This is a combo review of 4 different diapers: bumGenius 4.0s, Elementals, Freetimes, and Flip.
Spoiler alert: these are some of our favorite diapers.
bumGenius one-size pocket diapers (4.0 I think) and Elementals (one-size AIOs) were the first diapers we bought. We scored 7 pockets and 2 Elementals and two other random small sized diapers for $40 on Craigslist. Some had snap closures and others had hook and loop (aka Velcro or aplix) closures.
The family we bought them from had used these diapers for around a year and a half. Some people would never buy diapers that used, but I think it was a good investment.
Why? Because this way we could see how these diapers hold up!
These diapers were the selling point on snaps for us. Velcro is easier to use because it's faster to fasten, and the fit can be customized a little more than with snaps. (Ross says he thinks it's harder to get a tight fit though.) However, Velcro wears out. A couple of the diapers are barely usable because the velcro is in such bad shape. I will replace it when I get the chance, but snaps last much longer. After the previous use plus our use, the snap diapers are a little worn on the outsides but still completely functional. The elastic in the leg gussets and along the back relaxes with wear, but for Ezra that doesn't seem to make much difference.
bumGenius 4.0 is a one-size pocket diaper. It comes with a microfiber insert that adjusts for length by folding over and snapping together. You could stuff the folded-over end in either side - for a boy it is really convenient to put twice as many layers in the front, where boys wet most heavily. The micofiber gets dingy and less fluffy over time - at least it did for the previous owners. Like all the diapers made by this company, they come in appealing colors and a few really neat prints.
bumGenius Elemental is an AIO with an organic cotton inner. It's one of our favorite diapers. The company changed the design last week, so the ones we have and love are no longer in production. The organic cotton is VERY absorbent - we can use this as a nighttime diaper for Ezra, going ~9 hours between changes. (Though while I was writing this, Ezra pooped through the leg opening... so the leg elastic is getting loose.) But the fit is trimmer than the pockets. And AIOs are so easy. The down sides? The cotton gets stiff when line-dried, it takes a while to dry, it cost $25 new, and the main one... it's no longer being made in the same design. :(
bumGenius Freetime is an AIO with two microfiber flaps covered in suedecloth, one attached at each end. The idea is that the two flaps can be folded over in whatever configuration your baby needs to allow extra absorbancy in front, back, or middle. That is a good thing with a little boy. We just got our Freetimes the other day, so we've only used them a few times, but to me they don't seem quite as absorbent or trim as Elementals. They're similar to 4.0s though, and at $2 more new, I think the AIO design is worth it. We'll probably be getting more of these as we replace our pockets with AIOs.
Flip is a "hybrid" diaper - it's a cover that can be stuffed with either a microfiber insert (similar to the Freetime flaps), an organic cotton insert, or a disposable insert. We've only used it with the microfiber and were not impressed. The insert can move around and bunch up, it doesn't fit in the cover when they're both on their smallest settings, and it's too wide between the legs (in my opinion) for an infant of Ezra's size. The disposable insert option doesn't appeal to me either - the size of the insert is as big as a disposable diaper anyway, so if we needed disposables for a short while, I'd just buy disposables.
In conclusion? We're pretty big fans of the bumGenius brand around here. Just not Flip. And I don't think we'll be trying the new Elemental... it looks like a Flip with the insert sewn in.
Spoiler alert: these are some of our favorite diapers.
bumGenius one-size pocket diapers (4.0 I think) and Elementals (one-size AIOs) were the first diapers we bought. We scored 7 pockets and 2 Elementals and two other random small sized diapers for $40 on Craigslist. Some had snap closures and others had hook and loop (aka Velcro or aplix) closures.
The family we bought them from had used these diapers for around a year and a half. Some people would never buy diapers that used, but I think it was a good investment.
Why? Because this way we could see how these diapers hold up!
These diapers were the selling point on snaps for us. Velcro is easier to use because it's faster to fasten, and the fit can be customized a little more than with snaps. (Ross says he thinks it's harder to get a tight fit though.) However, Velcro wears out. A couple of the diapers are barely usable because the velcro is in such bad shape. I will replace it when I get the chance, but snaps last much longer. After the previous use plus our use, the snap diapers are a little worn on the outsides but still completely functional. The elastic in the leg gussets and along the back relaxes with wear, but for Ezra that doesn't seem to make much difference.
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| Above: BG 4.0s with insert. Below: aplix in varying degrees of disrepair. |
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| Ezra in a BG 4.0 |
bumGenius Elemental is an AIO with an organic cotton inner. It's one of our favorite diapers. The company changed the design last week, so the ones we have and love are no longer in production. The organic cotton is VERY absorbent - we can use this as a nighttime diaper for Ezra, going ~9 hours between changes. (Though while I was writing this, Ezra pooped through the leg opening... so the leg elastic is getting loose.) But the fit is trimmer than the pockets. And AIOs are so easy. The down sides? The cotton gets stiff when line-dried, it takes a while to dry, it cost $25 new, and the main one... it's no longer being made in the same design. :(
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| Freetime in black; Elemental in pink. |
Flip is a "hybrid" diaper - it's a cover that can be stuffed with either a microfiber insert (similar to the Freetime flaps), an organic cotton insert, or a disposable insert. We've only used it with the microfiber and were not impressed. The insert can move around and bunch up, it doesn't fit in the cover when they're both on their smallest settings, and it's too wide between the legs (in my opinion) for an infant of Ezra's size. The disposable insert option doesn't appeal to me either - the size of the insert is as big as a disposable diaper anyway, so if we needed disposables for a short while, I'd just buy disposables.
In conclusion? We're pretty big fans of the bumGenius brand around here. Just not Flip. And I don't think we'll be trying the new Elemental... it looks like a Flip with the insert sewn in.
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