Babymel Finn Changing Backpack review: a practical, lightweight backpack that doesn't look like a changing bag

Ash found the padded shoulder straps comfortable and supportive, with the backpack sitting securely and distributing the weight well.

What is the standout feature of the Babymel Finn Changing Backpack?

For Ash, the standout feature is that the Babymel Finn doesn't look like a traditional changing bag. Instead, it has the look and feel of a practical everyday backpack, with enough clever compartments to keep baby and toddler essentials organised without making it feel overly complicated.

She particularly liked that it was versatile enough for both her and her partner to use, and found the simple black design easy to take anywhere. The slim, lightweight shape also makes it useful beyond days out with the kids, with Ash finding it could double up as a handy cabin bag when travelling.

She says, "It doesn't look like a changing bag but it has all the helpful little compartments. It's more like a really helpful backpack! My partner loves it. It's very versatile and great as a cabin bag!"

For Ash, that versatility is what sets the Babymel Finn apart: it has all the practical features needed from a changing bag, without looking like one.

How we tested the Babymel Finn Changing Backpack

Ash and her partner tested the Babymel Finn for eight weeks while out and about with their two children. Ash's partner used it several times a week during the testing period, giving them both plenty of opportunities to see how it worked in different situations.

The Babymel Finn was used for nursery runs, shopping trips, family days out, caravan holidays and general day-to-day outings. This gave Ash and her partner plenty of opportunities to assess how well it handled life with two children, including its capacity, comfort, portability and durability.

Throughout testing, they looked at how easy the backpack was to use and organise, how comfortable it was to carry, how well it coped with regular wear and tear, and how easy it was to keep clean. It scored particularly well for quality, ease of use, comfort, portability and cleaning, with an overall score of 91/100. Value for money was its weakest area, although it still scored a respectable 10/15, with Ash feeling the premium quality made the £85 price tag worthwhile.

What’s in the box?

The Babymel Finn comes with a brief instructions guide and a padded changing mat. Ash particularly liked that the mat's neutral colour matches the interior of the bag and felt it was a useful extra to have for nappy changes when out and about.

How does the Babymel Finn Changing Backpack look?

The Babymel Finn has a simple, clean look, which makes it easy to use with pretty much anything you're wearing. The black version is smart without being too formal, and there's nothing overly “babyish” about it. It just looks like a nice, practical backpack that happens to have all the features you need for changing a baby.

It's available in Black and Olive, giving you two neutral options depending on which look you prefer. Ash tested the Black version and loved it. She says, "We have black and it's perfect. Goes with everything, very versatile."

Ash liked that the Babymel Finn had enough pockets to keep essentials organised without making the bag feel overcomplicated, with the easy-access wipes pocket being a particular favourite.

How practical is it to use?

The Babymel Finn is a practical option for carrying everything needed for two children, although Ash found the slimmer shape means it can feel quite full when packed.

She says, "This bag sometimes feels over packed, with it being a bit slimmer. It still fits what I need but isn’t as spacious as the Storksak Alyssa Changing Bag I've been testing."

However, the lighter weight is a definite bonus, particularly when the backpack is already loaded with baby and toddler essentials. Ash also liked the straightforward layout, saying, "Not too many compartments, just enough for what we need as mums!"

Her favourite practical detail was the dedicated side pocket for wipes, which keeps them within easy reach when you're dealing with a nappy change. "The baby wipe pocket on the side is just amazing!" she says.

How comfortable is the Babymel Finn Changing Backpack to carry?

Very! When you're carrying nappies, spare clothes and everything else you need for two children, a changing bag can get uncomfortable pretty quickly, but Ash found the Babymel Finn easy to wear. Throughout testing, she felt that the weight was well distributed across the back, while the padded shoulder straps make it comfortable to carry for longer periods.

She says, "It's super comfortable, both in terms of weight distribution and the padded straps." Plus, the straps are adjustable, so you can get a comfortable fit, and Ash found the overall design easy to wear when out and about.

What’s it like to use day to day?

The Babymel Finn was ready to go straight out of the box, with no setup needed and no harsh odours when Ash unpacked it. After regular use, she found it easy to live with and particularly liked how quickly she could get to the things she needed. "The easy access wipes pocket is revolutionary!" she says. "Super convenient."

Ash also had no concerns about using the Babymel Finn in wet weather or around the inevitable spills that come with having a toddler. She describes it as "totally waterproof" and says, "No concerns in any weather conditions or around inevitable spills that comes with having young children!"

Ash liked that the padded changing mat matched the backpack's neutral interior, describing it as a useful extra that felt well made rather than an afterthought.

How sturdy is it?

The Babymel Finn has proved itself to be a sturdy choice during Ash's eight weeks of testing. Despite being used several times a week with two children, she says there were no signs of wear and it was still looking brand new by the end of testing.

Ash was particularly impressed by the overall quality and expects the backpack to last through more than one baby. She says it's "built to last through multiple babies", while the zips have continued to feel smooth and easy to use.

After regular outings, shopping trips, nursery runs and holidays, the Babymel Finn has shown no obvious signs of wear and tear, which is a good sign if you're looking for something you'll use for years rather than just a few months.

The padded shoulder straps helped make the Babymel Finn comfortable to carry, even when packed with everything Ash needed for a baby and toddler.

How portable is the Babymel Finn Changing Backpack?

The slimmer shape makes the Babymel Finn easy to take with you, particularly when you're using it alongside a pushchair. Ash found it fitted neatly underneath the pram without taking up too much space, while the dedicated pram straps gave her another option when she didn't want to carry it.

She says, "The straps to attach to the pram are amazing, but it fits great under the pram too with it being a bit slimmer than other bags."

The Babymel Finn also proved useful beyond days out with the kids. Ash's partner used it as a regular backpack when they went away, including as a cabin bag, making it a handy option for short trips as well as everyday outings.

How easy is the Babymel Finn Changing Backpack to clean?

The Babymel Finn is very easy to keep looking its best. Ash says it's "practically impossible to stain" and found that most marks wiped straight off with a baby wipe.

Throughout the testing period, she didn't need to do any deep cleaning. For the exterior, a quick wipe was usually enough, while the inside only needed a little antibacterial spray and a baby wipe to freshen it up.

Is it good value for money?

At £85, the Babymel Finn isn't the cheapest changing bag on the market, but Ash feels the quality, practicality and versatility help justify the price. She says, "I think I'll be using it for years to come with the amount you've to carry when you've got kids!"

While she acknowledges it's still a premium purchase for a changing bag, she feels the cost is much easier to justify than some higher-priced alternatives. As she puts it, "If you use it as often as we do then it would definitely be worth the money. It's not absolutely extortionate, but it's a premium-quality really nice bag, so I would be happy to pay for it."

The fact that the Babymel Finn doesn't obviously look like a changing bag also adds to its long-term value, as it's a backpack you can continue using well beyond the baby years.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children’s health and development.

She has contributed to a wide range of lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and has edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals. As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children’s development, wellbeing and safety. Over the years, she has reviewed countless toys and developmental aids, as well as essential baby products for everyday family life, from baby monitors and sleep aids to feeding equipment like highchairs and breast pumps alongside baby travel gear such as baby carriers, child bike seats and lightweight strollers.