In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Sarah Wells Abby Review

A professional-looking bag that working moms will love for the pumping years and beyond, but is heavy and less comfortable to carry
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Sarah Wells Abby Review (Genuine leather handles add an extra touch of class to the Abby.)
Genuine leather handles add an extra touch of class to the Abby.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $200 List
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Manufacturer:   Sarah Wells
By Juliet Spurrier, MD and Lindsay Selig  ⋅  Aug 13, 2018
69
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 6
  • Ease of Use - 35% 9.0
  • Quality - 25% 7.0
  • Weight/Bulk - 25% 3.0
  • Style - 15% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Sarah Well Abby exudes a classic style while providing virtually every feature a working mama could want, its impressive internal organization helps it win an award in this review. This bag features divided interior compartments and pockets that make it a breeze to keep your pumping and work supplies separate and organized. The Abby uses high-quality materials and has a timeless design we think moms will want to use after they stop pumping. This bag is more expensive than the competition, but we believe it pays for itself if you use it through multiple children or as a diaper bag and general tote. Get the skinny on how it stacks up against other top products in our article on the best breast pump bags.
REASONS TO BUY
Spacious
Well organized
Structured
Professional look
Great customer service
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Straps need padding

Compare to Similar Products

 
sarah wells abby
This Product
Sarah Wells Abby
Awards Editors' Choice Award
Our Favorite for Organization
Top Pick Award
Perfect for Larger Pumps
Best Value Award
Quality On a Budget
  
Price $200 List
$199.00 at Amazon
$130 List
$130.00 at Amazon
$50 List$54 List
$39.99 at Amazon
$50 List
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This bag has top notch quality to the last detail, and will keep pumping moms happyVersatile carry bag with roomy interior that holds larger pumps and wipes cleanA well-structured bag made with quality materials that will lastA roomy interior will fit everything you need for a day out, although it lacks some organizational featuresA simple bag that holds what you need to pump on-the-go without breaking the bank
Rating Categories Sarah Wells Abby Sarah Wells Kelly Nanobébé Duet Mommore Breast Pump... Dr. Brown's Carryall
Ease of Use (35%)
9.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
4.0
Quality (25%)
7.0
6.0
7.0
2.0
4.0
Weight/Bulk (25%)
3.0
7.0
3.0
7.0
7.0
Style (15%)
8.0
5.0
8.0
7.0
3.0
Specs Sarah Wells Abby Sarah Wells Kelly Nanobébé Duet Mommore Breast Pump... Dr. Brown's Carryall
Dimensions 16.75"W x 7"D x 15"H 12.25"W x 7"D x 15"H 17.3"W x 6"D x 13.8"H 16"W x 8"D x 12"H 12.5"W x 7"D x 15.7"H
Weight 2.5 lbs 1.4 lbs 2.4 lbs 1.6 lbs 1.4 lbs
Carry Style Tote/Crossbody Tote/Backpack Tote Tote/Crossbody Tote
Laptop Friendly Yes - 15" Yes - 17" No Yes Yes - 15"
Spectra Friendly Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Machine Washable No No No No No

Our Analysis and Test Results

In 2011, Sarah Wells was working and exclusively pumping for her daughter. She was less than thrilled with the options available for carrying her pump, accessories, and work gear to and from the office every day. Because of this experience, she became an entrepreneur and designed her first breast pump bag and named it after her daughter, Maddy. The company was launched in 2013 and continues to be a top brand among breast pump bags.

Performance Comparison



sarah wells abby - as you can see, we had more than enough room for all of the...
As you can see, we had more than enough room for all of the necessary items.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


This bag is a winning combination of size and organization. The two side compartments for holding your pump and accessories zip open and close with ease. All other snaps, clasps, and general hardware items are sturdy but not difficult to secure. It took some wiggling to fit the Spectra pump through the opening, but once inside, it had plenty of room. The same is true for removing the pump, as it also takes some finagling. The straps, though stylish, could use a bit of padding to make carrying this heavy load less of a strain on your shoulders. Overall, we are pleased with the thoughtful design that makes it a joy to use.

sarah wells abby - the spectra pump is in after some wiggling to get it to fit.
The Spectra pump is in after some wiggling to get it to fit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The nylon material on the Abby that makes up most of the bag is durable, and the genuine leather straps and accents add a designer look, elevating it a step above most of the competition. The metal clips for the messenger straps and the zipper hardware are solid and should hold up well over time. Some users have noted that the stitching can come undone over time. While we did not encounter this problem, if you do have any issues, Sarah Wells has a lifetime warranty on their products.

Sturdy metal hardware on the zippers makes it a breeze to open and...
Sturdy metal hardware on the zippers makes it a breeze to open and close.
Genuine leather handles add an extra touch of class to the Abby.
Genuine leather handles add an extra touch of class to the Abby.

Weight/Bulk


All great bags have their downfalls, and for the Abby, it is the weight. The bottom line is, this is one of the heaviest bags in the review weighing 2.5 lbs, things are going to get heavy. Once you load this bag with your pump, accessories, laptop, wallet, water bottle, work documents, phone, and other gear, it could cause a sore shoulder at the end of the day. However, for a bag of this size, it is somewhat expected. The removable messenger strap will help to distribute the load better than the tote straps, but it is not padded and could still be uncomfortable. This bag is bulkier than some, but the trade-off is that it fits everything you may need throughout the day. We seriously doubt you will run out of space in this bag.

Features


The organization of this bag is enough to earn an award. The interior has a convenient divider to house your 15" laptop, along with a side zippered pocket for your wallet. There are two additional mesh pockets on the opposite side and a small outer pocket large enough to fit convenience items such as a phone or keys. One thing that is cool about the Abby is that the large outer pocket unzips at the bottom and can become a luggage handle sleeve, making it more suitable for travel. The two side pockets designed to hold your pump and pumping accessories are thermally lined and will keep milk cold for up to 6 hours with a small ice pack. When not using the bag with a pump, it has snaps that can condense the pockets against the side to create a larger inner space.

sarah wells abby - roomy interior with a divider designed for your laptop.
Roomy interior with a divider designed for your laptop.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Style


We love the overall style and design of the Abby. It is sleek, professional, and best of all, discreet. Working moms continue to comment on how they often get compliments on the bag. This bag can be used first for pumping, then through the diapering years, and would not be out of place later on as a beach tote or overnight bag. The genuine leather handles are a nice upgrade, but will possibly need some special care to maintain the integrity of the material for longterm use.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD and Lindsay Selig
 

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