Thirsties Sized Diaper Covers Review & Comparison To Duo Wrap

Mar 17,2011 / By Maria / 8 Comments

To go along with my Thirsties Fab Fitted vs Duo Fitted Review & Comparison, I decided I needed to compare the Duo Wraps to the Covers also! As I mentioned before, I won a cover and fitted in a Dirties on Diapering backer giveaway

Pictured here in green (celery), I have a Thirsties Cover in Extra-Small. These are sized covers with XS fitting 6-12 lbs, Small 12-18 lbs, Medium 18-28 lbs and Large 28-40 lbs.

They have hook & loop closures, laundry tabs, double leg gussets and a 1 mil wipe-able PUL inner. They retail for $11.50 each.

Here is the XS measured folded and stretched:

Check out my full Thirsties Duo Wrap Review for all the details on that, but here are just a few photos for comparison.

The duo wraps of course have rise snaps to adjust from 6-18 lbs for size 1, and 18-40 lbs for size 2. Here is the Extra-Small Cover vs the size 1 Duo Wrap (smallest setting on the left, largest on the right):

Here is a Small cover vs the size 1 duo wrap on the largest setting (size 1 seems to be XS & Small with 1 additional setting between, size 2 seems to be medium & large with 1 additional setting in between.)

Finally, here’s my newborn “model” again, also pictured in newborn and size 1 disposables for comparison:

The duo wraps are a little more expensive at $12.75 for solids and $13.75 for prints vs. $11.50 for the covers. According to Thirsties, the covers are a bit roomier to fit over fitteds, while the duo wraps are better suited for prefolds or the stay dry inserts. I really didn’t notice this, but I’m sure it would be more apparent on an actual baby rather than a squishy “bear” bottom (har har.)

Which ever you choose will give you a great, versatile diapering system that’s made in the U.S.A.! See fit on my newborn.

FTC compliance: The above products were won in a giveaway and purchased at normal retail prices. I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Smartipants Smart-Fit Cover Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 2/1)

Jan 25,2011 / By Maria / 10 Comments

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I ended up really liking my Smartipants diaper. I initially didn’t think it was anything special, but my opinion changed, and after using it for 8 months, it landed in my favorite things.

Though fitteds/covers or prefolds/covers aren’t my favorite, I was very interested to try the Smartipants Smart-Fit Cover, which retails for $13.95.

One thing that’s pretty unique about the Smartipants cover is the waist adjustment. There are snaps at the rear on each side, allowing additional sizing customization.

The covers are available with Aplix closures, while the one-size diapers are not (newborn diapers are).

The cover has a wipeable inner, so it can be reused for multiple diaper changes.

The diaper cover has 5 rise settings. That combined with the waist snap adjustment and overlapping tabs, gives you a lot of options to find just the right fit.

That said, the cover is quite large overall, considerably larger than the smart sleeve diaper.

I do not think this cover would fit newborns or small babies. The smallest setting seems similar to the medium setting on one-size diapers. For simplicity, I’m labeling the size settings 1/smallest through 5/largest.

Here is the smallest setting (first snap) folded and stretched:

Setting two:

Setting three:

Setting four:

Setting five/largest setting/fully unsnapped:

While the cover can be used with inserts, it seems to be sized to better fit over bulkier systems like fitted diapers.

Here is my 21ish pound son in the Smartipants cover, smallest setting (waist and rise) with a Flip stay dry insert:

It also fit over my fluffiest fitted, my Heartland Dreams.

If you are looking for a highly adjustable cover, that will fit your larger baby for a long time, this is it!

Giveaway: Smartipants is offering one winner their own smart fit cover, in their ~~choice of color! The covers are available in Clever Clover, Aqua Breeze, Think Pink and Bright White; the diapers have even more color options!~~

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love your comments (leaving a comment is a good way to remind yourself you entered), but comments don’t count as entries! Mandatory entries include name, email address and what other ~~Smartipants~~ ~~product you’d like to try (or what you’d like to see them add!). You can receive a bonus entry if you “like”~~ ~~Smartipants on Facebook~~.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, February 1st, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only.

# of entries received as of Giveaway close: 181

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dDExbUFlZ29Td3gxZ21xS0xrdDVCUXc6MQ

FTC compliance: I received the pictured item at no cost in order to write my review. Smartipants is also offering an item to a giveaway winner. I was not otherwise compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.

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Bummis Super Whisper Wrap Review & Giveaway (CLOSED 1/27)

Jan 20,2011 / By Maria / 8 Comments

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I’ve been wanting to try one of Bummis wraps, even though I really don’t need any more diapers. I got a gift card to an online cloth diaper store for Christmas, so I snagged a super whisper wrap in the celery dot pattern, newborn size (7-10 lbs.) The wraps are also available in small (8-15 lbs), medium (15-30 lbs), large (30 lbs) and extra large (40 lbs/white only.)

Bummis has 5 types of diaper covers, and this chart compares them all, to clear things up for confused people like me!

The super whisper wrap has aplix closure tabs that can cross over:

It has 2 mil PUL laminate sandwiched between 2 layers of polyester for added durability, and it feels quite sturdy.

It has a fairly generous cut, and can be used with prefolds, inserts or fitted diapers.

Bummis notes that the newborn size of the super whisper wrap is good for bigger newborns, but the Super Bright (exposed inner PUL, leg gussets, more lightweight, great for skinny babies), Super Lite (1 mil exposed PUL, trim fit, very lightweight) and Bummi Original (coated nylon and polyester mesh, very lightweight, very very trim, no elastic, use with inserts/prefolds only) will fit smaller newborns or preemies, starting around 4 pounds.

Here’s the Super Whisper Wrap Newborn size measured folded and stretched:

I called in my usual diaper model for help:

Here he is in a newborn disposable for comparison:

Here’s the wrap over a Kissaluvs size 0 fitted:

bummis super whisper wrap over kissaluvs fitted

and over a trifolded prefold:

Here it is compared to some other newborn diapers (to compare size):

The cut/shape reminds me of the Bummis Swimmi swim diaper. I can’t put the newborn cover to the test of course, but it is a very sturdy, durable cover, and a great value at $12.95! See fit on my newborn.

Giveaway: Bummis is offering one of my readers a Super Whisper Wrap in his/her choice of size and color.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love your comments (leaving a comment is a good way to remind yourself you entered), but comments don’t count as entries! Mandatory entries include name, email address and what other ~~Bummis~~ ~~product you’d like to try. You can receive a bonus entry if you “like”~~ ~~Bummis on Facebook~~.

I will accept entries until Tuesday, January 27th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada.

# of entries received as of January 27th at 8:55 P.M.: 250

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dDRIdzM5T245ZEdzeVRsaS1qVUVBRWc6MQ

FTC compliance: Although Bummis is providing a product to the giveaway winner, I did not receive product or other compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Update after using on baby.

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Thirsties Size 1 Duo Wrap & Duo Hemp Prefold Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 1/20)

Jan 13,2011 / By Maria / 17 Comments

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I had a gift certificate to an online store that sells cloth diapers. I don’t really need any more diapers, so in true cloth diaper addict form, I figured I’d buy some eeny teeny diapers for the newborn I don’t have (and no, I’m not pregnant either!) One of them was the Thirsties Duo Wrap in honeydew (MSRP $12.75) and duo hemp prefold (MSRP $7.00)

We’re still using the size 2 Thirsties Duo Diaper I reviewed last year, and I was curious about how the size 1 compared. I’m not really a prefold & cover mama (sometimes I think either you are or you aren’t!) but I think they would really come in handy for diapering a newborn. I know my kids could go through 15+ diapers per day as a newborn, and it would be way too expensive to buy a newborn stash of pocket diapers (my favorite), especially when you’re not entirely sure how long you’ll be using them.

The prefold is super soft, and it is sewn such that each portion is only two layers thick, for more thorough washing and faster drying.

I measured the prefold before prepping:

and after prepping (washing and drying 3 times to remove natural oils and fluff up the fibers):

It shrunk quite a bit in length, and ended up nearly square.

The wraps are available in snap or aplix closures, but I chose the aplix. Our duo diaper is also aplix, and after more than 7 months in our regular rotation, the aplix laundry tabs show no signs of wear and we have no issues at all.

The wrap has the same Thirsties double leg gussets as the duo diaper, but instead of a lining and pocket, it just has a wipe-able inner.

The wraps are a “duo” 2-stage system, where each size has three rise snap size adjustments. Typically, people have to buy newborn size diapers when “one size” diapers don’t fit their newborn. Then they buy one-size diapers, often followed by large/toddler size diapers when the child outgrows the one size. With the Thirsties Duo system, the size 1 fits 6-18 pounds, and the size 2 fits 18-40 pounds, making only two sizes necessary.

Note: In the pictures below, I have the prefold tucked under the PUL flap. This was incorrect and my mistake since I’m used to other diaper covers that have this flap to hold the insert on place. Thirsties actually puts this flap there to protect the snaps and stitching from touching the wet prefold or insert (it doesn’t have the additional layer over that area like the Flip does.) Tucking it in can lead to compression leaks, so don’t do what I did!

Here’s the size 1 on the small setting, folded and stretched (as always, my measurements are to give you an idea of how diapers compare, it’s not an exact science!)

Medium:

Large:

Here’s the duo wrap size 1 compared to the duo diaper size 2 (both on the small setting):

Here is the duo diaper size 2 (small setting) and the duo wrap size 1 large setting) on my 21ish lb son, both taken the same day:

Since I don’t have a newborn tester, I had to call in my usual newborn diaper model.

To compare, here he is in a newborn disposable:

The wrap is recommended for use over trifolded prefolds or trim fitteds. For bulkier systems, Thirsties suggests their diaper covers. I tried the wrap over a Kissaluvs Size 0 Fitted and it fit just fine.

thirsties duo wrap over kissaluvs fitted

Don’t laugh at me, I don’t have much experience with prefolds, but I wanted to try to snappi the prefold in addition to trifolding it.

thirsties dup hemp prefold ize 1 snappied

Here’s my model in the size 1 wrap with trifolded prefold, on the small setting:

I love Thirsties products and I think the stay dry duo insert would make this an even more fantastic system! My only complaint is that I have a heck of a time typing “duo.” I type “dup” nearly every time, LOL! See fit on my newborn.

Giveaway: Thirsties is offering one lucky reader a Duo Wrap and Prefold in his/her choice of size, color and closure!

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. I love your comments, but comments don’t count as entries! Mandatory entries include name, email address and your favorite ~~Thirsties~~ ~~product, or one you’d love to try. You can receive a bonus entry if you “like”~~ ~~Thirsties on Facebook~~.

I will accept entries until Thursday, January 20th, 2011 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my giveaway rules page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.

# of entries received as of January 20th at giveaway close: 220

https://spreadsheets.google.com/embeddedform?formkey=dDIwdVZUY2FQRENvSGxhdUItOVBHUGc6MQ

FTC compliance: While Thirsties is sending a product to the giveaway winner, I was not given products or other compensation for this post and all opinions are my own.

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Flip Hook & Loop Closure Diaper Cover and Organic Insert – Photo Review and Giveaway (CLOSED 11/27)

Nov 20,2010 / By Maria / 5 Comments

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In April, I reviewed a Flip cover with stay-dry insert. I’m less a’skeered of snaps now than I was then, but I was still happy to learn that Flip Diapers was coming out with a hook and loop (a.k.a. Velcro or Aplix) closure diaper cover! Right now, they are only available for purchase separately for $13.95, but Cottonbabies plans to sell them packaged with inserts, and in day packs in the future. Lucky for one of you, I also bought an organic insert ($7.95 retail) to send along to the winner too!

The other Flip I bought came with a cardboard “wrapper” so I hadn’t planned on taking photos of the hook & loop Flip, since I didn’t want to give away an opened item! I was a little surprised to find that both the diaper cover and the insert came without tags, wrappings or packaging, so I’ve done a little photo review. The winner will receive the butternut color cover and organic insert pictured in this review however, we do not have pets (unless you count the kids) and the items were only on my laundry room counter, which is very clean, and my hands were clean as well!

Some of us were wondering whether the hook & loop would be the “old” Bumgenius 3.0 style, or the “new” Bumgenius 4.0 style. Fortunately, it is the new style!

The “new” style laundry tab velcro is actually grippy, instead of just the fuzzy fabric of the 3.0s. If you haven’t had the pleasure of trying the 4.0s, the laundry tabs will touch baby’s skin, but they are very soft, and haven’t caused my son any irritation.

The hook & loop cover has the same, easily wipeable PUL inner as the snap closure Flip. My snap flip has the same white fabric, but only over the closure snaps, not the rise snaps. I assume it’s to keep the PUL from leaking where it was punctured to attach them.

Here it is on the small setting, folded and stretched:

Medium setting folded and stretched:

Large setting folded and stretched:

The organic inserts are made from 100% Oeko-Tex® certified organic cotton. Cottonbabies sells them for $7.95 each; $6.65 each if you buy 3 or more. Buying a cover with an organic insert adds just $6 to the cost of the cover alone.

I was surprised by how soft this is! Granted, it is new and hadn’t been washed but wow, it is baby blanket soft! Since this hasn’t been washed/dried/prepped, you can definitely expect it to shrink a bit. You simply fold the insert along the long or short side to fit inside the insert.

Here it is measured along the short side:

flip diaper organic insert width unprepped

Measured along the long side:

flip diaper organic insert length unprepped

In the cover on the small setting:

flip organic insert in diaper small setting

In the cover on the large setting:

flip organic insert in diaper large setting

As you can see, the hook & loop and flip covers are very much the same. Of course, mine was purchased 7 months ago, so small changes wouldn’t surprise me anyway! One difference is that the Hook & Loop cover stinks! I noticed a very strong, plastic-y/chemical smell that gave me a headache, as soon as I opened the mailer it came in. I have never noticed this with any other diapers I’ve purchased. My guess is that others begin with the same smell, but they’ve sat in warehouses and been shipped back and forth enough to air out before I get them! Hopefully it will do the same before I ship it to the winner!

Here’s a side by side of the small organic insert (remember, it hasn’t been washed/dried so it will shrink!) compared to the small stay dry insert, and the same for the large.

Hooray for hook and loop! Now when it Cottonbabies going to come out with newborn versions of their pocket diapers and flip covers? Hmm?

Giveaway: One winner will receive the Butternut (sorry, boring, but I wanted it to be gender neutral!) Hook & Loop Closure Flip Cover (ARV $13.95) and Organic Insert (ARV $7.95) pictured. Combined value $21.90 if my brain is working.

Here’s how to enter: All entries go in the form below. Mandatory entries include Your name and email address. I always email winners, and I do try to look for them before giving up on them! However, if you want to be sure it’s you when I announce the winner, please use a middle or last initial, or nickname, so you’ll know it’s you. I do announce names just as you enter them! I’m offering a single bonus entry for following this blog. You may choose GFC, RSS feed or email. If you prefer, you can elect to “like” ~~me on facebook~~ or ~~follow me on twitter~~ ~~instead. Whatever will bring you back! 🙂~~

I will accept entries until Saturday, November 27th, 2010 at 9:00 P.M. Eastern. I will select a winner using random.org’s true random number generator and notify him/her by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is chosen. View my ~~giveaway rules~~ ~~page for complete details. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S.~~

I’d love for you to leave a comment (also a great way to just remind yourself that you entered) but comments don’t count as giveaway entries. I will update the post daily with the # of entries received!