Nexgen Absorbent Plus Adult Diaper Review

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

Summary

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus is a high absorbency adult diaper that was brought to my attention by Night and Day LLC in OC, California. The diaper itself is manufactured by a company called Meddcare, which produces a variety of incontinence products including the Advantage and Absorb Briefs. Special thanks to Night and Day for providing the samples to complete this review. I know the company is working hard to provide the best product experience on the market and has a passion for improving the wearer’s quality of life, which is quite a rarity in this industry these days. These diapers feature a cloth-like backsheet and are designed with breathability at top of mind. They have a form-fitting design with semi-stretchy sides and repositionable tapes. In this review, I’ve tested both the medium and large size of the Nexgen Absorbent Plus and will reflect on the results for both.

In terms of fit, I found the medium was the best fit for me personally with the large still workable but very close to the maximum of what would fit my waist. Because these diapers are form-fitting, the sizing is quite generous in how it conforms to the wearer’s body. During testing I found this diaper to be highly comfortable, with perhaps its biggest advantage being the impressive breathability of the backsheet. I never had a hint of skin irritation while wearing these and feel they could be a good choice for those with sensitive skin. In terms of absorbency they run perhaps at the lower range of the premium diapers on the market. They can easily handle 1~2 wettings, but I found they frequently leaked on the third. In this way the breathable design can somewhat limit absorbency as it also allows moisture an easier path out. In terms of durability I found these diapers to be highly durable (with the exception of the tapes occasionally ripping the backsheet when re-applied). Overall, I would recommend giving these diapers a try when available.

Key Features:

• Breathable backsheet
• Standing inner leak barriers
  
• Rear waistband
• Repositionable tapes

Pros:

• Very comfortable fit
• Good for skin sensitivity
• Durable
• Good absorbency

Cons:

• Limited availability
• Backsheet can tear slight when tapes refastened
  
• Rear padding surface dampness
  

 

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium/large-sized Nexgen Absrobent Plus Diaper. However, other available sizes are listed below:

Packaging

Brand: Nexgen
Manufacturer: Manufactured for MEDDCARE California
Origin: China
Units Per Bag: 12
Cost Per Unit: $$$
Dimensions M (L x W x H): 34 cm (13.4") x 16 cm (6.3") x 23 cm (9.1")
Dimensions L (L x W x H): 38 cm (15") x 17 cm (6.7") x 26 cm (10.2")
Weight (M,L): 2.0 kg (4.4 lbs), 2.25 kg (5 lbs)
Available Sizes: M, L, XL, XXL
Advertised Absorbency (M/L): Maximum (3300 ml)

1.1 Nexgen Absorbent Plus M/L Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Cloth-like (non-woven)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (parallel 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: White (orange branding print)
Inner Color: White (bright blue rectangle in middle padding)
Front Waistband: No
Rear Waistband: Yes
Folded Thickness (M, L): 3.0 cm (1.2"), 3.3  cm (1.3")
Folded Length (M, L): 22 cm (8.7"), 27 cm (10.6")
Dry Weight (M, L): 142 g (5.0 oz), 175 g (6.2 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions M (L x fW x mW x bW): 77 cm (30.3") x 66 cm (26") x 29 cm (11.4") x 62 cm (24.4")
Diaper Dimensions L (L x fW x mW x bW): 94 cm (37") x 79 cm (31.1") x 28 cm (11") x 77 cm (30.3")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions M (L x fW x mW x bW): 63 cm (24.8") x 36 cm (14.2") x 16 cm (6.3") x 42 cm (16.5")
Padding Dimensions L (L x fW x mW x bW): 75 cm (29.5") x 37 cm (14.6") x 17 cm (6.7") x 43 cm (16.9")
Padding Wing Dimensions M (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 10 cm (3.9") x 14 cm (5.5") x 13 cm (5.1") x 18 cm (7.1")
Padding Wing Dimensions L (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 10 cm (3.9") x 15 cm (5.9") x 13 cm (5.1") x 18 cm (7.1")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area (M,L): 1756 cm² (272 in²), 2043 cm² (317 in²)
Tape Spacing (M, L) (t1 x t2): 3 cm (1.2") x 11 cm (4.3"), 8 cm (3.2") x 16 cm (6.3")
Tape (M, L) (W x L): 3 cm (1.2") x 4.5 cm (1.8"), 3.5 cm (1.4") x 4.5 cm (1.8")

1.2 Nexgen Absorbent Plus M/L Diaper

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (M, L) (after press out): 1433 ml (50.6 oz), 1675 ml (59.1 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (M, L) (before press out): 1458 ml (51.4 oz), 1700 ml (60 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings M (first to last): (38 s, 46 s, 49 s, 49 s, 48 s, 52 s)
Time to Absorb Wettings L (first to last): (74 s, 67 s, 82 s, 77 s, 78 s, 76 s, 76 s)
Wet Folded Thickness (M,L): 5 cm (2"), 6 cm (2.4")
Used to Total Padding Ratio (M,L): 66%, 81%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio (M/L): 0.82 ml / cm² (0.19 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume (M/L): 25 ml (0.9 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 7

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus performed similarly to the Egosan Ultra when it came to surface dampness. During the lab capacity test there was no indication of surface dampness after the first wetting and only a slight amount on the second. It wasn’t until the 3rd that the dampness became more obvious. This was confirmed during real world testing, with the rear padding being more susceptible to surface dampness than the front padding. However, the overall breathability of this diaper somewhat countered the surface dampness and it didn’t feel as damp as it might otherwise feel when wearing a less breathable equivalent.

2.1 Wet vs Dry Diaper After Capacity Test (M / L)

2.2 Used vs Unused Padding After Capacity Test (M / L)

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Posture Tests

Standing-Sitting

Total Absorbed Volume (M, L): 1058 ml (37.2 oz), 1225 ml (43.2 oz)
Total Wettings (M/L): (1 standing, 2 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio (M,L): 54%, 62%
Padding to Absorbency Score (M/L): 0.60 ml / cm² (0.14 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 8
The Nexgen Absorbent plus performed very well during the standing-sitting test. The first wetting while standing wearing the medium version of the diaper was quickly absorbed with no signs of leakage and limited surface dampness. There was no leakage upon sitting. The diaper continued to feel comfortable and breathable. On the second wetting,while seated, there was a bit of initial dampness at the front of the diaper but no sign of leakage. Once absorbed it continued to feel comfortable and breathable, albeit the padding swelled in thickness at the front/mid-section. There was a small amount of leakage on the third wetting through the rear leg gathers, but no sign of leakage at the front. I called the test at that, because it still could have been visible through clothing. Even at this point the diaper didn’t feel at all clammy. By the end of the third wetting the front padding had swollen considerably but there was still a fairly large amount of unused padding at the rear and I felt like the front padding did a better job at resisting surface dampness than the rear. When testing the large size, the first wetting while standing was again absorbed quickly with minimal surface dampness. The second wetting while seated was fully absorbed without leakage as well and with most moisture remaining and being absorbed at the front of the diaper. There was a little dampness around the leg gathers but nothing that led to leakage and the rear padding was completely dry. There was significant leakage through the rear leg gathers on the third wetting and I called the test at that, but the diaper had absorbed a large amount at that point. I noticed sagging more on the large version, but I feel that was mostly due to the fact it was a bit too large for me. I didn’t notice any perspiration through the backsheet during the tests, which sometimes happens when testing cloth-backed diapers. I expect it to absorb 2~3 wettings in daily wear before leakage becomes a concern.

Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume (M,L): 1108 ml (39.1 oz), 1375 ml (48.5 oz)
Total Wettings (M/L): 3
Used to Total Padding Ratio (M,L): 65%, 68%
Padding to Absorbency Score (M,L): 0.63 ml / cm² (0.14 oz / in²), 0.67 ml / cm² (0.15 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 7

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus performed quite well when tested while lying down. When the medium version of the diaper was tested there was no sign of leakage after the first wetting and surface dampness was limited and mostly subsided. There was more noticeable surface dampness near the leak guards after the second wetting but nothing leaked out. This moisture persisted for a while but the diaper still remained soft and breathable. There was what felt like a little bit of backsheet perspiration near the leg gathers, though not as much as some cloth-backed diapers. Finally on the third wetting, there was a moderate amount of leakage between the rear leg gathers.Surprisingly there was still some bits of unused rear padding and a substantial amount of front padding, so the diaper likely could have absorbed more had it wicked to those areas. When laying down the medium should generally be able to manage 2 wettings without leakage. The large size of the diaper performed similarly. The first wetting was easily absorbed with little sign of dampness. The second was also easily absorbed, though with a slight amount of surface dampness on the second wetting. There was substantial leakage on the third wetting but it had absorbed a fair amount by that point and more than was found in the medium size. Once again, there was still some unused padding at the rear and front of the diaper. On average, I’d expect the Nexgen Absorbent Plus large to handle 2~3 wettings before leakage.

 

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

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus performed quite well when tested for daily wear and bedwetting. It was easily among the top performers for comfort and may well be the most skin friendly diaper I’ve tested to date. In terms of absorbency it wasn’t quite as absorbent as some of the premium diapers on the market, but it provided a good level of protection and proved to be quite durable. One thing I noticed during testing was that the front padding was particularly absorbent, whereas the rear padding was less so and I noticed more surface dampness at the rear. I feel this makes the Nexgen Absorbent Plus perhaps better suited for daily wear when the absorbent part of the padding may be more likely to dampen. Even so, it performed quite well when worn for bedwetting and I never woke up to leakage. When testing for daily wear I did find that it could sometimes come a bit loose, but for the most part the tapes held up when dry and it was more of a concern when wet. I also found that sometimes when adjusting the tapes bits of the backsheet cloth can be torn off, but it didn’t have any effect on the underlying waterproof layer so leaks were avoided. Otherwise, this diaper proved highly durable and could handle up to about 2 wettings before leakage might be a concern in daily wear. The backsheet that runs over the padding is a nice change from many cloth-backed diapers, which often perspire small amounts of moisture. I didn’t notice any perspiration in this diaper, but I did find that some moisture could get through the leak guards resulting in a bit of dampness around the edges nearest the wearer’s leg diaper when wet. When worn for bedwetting I feel this diaper can handle about 1~2 wettings depending on how much is absorbed by the front padding. I never experienced any leaks but I did notice a bit of rear surface dampness in the mornings (not so much to wake me up). One night I think I accidentally pulled the tapes too tight and at some point during the night one of them tore from the backsheet. Also, I’m not typically a side sleeper, but one thing that might be a challenge with this for side sleepers is that any moisture that makes it through the diaper’s breathable wings can wick through the sides if it ends up getting directed to them. In terms of comfort these diapers have a very light breathable feel to them and I never noticed so much as a hint of skin irritation when testing them. I would highly recommend these for people who are susceptible to skin irritation, likewise I expect they’d be a great choice in warmer weather.

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 7

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus seems reasonably well suited for bowel incontinence. It features generous standing inner leak guards and a rear waistband for containment. It also features a substantial amount of rear padding with a fair amount of space between the skin and padding as well. The primary disadvantage is that the breathable cloth-like backsheet material can allow the escape of odors.

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus has a cloth-like backsheet with hook & loop type fasteners. The fasteners are of high quality and maintain a good grip, but can pull bits of the backsheet off when adjusting. They can be reapplied multiple times anywhere on the backsheet to assist in getting a proper fit.

3.1 Nexgen Absorbent Plus M/L Fastener

 

Ease-of-Use Rating: 7

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus is quite user friendly with a rear waistband and repositionable tapes. It’s form fitting with fairly stretchy sides so with proper adjustment it’s easy to get a snug/comfortable fit. Moreover, the tapes have a very good grip and resist loosening. However, I’ve found that the tapes can tear off bits of the backsheet and sometimes can be difficult to open if the tape shifted onto the backsheet during manufacture. With the tapes being repositionable it’s easy to make adjustments, but sometimes I struggled to get the right initial fit and they came on a bit loose. Not factored into the rating was that the bag can be a bit tricky to open because it doesn’t have an easy tear panel. Aside from that, this diaper has a wetness indicator that changes from yellow to blue and together with its outstanding skin protection I feel this diaper would work great in a care setting. 

3.2 Nexgen Absorbent Plus M/L Diaper Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 10

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus is among the most comfortable diapers on the market. It reminds me a bit of the Attends Premier Overnight, but I found this diaper to be even more comfortable than that one. It feels very light and breathable to wear with an incredibly soft topsheet and backsheet. The rear waistband keeps things nice and snug and, in spite of having hook & loop tapes I never had an issue with the tapes coming loose and scratching my legs, unlike others with a similar structure like the Lille SupremFit. Perhaps the only issue is that it can feel a bit loose to wear if you’re not careful in your tape adjustment, particularly for daily wear. But I found the tapes to hold exceptionally well when properly placed so I wouldn’t hold that against it. Aside from that the backsheet is high quality and I never noticed any chafing, even whilst very active. Overall, I have no complaints, this diaper is about as comfortable as they get when it comes to dry comfort.

Comfort Rating (wet): 8

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus continued to be very comfortable when wet. It wasn’t the best for resisting surface dampness but still better than many others. The big differentiator was that this diaper is very resistant to clamminess and retains a high degree of breathability even when wet. I didn’t notice substantial padding clumping or tearing, though I did notice the rear padding is more susceptible to surface dampness than the front padding (particularly around the leg gathers), in this way it was similar to the Egosan Ultra. It does form a bit of a diaper bulge when wet and you’ll want to make sure the tapes are in a good spot, otherwise it will sag. Fortunately the tapes have a good grip and can be adjusted to keep the diaper from sagging. I noticed more sagging when wearing the large, but that’s because it was clearly too big for me. Once again, this diaper can comfortably be worn while active or overnight. I’d give it a 10 for comfort when wet if it were a little better for resisting surface dampness and the leak guards/leg gathers were a little more resistant to dampness.

3.3 Nexgen Absorbent Plus M/L Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion (M, L): 9.2%, 6.9% (topsheet), 8.9%, 8.7% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test (M/L): 4/5 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 8
When it came to dry wear durability the Nexgen Absorbent Plus performed very well. There was very little padding deterioration in any of the core areas of padding. Most deterioration happened as a result of padding collapsing in the midsection. There was a little tearing of the backsheet when adjusting the tapes. The tapes are very sticky but they can pull some of the cloth-like material from the backsheet. Aside from that, the backsheet and tapes will hold out well and, when dry, it is unlikely to sag if properly fit. Overall, there isn’t much more to ask for and I feel this diaper could easily be worn for active wear, but reducing the backsheet tearing on tape adjustment would make it even better.

Durability Rating (wet): 8

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus was slightly less durable when wet, but still held up decently. The padding isn’t susceptible to clumping or tearing and I didn’t notice any substantial deterioration. I did notice a bit of sagging, though it was reduced after readjusting the tapes. The tapes have the same issues as in the dry state, possibly more so since the weight of the diaper can cause them to pull more. It does have a tendency to swell, yet it held together well during the shake test. Again, I feel this Nexgen diaper will perform well when worn for active wear; the tapes don’t have the best hold of diapers tested so far but were particularly good for the cloth-backed category.

3.4 Nexgen Absorbent Plus M/L Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests

Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline M (Jeans, Sweatpants): 6 cm (2.4"), 5 cm (2")
Front Rise Above Waistline L (Jeans, Sweatpants): 13 cm (5.1"), 13 cm (2.1")
Back Rise Above Waistline M (Jeans, Sweatpants): 6 cm (2.4"), 4 cm (1.6")
Back Rise Above Waistline L (Jeans, Sweatpants): 10 cm (3.9"), 4.5 cm (1.8")
Side Rise Above Waistline M (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4 cm (1.6"), 3 cm (1.2")
Side Rise Above Waistline L (Jeans, Sweatpants): 8 cm (3.5"), 5 cm (2")

Profile Discretion Rating: 7

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus has a bit of a bulge in the rear padding so you may prefer to wear it under meshpants or regular underwear. I wouldn’t say that’s a must, especially if wearing looser clothing because it has a fairly discreet profile, comparable to the Egosan Ultra. With consideration for the outfit, this is a diaper I feel one could comfortably wear when out of the home.

4.1 Nexgen Absorbent Plus M/L Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Nexgen Absorbent Plus M/L Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Noise

Noise Rating: 10

The Nexgen Absorbent Plus diaper is amongst the quietest on the market, comparable to the Seni Super Quatro or Medline Extended Wear. When worn during the day I rarely noticed any noise coming from the diaper regardless of whether it was wet or dry. Even in a quiet room this diaper is unlikely to produce noticeable noise and if it does it will most likely sound no different than the regular rustling of clothing. Worn under meshpants or underwear it will be completely silent.

4.3 Nexgen Absorbent Plus Noise Profile

 

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 7
The Nexgen Absorbent Plus performed similarly to the Egosan Ultra when it came to odor reduction. It performed similarly in terms of resisting surface dampness, with best performance observed for daily wear, less so with overnight wear. The rear waistband was helpful for keeping odors down but the breathable sides, while great for the skin, are susceptible allowing odors through. That aside, this diaper has no obvious fragrance and among the better cloth-backed diapers with respect to odor reduction.

Want to give the Nexgen Absorbent Plus a try?

You can find the full line of Nexgen products at the Night and Day Store.