There’s nothing cooler than the way personal style evolves over the course of someone’s life. And for the most stylish fathers among us, the question of the ideal “dad bag” often leads to a meaningful sartorial exploration of form plus function. This Father’s Day, friends of Highsnobiety are showing off their daily drivers and opening up about what makes for a good one.
You won’t find any obvious diaper bags (or worse, backpacks) here. Instead, what unites these dad bags is a versatility that spans life stages. Turns out, that bag you’ve had forever might not have been designed with your toddler’s snack/sunscreen needs in mind, but you might be surprised at how well it rises to the challenge.
“Instead of buying something new, I was able to give new meaning to something I already loved,” painter JB explains of the bag he helped design himself. “There’s something special about carrying the same bag that once held paint supplies and now holds diapers and bottles. It feels like two parts of my life coming together.”
Justin Boone, stylist
Go-to dad bag: My L.L.Bean x Tibi Tote, which I’ve had for about two years.
What makes it good: Its canvas material. Aside from leather, a heavy canvas is one of the most durable materials. It’s big and stylish, and it’s only going to get better over time. I’m not afraid of it getting dirty or beat up too much because I can just take the belt off and throw it in the wash.
What goes in it: What I carry really depends on the day, but I can guarantee I will always have some Coterie wipes, a few diapers, a small bag of snacks, and some toys. I also keep a pair of sunglasses, my camera, and a small traveler’s notebook with a pen.
How you found it: This bag really happened by coincidence. I’d been eyeing it for a long time, but it was never intended to be a dad bag. Naturally, as a dad, most things I own have to be convenient and easy to transition between my personal time and family time. The more I used it, the more I realized it was perfect.
Favorite place to take it: To the park, on our daily walks around the neighborhood, or on trips to the coffee shop. I can go anywhere and be confident that this bag can hold everything I need.
JB, painter
Go-to dad bag: I actually designed this bag with my good friend Jordan Rossi who has experience creating his own line of bags. We originally made it for my work as an artist. I needed something durable, functional, and good-looking that could handle paint supplies, tools, and life in the studio. When my wife and I welcomed our son, Rain Miró, I realized the same qualities that made it a great work bag also made it a great dad bag. Now it carries diapers, wipes, and all the essentials of parenthood while still serving as my everyday work bag. I love that it reflects where I am in life right now: balancing art, work, and fatherhood in one well-worn item that keeps getting better with age.
What makes it good: It was designed around function first. Every pocket and compartment was created to carry tools, supplies, and the things I use every day as an artist. As it turns out, those same features work perfectly for parenting. The organization, durability, and flexibility make it easy to carry everything Rain needs. I like that it feels authentic to me. It wasn’t designed to be a baby bag; it was designed to be useful. It just happens to be equally good at both jobs.
What goes in it: More than most people would expect. On a typical day, I can carry diapers, wipes, a changing pad, an extra outfit, a blanket, and toys, and still have room for my own sketchbook, laptop, wallet, and keys. The best part is that everything stays organized. I can keep baby gear in one area and work materials in another so it easily transitions between family outings, studio days, and installation jobs.
How you found it: As my wife and I prepared for Rain’s arrival, I kept comparing other bags to the one Jordan and I had designed. Instead of buying something new, I was able to give new meaning to something I already loved.
Favorite place to take it: One of my favorite things is taking Rain anywhere we can explore together: on walks around the neighborhood, to the park, to the farmers market, or just spending time outdoors. I also love bringing him to the studio. He’s still young, but it feels meaningful to have him around a space that’s been such an important part of my life.
Nick Dierl, founder, co-founder of Orienteer
Go-to dad bag: Montbell’s Pocketable Tote, size medium. I picked it up a little over two years ago at the Shibuya Montbell store.
What makes it good: It’s a straightforward but versatile tote. It’s super lightweight, the ripstop nylon stands up to the wear and tear of everyday use, and, crucially, it’s easy to clean with a wet wipe for the inevitable mess that you navigate running around with a baby.
What goes in it: It fits a lot, but it also limits how much I can carry at once, which has been valuable. When you first have a kid, it’s easy to fall into the trap of packing every imaginable thing any time you step out the door, but I’ve found it useful to have a bag that only fits the essentials. That being said, there’s a changing pad, wet wipes, a second outfit, an extra hat, sunscreen, some kind of blanket, and a water bottle in that bag at all times.
How you found it: I bought it before having a kid and used it as an everyday tote for a year and change before it became a dad bag. I found that a lot of the bags made for babies were either a little on the nose in that they screamed “new parent” or too big to be practical for everyday use. A regular tote doesn’t offer quite enough to carry all the essentials for a kid, but this one struck a nice middle ground between the simplicity of a tote with a few added features that come in handy.
Favorite place to take it: I typically go for a run with my daughter once or twice a week around the Hollywood Reservoir. When we do that, the bag goes into the running stroller in case we need to stop for some water or a quick change along the way.
Devin Johnson, artist
Go-to dad bag: I honestly don’t remember where I got this bag. I’ve had it since I was in college, and now it’s my go-to for strolls with our son, Simeon.
What makes it good: It’s funny how items can take on many lives. My connection over time with this bag has changed from young adult to full-formed dad mode. This bag went through a pilgrimage, kind of like me.
What goes in it: The usual culprits are a few milk bottles, snacks, baby wipes, multiple diapers, and plant-based formula for when mom is not around.
How you found it: Like I said, I’ve had it for a long time. I use it as an everyday bag, so when I take our son out, it’s what I’m most likely to grab. It’s kind of tattered and some seams are tearing, but I love the history and the character more than the brand itself.
Favorite place to take it: Simeon and I usually go for daily walks around the neighborhood and take a few laps around Irving Square Park in Brooklyn. I love taking a morning walk to get coffee at September. We sit outside and people watch.
