No Reception Club Getaway Bag Review
A Travel bag for adventurous outdoor parents
December 9th, 2024
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Our verdict
There is no way around the fact that being a parent is chaotic, even if you just stay at home all day. But throw traveling into the mix? Now you’re really juggling fire.
But kids don’t have to and shouldn’t stop us as adventurous parents from doing the things we love, including travel.
And when you’ve got the right mentality paired with the right gear—like the No Reception Club Getaway Bag we tested— adventuring and traveling as a family is full of joy and fun (and yes, still chaos at times).
And if you’re already a parent, you likely already know that every little bit of organization and any way you can simplify is a huge win, including something as simple as a diaper bag.
That’s why the No Reception Club Getaway Bag caught our eye. Few bags can boast the thoughtful organization of this bag. It’s not just generic organization either; it’s tailored specifically to traveling with small children, from the diapering accessories to the cooler bag for bottle or snack storage. It’s sized just right for airline travel with pockets accessible from the overhead compartment.
Wrap that all up into a well made and aesthetically pleasing package that’s designed to be the perfect sized personal item on a plane, or easy to stuff into the last open nook of your car on a family road trip, and you’ve got the Getaway Bag.
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Specs
Weight: 3.4 pounds (with included dividers and accessories)
Capacity: 24L
Material: Recycled polyester, leather
Dimensions: 19.7” height x 10.2” width x 6.5” depth
Organization: Top lid pocket, front pocket, side pocket, bottom water and odor resistant pocket, back laptop pocket, two exterior water bottle pockets
Bundle accessories: Sidekick waist bag and changing pad, insulated lunch pouch, stroller attachment straps
Price: $235, or $320 (with bundle as tested)
Comparison table
We compared similar bags on the market based on capacity, organization, and other criteria.
| TRAVEL BACKPACK | CAPACITY OPTIONS AVAILABLE | WEIGHT | MATERIAL | DIMENSIONS | ORGANIZATION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Getaway Bag | 24 L | 3.4 lbs (with included accessories) | Recycled polyester, leather | 19.7” height x 10.2” width x 6.5” depth | Top lid pocket, front pocket, side pocket, bottom water and odor resistant pocket, back laptop pocket, two exterior water bottle pockets |
| Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote | 27 L | 0.85 lbs | 100% recycled nylon | 15.5 x 10.25 x 8 IN | multiple pockets including a key keeper and exterior zippered pocket, two side water bottle mesh pockets. |
| Bugaboo Changing Backpack | 19 L | 2.95 lbs | 100% certified recycled fabrics | 11.8 x 5.5 x 17.71 IN | multiple pockets including a 17" laptop sleeve and two clutches, insulated bottle sleeve |
| Osprey Poco Changing Backpack | 27 L | 1.88 lbs | 100% Bluesign Approved Recycled Nylon | 17.7H X 13.4W X 10.6D IN | Multiple interior mesh pockets, Interior sleeve, large main compartment, exterior insulated bottle pocket and exterior zippered pocket |
Who is it for
The author testing the Getaway Bag in Colorado. Photo by Jon Stockwell.
This is an excellent pack for parents who love to get out and adventure with their little ones in tow, whether that’s to an international city or a small mountain town. While it may be on the expensive side for a diaper bag, we think the functionality is worth the price for parents who plan to travel often.
How we tested
Attempting to change a squirmy baby’s diaper while on the road. The Getaway Bag makes it at least a little easier. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
We’ve got an adventurous little family of two parents, a 10 month old, and a sweet old hound dog. While there may be some parameters on what we’re able to do all together these days, it doesn’t stop us from getting out and having fun.
We tested the Getaway Bag on family road trips and ski trips. We used it for on-the-fly diaper changes while traveling through Denver and to different ski resorts in Colorado. We hauled bottles and snacks for our son, treats for our dog, and even some snacks for mom and dad for long days in the car. We tested the bag over a couple weeks of traveling; it got shoved into corners of a packed car and tossed around in snowy parking lots. It remained functional, durable, and comfortable to carry our gear through it all.
After multiple adventures with this bag (and experience using other bags for the same purpose), the thoughtful organization of the Getaway can’t be beat.
What we liked
The leather panel on the bottom of the Getaway Bag adds both durability and style. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
Excellent, customizable organization
Thoughtful storage solutions for kid-specific items
Quality materials
Sleek look and sophisticated design
Size for airline travel
Padded laptop compartment
Gender- neutral color options
What could be better
Expensive
Water bottle pockets are snug
When the Sidekick bag is fully loaded it doesn’t fit in designated pocket in the Getaway Bag
Features
Thanks to a side zipper, the contents in the main body of the pack are easy to access while traveling. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
Spacious compartments with expansion options
The Getaway Bag comes with adjustable and removable velcro shelves that streamline organization inside the main body of the pack. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
The Getaway Bag has a capacity of 24 liters total. For the bag alone, it weighs 2.7 pounds empty and with the dividers and included lunch bag it’s 3.4 pounds.
The top of the bag has a lid and can be accessed through an internal drawstring, much like any standard top loading pack. There is a small pocket on the top of the lid that’s ideal for small essentials like a wallet, hand sanitizer, or sunglasses. Stretchy bottle pockets are on both exterior sides of the pack.
The main body of the pack can be customized and compartmentalized with two adjustable and removable shelves that attach to the inside of the pack. To make these shelves accessible, there is a side zipper that opens up access to the main body of the pack (which can also be accessed from the top).
We tested the pack with the bundle, which includes a few extra handy accessories. This includes a small insulated lunch pouch that fits just right on one of these shelves and is great for storing bottles or snacks. It also comes with a waist pack style Sidekick bag that’s designed for easy on-the-go diapering and includes a portable changing pad. And lastly, it also comes with detachable straps that allow you to easily clip the bag to a stroller or hang up somewhere.
Easy access to pockets
The main compartment of the bag can be accessed under the lid through the drawcord enclosure, or from the side through a zipper. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
The main body of the pack can be customized and compartmentalized with two adjustable and removable shelves that attach to the inside of the pack. The pack also includes a small insulated lunch pouch that fits just right on one of these shelves. To make these shelves accessible, there is a side zipper that opens up access to the main body of the pack (which can also be accessed from the top).
Water-resistant material
The bag is made with a main body fabric of recycled polyester and has touches of leather on the bottom, along the top handle, and at the zipper pulls for added durability and a nice, sophisticated look. The pack has beefy, metal buckles that are able to stand up to the wear luggage inherently takes when traveling. At the bottom of the pack, there is a separate zippered compartment lined with an odor- and water-resistant fabric that’s ideal for storing dirty clothes or diapers when necessary.
Padded laptop pocket
The pocket on the back panel of the Getaway Bag is padded and designed to hold a laptop for traveling parents working from the road. Photo by Stasia Stockwell
At the back of the pack, there is a padded laptop sleeve pocket that fits most computers up to 16 inches. Because it’s positioned against the back panel, this compartment can’t be accessed by wishful thieves as long as the pack is on your back.
Detachable diaper kit
As long as it’s not completely full, the Sidekick bag fits into the side pocket of the Getaway Bag.Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
This kit includes a changing mat and space for wipes and diapers, ideal for parents.
Insulated lunch pouch
The Getaway Bag’s included insulated lunch pouch came in handy for keeping bottles warm while at the ski resort with the family.Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
The Getaway Bag (both just the pack and the bundle) comes with an insulated lunch pouch that stows nicely in the main compartment on one of the shelves. This small bag is great for storing snacks or bottles and does a good job of keeping things either warm or cold.
Stroller straps
The buckles on the Getaway Bag are made partly of metal, which adds durability. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
There are two padded and adjustable shoulder straps for comfortable carrying. And at the back of the pack near the laptop sleeve, there is also a pass-through pocket that allows you to slide the Getaway onto the handle of a roller bag. Additionally, the bag comes with removable attachments that allow you to clip the bag securely to a stroller. Both these features make it fantastic and versatile for travel.
Quick-access front pocket
The Getaway Bag has a zippered front pocket that allows for even more organization. Photo by Stasia Stockwell
On the front of the pack, there is a zippered clamshell pocket for quick access items. It has a tether for attaching keys or other easy to lose items and small mesh pockets for storing kids toys or other small essentials.
Performance in the field
Testing the Getaway Bag and the Hideaway Carry-On Duffel on a family road trip. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
Even before we hit the road with this bag packed for traveling, we were impressed by the thoughtful details that were put into the design. Not only is it super well organized—it’s organized with the needs of small children and their parents at the forefront of the design. It’s very obvious that this bag was thought up by a parent.
Once we hit the road, we immediately appreciated having this bag. The side-access zipper was great for easy access to layers for our son. The diaper compartment was equally useful and easy to access, and it is very handy to have all the diaper essentials in their own dedicated compartment. This made back-of-the-car diaper changes in the middle of the city or in the ski resort parking lot a whole lot smoother.
When fully stuffed with diapers and wipes, we found it easiest to stash the Sidekick in the top of the Getaway Bag. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
Since we tested this pack with the bundle, we used the small Sidekick bag to store diapers and wipes. Having this small bag to take into a public restroom or ski lodge without needing to bring the entire Getaway Pack was a very nice feature. Without the Sidekick fully loaded, it fits nicely in the side pocket designed to hold it. But, when it’s packed with a fresh pouch of wipes and multiple diapers, it’s tough to get it to fit into the side pocket of the Getaway. We found it easier to just stash under the lid of the pack in the top-loading section in those instances.
The bottom water-resistant pocket seems to be a “just in case” feature, but traveling with a small child means you’re almost guaranteed to need it. We stashed dirty clothes in the pocket after a blowout in the car seat. The inside material of that compartment is black so it doesn’t show stains (the rest of the interior is white with a cute pattern) and it’s easy to wipe clean whenever you reach your destination. We found it easy enough to simply wipe it out with a baby wipe to keep it clean on the fly.
There is an additional side pocket on the Getaway Bag for easy diaper storage. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
The small insulated lunch pouch is also a thoughtful and useful feature. We used it to store warm bottles on a ski trip. Sure, it’s no YETI cooler, but it was amazing to have a way to keep the milk warm enough, even in single digit temperatures.
The leather bottom of the bag is a great addition for durability. Especially on the ski trip portion of our adventure, we were often setting this bag in snowy, rough, or slightly dirty places. The leather is easy to wipe clean and holds up well to hard use.
As someone who often has to work on the fly, even when on vacation sometimes, the laptop compartment is proof that the makers thought of both the kids and their parents when designing this bag. I don’t need much to work, and a separate computer bag is a hassle to have to bring along. Being able to simply throw my laptop in this bag was a huge help in terms of more efficient packing.
We did not have the opportunity to test this bag on a flight—because of our old hound dog, we stick to road trips so we never have to leave him behind. But that means we’re often cramming a lot of stuff into a relatively small car. The size of the Getaway Bag paired with its supreme organization made it incredibly handy on the road. But it is important to note that the Getaway Bag’s dimensions meet the standards for both domestic and international travel as a personal item. It’s designed to fit easily under the seat or in the overhead bin.
No Reception Club Getaway Bag vs. similar bags
In addition to the Getaway Bag, we also tested the Hideaway Duffel from No Reception Club. This bag is larger and designed more as a suitcase than a diaper bag. With the included bundle, it also has excellent organization and thoughtful utility. The bundle includes a divider for the main compartment to keep things separate, clips that attach the bag to a stroller or allow you to hang it up, and a small Dopp kit for toiletries. This is also a great bag, but serves a different purpose than the Getaway. For easy access to baby essentials on the go, the Getaway is the move.
There are a lot of diaper bags on the market, but they are certainly not created equal. If you’re looking for a bag for quick day trips that still offers a sleek style, the Bugaboo Changing backpack is a good, streamlined option.
One bag our testers have used for both day trips and extended travel with a baby is the Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole bag. It is a simple and light bag that offers good functionality, versatility, and durability for the price. It does not have nearly the amount of features and pockets the Getaway Bag does, and it is not as comfortable to carry for long days. But it is a good affordable option.
Another bag we’ve considered is the Osprey Poco Changing Backpack. This bag is slightly larger than the Getaway Bag and does come with a changing pad and lots of pockets for organization. It is not quite as refined or as feature rich as the Getaway Bag, but it does offer a lot of functionality and space for the price and is an excellent option to consider.
Ultimately, no baby travel bag we’ve looked at can match the robust feature set and thoughtful design of the Getaway Bag. It is expensive and there are more affordable options out there, but you will sacrifice some functionality. If you do travel frequently with your kiddo, especially on planes and other hectic transit centers, this bag is probably worth the money.
Should I buy the Getaway Bag?
The Getaway Bag is well made and has a sleek look. Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
If you were a traveler before becoming a parent and plan to travel often with children in tow, whether by plane or car or otherwise, this bag is worth the money.
It is not an inexpensive bag, and if budget is a top priority you’ll want to consider something else (like the Osprey Poco Changing Backpack). But if you have the flexibility in your budget for a bag like this, it’s an item that truly will make traveling with kids a little simpler and less of a hassle, and every little bit counts when you’re wrangling little kids.
If you’re an avid traveller and will be hopping on lots of flights or heading on numerous road trips with your little one, this bag will be well worth the investment. It’s a well-made pack with quality materials that will last, and a design that’s likely impossible to beat for this specific use case—traveling parents. Plus, knowing it’s sized just right for airline travel is a huge bonus.
If you’re an occasional traveler or even want a useful bag for day trips out and about with your kids, this is still an excellent option. There are other, less expensive bags that can work, but if the budget is available it would be hard to see a parent not finding the Getaway Bag very useful, organized, and utterly functional.
Accessories
The Sidekick bag, which is included if you upgrade to the bundle for the Getaway Bag, is like a fanny pack designed just for diaper changes, with a dedicated pocket for easy access to baby wipes and an included portable changing pad.Photo by Stasia Stockwell.
Sidekick Bag
The Sidekick bag, which is included if you upgrade to the bundle for the Getaway Bag, is like a fanny pack designed just for diaper changes, with a dedicated pocket for easy access to baby wipes and an included portable changing pad.
The Dopp Kit
The Dopp Kit is included in the No Reception Club Getaway Bag bundle. It’s a small bag designed for toiletries. It’s a well-thought out toiletry bag that fits perfectly in the Getaway Bag’s hood pocket or the Hideaway Duffel’s Dopp Kit pocket. The Dopp is designed to carry your child’s toothbrush and toothpaste and medications, but also fits adult-sized toiletries.
Hideaway carry-on duffel
This bag is designed more as a suitcase than a diaper bag, but still meets airline carry-on size requirements. With the included Hideaway Carry-on Duffel bundle, it also has excellent organization and thoughtful utility. The Hideaway Carry-on Duffel bundle includes a divider for the main compartment to keep things separate, clips that attach the bag to a stroller or allow you to hang it up, and a small Dopp kit (above) for toiletries. This is also a great bag, but serves a different purpose than the Getaway. For easy access to baby essentials on the go, the Getaway is the move. For bigger loads, you may want the duffel.
Similar products
Bugaboo Changing Backpack
Capacity: 19 L
Weight: 2.95 lbs
Material: 100% certified recycled fabrics
Dimensions: 11.8 x 5.5 x 17.71 IN
Organization: multiple pockets including a 17" laptop sleeve and two clutches, insulated bottle sleeve
This small and sleek backpack is a great size for changing diapers on the go and a popular choice for parents, especially for day trips. There are lots of interior pockets for organization and it includes a changing pad. But, this pack is smaller than the Getaway Bag and does not boast the same functionality, especially for more extended travel.
Capacity: 27 L
Weight: 0.85 lbs
Material: 100% recycled nylon
Dimensions: 15.5 x 10.25 x 8 IN
Organization: multiple pockets including a key keeper and exterior zippered pocket, two side water bottle mesh pockets.
This simple tote is a fairly affordable choice for parents who want a simple, versatile, and durable bag for traveling with (or without) kids. It has two bottle pockets, an external zippered pocket, and a small zippered pocket inside, but the main compartment is one large area that lacks the same organization that the Getaway Bag does. It's not specifically-designed for parents, either.
It does have the option to be carried as a tote or a backpack which offers nice versatility. This bag is a fraction of the price of the Getaway Bag and could be a great option for parents who want a more affordable pack that is still versatile. This is the bag our testers have primarily used before discovering the Getaway Bag and it has been very functional and simple. We like that it is light and can pack away easily, but it does not come with parent-specific accessories like a changing pad.
Capacity: 27 L
Weight: 1.88 lbs
Material: 100% Bluesign Approved Recycled Nylon
Dimensions: 17.7H X 13.4W X 10.6D IN
Organization: Multiple interior mesh pockets, Interior sleeve, large main compartment, exterior insulated bottle pocket and exterior zippered pocket
The Poco Changing Backpack is a bit like an upgraded, more kid-focused version of the Patagonia Ultralight Black Hole Tote. It comes with a changing pad and has more internal pockets than the Black Hole, and it has a more robust back panel and straps for comfort when carrying the bag.
This is another excellent option that is more affordable than the Getaway Bag. At 27 liters, it is actually a bit larger than the Getaway Bag. But it does not have the same amount of features and sophisticated organization as the Getaway. If you are most often doing day trips or shorter road trips as a family, this bag is likely sufficient. But if you travel often, especially through airports, the Getaway Bag is likely a worthy investment.
About the author / Why you should trust us
A true mountain dweller, Stasia feels far more at home on a high alpine ridge than on a busy city street. She’s worked as a backpacking guide in Southeast Alaska, has held a WFR cert, AIARE 1, AIARE 2, and Avalanche Rescue certifications, and is working to become an avalanche education instructor. She’s now a full-time freelance writer and editor working primarily in the outdoor recreation realm. Her bylines can be found in Backpacker, 5280, and REI’s Uncommon Path, among others, and she’s been testing and writing about gear for nearly a decade. She is also the managing editor of the new print zine, Trails Magazine.
She’s traveled to Alaska and Japan with ski gear in tow, and flown to Hawaii with backpacking gear loaded up. Now, as a mom to a 10 month old son and old dog, travel looks a little different but is no less adventurous. From multi-week camping road trips to regular ski trips with a baby at her side, she’s figured out how to make it work—from efficiently packing the car to remembering enough snacks for everyone.
