iD Expert Slip Maxi (PE) Adult Diaper Review

*For information on how I do reviews see Diaper Test Methodology

Summary

The iD Expert Slip Maxi (PE) is plastic-backed European diaper that is compact but highly absorbent. Its total padding area is relatively small but has a very high degree of absorbency per unit of padding area. It's also relatively thick and will swell to become much thicker when wet, but the padding is highly effective in preventing leakage. It should be well suited for bedwetting, absorbing at least 2 wettings without leakage laying down, and would also be great for daytime wear for those who could obscure it under clothing. I believe the plastic-backed version of this diaper was recently discontinued but it also comes in a cloth-backed format (this review only assessing the plastic-backed diaper).

Key Features:

• Plastic-backing
• Refastenable tapes
• Thick padding
• Standing inner leak barriers

Pros:

• Highly absorbent/leak-resistant
• Very durable padding
• Effective moisture channels/wicking
• Surface remains surprisingly dry after first 1~2 wettings

Cons:

• Padding area comes up a bit short (particularly at the back)
  
• Sizing is a bit on the small side
  
• Expensive/appears to be discontinued

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium-sized iD Expert Slip Maxi diaper. However, other available sizes are listed below.

Packaging

Brand: iD Expert
Manufacturer: Ontex Group
Origin: Europe
Units Per Bag: 15
Cost Per Unit: $$$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 35 cm (13.8”) x 18 cm (7.1”) x 22 cm (8.7”)
Weight: 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs)
Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Advertised Absorbency: Maxi

1.1 iD Expert Slip Maxi Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Plastic (Poly)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (parallel yellow lines down the middle, turn blue when wet)
Standing Inner Leak Guards: Yes
Leg Gathers: Yes
Product Style: Tab-Style Brief
Refastenable Tabs: Yes
Number of Tapes: 2
Repositionable Tabs: No
Outer Color: White
Inner Color: White
Front Waistband: No
Rear Waistband: No
Folded Thickness: 2.6 cm (1.02”)
Folded Length: 25 cm (9.8”)
Dry Weight: 150 g (5.3 oz)
Fragrance: Slight synthetic smell
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW):
76 cm (29.9") x 65 cm (25.6") x 29 cm (11.4") x 60 cm (23.6")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW):
58 cm (22.8") x 29 cm (11.4") x 18 cm (7.1") x 29 cm (11.4")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH):
5.5 cm (2.2") x 12 cm (4.7") x 5.5 cm (2.2") x 15 cm (5.9")  (height averaged)
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1341 cm² (208 in²)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 5 cm (2”) x 15 cm (5.9")
Tape (W x L): 2.5 cm (1") x 4.5 cm (1.77")

1.2 iD Expert Slip Maxi Diaper

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 1425 ml (50.3 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 1650 ml (58.2 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (40 s, 48 s, 45 s, 46 s, 48 s, 49 s, 50 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 6 cm (2.36 in)
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 98%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 1425 ml / 1341 cm² = 1.06 ml / cm²  (0.24 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 225 ml (7.94 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 7
Through the course of the capacity test the iD Slip diaper performed very well with an impressively even amount of moisture wicking to all parts of the diaper. The moisture channels worked just as you'd expect from a premium diaper. It also performed reasonable well at holding back surface moisture, with little moisture appearing on the paper towel test until after the 3rd wetting.

2.1 Wet vs Dry Diaper After Capacity Test

2.2 Used vs Unused Padding After Capacity Test

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Posture Tests

Standing-Sitting

Total Absorbed Volume: 1350 ml (47.6 oz)
Total Wettings: 5 (1 standing, 4 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 97%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1350 ml / 1341 cm² = 1.01 ml / cm² (0.23 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 8
The iD Slip diaper performed very well in the sit-stand test. There was no sigh of leakage and little feeling of surface moisture on the first wetting. No sign of leakage was visible upon sitting and from there it was able to take another 3 wettings without leakage. By the 3rd wetting it was noticeably damp but the wicking and leak guards were easily able to handle it and eventually the excess moisture was absorbed; likewise for the fourth wetting. Due to the relatively limited padding area this may not be a top performer but it's definitely up there with the best, you can have confidence it won't easily leak when standing or seated.


Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 1100 ml (38.8 oz)
Total Wettings: 3
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 98%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1100 ml / 1341 cm² = 0.82 ml / cm² (0.19 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 8
The iD Slip diaper was easily able to cover the first wetting laying down and again there was little feeling of surface moisture. It also handled a second wetting without leaks but became a little more damp at the backside. I feel it may have the potential to go a third wetting without leakage but during the test there was a little leakage out from the back side between the legs. With that said, this diaper performed very well on the first 2 wettings and likely could take another so I've given it a relatively high rating.

2.3 Pattern of Used vs Unused Padding Test Stand/Sit (right) / Lying Down (left)

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

This iD Slip diaper feels a bit on the small side in terms of sizing and you will notice that if you're used to many of the larger fitting medium diapers out there. The padding is compact, but highly absorbent and unlikely to leak before it hits saturation, even under modest pressure. I would recommend this diaper for use in bedwetting for its shear absorbency, but it's slightly less absorbent than it may seem in this situation because the padding comes up a bit short on its backside (could be an issue for fecal incontinence). Another plus to this diaper is how well the padding holds up. You're very unlikely to get any clumping during overnight wear and even daytime wear will resist clumping. Its superior surface dryness may also reduce the clamminess that can be a problem in some diapers. In a caregiver setting one thing to be mindful of is that the wetness indicator can be slow to respond. Given its absorbency (holds at least 3~4 wettings) and surface dryness I'd also recommend it for low activity daytime wear so long as you can account for its thickness (this is hardly the most discreet diaper out there, but not too hard to conceal either).

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 8

The iD Expert Slip Maxi (PE) would be a good choice for managing bowel incontinence. It features a very durable design, plastic backsheet and strong inner leak guards. I never had any issues with sagging and the tapes hold up very well. The only real downside is that it doesn't have waistbands so it may be a little more susceptible to odors.

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The iD Expert Slip diaper features a standard double-tape fastening mechanism that allows for the tape to be detached and reattached in the same position. These tapes or of a high quality and can be expected to hold and be refastened multiple times without failure.

3.1 iD Expert Slip Maxi Fastener

Easy-of-Use Rating: 7
Getting the right fit with the iD Expert Slip diaper can be a bit tricky with the sizing. In terms of absorbance, if you normally wear a medium-sized adult diaper this will easily fit your needs. But because the padding doesn't cover as large an area as equivalent products it will take some adjustments to ensure it has the right placement. In spite of that, the tapes are excellent and it's about what you'd expect from a tab-styled diaper for ease of application.

3.2 iD Expert Slip Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 7
The iD Slip diaper is reasonably comfortable when dry; however, the firm padding can make it hard to get a truly comfortable fit. Its comfort rating is also somewhat hit by the fact that it tends to be a bit on the small side; you'll find more skin comes directly into contact with the backsheet than the padding compared with other premium adult diapers. On the plus side, the padding is highly resistant to clumping, particularly when dry.

Comfort Rating (wet): 8
The iD Slip diaper performs very well in terms of comfort when wet, owing to the durability of its padding and effective containment of surface dampness. In a strange way it may even be more comfortable when wet as the padding softens up to a noticeable degree, but without introducing a clammy wet diaper feel (at least until it nears saturation). Moreover, assisting its comfort, you have little to worry about in terms of leaks with this diaper, the leak barriers are very effective whether sitting/standing or lying down. The only caveat I'd add here is that it can swell to become quite thick when wet, which may be uncomfortable for some. Even so, if it weren't for the fact the diaper fits a bit on the small side I would give this a 9 or 10 for comfort when wet.

3.3 iD Expert Slip Maxi Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 0.5% (topsheet), 0.5% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 7 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 10
The iD Expert Slip displays a remarkable degree of durability. It's not exactly a diaper I'd suggest for active wear because it's pretty thick and ridged, but perhaps one of a few that would likely hold up well to it. It was worn dry for over 12 hours under modest activity and showed almost no sign of deterioration (see figure 3.4). The wetness indicator was only lightly sensitive to sweat/minor dribble. The tapes also showed no signs of coming apart. This diaper does a good job at holding the padding firmly between the topsheet and backsheet to avoid clumping/tearing that can happen in other similar diapers under extended dry wear. Overall I could find any faults in its dry durability.


Durability Rating (wet): 10
This iD Slip diaper performs just as well in terms of durability when worn wet than when worn dry. After an extended test the padding was only slightly more deteriorated than its most deteriorated dry state, but still avoided clumping or tears in the padding. During the wet durability shake test it also held out quite well, not starting to come apart until the 7th shake. But I feel even that doesn't really capture how durable this diaper really is because it's designed for durability when worn and that's where it excelled. For this reason I can't help but give this diaper top marks for wet durability.

3.4 iD Expert Slip Maxi Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests

Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4 cm (1.57"), 3 cm (1.18")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 2 cm (0.79"), 1 cm (0.39")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4 cm (1.57"), 2.5 cm (0.98")

Profile Discretion Rating: 7
The iD Expert Slip diaper is surprisingly discreet given its level of absorbency. This is at least partly due to how compact the diaper is, with the backsheet only rising slightly above the pant waistband. The bulk of the padding sits below the wearer, which could lead to a slight diaper bulge but also may make it easier to conceal. I've given it a relatively high rating in terms of profile discretion because it provides excellent protection and should be relatively easy to conceal.

4.1 iD Expert Slip Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear Jeans (right)

4.2 iD Expert Slip Sweatpants Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear Sweatpants (right)

Noise

Noise Rating: 8
The iD Expert Slip diaper is very quiet as far as thick plastic-backed adult diapers go. Walking around in the diaper there was a slight crinkling noise, but it was very faint and would likely be completely masked under thicker clothing/mesh underwear. I've given it a high rating here because it would be hard to perform as well as this while also providing the excellent level of protection this diaper provides. In figure 4.3 you'll see the observed waveform of the crinkling produced by the iD Expert Slip diaper when shifting from sitting to standing multiple times in a quiet room.

4.3 iD Expert Slip Noise Profile

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 7
The iD Expert Slip has a slight synthetic (cherry-like) odor fresh out of the bag, but it is very mild and will not be noticed even in close proximity. In terms of retaining odors it performed very well, with leak barriers also doubling up as odor barriers and the padding doing an excellent job at keeping odors in and reducing surface moisture (which frequently leads to the formation of odors).