Sunday 13 December 2020

NorthShore Supreme Adult Diaper Review

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

Summary

The NorthShore Supreme is a high quality European diaper manufactured for the NorthShore Care Supply incontinence retailer. I found its construct to be quite similar to the iD Expert Slip (PE) and the Drylife SlipSuper, yet it seems to be a bit more absorbent than its counterparts. This diaper is plastic-backed and is available in white, blue, green and purple backsheets. They also sell a similar product with a cloth-like backing and another plastic-backed diaper called the MegaMax that’s made in China and sells at a far higher price for advertised extra absorbency.

These diapers aren’t widely available outside of the US, although it seems the retailer at least has some limited options for international shipping. My first impression before I even opened the bag was that these diapers are dense, they aren’t incredibly thick but you will feel the thickness when wearing them. That said the plastic is quite soft and it can reliably handle 3~4 wettings before leaking depending on how it's worn, making it well suited for day or night usage. If you live at a location where these can be easily purchased I highly recommend giving them a try.

Key Features:

  • Plastic backsheet
  • Rear waistband
  • Wide refastenable tapes

Pros:

  • Highly absorbent padding
  • Resists surface dampness
  • Very durable padding/backsheet
  • Snug fit/no sagging

Cons:

  • Not particularly discreet
  • High unit cost
  • Limited availability


Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium-sized NorthShore Supreme diaper. However, other available sizes are listed below:


Packaging

Brand: NorthShore
Manufacturer: NorthShore Care Supply
Origin: France
Units Per Bag: 15
Cost Per Unit: $$$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 31 cm (12.2") x 19 cm (7.5") x 24 cm (9.5")
Weight: 2.2 kg (4.7 lbs)
Available Sizes: XS,S,M,L,XL
Advertised Absorbency: Maximum


1.1 NorthShore Supreme Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Plastic (Poly)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (yellow line/blue text down middle, line blue when wet/text fades)
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: Yes
Folded Thickness: 2.5 cm (1")
Folded Length: 24 cm (9.5")
Dry Weight: 192 g (6.8 oz)
Fragrance: None
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 77.5 cm (30.5") x 67 cm (26.4") x 29 cm (11.4") x 61 cm (24")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 62 cm (24.4") x 29 cm (11.4") x 18 cm (7.1") x 28 cm (11")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 5.5 cm (2.2") x 11 cm (4.3") x 5 cm (2") x 13 cm (5.1")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1367 cm2 (212 in2)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 3.5 cm (1.4") x 13.5 cm (5.3")
Tape (W x L): 3 cm (1.2") x 5 cm (2")

1.2 NorthShore Supreme Diaper


Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 1308 ml (46.1 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 1408 ml (49.7 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (49 s, 35 s, 39 s, 38 s, 44 s, 45 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 6 cm (2.4")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 91%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.96 ml / cm2 (0.22 oz / in2)
Press Out Volume: 100 ml (3.5 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 8
The NorthShore Supreme proved very resilient to surface dampness during the capacity test, with only minor hints of moisture showing up in the first 3 wettings. During the real world testing I also found that surface dampness was rarely an issue. It was comparable to the Drylife SlipSuper in this regard.


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: 1508 ml (53.2 oz)
Total Wettings: 5 (1 standing, 4 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 98%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1.1 ml / cm2 (0.25 oz / in2)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 9
The NorthShore Supreme proved highly absorbent during the standing-sitting test. All moisture was absorbed rapidly when standing with no pooling and no sign of leakage or squishiness upon sitting. The second wetting while seated was again absorbed rapidly with moisture wicking up the diaper’s frontside but little sensation of dampness or clamminess. On the third wetting while seated it felt a little closer to saturation as there was more pooling and it took longer to absorb, but eventually the excess moisture was wicked and contained by the padding. The diaper didn’t exactly feel damp at this point, but had noticeably swollen in size. On the fourth wetting the diaper felt close to capacity but more moisture was blocked by the leak guards and able to channel to the rear so leakage was avoided. The diaper was clearly saturated on the fifth wetting and moisture was able to make it into the non padded sides; however, it didn’t leak immediately due to the diapers strong plastic-backing and leak-resistant structure. When it finally did leak, a relatively small amount of moisture escaped through the leak guards near the diaper’s crotch, but the padding and structure managed to capture most of the fifth wetting and, surprisingly, once absorbed it didn’t feel like sitting in a puddle. It wasn’t quite at the level of the BetterDry/Crinklz diaper, but I feel this diaper could reliably handle 3 or maybe even 4 daytime wettings without having to worry about leaks.


Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 1608 ml (56.7 oz)
Total Wettings: 4
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 100%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1.2 ml / cm2 (0.27 oz / in2)

Lying Down Rating: 9
The NorthShore Supreme performed well for lying down absorbency, the first wetting was absorbed rapidly and the moisture was barely noticeable. During the second wetting there was a bit more dampness as moisture pushed up the front of the diaper; this diaper has relatively stiff padding so it’s important that it’s positioned in a way that allows moisture to channel to the diaper’s back. It took a little longer for the second wetting to be fully absorbed but after it was the moisture was barely perceivable. The third wetting was handled similarly to the second, with more channeling to the back of the diaper. There was more moisture apparent at the rear of the diaper at this point. By the fourth wetting the padding quickly became saturated and moisture spilled out from the back with significant leakage. This diaper showed a remarkable capacity for laying down but I feel the test may have somewhat over-represented what you could typically expect for capacity based on how saturated the diaper became; for this reason I rate it at a 9 rather than a 10 for absorbency when lying down and feel it’s best suited for up to 3 wettings.

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


Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The NorthShore Supreme proved to be highly absorbent during testing. In fact, by the test averages alone it was the second most absorbent diaper tested so far after the BetterDry/Crinklz diaper, although whether it leaks before the ConfiDry 24/7 would likely be down to positioning (the ConfiDry did better in some tests). It performed well for both bedwetting and daily usage, with slightly better performance for daily usage. The padding seems to be weighted more heavily to the front of the diaper like the Drylife SlipSuper, which could explain the better performance for daily usage. Also, oddly enough leaks sometimes occurred when sitting down in the morning after it had been worn for bedwetting the previous night. I weighed the diaper in one instance and found it was far below other measured capacities at around 1000ml (33.8 oz). The leaks occurred at the rear leg gathers and might have something to do with that area of rear padding saturating there and being unable to withstand the pressout from sitting. Another potential issue to watch out for is the padding stiffness, it sometimes wants to fold inward and can lead to inefficient moisture channeling and faster leakage. I feel this diaper can confidently be worn for bedwetting and never was awoken by a wetting or could even tell whether it was wet or not without looking at it in the morning. For daily usage I didn’t have any issues with chafing because the backsheet is super soft, but the stiffness does somewhat limit mobility and this would be a tough one to hide in public so it may be best suited for usage around home. One other thing I noticed during daily wear was that it didn’t feel much larger when wet even though it clearly will swell in size. If you can make it work as a daily wear diaper it’s among the most durable on the market so you won’t have to worry about it breaking down or coming loose on you.


Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 9

The NorthShore Supreme diaper should generally perform well for bowel containment. It ticks most of the right boxes, having a plastic-backsheet, inner leak guards, a snug rear waistband and a durable structure. It should do a good job at reducing the impact of odors. The main downside being that the rear padding coverage is somewhat less than you may prefer for extra security.

 

Wear & Tear Tests


Fitting

The NorthShore Supreme features a refastenable double-tape system with fairly large, easy-to-use tapes. The tapes are of high quality and will hold up for an extended period of time.


3.1 NorthShore Supreme Fastener

 

Ease-of-Use Rating: 8

The sizing of the NorthShore Supreme is similar to that of the Drylife SlipSuper, in that it runs slightly on the small side. Likewise, the padding can be a bit stiff so it’s important to make sure it doesn’t bunch up in an undesirable way. Otherwise the tapes are convenient and it has a rear waistband, which helps achieve a snug fit. The plastic backsheet is also soft and flexible and won’t put up resistance during a change.

3.2 NorthShore Supreme Fit

Comfort


Comfort Rating (dry): 8
The NorthShore Supreme has relatively stiff padding like the iD Expert Slip (PE) or Drylife SlipSuper, but it has a rear waistband and has a snug comfortable fit. The padding around the diaper’s crotch is relatively wide so you do need to watch for bunching. I’ll also add that when you wear this diaper you will very much feel that you’re wearing a diaper, which may detract from comfort for some. The plastic-backsheet is a softer/flexible material that’s unlikely to cause irritation when in contact with the wearer’s skin. Overall, there’s not much to complain about in terms of comfort but I wouldn’t rank it among the highest performers for comfort when dry.


Comfort Rating (wet): 8
The NorthShore Supreme may actually be a little more comfortable when slightly wet because it resists surface dampness but at the same time the padding becomes a little softer and more flexible when wet. Again I feel it is most similar to the Drylife SlipSuper in this regard and the padding stays relatively firm regardless of how wet it is. This diaper does feel noticeably thick, particularly when wet so that may be an issue for some, but it provides a high degree of protection as a tradeoff. It also does a great job at retaining its snug fit and doesn’t sag.

3.3 NorthShore Supreme Topsheet and Backsheet


Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 0.53% (topsheet), 1.09% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 3 shakes to deterioration


Durability Rating (dry): 10
The NorthShore Supreme proved incredibly durable during the dry durability test, another similarity with the iD Expert Slip (PE) and the Drylife Slip Super. After the dry durability test there was very little padding deterioration and none in the key portions of padding. This was after an extended period of over 10 hours of wear. There wasn’t so much as a hint of padding tearing or clumping. Moreover, the tapes were excellent, they have a fairly large surface area and didn’t give out or slide during the test.


Durability Rating (wet): 10
The NorthShore Supreme’s wet durability mirrored its dry durability. Again there was no padding tearing or clumping even with the extra weight on the padding. The structure of the diaper held out great as well, and I’ve never observed any sagging even after several wettings. The rear waistband is a nice little feature that assists with the snug fit when the padding becomes heavier. I can’t find anything to fault in this diaper for wet durability and thus another perfect score.

3.4 NorthShore Supreme Diaper Dry Test Deterioration


Discretion Tests


Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 5.5 cm (2.2"), 6.5 cm (2.6")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 6 cm (2.4"), 5 cm (2")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 2.5 cm (1"), 2.5 cm (1")

Profile Discretion Rating: 5
The NorthShore Supreme is very similar to the Drylife SlipSuper when it comes to profile, it has a fairly visible diaper bulge on both the front and especially the back. The padding is stiff so you would need pretty tight fitting clothing underneath to hide it. It also rises slightly higher above the pantline than the Drylife diaper, but I didn’t feel it was enough to warrant a lower rank. Otherwise it has a snug fit and doesn’t sag when wet so it may be more discreet than some diapers when wet.


4.1 NorthShore Supreme Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 NorthShore Supreme Sweatpants Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

Noise

Noise Rating: 6
The NorthShore Supreme produces a distinctive crinkling noise when worn while walking. It may be possible to dampen this a little by wearing underwear or mesh pants but it would be hard to cover it up completely.

4.3 NorthShore Supreme Noise Profile

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 9
Odors were never an issue when testing the NorthShore Supreme diaper. It’s up there with the best in terms of reducing odors and the remarkable resistance to surface dampness likely plays a part. This diaper doesn’t have any detectable fragrance and has a rear waistband, which could be beneficial for those with bowel incontinence.


Want to give the NorthShore Supreme Briefs a try?

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Abena Delta-Form M3 Adult Diaper Review

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

Summary

The Abena Delta-Form M3 provides the maximum level of available absorbency in Abena’s Delta-Form line of products; unlike the Abri-Form line, which goes up to M4. The Delta-Form used to be plastic-backed but has since moved to a cloth-backed design and seems slightly less absorbent. The padding is very similar to the Abri-Form M4, but less absorbent. It has the same issues with surface dampness and padding deterioration but is otherwise pretty comfortable.

This diaper has a pretty good wicking ability but the surface dampness issues can make it feel a bit clammy when wet. I also have concerns about the cloth-like backsheet permeating moisture, although it was never obvious during testing. It actually reminds me a bit of the old green Tena Super, with this being more absorbent. I found this diaper hard to classify, it looks like it should be up there with the premium adult diapers by appearance and thickness, yet its absorbency is more in line with mid-range diapers like the Tranquility ATN (generally good for 1~2 wettings). In terms of pricing this diaper falls within the bottom of the premium range of adult diapers. If you can find it for a decent price it may be worth trying out; at regular price I don’t feel it provides a great value for the cost.

Key Features:

  • Cloth-like (non-woven backsheet)
  • Blue backsheet
  • Repositionable tapes

Pros:

  • Thick/soft flexible padding
  • Breathable design
  • Relatively quiet/discreet for its size

Cons:

  • Padding easily deteriorates
  • Some issues with surface dampness


Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium-sized Abena Delta-Form M3 diaper. However, other available sizes are listed below:


Packaging

Brand: Delta-Form
Manufacturer: Abena A/S
Origin: Denmark
Units Per Bag: 15
Cost Per Unit: $$$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 39 cm (15.4") x 16 cm (6.3") x 26 cm (10.2")
Weight: 2.3 kg (5 lbs)
Available Sizes: M,L,XL
Advertised Absorbency: Maximum


1.1 Delta-Form M3 Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Cloth-like (non-woven)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (double yellow lines down middle, 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: Yes
Outer Color: Light blue
Inner Color: White (light blue leg gathers/outline around padding)
Front Waistband: No
Rear Waistband: No
Folded Thickness: 2.7 cm (1.1")
Folded Length: 26 cm (10.2")
Dry Weight: 150 g (5.3 oz)
Fragrance: None
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 83 cm (32.7") x 66 cm (26") x 27.5 cm (11.2") x 66 cm (26")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 70 cm (27.6") x 30.5 cm (12") x 19 cm (7.5") x 35 cm (13.8")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 5.8 cm (2.3") x 15 cm (5.9") x 8 cm (3.2") x 18 cm (7.1")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1791 cm2 (278 in2)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 2.5 cm (1") x 16.5 cm (6.5")
Tape (W x L): 3 cm (1.2") x 4.5 cm (1.8")

1.2 Delta-Form M3 Diaper


Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 925 ml (32.6 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 975 ml (34.4 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (54 s, 55 s, 65 s, 77 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 4 cm (1.6")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 81%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.52 ml / cm2 (0.12 oz / in2)
Press Out Volume: 50 ml (1.76 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 4
During the capacity test the Delta-Form M3 demonstrated substantial surface dampness after only a single wetting. In the real world testing it didn’t feel as bad as it would appear but the surface dampness issue was still very much apparent. I rank right where I ranked the Abri-Form M4, as I feel they have a similar padding construct.


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: 950 ml (33.5 oz)
Total Wettings: 3 (1 standing, 2 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 97%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.53 ml / cm2 (0.12 oz / in2)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 7
The Delta-Form M3 was easily able to handle the first wetting while standing and didn’t leak when seated; all dampness was absorbed rapidly. The second wetting while seated was quickly and easily absorbed with quick wicking up the diaper’s front and back sides. At this point the diaper still felt relatively dry. By the third wetting moisture wicked up the front and back again but was much more apparent, some came through the sides and there was leakage apparent at the rear. Based on this, I feel it would be reliable for 2 wettings but is most likely to leak on the third during daily wear.


Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 825 ml (29.1 oz)
Total Wettings: 3
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 93%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.46 ml / cm2 (0.10 oz / in2)

Lying Down Rating: 6
The Delta-Form M3 performed decently in the lying down test. On the first wetting there was a very brief pooling but once absorbed it was mostly dry. On the second wetting, moisture channeled to the back as the mid-section had become saturated. At this point the diaper’s padding was noticeably clammy and it took much longer for the moisture to be absorbed. On the third wetting the Delta-Form leaked immediately, so it’s hard to say this diaper can take any more than 2 wettings while lying down.


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


Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The Abena Delta-Form M3 proved moderately absorbent during testing, which came as a bit of a surprise because the diaper is as thick as many of the highest absorbency diapers on the market. The padding is of a relatively low density and during testing I found it has the same surface-dampness issues as the more absorbent Abena Abri-Form M4. In terms of discretion this diaper doesn’t stand out as much as you might think based on thickness, because of the fit and flexibility of the padding. My main issue with it in terms of discretion is the glaring hospital blue, which will be very apparent with its high rise if anyone were to catch a glimpse. It should be OK for daily or overnight usage, but you need to keep in mind that it will only reliably absorb 1~2 wettings. Beyond 2 wettings I’ve found it to be quite prone to leakage. In terms of overall absorbency I feel it actually comes quite close to the Tranquility ATN, but I trust the ATN a little more as its plastic-backing is more resistant to leaks. When worn during the day you need to be particularly aware of the potential for leakage when sitting after a wetting. In terms of construction, this diaper has some issues with deterioration during extended wear and the tapes can tear the other cloth part of the backsheet when being re-applied and lose their stickiness. The backsheet itself is somewhat similar to the Attends Premier Overnight, though a bit less soft. It has a fibrous feel to it and fibers can become detached with wear. It’s best worn for shorter intervals, but not what you want for extended wear.


Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 5

The Abena Delta-Form M3 probably isn't the best choice for dealing with bowel incontinence. The cloth-like backsheet and relatively weak tapes could be problematic. If it were a little more structurally durable I'd probably rank it higher here, because it has generous area of rear padding. As it is, I feel there are other diapers better suited for dealing with bowel incontinence like the BetterDry/Crinklz.


Wear & Tear Tests


Fitting

The Abena Delta-Form M3 features a cloth-like backsheet with mixed tape/hook and loop fasteners (there are strips of hook and loop mixed in with the tape). The tapes can be reapplied but I’ve found they tear at the backsheet and lose some stickiness over time.

3.1 Delta-Form M3 Fastener

Ease-of-Use Rating: 7
It isn’t too hard to get a reasonably snug fit with the Delta-Form M3, but the tapes have a slight tendency to loosen over time. The tapes also tear at the backsheet, which although it doesn’t cause leaks, makes it even harder to refasten. I put it right around average when it comes to cloth-backed diapers. The ability to reposition the tapes anywhere on the backsheet makes it easy for a wearer or carer to change by easily correcting any mistakes in fit. It also has generous sizing and padding distribution, which makes it easy to position it in a way that provides a good level of protection.

3.2 Delta-Form M3 Fit


Comfort


Comfort Rating (dry): 7
The Delta-Form M3 has a soft padding and backsheet, not the softest I’ve tried but it does feel reasonably breathable. The backsheet is cloth-like and fibrous, I’ve found these fibers can become detached, but not so much as the Attends Premier Overnight. It’s possible to get a good fit with this diaper, but hard to get a snug fit. This diaper has two main deficiencies when it comes to dry comfort. The first is that the padding has a tendency to tear when worn, even while dry. The second is that the tapes lose their stickiness with wear and have a tendency to slide and tear the fabric covering resulting in a loose fit; this differentiates it from the Abri-Form M4, which has much stronger tapes. I rank it a little below the Medline Extended Wear Briefs in this regard.


Comfort Rating (wet): 6
The Delta-Form M3 will feel mostly dry after the first wetting, but begins to feel clammy with subsequent wettings. When wet it also suffers from the same problems around padding deterioration and loosening tapes, which detract from its comfort. I’d say it falls at about the lower-to-mid-range for wet comfort as it provides a reasonable amount of absorbency and still has some degree of breathability even when saturated. I’ve ranked it slightly below the Abri-Form M4, because it has the same surface dampness issues, but also has weaker tapes and absorbs less; I don’t feel the better breathability quite makes up for those two detractors.

3.3 Delta-Form M3 Topsheet and Backsheet


Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 6% (topsheet), 4.3% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 4 shakes to deterioration


Durability Rating (dry): 6
When it came to dry durability, the Delta-Form M3 was remarkably similar to the Abri-Form M4, even though this diaper is cloth-backed and the other plastic-backed. It likely all comes down to padding. At the end of the dry durability test there were substantial areas of padding deterioration including several spots key to absorption. While the absolute deterioration wasn’t quite as high, the tapes lost more stickiness with each refastening. Activity during this test was relatively minor, so I feel this would be even more of an issue for an active individual and wouldn’t recommend it for active daytime wear.


Durability Rating (wet): 6
The Delta-Form M3’s wet durability also mirrored the Abri-Form M4, with the padding tearing and starting to come loose. This would surely be an issue for an active wearer and I would again recommend against using this diaper for active daily wear. The weakness of the tapes is also somewhat amplified when wet as it will want to sag. I didn’t find the sagging to be as bad as it was for the Lille SupremFit Maxi, but then this diaper is not as absorbent as the Lille diaper. Otherwise, it wasn’t as bad as some of the others on the shake test, but I didn’t feel it was enough to bump its rating in this regard.

3.4 Delta-Form M3 Diaper Dry Test Deterioration


Discretion Tests


Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 5 cm (2"), 5.5 cm (2.2")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 8 cm (3.2"), 5.5 cm (2.2")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 5 cm (2"), 6.5 cm (2.6")

Profile Discretion Rating: 7
For a fairly thick diaper the Delta-Form M3 is surprisingly discreet when it comes to profile. It will stick out in tighter pants but the padding is flexible and it has a pretty snug fit when dry (sitting quite high on the wearer); so it should be easier to hide with the right choice of clothing. The downside is that it rises well above the waistline and has a distinctive “hospital blue” color that would stand out were anyone to catch a glimpse.

4.1 Delta-Form M3 Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Delta-Form M3 Sweatpants Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

Noise

Noise Rating: 8
The Delta-Form M3 is roughly in line with most of the other cloth-backed diapers on the market and produces only a slight crinkling sound. The padding is thick and soft, which may have a dampening effect on noise. This is particularly true when dry, while it becomes a little noisier when wet. I wouldn’t rank it among the top diapers for noise discretion but it’s at least as discreet as the Attends Premier Briefs Overnight.

 

4.3 Delta-Form M3 Noise Profile

 

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 5
The Delta-Form M3 performed similarly to the Abri-Form M4 when it came to odor reduction. The tendency for surface moisture after only a single wetting contributes to odors and the structure doesn’t do a good job at retaining them. The breathability may help in some ways by reducing sweating, but it's countered by more easily allowing odors to escape when they do form. The diaper itself doesn’t have any added fragrance and the padding doesn’t seem particularly adept at preventing odors from developing.


Want to give the Medline Extended Wear a try?

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