This month we have tested - Changing Bags and Fire Engine/Fire Station Toys. The M&W Review panel this month is made up of 6 Mums - we needed Mums with young babies to test the changing bags, and older children to test the toys.
Changing Bags |
Nicola Garnett & Mia
|
Marcia Cabras & Zara
|
Cheetra Roberts & Eleanna
|
| Nicola is Mum to Amy (12), Chloe (7), Jack (2) and Mia (4 months). They live in West Yorkshire. | Marcia is Mum to Luca (4) and Zara (11 months)! They live in Fulham, London. | Cheetra is Mum to Sereena (2) and Eleanna (9 months). They live in Stockport. | |
Red Castle Courier Bag Changing bag in all the latest colours to co-ordinate with the Whizz and City Link Strollers. With 2 compartments and extra zip up pockets. Attaches to your Stroller with clip-on straps.Includes:
£29.99 | Available from Bettacare | www.bettacare.co.uk | T: 01293 851896 |
This bag was the perfect design and colour for me and I liked the wipe-clean material. I found it was a little too small if I was going out for the day and needed plenty of supplies though. However,for popping out for an hour or two and just needed the essentials then it would be perfect. The changing mat was well padded and the bottle warmer did keep the bottle warm for a short period of time. As this bag was slightly smaller I was able to carry it and it fitted well over the handle of the pram. In term of value it was good, but I would only be able to use it on shorter outings. |
The design of this bag is unisex, so my husband was happy to use this bag, when he went out with Zara. It was a good size, but felt like a normal bag that has been adapted into a changing bag. Only really two sections, a main part and a section for the changing mat. There's a thin compartment at the back, which you can carry nappies in and a zipped section in the front. In the main section is a strip to hang your keys, purse and mobile, but I didn't feel it was very secure as only the general bag flap protects it (no large zipped section). The bag is quite heavy without putting anything inside, and is quite uncomfortable to carry on your shoulder. However, the straps are brilliant for any type of pushchair, from a stroller to a pram. It's Teflon coated which is brill for spills and rain. The bag is also very hardwearing and looks like it will last. I didn't really think it was value for money, because if it's marketing itself as a changing bag, then it needs a few extra pockets for all the bits and bobs you carry. Best for look and feel though! |
I loved the design and colour of this bag - definitely my favourite. It had enough compartments and was easy to carry both on my shoulder and on the buggy. The place to hang your keys and mobile was very handy and the bottle warmer was a great feature. The wipe-clean surface was good for any spills. It is a value for money bag and I would recommend it to friends or anyone looking to buy a first-time or new changing bag. |
Caboodle Messenger Changing Bag
£24.99 | Available from Caboodle Bags | www.caboodlebags.co.uk | T: 01795 590664 |
I really liked the design, it had a magnetic clasp on it which worked well, for me the design would have been better if it was complimented with another colour. The size was just right, I used this bag on a full day out where I had to carry 4 bottles, wipes, nappy sacks and a change of clothes for both Mia and Jack, and I had room to spare. It had lots of compartments and I liked the changing mat as it was well padded and bigger than usual. The spare bag for dirty clothes was a good idea too. My only criticism is the bottles didn't fit into the insulated pouch. The wipe-clean surface was good as I did manage to get it slightly dirty and it wiped off ok. This bag was value for money and I would be happy to pay £24.99 for it. |
The bag was quite plain and looked like any basic changing bag on the market. It was an excellent size - big without being bulky. It has a pocket for everything from nappies to bottles (the odd car from my son) and as the pockets are made out of mesh, you can find what you need easily. Also it has the added bonus of a section to carry your keys, money, mobile and pens, which was easy to access. Very comfortable to carry on my shoulder, as has a padded shoulder strap. Long strap makes it easy to hook over any pushchair handle. The bag was good value and had everything and more for what you want from a changing bag, the only downside being that it was a bit plain. It deserves an extra point for clever insulated pocket at the side of the bag for a bottle! |
I really liked this bag too, the bright red colour was nice and cheery, the design was simple and smart. It was a really good size with lots of compartments and room to carry everything I needed. Again I thought it was good value for money. |
Jeep Infinity Diaper bag from the Hauck Group Available in both Carrot and Toffee colourways. With sporty Jeep styling this changing bag is a must have bag for Dads as well as Mums! The ruck-sack design means that it can easily become a travel or sports bag once you finished using it as a changing bag. The durable, wipe clean materials used for this bag makes it ideal to take on all kinds of journey, from country trek to city walk. Includes:
£29.99 | Available from The Hauck Group | www.hauckuk.com | T: 0870 8406727 |
I loved the rucksack design of this bag and the colour was eye catching too. It was just the right size and held everything I needed for going out. It has one big compartment for everything and then a sperate one for the changing mat which comes in a a clear plastic wallet so it can be kept clean. I carried it on my back which left my hands free to push the pram and more storage space under the pram for all the goodies I bought!!!. I would pay £29.99 for it, but would buy a darker colour, so dirt wouldn't show up as easily as it might on this lighter colourway. |
I really liked the look of the bag, but was very disappointed when I opened it and found it to be no different than a normal rucksack. The size was terrible. The bag was too narrow and too deep, with only two small pockets in the interior of the bag. Therefore, there is no place to put bottles etc, so you have to empty the bag to get what you need. There was a strange compartment on the back of the bag, which was so hard to get in that I am unsure of its use. It was perfect as a rucksack, but there was no way to attach it to my pushchair. I didn't think this bag was value for money as the only useful item was the changing mat. There was no designated area for bottles, nappies etc and you would need an extra bag to carry your keys, money as there was no place to put them. I liked the design of this bag a lot, but it's was not practical. |
This bag looked really smart, I liked the colours and the rucksack style design. Although I could fit what I needed inside I missed having different compartments for different things. The bag was comfortable to carry on my back, but I couldn't fit it on to the buggy which was a pain. In didn't really feel it offered value for money compared to the other bags and is perhaps a bag for a Mum who wants to take things for a day out with an older child who isn't on bottles or may already be potty trained. |