the backpack format is the clear differentiator — better weight distribution across both shoulders for a heavier, fuller bag, at the cost of being slightly less quick to access one-handed than a tote you can just swing round to your front.
For parents managing more than one child, or anyone who finds a heavy bag on one shoulder genuinely uncomfortable by the end of the day, the backpack format is worth prioritising over a tote.
Is the Avery Row Natural Changing Bag worth it?
- Even weight distribution across both shoulders
- Keeps both hands free while carrying it
- Well-priced for the feature set
What are the downsides of the Avery Row Natural Changing Bag?
- Slightly slower to access one-handed than a tote
- Less premium look than structured designer bags
- Bulkier on your back in tight spaces like buses
Specs
- Type
- Backpack
- Straps
- Padded, adjustable
- Changing mat
- Included, fold-out
- Bottle pocket
- Insulated
- Stroller straps
- Included
How we scored it
Organisation
Number and layout of pockets for bottles, nappies and your own things.
Solid compartment layout, slightly less than dedicated pod systems.
Durability & Practicality
Wipe-clean fabric, stroller-strap fit and how it holds up to daily use.
Backpack format holds up well to daily wear and heavier loads.
Value for Money
What you get for the price versus comparable bags.
Good feature set for the price, especially for families needing hands-free carrying.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
How it compares
| Vital BabyNappy Changing Bag |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | About £45 | About £25 | £180 | £75 |
| Overall score | 7.6/10 | 6.9/10 | 7.2/10 | 7.3/10 |
| Type | Backpack | Soft tote | — | — |
| Changing mat | Included, fold-out | Included, fold-out | — | — |
| Bottle pocket | Insulated | Insulated | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
Why choose a backpack-style changing bag over a tote?+
A backpack keeps both hands free, which matters once you're also holding a toddler's hand, pushing a pram one-handed, or managing stairs. It also gives better weight distribution across both shoulders for a heavier, fuller bag than a tote carried on one shoulder all day.
Is this JoJo Maman Bébé bag good value?+
Yes — it's well-priced for the feature set at around £45, especially for families who need hands-free carrying, and it includes a fold-out changing mat, insulated bottle pocket and stroller-attachment straps as standard, matching pricier tote-style bags on core features.
Is a backpack changing bag harder to access than a tote?+
Slightly — it's a touch slower to access one-handed than a tote bag you can just swing round to your front, and it's also bulkier on your back in tight spaces like buses or crowded aisles.
How durable is the JoJo Maman Bébé backpack bag?+
The backpack format holds up well to daily wear and heavier loads, though it has a less premium look than structured designer bags — a reasonable trade-off for parents prioritising practicality and hands-free carrying over a fashion-forward finish.