*For more information on how I do reviews see Diaper Test Methodology
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Summary
The Depend Real-Fit Maximum is a protective underwear style product best suited for light-moderate urinary incontinence. Although this blog has focused extensively on adult diapers, there are a broad range of adult protective underwear products available. Thanks to a generous donation, I’m kicking this category of reviews with the Depend Real-Fit Maximum. Protective underwear products tend to be less absorbent than adult diapers and typically aren’t suited for full loss of bladder or bowel control. Ideally, with protective underwear you’ll want to be able to wear it for an extended period of time to handle smaller leaks or continuous light dribble and change when home, because changing them in public restrooms may be challenging given you need to remove your pants to change. The Depend lineup of products includes the three main categories for incontinence management, with pads like the Depend Male Guard and diapers like the Depend Protection with Tabs. These products are produced by Kimberly Clark, which also produces youth protective underwear including Goodnites and Pull-Ups. Like its youth brand equivalents, the Depend line of products is quite well marketed and widely available in stores in many parts of the world.This is a gendered product, targeted at male wearers with absorbent padding focused up further up the front where it will be most helpful for daily wear. During testing, I found the Depend Real-Fit to be comparable to regular underwear in terms of fit and feel. It’s quite soft and exceptionally breathable. This is a protective underwear you could easily wear for your daily routine without much resistance and a high degree of discretion. That said, it has a very limited capacity and can be quite susceptible to leaks with voids over 200 ml (6.7 oz). It could be a great choice for conditions like urinary stress or overflow incontinence. The padding has a very abrupt cutoff at the rear, so it won’t be a good choice for bowel incontinence. The padding itself is quite similar to what you’ll find in a Depend Male Guard. Interestingly, the padding design and waist structure differ significantly from the Goodnites design, suggesting a different manufacturing process. The sizing in the Depend Real-Fit is somewhat limited, with only S-M and L-XL versions. It makes up for this limitation by being highly elastic and form fitting, though some at the fringes of the targeted waist/weight range may find it tough to get the fit they’re looking for. In spite of its limited absorbency, it can absorb a surprising amount (nearly 500 ml (16.9 oz)) if leakage occurs slowly. Moreover, the padding is quite resistant to surface dampness and also seems to have a good resistance against pressout moisture. All in all, if you’re looking for a product with similar function to an incontinence pad like a guard, but want a bit more protection, longer duration of wear or perhaps more comfort, then this would be a good choice, but it isn’t suitable for those with full bladder loose or use for lying down/bedwetting (given the limited padding coverage up the rear).
Key Features:
- Cloth-like backsheet
- Flexible elastic waist
- 4 in 1 Skinguard
Pros:
- Comfortable and breathable
- Highly discreet
- Resistant to surface dampness
- Highly flexible/durable
Cons:
- Low absorbency
- No standing inner leak guards
- Limited sizing (just S-M/L-XL)
Product Details
For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the small/medium-sized Depend Real-Fit Protective Underwear. However, other available sizes are listed below:
Packaging
Brand: Depend
Manufacturer: Kimberly-Clark Corp
Origin: USA
Units Per Bag: 14
Cost Per Unit: $$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 26 cm (10.2") x 11 cm (4.3") x 20 cm (7.9")
Weight: 0.8 kg (1.8 lbs)
Available Sizes: S-M,L-XL
Advertised Absorbency: Maximum
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| 1.1 Depend Real-Fit Packaging |
Diaper
Backsheet: Cloth-like (non-woven)
Wetness Indicator: No
Standing Inner Leak Guards: No
Leg Gathers: Yes
Product Style: Protective Underwear
Refastenable Tabs: No
Number of Tapes: N/A
Repositionable Tabs: Yes
Outer Color: Light Grey (dark grey waistband)
Inner Color: Dark Grey (light grey lining and white pad with light blue markings)
Front Waistband: Yes
Rear Waistband: Yes
Folded Thickness: 2 cm (0.79")
Folded Length: 21 cm (8.3")
Dry Weight: 60 g (2.1 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 69 cm (27.2") x 38 cm (15") x 16 cm (6.3") x 33 cm (13")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Connected, Connected
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 38 cm (15") x 14 cm (5.5") x 8 cm (3.2") x 12 cm (4.7")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 3 cm (1.2") x 12 cm (4.7") x 2 cm (0.8") x 5 cm (2")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 396 cm2 (61 in2)
Tape (W x L): 17 cm (6.7") x 0.5 cm (0.2")
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| 1.2 Depend Real-Fit Protective Underwear |
Laboratory Absorbency Tests
Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 490 ml (17.3 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 490 ml (17.3 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (36 s, 38 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 4.5 cm (1.8")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 100%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 1.24 ml / cm2 (0.28 oz / in2)
Press Out Volume: 0 ml (0 oz)
Surface Dampness Rating: 7
The Depend Real-Fit performed strongly in terms of resisting surface dampness. During the lab test it showed little-to-no moisture on the paper towel after two wettings, at which point the padding had effectively reached capacity. Moreover, there was little hint of pressout moisture when testing for that after the capacity test (though initial pooling cause some to leak to the sides before that). I found the same to be true in real world testing, where moisture was generally not noticeable unless it was pushed to the point of leakage and even then it was the area around the padding, not the padding itself, where you’d notice it.
 
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| 2.1 Wet vs Dry Diaper After Capacity Test |
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| 2.2 Used vs Unused Padding After Capacity Test |
"Real World" Absorbency Tests
Posture Tests
Standing-Sitting
Total Absorbed Volume: 415 ml (14.6 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing)
Leaked After Sitting: Yes
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 86%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1.05 ml / cm2 (0.24 oz / in2)
Standing-Sitting Rating: 1
The Depend Real-Fit is better suited for light-moderate urinary incontinence and shouldn’t be expected to handle a full wetting. During testing it leaked on the first wetting while standing before I even had a chance to sit. Moisture quickly worked its way toward the rear and, with the absence of standing inner leak guards or significant rear padding, it was able to hit the leg gathers and leak out through the mid-leg gathers. I didn’t continue to sit after because the leak was already clear, though the padding that did manage to lock away moisture seemed reasonably durable against surface dampness and the padding didn’t have a feeling that might be more susceptible to pressout. At the end of the test there was also still a dry region at the very front of the padding, suggesting the potential for a little more capacity. This protective underwear is very durable and will hold out well for daily wear, but don’t expect it to manage a full wetting. Think of the performance as being more like what you’d get from a highly absorbent male guard.
Lying Down
Total Absorbed Volume: 340 ml (12 oz)
Total Wettings: 1
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 73%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.86 ml / cm2 (0.20 oz / in2)
Lying Down Rating: 1
I wouldn’t recommend the Depend Real-Fit for bedwetting or use when lying down. The padding doesn’t extend far up the rear so performance and usage is more in line with what you might expect from a male guard. Nevertheless, I put it through a test. As expected there was a substantial leak on the first wetting with moisture running down the rear and escaping from the back as well as some pushing up the front and escaping through the wings. There was still a fair amount of unused padding further up the front so, again, the potential exists for further absorption but you might only hit near it if you had a continuous slow dribble. Even in that case, I’d suggest this is a product better suited for daily usage.
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| 2.3 Pattern of Used vs Unused Padding Test Stand/Sit (right) Lying Down (left) |
Daily Wear and Bedwetting
The Depend Real-Fit Maximum made for a bit of a different review experience than typical when I evaluate for product effectiveness in daily wear and bedwetting. This protective underwear clearly isn’t designed for bedwetting and I didn’t put it to the test in that case. That’s not to say that it couldn’t work if you have minor drips and dribbles during the night, but just that it won’t take a full void (particularly while in bed) so I didn’t take any chances on this one. However, as I only have occasional light drips or dribbles during the day, and this protective underwear was more than absorbent enough for those, I was able to assess it for the daily wear case. I received a helpful suggestion on how to get a better fit with this underwear by pulling across the padding horizontally to stretch the leg gathers before wear and that turned out to be quite useful in getting a comfortable fit. Though I will note that the fit takes some getting used to depending on what you regularly wear. The leg gathers sit relatively low on the thighs and the lack of inner leak guards mean there will be a wider fit around the crotch. However, the front padding is wide enough that it won’t hinder performance or easily allow leaks to escape to the sides. I believe this also contributes to the breathable feel of the Depend Real-Fit. During my daily wear I never came close to feeling any dampness in the padding. The padding in this protective underwear has a layer that blocks absorbed moisture from making it back outward where it can contact the skin. The only exception would be for leaks that run to the leak guards where it could feel damp; I never experienced that in regular wear, only when I tried to push it to the point of leaking. The only thing I noticed was that the padding can become a little coarser after an extended period of wear and that may cause some irritation if active, though this isn’t necessarily unique to this product. The material makeup of the Depend Real-Fit is highly elastic so it won’t resist at all during exercise or movements that might be problematic in an adult diaper. Also I didn’t notice any chafing or irritation from any part of this underwear even after jogging in it. I also found it incredibly discreet, even without wearing meshpants or regular underwear over top. Again comparable to the level of discretion you’d get from a pad in regular underwear, if not more so, because the built-in pad means less layers of overlap compared with a male guard under thicker underwear. With all that said, I’ll note again that there’s very little padding at the rear and if you suffer bowel incontinence this will give you minimal protection. It’s well suited for daily wear when dealing with voids below 200 ml (6.7 oz). Its price point runs relatively high vs male guards (at least double~triple the price), so if you do go with these you’ll want to use them for a longer duration of wear.Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 1
The Depend Real-Fit isn’t designed for handling fecal incontinence, though it may work better than a male guard because the padding reaches very slightly up the rear. It being cloth-backed and lacking standing leak guards would also be detrimental to handling fecal incontinence. I really wouldn’t recommend it for this purpose.
Wear & Tear Tests
Fitting
The Depend Real-Fit has a highly flexible protective underwear design with a cloth-like backsheet. To change it you simply pull it up and down like regular underwear. The connected sides have some similarities to Goodnites while the absorbent pad is quite similar to an extended Depend Male Guard. The waistband in this underwear differs from the Goodnites fit in that it’s consistent all the way around and more like a thicker version of the side connector material than a well defined waistband. Also, while this underwear does have fairly snug leg gathers, it doesn’t have standing inner leak guards. In terms of sizing, I’d say it runs about average to perhaps slightly above. I found the rise above the waist to be a bit higher than I expected and the S-M felt a little large on me but not overwhelmingly so. The sizing on the package of this underwear is notable in that it gives a fit range for waist, hips and weight whereas most products only show one of the three.
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| 3.1 Depend Real-Fit Fastener |
Ease-of-Use Rating: 8
This protective underwear is quite user friendly. The design is highly flexible and form fitting so it’s easy to get a snug fit for a wide range of body sizes. The package is helpful in that it gives multiple dimensions by which to judge your appropriate size, though it’s relatively limited in terms of sizing with only S-M and L-XL Importantly, this underwear has a distinct “back” label on the inside to make it clear how it should be pulled up. The padding in this underwear has a form like a guard with the majority of the padding running up the front and the widest padding toward the top, while it gets quite thin below the rear then cuts off well short of the rear waistline. The lack of standing inner leak guards will be problematic if one were to have a bowel accident in these and it would be difficult to change. The other thing to note is that you’ll need to remove your pants to change these just like you would regular underwear. This underwear comes wrapped pretty tightly with the leg gathers folded inward; I received helpful advice to pull it horizontally at the padded area to get a better fit, which turned out to improve its function and comfort. It should also be noted that this underwear doesn’t have a wetness indicator, so may not be the best choice for a care environment. Otherwise, I would suggest treating these similar to incontinence pads in terms of how they should be used but keeping in mind you’d need to fully remove them to change them. They won’t handle a full wetting, but may provide more comfort than a stand alone incontinence pad as the padding won’t shift or slide off with movement.
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| 3.2 Depend Real-Fit Protective Underwear Fit |
Comfort
Comfort Rating (dry): 9
I found the Depend Real-Fit to be highly comfortable. When first worn, this protective underwear hardly feels different from regular underwear. It does have a bit more of a roomy feel to it, but that also contributes to the breathable feeling. It feels a little strange if you’re accustomed to standard underwear or protective underwear/diapers with inner leg guards that reach higher up the thigh. The design is highly flexible with an elastic stretchy material that circles around the entire pad. The padding itself is quite soft, though not the softest on the market. Again it feels like an extended Depend Male Guard. I found initially it will be soft, but it can become a bit coarser over time, which may cause skin irritation during activity. The pad is thin but has some density so it won’t give you that “fluffy” feel you’ll get in some diapers or protective underwear. On the plus side, this dense padding holds its form very well and won’t noticeably clump or tear even during more strenuous activities. It will also readily dissipate heat and is unlikely to feel clammy even in warm weather.
Comfort Rating (wet): 9
Given the nature of this product you’re unlikely to have a large enough volume of leakage to ever notice it too much when wet. That said, during my testing I allowed for more leakage than I typically would during daily wear and found even after a substantial leak the underwear felt quite dry and breathable. The padding will noticeably swell but remains very resilient to deterioration. It felt like there was a slight amount of sagging, but it may have been more due to the larger fit. What was very apparent during testing was the remarkable ability of the padding in this underwear to lock away moisture and prevent surface dampness. With smaller drips and dribbles you won’t really notice the dampness at all. For its intended usage in relation to male guards I rank this underwear as a top performer when it comes to wet comfort.
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| 3.3 Depend Real-Fit Topsheet and Backsheet |
Durability
Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 2% (topsheet), 7.9% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 2 shakes to deterioration
Durability Rating (dry): 9
The Depend Real-Fit is highly durable as you might expect with its extensive elastic design. I was able to run and exercise in these without feeling any significant resistance. Additionally, I didn’t notice any significant clumping or tearing of the padding after all that activity. During the dry durability test it held out incredibly well. The only minor thing I noted was that the elastic material that stretches around the waist can become a bit overstretched with time and might not hold out as well. It never gets to the point where it feels like it’s going to slide off but it can slide around a little more after extended wear then it would at the start. That said, simple actions like pulling it up and down don’t cause any weakness and can be done numerous times unhindered.
Durability Rating (wet): 8
The Depend Real-Fit is generally quite durable in both its wet and dry state. I wouldn’t say there’s a substantial difference. Like the dry state, I did find that over time the flexible material holding it up can start to lose some of its elasticity and may result in a slight sag. I wouldn’t say that was too noticeable, but if you ever got into a state where it was near capacity when wet it may start pulling down the underwear. The only other thing I noticed was perhaps a slight amount of perspiration through the cloth-like backsheet. It was hard to tell for sure if that was really coming through the backsheet or just slipped around the leg gathers but I did notice a slight amount of moisture at times. Otherwise, the padding held up very well when wet without any obvious clumping or tearing to speak of.
 
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| 3.4 Depend Real-Fit Dry Test Deterioration |
Discretion Tests
Profile
Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 2.5 cm (1"), 3 cm (1.2")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 2.5 cm (1"), 2.5 cm (1")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 3 cm (1.2"), 2.5 cm (1")
Profile Discretion Rating: 10
The Depend Real-Fit has a slim profile that’s virtually indistinguishable from regular underwear. It has a slight rise above the waist but the material just looks like a regular underwear waistband. It’s not the most snug fitting, however, because it’s so thin it will fold into whatever you’re wearing above it. I doubt you could get much more discreet than this, thus the top rating.
  
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| 4.1 Depend Real-Fit Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right) |
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| 4.2 Depend Real-Fit Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right) |
Noise
Noise Rating: 10
It would be hard to beat this protective underwear in terms of noise discretion. I never noticed much noise at all when sitting, standing and walking. The backsheet is a flexible cloth-like material that produces very little resistance. The textured material may even dampen what little sound the moisture impermeable backsheet above the padding could produce. You’re highly unlikely to notice any noise from this underwear.
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| 4.3 Depend Real-Fit Noise Profile |
Odor Reduction
Odor Reduction Rating: 7
For its rather limited absorbency, the Depend Real-Fit seems to have padding that’s well suited to locking away odors. It’s highly resistant to surface dampness and I can’t say I noticed odors during testing (though once again, this underwear will not manage a full wetting without leaks). That said, the highly breathable design and rather loose fit would make it easy for any odors that form to escape.
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