Review: Rocky Mountain Diapers

Rocky Mountain Diapers - $19.50, Seconds for $15.50; Some styles $18.95 here.

Materials:  Outer layer PUL, with an inner of suedecloth, internal leg casing snap adjusters on the elastic for OS abilities, 1 microfiber insert.

Fit:  5 - 30 lbs.

How it works:  Rocky Mountain Diapers are a OS Pocket diaper with an unique rise adjustment system.  The pocket is stuffed with the included microfiber insert or insert of your choice.  The internal rise adjustment works similar to FuzziBunz in that the adjusters are in the leg casings rather than on the outside of the diaper.  More on that in Functionality.  The waist closure system is snaps only.

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  I love the colors of the Rocky Mountain Diaper.  They have fresh fruity colored diapers, yummy chocolate PUL diapers with colorful suedecloth inners, Cow print, and monkey prints.  I also like that the rise adjustment system is hidden in the leg casings giving this diaper a cleaner appearance on the outside.  This diaper only comes snaps for the waist closure system.  The snaps are in a single row which helps with the simplified look of the diaper, and I have never experienced wing droop.

Functionality -  I would like to start off by saying that I love that this company actually is truthful in their fit.  5 - 30 lbs. seems very accurate to me, although they may appear bulky on a newborn because they will bunch in the front.  I would compare the rise to a BumGenius 3.0 diaper.  Although, somehow, my son is still not on the highest setting in his Rocky Mountain diapers, although he is in his bumGenius diapers.  Go figure.  However, when looked at side by side (and maybe it's due to snap closure v. the aplix) they look about the same.  This diaper is very trim.  Much trimmer than other pockets I own.  And I find the pocket to be nice and wide which makes it easy for myself or my husband to stuff.

The rise adjustment system on the Rocky Mountain Diaper is unique.  It can be found in the leg casings of the diaper so you will actually have to go inside the pocket to each leg gusset to find the elastic.  On each leg elastic there are a series of snaps.  Just pull the elastic tighter or let it go looser and snap in place to adjust the fit.  Because the adjusters are in the casing there is no rubbing against baby's skin.  :)  The only thing to be careful of is that you get both legs on the same setting but that is very easy to do.  I actually like this a lot more than the FuzziBunz system as you only have to adjust the back and not the front as well.

My son is 24 lbs. and we are not in danger of him outgrowing them anytime soon.  :)  This diaper does have a low rise though, so that is something to be aware of as it may not last you through potty training.

Durability -  I bought my diapers from Rocky Mountain as seconds and they are in GREAT condition.  The suedecloth always stays nice and soft and they have held up well to many washings over the last 6 months of use.  

Although smaller in rise, I do highly recommend this diaper.  Rocky Mountain Diapers are sturdy and trim.  They stand the test of time and are super cute to boot.  

Review: smartipants OS Pocket Diapers

Diaper:  smartipants  -  $14.95 (Kelly's Closet - $13.32)

Type:  One-Size, Pocket

Materials:  PUL outer layer, snaps, suedecloth inner fabric, 1 microfiber insert

Fit:  7 - 35 lbs.

How it works:  Smartipants is a OS diaper which allows you to adjust the rise of the diaper to accommodate a growing child.  The only closure type on these diapers is snaps.  The inside of the diaper has a patented "Smart Sleeve."  This pocket differs from others in two ways:

1. The pocket is open in both the back and the front which allows you to stuff from one end and continue pulling through from the other.
2. The insert (or inserts if you double up) come out in the wash, so no need to pull out a wet insert before laundry day.

Thoughts from Amanda:

Aesthetics -  This is an incredibly trim diaper.  The fit is beautiful on my son (20.6 lbs. currently).  It is great as a diaper bag dipe since it doesn't take up too much room.  The snaps stand out since they are white, but that's okay with me.  My only qualm...more colors please!!!!  I love these diapers but I want more variety.  I'm not a fan of a whole drawer of pastel baby colors.  So, I give this diaper a 4 only because it needs more color variations, and maybe some designs too!

Functionality - I love everything about this diaper.  There is a good number of snaps at the waist and you can overlap the wings for a tight fit on a very small baby.  It is also very trim and sits close to the body which is great when trying to fit your child into clothes that were made to fit their actual size and not a giant diaper.  lol  Stuffing these pockets is a breeze.  I just push them through and one side about half way and then pull them through the other side of the "Smart Sleeve" pocket.  No more shoving an insert into a deep pocket and just feeling around to make sure it's in correctly.  I never mis-stuff with smartipants.  And how can you not love that the insert comes out on its own in the washer?!  Even with a doubler in place both will still come out, every time.  Love it!  It's also a great out and about diaper.  Being so trim it fits well in the diaper bag, doesn't take up too much room in a wet bag, and I don't have to worry about the insert being removed at any point.  

Durability - These have held up well to washing.  I do hang dry all of the outer parts of my pocket diapers so I can't really comment on time in the dryer.  The inserts stay soft and no shrinking.  :)

***I highly recommend smartipants diapers, especially if you are going to be out and about with your CDs.  It is definitely a "go to" diaper in my stash.

Review: bumGenius 3.0 OS

Diaper:  bumGenius 3.0  -  $17.95 for one diaper or you can buy them in packages which brings down the price

Type:  One-Size, Pocket

Materials:  The outside is waterproof PUL, it comes with 2 microfiber inserts - one regular and one newborn/doubler, the inside lining of the diaper is suedecloth.

Fit:  Babies 7 - 35 lbs.
How it works:  These diapers are a one-size dipe which means that the rise of the diaper is able to be adjusted through a system of snaps on the front giving it a small, medium, and large setting.  bumGenius 3.0s also have Aplix fasteners (velcro).  There is a strip of velcro across the front of the diaper to attach the velcro tabs to while the baby is wearing the diaper allowing you to adjust the size of the waist just like a disposable diaper.  Inside of the diaper is suedecloth which will wick moisture away from the baby's bottom leaving it dry, while an insert stuffed into the diaper through a pocket in the back does the absorbing.  bumGenius 3.0s come with 2 inserts.  There is one "regular" insert which can be adjusted with a series of snaps for a small, medium, and large setting.  (Large for the diaper, and for the insert, is to just leave it completely unsnapped.)   The diaper also comes with a "newborn insert" or doubler for nighttime.  Both inserts are microfiber.  For washing the Aplix tabs attach to small "laundry tabs" or squares of velcro on the inside of the diaper allowing you to leave the diaper open for proper cleaning without the velcro sticking to other items, such as inserts, in your laundry.  You do need to remove the inserts from the diaper prior to washing.


Thoughts from Natalie and Amanda:
Amanda:

Aesthetics -  They come in a good variety of cute colors.  The inner suedecloth is soft to the touch and the PUL is of good quality.  The snaps match the PUL in color which is nice, but the giant strip of velcro doesn't have the same sleek appearance as snaps across the waistline would.

Functionality - These were the diapers that my husband and I were the least timid about using upon starting CDing.  Their popularity also gave me confidence in my choice.  Stuffing the diaper takes a little practice.  You need to make sure the insert reaches all of the way to the very front of the diaper and that it is flat and not bunched anywhere.  Any mistakes in this can lead to a leak.  The velcro tabs make for a fast and easy change which can be a relief when dealing with a squirmy baby, but beware.  Tubby baby bellies can rub on the velcro tabs causing irritation when sitting so I recommend wearing these with pants or something to cover precious baby's belly.  These are pretty easy to find a good fit on your child as there aren't so many snaps that it becomes confusing, and I love that they grow with your child throughout their "diapering career."  You do have to pull the inserts out before washing which may bother those who are very easily grossed out.

Durability - There have been complaints that the velcro tabs begin to lose their stick after several months of use.  I recommend hang drying the outer part of your diaper to help the velcro last longer.  Although bumGenius recommends a spin in the dryer on warm heat to resolve this issue.  Also, curious babies or toddlers may learn that the velcro is fun to play with.  For me neither of these things has been an issue so far.  But, I guess time will tell.  I will let y'all know if something changes though.  :)

Natalie:

 Aesthetics -   I give them 3 diaper pins only because though the colors are super cute and easy to match with outfits, I like the prints. I wish Bum genius had fun prints. I am also finding that I like side snap diapers (we will discuss this later), Other than the print and side snap issues, they are cute and I think the minimal snaps makes them look less industrial.

Functionality - That's right 5 Pins on functionality. I have never in the past 8 months had a problem with these diapers working. No leaks, no mishaps, no blow outs.. nothing. They are easy to use, easy to clean and just plain easy. These are the diapers I got because they were on the website I registered on, and just got by default and because it was easy to just register rather than research myself to death in a world of unknown jibber jabber. Boy, I am glad for that. They are the best diaper to use first and to ease yourself into the diaper world. Their easiness makes it a great way to become excited about trying others.

Durability - I almost want to give them 3 1/2 stars because of the velcro curling on the tabs, but I didn't. I think a lot of the reason they are curling is because I am not very gentle with them. I throw them in the wash, and dryer and don't line dry or watch my washer/dryer temperatures. Maybe I should give them a 5? nah... 4 is good. Also, the dryer tabs where you are suppose to velcro the tabs to during wash, they only lived about 2 months before they started to shrink and no longer held the tabs, so now the tabs adhere to anything in the wash and make things nubby. annoying!