Friday 3 December 2021

NorthShore MegaMax Adult Diaper Review

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


Summary

The NorthShore MegaMax is a high absorbency adult diaper sold by the incontinence supplier NorthShore. It’s the second of their “in house” line of products, introduced after the NorthShore Supreme and advertised as more absorbent, but comes with a higher price. In this way it follows a trend of companies like Rearz or Forsite importing from China to market as in house. But in contrast to the Rearz, Forsite or Bambino diapers, the MegaMax has a considerably different construct, suggesting a different manufacturing process. The exterior is similar to those diapers with a firm plastic landing zone. However, its padding is thinner and has a honeycomb-like texture. The topsheet is also far more resistant to surface dampness than those other diapers, while the waistbands are wider. The backsheet comes in several additional colors including blue, pink, black and tie-dye (of all things).

The sizing of this diaper runs large and in my review, following the recommended sizing I went with a small rather than the usual medium. The sizing is comparable to the ConfiDry 24/7, which now has me curious about how the small size of that diaper would fit. Overall, I found this diaper to be comfortable and surprisingly breathable, but it fell short when it came to absorbency, largely as a result of the topsheet repelling moisture causing leakage through the sides. The theoretical capacity of this diaper is certainly much greater than observed in testing, perhaps closer to the lab test result. Also, it’s marketed as a medical diaper, but it comes at a very high unit cost and after testing both I feel the NorthShore Supreme provides a better value. That said, perhaps with some design improvements it could be a great diaper for long duration wear.

Key Features:

  • Plastic backsheet
  • Tape landing zone
  • Standing inner leak barriers
  • Dual waistbands

Pros:

  • High level of absorbency
  • Comfortable fit
  • Very strong tapes
  • Wide waistbands
  • Strongly resistant to surface dampness
  • Durable padding

Cons:

  • Very high unit cost
  • Topsheet pooling
  • Tapes can be hard to remove

 

Product Details

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


Packaging

Brand: NorthShore
Manufacturer: China Hengyuan Group Co., Ltd
Origin: China
Units Per Bag: 10
Cost Per Unit: $$$$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 29 cm (11.4") x 17 cm (6.7") x 25 cm (9.8")
Weight: 1.95 kg (4.3 lbs)
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Advertised Absorbency: Maximum (12 hours)


1.1 NorthShore MegaMax Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Plastic (Poly)
Wetness Indicator: No
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: White
Inner Color: White (bright blue rectangle in middle padding)
Front Waistband: Yes
Rear Waistband: Yes
Folded Thickness: 3.0 cm (1.2")
Folded Length: 24 cm (9.5")
Dry Weight: 183 g (6.5 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 80 cm (31.5") x 63 cm (24.8") x 34 cm (13.4") x 62 cm (24.4")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 69 cm (27.2") x 30 cm (11.8") x 20 cm (7.9") x 37 cm (14.6")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 5 cm (2") x 12 cm (4.7") x 8.5 cm (3.4") x 19 cm (7.5")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1823 cm2 (283 in2)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 3.5 cm (1.4") x 13 cm (5.1")
Tape (W x L): 5 cm (2") x 5 cm (2")

1.2 NorthShore MegaMax Diaper


Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 1917 ml (67.63 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 1942 ml (68.5 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (35 s, 42 s, 60 s, 63 s, 63 s, 63 s, 60 s, 60 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 6.5 cm (2.6")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 68%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 1.05 ml / cm2 (0.24 oz / in2)
Press Out Volume: 25 ml (0.9 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 9

The NorthShore MegaMax performed very well when it came to surface dampness. During lab testing there was no apparent surface dampness in the first 3 wettings and no substantial surface dampness until the 6th wetting. I couldn’t give it a perfect score because I do account for the fact a significant amount of moisture was repelled by the topsheet and could result in a lot of temporary surface dampness. Its performance was backed up in real world testing, even when wet this diaper rarely felt damp and it deserves a spot among the top performers 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: 1267 ml (44.7 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing, 2 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 57%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.70 ml / cm2 (0.16 oz / in2)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 8
The NorthShore MegaMax easily absorbed the first wetting while standing with minimal pooling. The padding swelled a bit, but the surface of the diaper remained comfortable and dry. There was no sign of leakage upon sitting shortly afterwards. The second wetting was again fully absorbed but there was noticeable pooling as the topsheet initially repelled moisture before it eventually settled. There was no leakage at this point and once the pooling subsided the padding continued to remain dry and comfortable. On the third wetting enough moisture was able to pool at the front that a small amount was able to escape from the sides and I ended the test at that. There certainly was enough absorbency left to handle more wettings, but when the topsheet repels moisture so readily it becomes prone to leaks. I believe this size will generally take 2~3 wettings in daily wear before leakage becomes a concern.


Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 1367 ml (48.2 oz)
Total Wettings: 3
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 59%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.75 ml / cm2 (0.17 oz / in2)

Lying Down Rating: 8

The NorthShore MegaMax performed quite well when tested while lying down. The first wetting was easily absorbed with no signs of leakage and minimal surface dampness. Afterward any moisture was barely perceivable. The second wetting was again easily absorbed with little in the way of surface dampness (though there was some brief pooling), by this point the diaper’s padding around the crotch/mid-section had swelled substantially. Still, it felt like it had a lot more capacity to go. The diaper was perfectly comfortable at this point. The third wetting was a bit of a surprise, the front padding repelled a substantial amount of moisture allowing some to pool and push out through the sides eventually leaking from outside the rear leg gathers. I wasn’t expecting it to leak so early because it did seem like it had a lot of absorbency remaining. However, it was consistent with what was absorbed in the lab absorbency test. The topsheet does a great job at stopping pressout surface moisture, but it also repels moisture that should be getting absorbed, this became more of a problem as the padding swelled creating less space to distribute excess moisture. After the leakage the diaper continued to remain comfortable, but the wearer would have ended up with wet bed sheets. There was also still a substantial amount of unused rear padding.

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


Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The NorthShore MegaMax performed reasonably well when tested for daily wear and bedwetting. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting in terms of total absorption. It absorbed a decent amount before leaking, but leaked when there was still plenty of untouched padding.The total absorption in the lying down and standing-sitting test was similar and both could be expected to handle up to 3 wettings before significant leakage becomes a problem. In both cases the reason they leaked was because the padding repelled moisture from entering so much that it pooled and pushed out the sides before it could be fully absorbed. Initially, I thought this was a fluke but I noticed it in all tests done, including the capacity test (in that case I just ignored it to push it to the point of significant surface dampness after a 10 minute wait time). I will again mention that I tested the “small” version of this diaper rather than my usual medium because the sizing of this diaper runs very large (like the ConfiDry 24/7), but even then I’m not sure the pooling issue would be that much better with a medium. Perhaps I got a bad batch, but based on the marketing I kind of expected it to absorb twice as much. There were other problems too. The tapes held remarkably well, but almost to a fault because they proved very difficult to remove. This would be problematic for those with a weak grip. In this way, this diaper may be better suited for those who are double incontinent or perhaps bedwetting, but not for daily wear for people who can still sometimes make it to the bathroom in time. I also noticed a rash developed after 2 nights of wear for bedwetting. I found that surprising given how well it performed for padding surface dampness, but perhaps some moisture made it out the sides. Aside from that, this diaper is incredibly comfortable, it seems quite resistant to trapping heat and feels surprisingly breathable for a diaper with a plastic backsheet. The backsheet is a smooth/soft plastic that isn’t prone to chafing. It also has an impressively durable padding that won’t readily clump or tear and ranks among the top performers for resisting surface dampness once a wetting has been fully absorbed. In terms of daily wear or bedwetting I feel this diaper could theoretically handle 4~6 wettings were it not for the pooling issue, but as it is I’d be hesitant to push it beyond 3.


Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 8

The NorthShore MegaMax diaper is fairly well suited for bowel incontinence. It has very wide waistbands at the front/rear and a plastic backsheet to better contain odors. There’s a generous amount of rear padding, standing inner leak guards and quite a bit of extra space at the rear for containment. That said, the leak guards aren’t the strongest you’ll find and pooling could be an issue. I rank it similar to the Attends Slip Regular Plus in this regard.


Wear & Tear Tests


Fitting

The NorthShore MegaMax has a plastic backsheet with a special landing zone for the tapes, similar to the Forsite AM/PM or Carnation diaper. The tapes are of high quality and have a very strong grip. They can be refastened multiple times if placed over the landing zone, but in practice I found them very difficult to remove because of how strongly they grip the surface.

3.1 NorthShore MegaMax Fastener

 

Ease-of-Use Rating: 8

The NorthShore MegaMax is quite user friendly, I was surprised by how easy it was to attain a snug fit in this diaper. It features front and rear waistbands, which help a lot with fitting and has a smaller snugger fit compared with some of the larger high absorbency diapers like the ConfiDry 24/7 or Rearz Barnyard. The caveat is that I followed the recommended waist size for myself of small on these vs medium on those two (the actual sizing on these is similar to the ConfiDry 24/7). The refastenable landing zone is also quite convenient as it makes it easy to adjust the tapes or detach when needed. However, the tapes can be difficult to remove once they’ve been attached, they hold incredibly well but could be a struggle for a caregiver or someone with arm weakness to remove. Aside from that, the only other downside in terms of ease-of-use is the lack of a wetness indicator, which could make it more challenging to use in a care environment.

3.2 NorthShore MegaMax Diaper Fit

Comfort


Comfort Rating (dry): 9

The NorthShore MegaMax provides a high degree of comfort. The padding is reasonably soft, though not the softest on the market. The backsheet is quite comfortable, with the only exception being the hard plastic landing zone. It fits snugly and the parts of the backsheet that come into contact with the skin are of a skin friendly material. It felt surprisingly breathable for a diaper with a plastic backsheet and absorbent padding. With that in mind, the padding is a little thinner than you might expect, quite a bit thinner than that of the ConfiDry 24/7. Also of note with regards to the padding is that it’s very resistant to clumping and tearing and adheres quite well to the backsheet. The waistbands are exceptionally wide and flexible/comfortable against the skin. I can’t say this diaper is the most comfortable I’ve ever tried, but it’s not far off and I put it on par with the Attends Slip Regular Plus.


Comfort Rating (wet): 10

The NorthShore MegaMax is among the top performers for wet comfort (ignoring initial pooling after a wetting). The topsheet appears to repel moisture from coming back up to the wearer’s skin and the padding remains fairly firm without clumping or tearing, similar to the BetterDry/Crinklz or Drylife SlipSuper. The tapes hold strong so you don’t get the degree of sagging you would in many other high capacity diapers. The padding does have a tendency to swell but I didn’t find that took away much from the comfort. In fact the padding may even become more comfortable when wet as it softens a bit like other diapers with a similar padding construct. You’re unlikely to notice much clamminess with this diaper, overall I have no complaints.

3.3 NorthShore MegaMax Topsheet and Backsheet


Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 6.7% (topsheet), 12.4% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 4 shakes to deterioration


Durability Rating (dry): 8
The NorthShore MegaMax performed very well when it came to dry durability. The padding is highly resistant to clumping or tearing, but it does collapse inward a bit at its midsection. At the end of the dry durability test there was a fair amount of deterioration but none in any of the core padding so the impact it would have on absorbance wouldn’t be significant. The tapes hold together ridiculously well, once they’re fastened you won’t need to worry about them coming loose, but if you pull them or misplace them they can easily tear bits of the backsheet. The honeycomb-shaped padding does a very good job at adhering to the backsheet, which is another big plus for this diaper. I feel it could easily be worn for active wear though it is a bit big.


Durability Rating (wet): 9

The NorthShore MegaMax performed strongly when it came to wet durability. It was perhaps similar to the BetterDry/Crinklz in this regard, but slightly short of the Drylife SlipSuper or NorthShore Supreme diapers. The padding on this diaper is remarkably resilient and even though the padding somewhat collapsed during the shake test, part of it still remained and did not seem to want to budge. During active wear the padding swelled quite a bit when wet but did not show significant signs of clumping or tearing when wet. It seems well constructed to stay in place and retains a degree of firmness. There were no issues with the tapes during testing, if anything they held a bit too strong because they proved difficult to remove. I feel this diaper could be well suited to active daily wear, it’s very hard to see it coming loose or the padding falling apart while active.

3.4 NorthShore MegaMax Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests


Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4 cm (1.6"), 4 cm (1.6")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 6 cm (2.4"), 4 cm (1.6")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 3.5 cm (1.4"), 2.5 cm (1")

Profile Discretion Rating: 6

The NorthShore MegaMax is far from the most discreet diaper on the market in terms of profile. However, it’s not the thickest either and slightly easier to conceal than the Forsite AM/PM or Abena M4 for comparison. It will produce an obvious diaper bulge at the front and rear of the diaper, but it also fits snug against the body and is very resistant to sagging. This makes it a little easier to conceal with the aid of underwear or meshpants to hold it in place.

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

4.2 NorthShore MegaMax Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right) 


Noise

Noise Rating: 5

The NorthShore MegaMax is surprisingly quiet. This is characteristic of diapers that do a good job at keeping the padding attached to the backsheet. The main problem is that, like the Forsite AM/PM, the plastic landing zone on this diaper is a different material that’s more prone to noise. If it weren’t for that I’d score this diaper around an 8 in terms of the amount of noise it produces.

4.3 NorthShore MegaMax Noise Profile
 

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 8
The NorthShore MegaMax performed decently from an odor reduction perspective and I rarely noticed odors. It has the benefit of some very wide waistbands and padding resistant to surface dampness as well as a plastic backsheet. However, I didn’t find it quite as odor resistant as the Tena Slip Ultima or Seni Super Quatro.


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Saturday 20 November 2021

Rearz Barnyard/InControl Elite Hybrid Adult Diaper Review

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


Summary

The Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid is a high absorbency adult diaper that mixes a plastic backsheet with hook & loop fasteners and a landing zone like you might find in a cloth-backed diaper. This diaper has playful barnyard prints on the backsheet and has many similarities with the Forsite AM/PM and Bambino Karnevalee but with a bit more padding area and absorbency. There’s an identical unscented diaper with a plain white blacksheet by the same company called the InControl Elite Hybrid There’s also a very similar diaper called the Rearz Dinosaur Elite that features regular tapes and a plastic landing zone like the Forsite AM/PM. Rearz appears to be an ABDL-focused company (sometimes the printed diapers are cheaper than the plain ones, as was the case when I found these) and most of its products including this one are imported from China. Again, I’d prefer to see these companies bring this production back to North America, you’d have to think the recent 900% increase in container shipping costs on that route would be hitting their bottom line.

This diaper proved particularly absorbent when it came to overnight wear with a total absorption higher than any other diaper tested. It is somewhat susceptible to pressout leaks when seated due to limited wicking, but not before at least 3 wettings; so it performed a little below the BetterDry/Crinklz in this regard. It’s one of very few diapers available that is scented, with a baby powder-like fragrance (the only other tested thus far was the Attento diaper). It also features a unique wetness indicator with patches of grass in the design that fade when wet. The downside to this is that these run right into the side panels and will be absorbed into the wearer's skin, which I find a little concerning. This wouldn’t be so much of a problem in the plain white version of diaper as the wetness indicator is a yellow line down the middle that turns blue when wet. In terms of pricing this diaper has a very expensive unit cost so I see it as more of a novelty or perhaps a diaper you’d wear when you’d need to go a long time without changes (particularly when lying down).

Key Features:

  • Plastic backsheet
  • Standing inner leak barriers
  • Repositionable hook & loop fasteners
  • Tape landing zone
  • Playful backsheet prints (Barnyard only)
  • Dual waistbands
  • Odor control fragrance (Barnyard only)

Pros:

  • Soft/comfortable padding/backsheet
  • Amazing absorbency
  • Easy-use fasteners
  • Good odor reduction

Cons:

  • Very high unit cost
  • Wetness indicators stain skin (Barnyard only)
  • Surface dampness

 

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium-sized Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Diaper. However, other available sizes are listed below:


Packaging

Brand: Rearz
Manufacturer: Weifang Mimosa Personalcare Technology
Origin: China
Units Per Bag: 12
Cost Per Unit: $$$$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 37 cm (14.6") x 20 cm (7.9") x 24 cm (9.5")
Weight: 2.45 kg (5.40 lbs)
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Advertised Absorbency: 5217 ml


1.1 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Plastic (Poly)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (patches of grass, fade 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: Playful pattern
Inner Color: White (blue rectangle in middle padding)
Front Waistband: Yes
Rear Waistband: Yes
Folded Thickness: 3.33 cm (1.31")
Folded Length: 24 cm (9.5")
Dry Weight: 200 g (7.1 oz)
Fragrance: Yes (baby powder-like fragrance)
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 82 cm (32.3") x 66 cm (26.0") x 34 cm (13.4") x 63 cm (24.8")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 67 cm (26.4") x 29 cm (11.4") x 21 cm (8.3") x 42 cm (16.5")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 4 cm (1.6") x 15 cm (5.9") x 10.5 cm (4.1") x 20 cm (7.9")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1947 cm2 (302 in2)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 4 cm (1.6") x 14.5 cm (5.7")
Tape (W x L): 5 cm (2") x 3 cm (1.2")


1.2 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Diaper


Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 2175 ml (76.7 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 2250 ml (79.4 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (54 s, 55 s, 68 s, 69 s, 81 s, 80 s, 80 s, 90 s, 92 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 6.5 cm (2.6")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 68%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 1.12 ml / cm2 (0.25 oz / in2)
Press Out Volume: 75 ml (2.6 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 4

The Rearz Barnyard padding is similar to the Forsite AM/PM or Bambino Karnevalee, and this showed in terms of surface dampness. There wasn’t much dampness after the first wetting but there was noticeable dampness on each wetting thereafter. During testing the dampness was less noticeable but it certainly did have some pressout moisture.


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: 1675 ml (59.1 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing, 3 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 75%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.86 ml / cm2 (0.20 oz / in2)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 10
As expected, the Rearz Barnyard diaper had little trouble with the first wetting while standing and remained dry without signs of leakage upon sitting shortly after. There was a little more surface dampness after the second wetting while seated, but it was again fully absorbed without signs of leakage. On the third wetting moisture pushed up the front padding and the diaper’s crotch swelled, the padding felt quite squishy at this point. It briefly felt close to leaking through front/mid leak guards, but managed to keep from leaking, though the surface moisture was far more apparent. On the fourth wetting there was significant leakage through the lower rear leg gathers. A big part of the rear padding was untouched in spite of the leakage, suggesting limited wicking ability. It absorbed a very large amount, though less than the Crinklz/BetterDry, during this phase of testing and I would say it will typically take 3~4 wettings during daily wear before leakage becomes an issue.


Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 2375 ml (83.8 oz)
Total Wettings: 5
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 94%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1.22 ml / cm2 (0.28 oz / in2)

Lying Down Rating: 10

When tested while lying down, the first wetting was absorbed quickly with no signs of leakage, but a little noticeable surface dampness that eventually dissipated. There was more surface dampness on the second wetting and the padding felt a little “squishy” but again there was no sign of leakage. On the third wetting the moisture seemed to take longer to absorb, but again there was no sign of leakage. It felt similar to the Forsite AM/PM in this regard, the shear padding area and structure worked against leakage as parts of the padding became squishy/saturated. Again, there was no sign of leakage on the fourth wetting even as the padding swelled, dampness was again very apparent, but mostly subsided. Finally, on the fifth wetting there was moderate leakage through the rear leg gathers, the diaper had swelled to a very large size at this point, but surprisingly the tapes held up decently under the weight upon standing. It had absorbed an incredible amount of moisture and I feel it could quite reasonably absorb 4~5 wettings or more when lying down before leakage would be a concern. The overall absorption had it far ahead of other diapers tested so far for the lying down test, though you’ll have to keep in mind that surface dampness will show up relatively early. That said, even the heaviest wetters won’t likely see any leaks from this diaper when worn overnight.

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


Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The Rearz Barnyard performed very well in both daily wear and bedwetting. It could be worn confidently without concern of leakage, easily absorbing 3 full wettings or more. Its average absorbency across tests nudged just ahead of the BetterDry/Crinklz in that regard. It also performed significantly better than the similarly designed Bambino Karnevalee. In terms of sizing, it runs a little large and is hardly discrete, but I was still able to comfortably fit the medium size. I found this diaper to be less durable than the BetterDry/Crinklz with the plastic backsheet more readily coming loose from the padding. However, that doesn’t mean the padding deteriorated as it seemed to hold together quite well even after it detached. The tapes also held up well, with only minor sliding so if discretion isn’t a concern then it could easily be used for daily wear or maybe even active wear. It will tend to get a bit warm, but this is somewhat mitigated by the extensive padding coverage reducing backsheet contact with the skin. However, the downside to the very wide padding is that it may fold inward between the legs, yet this is actually less of a problem after a wetting when the padding swells and forces it to fold outwards. This diaper performed best when worn overnight for bedwetting. I never experienced any leaks and rarely was woken up when bedwetting did occur; sometimes in the morning I couldn’t even tell if the diaper was wet until checking the wetness indicators. Even so, it can become noticeably wet after two wettings and I found the padding to be “squishier” than many other high absorbency diapers. Another reason it’s well suited to bedwetting is that it has relatively weak wicking capacity, but with bedwetting, moisture is likely to move to the back padding after the middle padding becomes saturated. Aside from that, it does a good job at odor control and is unique in having an added fragrance to assist with that (though this isn’t the case in the plain white InControl Elite Hybrid version). My biggest concern with the Rearz Barnyard diaper is that the wetness indicator can leave a blue-green stain on the wearer's skin in places where the backsheet comes into contact (not a problem in the InControl Elite Hybrid version). I also found the landing zone to be convenient, but it does make closing/disposing of the diaper tricky, as it's difficult to fully close the used diaper. The padding and backsheet of this diaper are very soft and overall I’d definitely recommend this diaper for bedwetters, though I still favor the BetterDry/Crinklz personally.


Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 9

The Rearz Barnyard diaper is very well suited for bowel incontinence. It has a huge amount of rear padding and is incredibly spacious. The standing inner leak guards are large and snugly wrap the skin. It also has front and rear waistbands to cut down on odors. Likewise, the plastic backsheet is a big plus in terms of keeping down odors/perspiration. The only reason I can’t give it a perfect score is that the hybrid tape mechanism makes it difficult to close for disposal.


Wear & Tear Tests


Fitting

The Rearz Barnyard is a “hybrid” diaper, with elements of a cloth-backed and plastic-backed diaper. Its backsheet is plastic but the landing zone is “cloth-like” similar to that of the Attento or Unicharm diapers and the fasteners on this diaper are a mix of tape and hook & loop with emphasis on hook & look. The underlying tape doesn’t seem to be of much utility, but the hook & loop fasteners hold well and can easily be repositioned on the landing zone multiple times.

 

3.1 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Fastener


Ease-of-Use Rating: 8

The Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid is very similar to the Bambino Karnevalee with its “hybrid” plastic-backsheet and hook & loop fasteners. Unlike that diaper, this one also has a wetness indicator, albeit a non-conventional one with patches of grass scattered throughout the backsheet, which disappear when wet. Although these have a downside in that they extend into the diaper’s wings and may be absorbed into the wearer’s skin leaving a blue/green mark, which I have some concerns about. It also has the problem that the fasteners can only be attached to a landing zone, making the diaper hard to wrap closed for disposal. Also, not factored into the rating, is that the bag doesn’t have easy tear-away sides making it difficult to open.

3.2 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Diaper Fit
 

Comfort


Comfort Rating (dry): 9

The Rearz Barnyard diaper has super soft padding and a soft/flexible backsheet. Its padding coverage is extensive, which lends itself to better comfort and it has front and rear waistbands to give it a snugger more form fitting placement. The backsheet is pretty soft and won’t chafe against the skin. The tapes are a mix of tape and hook & loop material, so if they come loose they can scratch the skin a bit, but this rarely happens as they have a firm grip in the tape landing zone. In many ways this diaper matches the Bambino Karnevalee, and is perhaps slightly more comfortable having a bit more padding coverage, but like that diaper the padding is quite wide and will often fold inward. I also found this diaper can get a bit warm and probably isn’t great for summer wear, though the padding can reduce dampness from sweat and it still provides some degree of breathability with its spacious design.


Comfort Rating (wet): 7

The Rearz Barnyard was again similar to the Bambino Karnevalee and Forsite AM/PM when it came to wet comfort. Like those two, it also suffers from surface dampness issues, but the shear area of padding mitigates this to some extent. Also like those two, it doesn’t readily wick moisture so it can sometimes pool in the diaper’s mid-section. That in turn can make it vulnerable to pressout leaks when seated, but extensive padding again mitigates that and after a single wetting you’re unlikely to notice much dampness. If worn for the intended multiple-wettings, the padding on this diaper swells to a very large size, which may be uncomfortable for some wearers. Even with the surface dampness, I found the diaper remains fairly comfortable and the padding resists clumping and tearing.

3.3 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Topsheet and Backsheet


Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 4.3% (topsheet), 9.2% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 2 shakes to deterioration


Durability Rating (dry): 8
The Rearz Barnyard diaper demonstrated strong durability during the dry durability test. As expected, it performed similarly to the Forsite AM/PM but I noticed more of a tendency for the backsheet to become detached from the padding in this diaper. There was also a slightly higher tendency for deterioration of the wings, though this wasn’t as big a deal given the extensive padding coverage. Aside from that the core padding held out well and the primary source of reduced padding coverage was just from bunching due to compression between the legs. There was no substantial clumping or tearing and the tapes held strong during testing.


Durability Rating (wet): 8

The Rearz Barnyard diaper’s wet durability wasn’t much different from its dry durability. The backsheet did tend to become detached from the padding but that didn’t mean the padding was prone to clumping. In this diaper, more so than many others, I noticed the padding has a tendency to swell and feel a bit “squishy” and will certainly sag a bit with weight as the fit around the waist can be a little loose. In this way it differs from diapers like the BetterDry/Crinklz, which often maintain some amount of padding firmness even when wet.  It may be a bit better suited for nightly wear in this regard (especially taking absorbency into account). On the plus side, it’s “hybrid” hook & loop tape style with landing zone (similar to that of the Bambino Karnevalee) is remarkably durable and makes for easy refastenings when it becomes loose.

3.4 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests


Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 5 cm (2"), 5 cm (2")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 8 cm (3.2"), 6 cm (2.4")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 6 cm (2.4"), 6.5 cm (2.6")

Profile Discretion Rating: 3

The Rearz Barnyard won’t win any awards for discretion, this diaper produces a big diaper bulge, particularly at the rear. The shear thickness and padding area would make this diaper very hard to conceal under most outfits. It also rides well above the waistline and the patterns may cause it to stand out more. It’s best to save this diaper for around the house or overnight wear.


4.1 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right) 


Noise

Noise Rating: 5

The padding on this diaper has a tendency to become detached from the backsheet and thus becomes vulnerable to crinkling as the loose backsheet shifts around. This diaper would be quite noticeable in a quiet room, though it may be possible to quiet it down by wrapping it under underwear or meshpants. The hook & loop fasteners could make it noisy during a change but I haven’t factored that into the noise rating.

4.3 Rearz Barnyard Elite Hybrid Noise Profile
 

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 7
The Rearz Barnyard diaper is again similar to the Forsite AM/PM or Bambino Karnevalee when it comes to odor reduction. It has dual waistbands, but sometimes with a looser than ideal fit. This diaper also has a baby powder-like fragrance, which while dampening other odors could potentially be noticeable in its dry state. Overall, I have a few complaints when it comes to odor reduction in this diaper, but I wouldn’t rank it at the top of the scale for premium diapers in terms of odor reduction.


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