Daytripper PAC vs Mani 2 - which everyday backpack is right for you?

Daytripper PAC vs Mani 2: which Bababing everyday changing backpack should you choose?

Nobody warns you how many times a day you'll pick up your changing bag. Out the door, into the car, onto the pushchair, off the pushchair, onto your back because the lift's broken again. It's the one bit of baby kit you'll handle more than the baby, so it's worth getting right.

For most parents, the sweet spot is an everyday backpack. Something big enough for a full day out, comfortable enough to wear for hours, and clever enough to clip onto the pram when your shoulders need a break. The Bababing Daytripper PAC and Mani 2 both tick every one of those boxes.

They're both waterproof, they both carry three ways (backpack, tote and pushchair bag), and they both come with a changing mat and pushchair clips. In fact, they're closer than any other pair in our range. So the question isn't which bag can do the job. It's which one does it the way you like.

Daytripper PAC vs Mani 2 at a glance

Need the quick answer? Here it is.

Choose the:

• Daytripper PAC if you want a roomy, no-nonsense backpack that's easy on the wallet and the shoulders

Or opt for the:

• Mani 2 if you want maximum organisation, two insulated bottle holders and the largest changing mat in our range

Both are brilliant all-rounders. The right one depends on how many bottles you're carrying and how much you love a pocket.

The Daytripper PAC

Approximate size: 40 × 34 × 17cm

Approximate weight: 0.9kg

Estimated capacity: approximately 23.1 litres

The Mani 2

Approximate size: 42 × 34 × 15cm

Approximate weight: 1kg

Estimated capacity: approximately 21.4 litres

Why the Daytripper PAC could be for you

The bag that started it all

The Daytripper PAC is where it all began for Bababing changing bags. Our original unisex Day-Tripper has had a sleek upgrade, but the idea behind it hasn't changed: a spacious, practical bag that does everything you need without overcomplicating things.

Inside, you'll find a big main compartment with four inner pockets to keep nappies, wipes and spare clothes apart. Outside, there's a large front pocket for the things you grab most often, two side pockets and a rear pouch where the changing mat lives. That last bit is more useful than it sounds. Your mat stays flat, clean and separate, rather than getting crumpled at the bottom of the bag under a squashed banana.

Room to spare

On paper, the Daytripper PAC is actually the roomier of the two. It's slightly shorter than the Mani 2, but at 17cm deep it has a little more space overall. If your packing style is "bring everything, just in case", that extra depth makes a difference. Spare outfits, a bulky jumper, a few toys and your own lunch can all fit in without a fight.

Comfort for long days

The Daytripper PAC comes with wide shoulder straps designed for extended wear, so it stays comfortable even when it's fully loaded. At 0.9kg, it's also a touch lighter than the Mani 2. Every little helps when you're also carrying a car seat, a toddler or both.

A smart choice on price

The Daytripper PAC is usually the more affordable of the two. You still get a waterproof bag with a thermal bottle holder, a large padded changing mat and pushchair clips, so you're not missing out on the essentials. If you'd rather spend the difference on something else for the baby (or, let's be honest, a decent coffee), it's a very sensible pick.

Why the Mani 2 could be right for you

A place for absolutely everything

If you're the kind of parent who has labelled storage boxes at home, the Mani 2 will feel like it was made for you. It has eight handy pockets, so nappies, wipes, creams, dummies, snacks and spare clothes can each have their own spot. No more emptying the whole bag onto a café table to find one muslin.

There's also a super-safe parent pocket for your valuables, with room for a laptop as well as your phone and keys. So on days when you're juggling the nursery run with a trip to the office, one bag can do both.

Two insulated bottle holders

This is the Mani 2's headline feature. It comes with two insulated bottle holders, one inside and one outside, to keep milk or water at the right temperature for hours. If you're bottle feeding, combination feeding or just need a bottle for the baby and a drink for yourself, that second holder saves you a lot of faff.

The biggest changing mat we make

The Mani range comes with our largest changing mat, at approximately 57 × 47cm. It's padded and wipe-clean, and it gives you plenty of space for wriggly changes on less-than-ideal surfaces. Think motorway service stations and the back seat of the car. You'll be glad of every extra centimetre.

Comparing the Daytripper PAC with the Mani 2

Now for the head-to-head. Here's how they stack up where it counts.

Which has more room?

It's close. The Daytripper PAC has a slightly larger estimated capacity at around 23.1 litres, compared to the Mani 2's 21.4 litres. In everyday use, though, you'll find both have plenty of space for a full day out.

The bigger difference is how that space is organised. The Daytripper PAC gives you a large, open main compartment with four inner pockets, which suits parents who like to pack quickly. The Mani 2 breaks things up into eight pockets, which suits parents who like everything in its place.

Which is better for bottle feeding?

The Mani 2. Both bags have insulated bottle storage, but the Mani 2 has two holders to the Daytripper PAC's one. If you're out for the whole day with a bottle-fed baby, or you've got a toddler and a baby to keep fed and watered, that second holder makes life easier.

Which is more comfortable to carry?

Both have padded, adjustable straps and both distribute weight evenly across your shoulders, which is exactly why backpacks are so popular with parents. The Daytripper PAC is a little lighter at 0.9kg against the Mani 2's 1kg, and its wide straps are built for long wear.

In reality, a 100g difference won't make or break your day. What you pack will matter far more than the bag itself. So think about where you'll spend most of your time: on foot, or with the bag hanging off the pushchair.

Which works best with a pushchair?

It's a draw. Both come with universal pushchair clips that fit any brand of stroller or pram, so you can hang either bag from the handle in seconds. Both can also be carried by their grab handles as a tote, for the quick dash from the car to the front door.

Which is better for newborns?

Newborns travel heavy. Nappies, wipes, muslins, a couple of changes of clothes, feeding kit, nappy cream and, for first-time parents, usually a few extras just in case. Both bags will swallow all of that comfortably, and both include a changing mat, so you're ready from your very first trip out.

If you're bottle feeding, the Mani 2's two insulated holders and bigger mat make it a natural fit for the newborn months. If you're breastfeeding, or you just want plenty of open space for bulky items like a swaddle blanket, the Daytripper PAC's roomier main compartment makes a lot of sense.

How do they handle the British weather?

Brilliantly, both of them. The Daytripper PAC uses a heavy-duty waterproof polyester, and the Mani 2 is made from premium waterproof polyester that's wipe-clean inside and out. Rain showers, spilt milk and crumbs are no problem for either. Give it a wipe and it's good as new, so you don't need to treat your changing bag like precious luggage.

Which is better for life after the baby years?

Both are unisex, both come in versatile colours, and both work well as everyday backpacks once the nappy days are over. The Mani 2's laptop-friendly parent pocket gives it the edge as a work bag. The Daytripper PAC's roomy, simple layout makes it a great gym or weekend bag.

Making your final decision

There's no wrong answer here. Both are three-way backpacks that can handle a full day out, so it really comes down to how you like to pack and what you're willing to spend.

Choose the Daytripper PAC if:

• You want the most space for your money
• You like a big, open main compartment
• You need one insulated bottle holder rather than two
• You'd like a dedicated rear pouch to keep the changing mat separate
• You want a slightly lighter bag
• You're looking for great value

Choose the Mani 2 if:

• You love being organised, with eight pockets to play with
• You need two insulated bottle holders
• You want the largest changing mat in our range
• You'll use the bag for work as well as baby days
• You want a secure parent pocket with room for a laptop
• You often pack for every eventuality

If you want a spacious, comfortable and affordable all-rounder, the Daytripper PAC is a brilliant choice. If you like everything in its place and you need room for two bottles, the Mani 2 is the one you'll reach for every day.