Willow Pump Anywhere Bag and Pump Anywhere Case Review
Disclaimer: I was given the Willow Pump Anywhere Bag and Pump Anywhere Case for free. I liked the case so much I went out and purchased a second one so I had one for my Willow Generation Pump and one for my Willow Go.
If you are going to drop hundreds of dollars on a luxury wearable pump, it only makes sense you would want the finest bag and accessories to carry it in. These pumps are investments, and they are notorious for being easy to damage if you do not intentionally keep them safe and protected.
In 2019, I started pumping with my Willow 2.0 and used a very mom-ish diaper/pump bag, or a mini pump bag from amazon. I protected my hubs in a Medela cooler that required them to be fully disassembled. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t refined either. But, at the time, it worked, and that's what mattered. There really were not a lot of better options on the market at that point.
Pump bags and accessories have come a long way in three short years, and Willow has finally decided to jump in the game themselves, and has launched their very own pump bag and pump case. This coordinating line is designed to help elevate the pumping parents’ experience in carrying their pumps without compromising their style.
The Willow Pump Anywhere Case:
This is a hard bodied case, with a custom tray inside, designed to seat both the Willow 3.0 (previous Generation pumps fit too) and Willow Go pumps. The direction you face the pump depends on the pump you are putting in the case, but all options fit fully assembled. There is an elastic strap that secures the pumps. The top lid has a shallow mesh pocket (perfect for milk bags or charging cords). The whole thing zips tightly securing the pumps from external damage and preventing shifting around while in transit. The tray and lining are water resistant, and per Willow, the tray is removable for cleaning. There is just enough room in the case to stash a few accessories but it's a tight fit to protect the pumps. My favorite feature is the small handle which is perfect for taking to a private area to put the pumps on!
Pros:
The hard shell and compact fit to the pumps provides an excellent level of protection to the pumps when in transit.
The compact size makes it easy to use this case in a wide variety of standard pump bags or diaper bags - this means if you already have a bag you love, it will likely work with it!
The tray allows for use with both styles of Willow pumps. Many Willow users have become users of both pumps, and being able to use one case to protect both styles optimally is a huge plus.
The colors are really pretty - these cases won’t look out of place no matter the environment you are in!
The colors are easy to coordinate with existing bags and accessories - this may not be necessary for a positive experience, but it doesn’t hurt!
Cons:
These are not the cheapest options for wearable pump cases - these are priced at $59.99, but they are being sold as part of promotional bundles with new pumps with various coupons.
The room for accessories is fairly limited, but there is enough space for what actually NEEDS to be in the pump case for protection.
Community Feedback:
So far the feedback on this case as of October 2022 has been fantastic! Those who have purchased it seem happy with the purchase. There is a lot of excitement about the flexibility of using the case with a wide variety of bags at any given time.
Now let’s talk about the Pump Anywhere Bag….
Willow’s Pump Anywhere Bag is designed to be used as a stand alone bag AND in conjunction with their case. It is one of the most versatile pump bags on the market, with the bonus being it is custom designed for these pumps.
The bag itself consists of two sections. The top is a fairly traditional pump bag set up - the bottom section is a cooler that can be used independently, used when attached to the top section, and is conveniently sized to act as a pump case section for easy access if you don’t use the bottom as a cooler. Whether you are using the top section as a stand alone or with the bottom section attached, the bag converts from backpack to crossbody simply with the pull of a strap (this is my favorite feature with the bag!).
The top section can be used as a stand alone bag, and it is designed to hold the hubs in the cloth elastic topped pouches on the side with pockets, and pockets, and more pockets available to secure the accessories you need. The top section is big enough to hold everything you need to pump for 1-3 pump sessions with the Willow Pump.
Pros:
This bag is relatively small, which makes it perfect for the small design of the Willow Pumps. It’s bigger than the mini pump bags on Amazon, but more trim and refined than the average full-size bag. It can hold everything you need for pumping with your Willow Pump for a normal 8-10 hour day. I am pumping for a toddler, and this is my go to pump bag especially when I am out without kids. It's the perfect size to hold everything I need to pump while I am out.
The space in the bag is custom designed for Willow Pumps. Packing the bag feels intuitive and there is not a feeling of trying to make a traditional pump bag work.
The easy to convert straps make it easy to use the bag however works best for you on a moment’s notice.
The bag is aesthetically pleasing! I have the dusty pink color and get compliments when using it in public. It doesn’t scream baby or pump bag. It fits in seamlessly whether you are in mom mode or enjoying a bit off from mom-duty.
The bottom cooler is sized to allow you to use the case and the bag together which is a really convenient combination.
Cons:
It’s smaller than the average pump bag. Many people want to carry the pumps, their accessories, and their kitchen sinks, which is really not realistic with this bag.
It’s too short to carry the Ceres Chill Milk Chiller - it did fit the new Pippy Sips Maia Chiller (Reviews coming soon!) if you place it in the exact middle of the upper bag area. The bottom of the bag can be used as a cooler, but it is hard to go back to a traditional cooler (unless you are a devoted Willow Generation bag user) after having the convenience a milk chiller offers.
There have been some concerns about the quality of the bag - zippers haven’t held up as expected, the bag is likely to develop moisture issues if used with the bottom cooler if not properly supported, and the bag straps have shown signs of wear faster than expected.
It is pricey - at $180, the price point is above the average pump bag many moms in our pumping community are fan favorites of. It is sold as part of a bundle where it brings the price down to roughly $100-120 when purchased with a new pump, but if you already own your Willow Pump, you are looking at the full price tag which is significant.
Biggest Concerns of Note:
The bottom cooler section is not heat sealed - the interior is WIPEABLE but the fabric around the edges of the edges IS PERMEABLE TO WATER. The bag and cooler are made of vegan leather, which is a fancy term for plastic faux leather - this is a plastic layer on the top over a fuzzy absorbent layer. The lack of heat sealing to create a waterproof interior is causing the water that is going to be present in any cooler to be wicked to the lining. This is a concern for mold growth, odors, peeling fabric and poses a risk of contamination to milk or pump parts stored in the cooler if this section has been used as a cooler over a period of time. If human milk spills in the cooler it will be absorbed and there is no way to properly clean this. If this happens, the cooler will need to be tossed out for hygiene safety.
While testing this bag with normal use, it has been noted the bag is somewhat absorbent in nature - routine transits from the car to the inside, even in a light rain, have resulted in diffuse dampness that could pose a concern when used to store $300-$500 pumps.
Community Feedback:
Many moms in our pumping community have expressed that they feel the bag is overpriced for what you are getting, and they have opted to stick to brands like Sarah Wells, Idaho Jones, or the beloved Amazon favorites that have been popular for several years.
Some moms have gotten the bag and expressed they feel it is working great for their needs.
Some moms have gotten the bag and expressed disappointment with the quality not matching the bags it is styled after.
Do I Recommend the Pump Anywhere Case and The Pump Anywhere Bag?
I take recommended purchases for pumping parents really seriously. I know how much the right accessory can improve your pumping experience. I also know just how expensive pumping can be - and having to make a purchase twice because your first choice was a flop gets painful. When it comes to the case, this is an easy yes from me! The case is fantastic, and it's a solid investment. As for the bag - I recommend thinking about what you need in a bag, and if you feel like this bag is going to be a great fit for you, it’s worth considering. But, the limitations on what fits and what doesn’t, and the quality concerns for a $180 dollar bag, mean it likely won’t be my go-to recommendation for now.
