In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Skip Hop Studio Review

Our favorite diaper bag!
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Skip Hop Studio Review (Skip Hop Studio Diaper Tote shown in Pewter Dot fabric.)
Skip Hop Studio Diaper Tote shown in Pewter Dot fabric.
Credit: Skip Hop
Price:  $90 List
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Manufacturer:   Skip Hop
By Juliet Spurrier, MD ⋅ Mom-in-Chief  ⋅  Apr 9, 2012
86
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Storage / Ease-of-Use - 35% 9.0
  • Quality - 25% 9.0
  • Weight - 20% 7.0
  • Features - 15% 9.0
  • Style - 5% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Skip Hop Studio was discontinued in March of 2014.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Roomy
Stylish
Eco-friendly materials
Water resistant
Easy to clean
Fits most laptops
REASONS TO AVOID
Can't think of any
The Skip Hop Studio Diaper Tote is our Editors' Choice winner for best mid-range diaper bag. While the high-end winner, the Storksak Olivia, edges out the Studio in style, they are both very comparable, looking more like handbags than diaper bags, except for the difference in price. The Studio is much lighter on the wallet costing $108 less and is also roomier. It is easy to use, lightweight, and can fit most laptops. Included are some nice features: 2 roomy insulated bottle holders, stroller attachments or key clips, an antimicrobial lined pocket, nickel feet, and a nice cushy, quilted changing pad. Though it is not as roomy as the Ju-Ju-Be Be Prepared, the Skip Hop Studio Diaper Tote is the perfect size for taking your little one on short day trips. Take a close look at the Studio, it's a great bag for a great price. We recommend it!

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Skip Hop Studio Diaper Tote delivers a lot of bang for the buck at $90. For a stylish diaper bag which more resembles a purse, it is very easy to use with well-appointed features and great capacity. The internal compartment zips open widely revealing a large storage space with contrasting interior lining and well-sized pockets for diapers, wipes, and bottles. Externally, there are 2 insulated bottle pockets & a zippered pocket that is coated with AgION (cradle-to-cradle certified) antimicrobial lining for soiled items as well as plenty of storage space for personal items. With the internal bottle pockets unoccupied, we can even fit a 13.5" X 9" Mac PowerBook inside. Another particularly stellar attribute of the Studio which sets it apart from its competitors are its nickel feet which ensure that the bag not only stays clean when placed down but also stands upright without slouching or falling over on its side (the latter being one of our big complaints about the Timi & Leslie Charlie II Convertible Diaper Bag). In addition, the changing pad is quilted, nicely padded, and folds up into a nice little package.

A controversial feature that the Studio and many other diaper bags like the Skip Hop Duo Deluxe include are stroller clips. The Studio's clips are metal with adjustable straps which are designed to hang the diaper bag on the back of the stroller handle(s). We do not recommend them for this use and neither does the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association due to the risk of too much weight being placed on the rear of the stroller causing it to possibly to fall backwards. This danger can harm baby and anyone standing behind the stroller as well as can cause damage to the stroller itself. Alternatively, we like how these straps can hang on the inside of the bag which allow them to serve as key clips.

All pocket closures on the Studio are either zippered, magnetic, or snap. One of the zippered outer pockets even lifts up and snaps down allowing for the attachment of bulkier items like a blanket, bib, burp cloth, or sweater to the bag. Even more exciting is that there are no velcro pocket closures to be found which we consider a big plus. In our tests, the biggest offender of our “no velcro closure” rule was the Petunia Pickle Bottom Glazed Boxy Backpack.

The Skip Hop Studio Diaper Tote comes in a woven patterned fabric as seen on BabyGearLab in Pewter Dot or a ribbed, silky twill fabric in solid colors. It is made of PVC-free, eco-friendly materials and is water-resistant inside and out for easy cleaning.

The Studio is light, weighing 1.8 lbs, so the load that you'll be carrying on your shoulder will be up to 1.8 lbs lighter than competing bags. Its soft purse straps will feel comfy, too. Overall, this is a well-constructed, quality bag made for daily use with easy upkeep. Take a close look at this bag; we think that if you buy it, you won't be disappointed. However, if you are looking to spend less, the Skip Hop Versa has many of the great features of the Studio with lots of room and style for $70.

Juliet Spurrier, MD
 

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