Thirsties Duo Wrap with Stay Dry Duo Insert Review

Thirsties is a Colorado company established in 2014 by Erin Kimmett. With a desire to create the perfect cloth diaper cover, Erin began creating patterns, cutting, and sewing products, all on her dining room table. With some modifications here and there, it did not take long until Thirsties grew into one of the most well-liked options on the market. Today, Thirsties remains in Colorado, and it strives to provide budget-friendly cloth diapers for families while highlighting the health and environmental importance of cloth diapering.

Performance Comparison

Likes

As a hybrid, this Thirsties diaper is straightforward to assemble and use. The liners snap together, which can help you better keep track of sets. It also helps add extra absorbency without the fuss of trying to line up the insert with each other mid-change. Another benefit is that taking apart the liner can significantly reduce dry time during the laundry process.

The Thirsties system is somewhat trim fitting, as are most hybrid diapers. We appreciate the double gussets on the leg openings on the cover and feel they add an extra measure of leak-proof security to the whole setup.

Absorbency

The Thirsties system includes a set of two inserts that snap together to provide maximum absorbency and wicking powers. The first layer is a hemp/organic cotton blend that is the real soaker. Over the top of that goes the polyester terry cloth layer that wicks away any remaining moisture and keeps the baby nice and dry. The cozy microfleece lining is something we imagine would be comfortable to sit in for hours at a time. Its primary purpose is to keep the baby dry, but the fact that it is also impressively cushy is a bonus.

We think you will especially appreciate this diaper if you have a heavy wetter on your hands. The cover allows for multiple inserts and is still roomy enough to fit comfortably around all the fabric. Depending on your child's absorbency needs, this ability provides versatility and customization.

Dislikes

The Duo Wrap scores below average for comfort. The fabric that hems the cover feels like it could get itchy, and there are exposed snaps on the inside that left red marks on our little tester's belly after being worn for a while. Additionally, the insert does not reach both ends of the cover, causing parts of the cover to be uncovered and against the baby's skin. While these issues didn't seem to bother our little tester, we didn't have to worry about them with other diapers.

While we did not experience any leaks when using this diaper, the fit is something we constantly adjusted and could never quite get right. This problem was partially due to the single row of waist snaps, rather than the two, which we prefer. Although the cover was the correct size for our tester, it seemed like the fabric was bunching and gapping around the waist. While this extra fabric makes the cover versatile, there are certainly some drawbacks if you do not need to stuff it to the max every time.

Like most hybrid-style diapers, the inserts are free-floating. Although they snap together to lessen the amount of traveling they might do, having loose inserts means messes may also get on the cover. If they pair well, they can add a touch of convenience to your life. After a diaper change, you can toss the insert into the diaper pail, wipe down the cover, and reuse it; essentially, it cuts back on laundry and extends the life of your diaper. However, if they don't, you may be dealing with a mess.

Should You Buy the Thirsties Duo Wrap and Stay Dry Duo Insert?

The Thirsties Duo Wrap and Stay Dry Duo Insert is an ideal pair for anyone looking for a diaper that allows for buildable absorbency and fantastic wicking properties. We were impressed with the performance of the liner and love that the sized cover offers a customizable fit while also being roomy enough to handle a lot of bulky inserts. It is one of the easiest diapers to assemble and use. If these all sound like things you have been searching for in a cloth diaper, look no further; Thirsties is here for you. Individually, the components of this diaper seem relatively low cost, but you must buy both parts separately. You may spend a bit more as it is a sized diaper, and you will want an adequately fitted diaper for your baby's age. Luckily, you will only have to replace the covers, as the inserts will fit in any Thirsties cloth diaper covers. The actual savings lay in the reduced laundry. A hybrid system can cut your diaper laundry nearly in half, saving you time, water, and detergent.

What Other Cloth Diaper Should You Consider?

This contender used to be an award-winning cloth diaper because it offers outstanding absorption and is very easy to use compared to the competition. However, it struggles for fit and leak protection, preventing it from earning an award this go around. If functionality is your priority and you don't mind a little more involved process, the Rumparooz Pocket may be a good fit. It has impressive absorbency and fit, but the design isn't as straightforward. If ease of use is a priority, but you don't want to sacrifice fit or leak protection, the Flip with Stay Dry Insert offers a great all-around diaper with above-average results in every metric. The Flip is an easy-to-use hybrid diaper that is also easy to clean.