Forma-Care X-Plus Adult Diaper Review

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

 

Summary

The Forma-Care X-Plus is a premium European diaper with a distinct bright blue plastic backsheet and dual waistbands. It’s produced by the German medical supplies company unizell Medicare GmbH and comes in at the top of their range in terms of absorbency. This diaper is largely sold in the European market and, unfortunately, not widely available internationally. It features a high level of absorbency, consistently taking 2 wettings without any sign of leakage. This puts it a little below the most absorbent diapers on the market, but it comes in way above most diapers at a comparable price range.

During testing I found this diaper to be highly durable and comfortable. It will easily satisfy the needs of bedwetters and is great for wear around the house. Its thickness may make it a challenging wear when out but it has quality tapes and won’t easily come loose. The price-to-value ratio of this diaper is remarkable, with its pricing only slightly above many brands sold in North American stores like the Depend Protection with Tabs. The blue backsheet reminds me a bit of the Wellness Briefs Original, but that’s where the similarity stops. This is a superior diaper that showed no sign of pinhole leaks. I highly recommend the Forma-Care X-Plus to those who are able to pick up a pack.

Key Features:

• Bright blue plastic backsheet
• Standing inner leak barriers
  
• Dual waistbands
• Refastenable tapes

Pros:

• Snug/comfortable fit
• Highly durable
• Great absorbency/leak protection
• Highly odor resistant
  
• Very good price/quality ratio

Cons:

• Limited availability
• Hard to hide under clothing

 

Product Details

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

Packaging

Brand: Forma-Care
Manufacturer: unizell Medicare GmbH
Origin: Europe
Units Per Bag: 18
Cost Per Unit: $$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 38 cm (15") x 17 cm (6.7") x 24 cm (9.5")
Weight: 3.4 kg (7.6 lbs)
Available Sizes: S, M, L
Advertised Absorbency: Overnight

1.1 Forma-Care X-Plus Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Plastic (poly)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (darker blue text, fades 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: Bright blue (almost fluorescent)
Inner Color: White (blue inner lining)
Front Waistband: Yes
Rear Waistband: Yes
Folded Thickness: 2.3 cm (0.9")
Folded Length: 26 cm (10.2")
Dry Weight: 183 g (6.5 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 81 cm (31.9") x 62 cm (24.4") x 29.5 cm (11.6") x 58 cm (23")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 64 cm (25.2") x 31 cm (12.2") x 17 cm (6.7") x 34 cm (13.4")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 7 cm (2.8") x 16 cm (6.3") x 8.5 cm (3.4") x 20 cm (7.8")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1652 cm² (256 in²)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 6 cm (2.4") x 20 cm (7.8")
Tape (W x L): 2.5 cm (1") x 4 cm (1.6")

1.2 Forma-Care X-Plus Diaper

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 1467 ml (51.8 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 1492 ml (52.6 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (56 s, 58 s, 66 s, 67 s, 79 s, 87 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 6 cm (2.4")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 93%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.89 ml / cm² (0.20 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 25 ml (0.88 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 6

The Forma-Care X-Plus performed similarly to the Abena M4 when it came to surface dampness in the capacity test. There was a bit of surface dampness noticeable after the first wetting and non-insignificant amount in subsequent wettings. In real world testing the surface dampness was hardly noticeable, perhaps owing to the breathable design and padding coverage.

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: 1342 ml (47.3 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing, 2 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 94%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.81 ml / cm² (0.18 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 8
The Forma-Care X-Plus quickly and easily absorbed first wetting while standing. At this point there was still a large area of dry padding at the front and rear. There was no indication of any leakage upon sitting a few minutes later and surface dampness was neglectable. On the second wetting there was more moisture wicking up the rear of the diaper but it was absorbed quickly again with no sign of leakage. In spite of apparent surface dampness in the previous capacity test it wasn’t particularly noticeable during this test and the diaper maintained a high degree of comfort. On the third wetting moisture pushed out through the front leg gathers and leaked out from the wings. At this point the rear padding still felt relatively dry and comfortable but the front padding was clearly saturated. The padding had definitely swelled but was still in good shape with no noticeable clumping or tearing. I finished the test at this point because there was clearly a leak. Overall, I feel the Forma-Care X-Plus diaper will easily absorb 2 wettings during daily wear before leakage would be a concern, but 3 would definitely be pushing it.

Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 1167 ml (41.2 oz)
Total Wettings: 3
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 95%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.71 ml / cm² (0.16 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 8

The Forma-Care X-Plus performed well when lying down. There was not so much as a hint of leakage after the first wetting and the moisture was absorbed quickly. The padding continued to feel comfortable and there was still a relatively large area of dry padding. The second wetting was again absorbed quite quickly but there was lingering surface dampness at the rear padding. However, once again there was no sign of leakage and the diaper still felt relatively comfortable at this point. By the third wetting the padding had swelled quite a bit, but still felt quite soft in a way. At this point there was a bit of leakage through the rear leg gathers and I called the test at that. There was still a little dry padding at the front of the diaper but the remainder felt quite saturated and likely would have leaked more if sitting down afterwards. Overall, I feel this diaper would be a reliable choice for bedwetting, taking at least 2 wettings before leakage would be a concern.

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

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The Forma-Care X-Plus is a very well rounded diaper with a high level of absorbency, comfort and durability. It feels like a great diaper for both daily and overnight wear, however, it is also pretty thick and will stand out under most clothing. When worn for bedwetting I never experienced any leaks from this diaper, even when heavy wettings were experienced. Often, when waking up in the morning any dampness was imperceivable and I couldn’t tell if I’d wet during the night. Testing while lying down confirmed its absorption, with the Forma-Care absorbing a full 2 wettings and a likely capacity of 2~3 wettings before leakage. While this doesn’t put this diaper at the top of the premium diapers for absorbency I found it to be remarkably consistent in quality and absorbency. Compared with diapers with a thicker plastic backsheet like the Forsite AM/PM or NorthShore MegaMax I found the backsheet of this one to be softer, more flexible and more comfortable for extended wear. With that in mind, the Forma-Care X-Plus has a smaller “European” fit, so if you typically sit at the upper end of medium in other diapers you may be best to go large for this one. In terms of daily wear this diaper proved remarkably durable. I never had any of the tapes come loose during testing and the padding had virtually no clumping or tearing during both wet and dry wear. Moreover, I didn’t experience any chaffing or skin irritation with wear. This diaper is also among the quieter plastic-backed diapers on the market, though a bit noisier when wet. Perhaps the most significant downside of this diaper is that it will stand out under most clothing and could be difficult to wear discreetly when out of the house. In this regard its padding is relatively thick and forms an obvious diaper bulge at the front and rear and the bright blue (almost fluorescent) backsheet color is glaringly obvious. But if you can make it work I feel this is a diaper you can feel confidently protected in when out and about.

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 10

The Forma-Care X-Plus has all the features you’d be looking for when it comes to bowel incontinence. It has a plastic-backsheet and is incredibly odor resistant. Moreover, the dual waistbands retain a snug fit and it is not prone to sagging. It also has extensive rear padding coverage and standing inner leak guards, which is critical for containment. Overall, I can’t find any faults in this diaper in this regard and thus the perfect score.

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The Forma-Care X-Plus has a bright blue plastic backsheet with a double-tape mechanism. The tapes cannot be repositioned after applying the diaper, but they can be refastened any number of times. The tapes are relatively small but high quality and hold very well even after multiple refastenings.

3.1 Forma-Care X-Plus Fastener

 

Ease-of-Use Rating: 8

The Forma-Care X-Plus has a compact European fitting, so you may need to go up a size for this diaper compared with others if you tend to have a tighter fit. During testing I found it was very easy to achieve and maintain a snug fit with the Forma-Care X-Plus and I was impressed with the softness of the plastic backsheet. The dual waistbands help with maintaining a snug fit while keeping it flexible. It’s also very easy to remove when it’s time for a change. It has a wetness indicator (blue text down the middle that fades when wet), which will also be helpful in some settings. The only downsides I would say are that the tapes are a bit on the small size so may be tough for some to reattach and the blue text of the wetness indicator doesn’t show much of a contrast compared with the bright blue backsheet. Another thing I didn’t factor into this rating is that the bag doesn’t appear to have any easy tear seams; although I didn’t find it particularly difficult to open in any case.

3.2 Forma-Care X-Plus Diaper Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 10

The Forma-Care X-Plus is amongst the most comfortable diapers I’ve tested with a number of similarities to the Tena Slip Active Fit Maxi or Molicare Slip Maxi. I actually found the fit of the Forma-Care to be a bit better than that of the Tena diaper. The backsheet is very smooth and perhaps the softest of any plastic-back diaper tested thus far or at least similar to the Molicare Slip Maxi. It’s notably different from the ABDL-oriented imports from China like the NorthShore MegaMax or Forsite AM/PM, which have a thicker, stiffer backsheet; I found this diaper to be more comfortable in comparison. It has a snug fit and flexible comfortable dual waistbands.The thick padding, while perhaps not the softest on the market, is still very soft, more so than the Drylife SlipSuper or ConfiDry 24/7. For a plastic-backed diaper it was also surprisingly resistant to overheating and never felt particularly clammy. Overall, I couldn’t find any downsides, thus a perfect score.

Comfort Rating (wet): 9

The Forma-Care X-Plus is a very comfortable diaper when wet, not unlike the Tena Slip Active Fit Maxi or Molicare Slip Maxi. It’s not quite as absorbent as some of the other premium diapers in the market, but it has a smooth and relatively breathable plastic-backsheet and the padding is very soft in both its wet and dry state. Personally, I found these diapers less susceptible to clamminess than those with a denser plastic and landing zone like the NorthShore MegaMax. Also, I found it a little less susceptible to rear surface dampness than some of the cloth-backed diapers like the Seni Super Plus. Moreover, the padding stays well intact and doesn’t clump or tear. I think there could still be some small improvements in terms of absorbency/surface dampness that would make this diaper even more comfortable in the wet state, but otherwise it’s about as good as it gets for comfort when wet.

3.3 Forma-Care X-Plus Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 6.1% (topsheet), 6.6% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 5 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 9
The Forma-Care X-Plus was remarkably durable during the dry durability test. At the end of the test there was little in the way of padding deterioration with most occurring in non-critical sections, particularly where it would typically fold inward between the legs. During testing there was never any sign of clumping or tearing and the tapes lost very little adhesiveness, even after multiple re-attachments. The wetness indicator was little affected by sweat or smaller dribbles. Moreover, this diaper retained a snug fit throughout testing with no sign of loosening. There was still a little padding deterioration so I couldn’t quite give it a perfect score, but I put the Forma-Care X-Plus on par with the Tena Slip Active Fit Ultima when it comes to dry durability.

Durability Rating (wet): 9

The Forma-Care X-Plus performed well in terms of wet durability. There were never any signs of padding clumping and only small tears in the front wing padding. The backsheet itself proved highly resilient with no leaks or perspiration getting through from the wet padding. The tapes held up remarkably well with no sign of failure under weight and there was little perceivable sagging from this diaper; it retained its snug fit in both its wet and dry state. It’s not among the most absorbent diapers in the market, but provides a good level of protection and works well for daily wear. I can’t quite say this diaper provided the wet durability of the Drylife SlipSuper or NorthShore Supreme, but it wasn’t far off and more durable than the Molicare Slip Maxi/slightly more than the Attends Slip Regular Plus 10M.

3.4 Forma-Care X-Plus Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests

Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 5 cm (2"), 4.5 cm (1.8")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 6 cm (2.4"), 5 cm (2")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4.5 cm (1.8"), 3.5 cm (1.4")

Profile Discretion Rating: 5

The Forma-Care X-Plus presents a clear diaper bulge at both its front and rear and I wouldn’t recommend this diaper for discretion without careful consideration for clothing. Otherwise, it’s not particularly prone to sagging so the bulge wouldn’t increase much when wet. It certainly feels like a better one for around the house or bedwetting, though if you can make it work it’s actually very good for active wear. This diaper also features a bright blue backsheet that could prove very visible through thinner clothing or above the waistline.

4.1 Forma-Care X-Plus Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Forma-Care X-Plus Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Noise

Noise Rating: 7

The amount of noise produced by the Forma-Care X-Plus very much depends on its condition. In its dry state I noticed very little noise during wear, the padding stays in pretty close alignment with the backsheet and dampens noise. However, when the diaper is wet the padding and backsheet can separate a little resulting in considerably more crinkling with movements.

4.3 Forma-Care X-Plus Noise Profile

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 10
The Forma-Care X-Plus diaper is incredibly resistant to odors and very similar to the Tena Slip Active Fit Maxi in that respect. The snug fit and plastic backsheet definitely helps, but the padding in particular seems to have some properties that lock in odors. It isn’t the best in terms of surface dampness, but even then that didn’t seem to matter. I have no complaints when it comes to odor control from the Forma-Care X-Plus and thus a perfect score.

Want to give the Forma-Care X-Plus a try?

Help us continue to produce quality reviews by making a purchase through our Forma-Care X-Plus Medium or Forma-Care X-Plus Large affiliate link. With every purchase this blog will earn a small amount of commission at no extra cost to the purchaser.