I have had to use absorbent briefs for 30 years so far for incontinence.  I have always had to make choices.  Some products protect well but look horrible.  I've worked hard to stay fit even in my middle age and I don't want to look like I'm wearing a diaper.  Many disposable products protect well and look decent... However, I will probably use them for 50 years in total and I just can't stand what my contribution would be to the landfills using disposables that long.

I wanted to share this because Ecoables have changed my life for the better. I spent a lot of time writing this review because I am hoping that anyone who has to deal with incontinence can see their life made better by this product too. I used to choose disposables because I had to in order to maintain dignity… I don’t have to any more.

I've tried every new diaper or reusable pad/pant system I can find but none has ever been able to provide protection I could wear out in public and trust that they would not be noticed whether by being too thick to begin with or by leaking.   I've outlined some of the key performance factors of these diapers as compared to disposables and other cloth diapers below. 

To help those of you who are incontinent understand my usage perspective, I have to wear diapers 24x7 due to overflow and urge incontinence.  I have a nerve disorder that causes my bladder to contract violently and suddenly resulting in fairly large surges. I have to use pull-ups or full-blown diapers.  I can't get away with pads or guards - the surges are too large.

If you are interested after you read this, feel free to use my referral link.  You'll get $10 off your first order.  Complete disclosure, I will also get $10 off next time I have to reorder.  I hope this is a win-win.  I am not writing this to make money but to help all of you and the $10 off wouldn't do me any good if I didn't use a lot of these diapers. http://ecoable.refr.cc/234EZRE 

 Cover - completely waterproof with double gussets. Other reusables will leak around the sides of legs as wetness - these do not.  The cover is as reliable as any disposable pull-up or diaper I have used.

Quiet - there is no rustle or crinkle.  This is consistent with most modern reusables, pull-ups and quality diapers.

Thickness - this is the primary driver of discreetness as far as I am concerned. It is also a driver of comfort as I don't think anyone wants bulkiness between legs or an extra bulge in front or back.  The bamboo insert is amazing.  It is not thick but incredibly absorbent.  The diaper cover is about as thick as normal underwear.  The result is a very thin diaper that is about as thick as a pair of Tena or Depend pull-ups when wet (disposables are thinner when dry but cloth doesn't swell - most disposables do)

Weight – This is an indirect measure of comfort, discretion and absorbency. To me, lower weights are better if the performance is there. Ecoable come in at about 275 grams combined. Most reusables with similar absorbency are around 500grams.  Disposables with similar absorbency are usually between 75 and 100 grams

Absorbency – There are two points that I think are important for absorbency 1) when you start to feel uncomfortable from being wet and 2) when you risk leaking.  This determines how long I can go before I want to and have to change.  The bamboo in this product wicks incredibly well and feels dry to about 300ml.  Coincidentally, this is about the same point as Depend pull-ups and Tena super plus underwear. It’s more than any other reusable I’ve tried of similar thickness.  Leak point… These have consistently held over 600ml (sometimes as much as 750ml) of liquid with no leaks.  They are really uncomfortable at that point but they keep me from being humiliated. Disposable pull-ups are good for no more than 400ml and really are likely to fail anytime above 350ml.

Acquisition – Since I deal with surges, the acquisition time is key – liquid running around in your pants unabsorbed is a recipe for disaster.  Hands down, the Ecoables are amazing.  I’ve not yet experienced a surge they couldn’t handle when dry. This is far better than disposables.

Comfort – Extremely soft and comfortable. Only slightly more noticeable that you are wearing a product than a disposable.  As good as any other reusable.

Cost – They are not cheap at the outset but are saving me hundreds.  I’ve switched over completely.  I do laundry every 3 days.  To do this I had to buy 9 covers and 27 inserts. That is $750.  Since I hang dry, I figure a load of laundry is about 50 cents and I expect these to last about 2 years before they need to be replaced.  That means I will spend $865 over 2 years on diapers. I was using 1-2 diapers and 4-5 pull-ups a day when using disposables at a cost of about $5.50/day or almost $4,000 over two years.  I will find amazing things to do with over $3,000 back… and I know I am doing better for the environment

Convenience – The Ecoables are more convenient to change in public than a pull-up.  You do need a good wet bag to store them in but you can change in a stall with your pants and shoes on. They are just as convenient as a taped diaper but far more discreet (no rustling or taping).

Sizing – I have a 33” waist and the regulars fit great.  There is a lot of room to expand so I would assume Ecoables sizing is correct.  I like the option to snap them to a shorter crotch length (won’t peak out over pants) for daytime wear and then expand them for night.