ABU Little Kings / Alpha Gators Adult Diaper Review

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

 

 

Summary

The ABU Little Kings and Alpha Gators are effectively the same diaper but with different backsheet designs. These diapers have a very high level of absorbency and playfully-printed cloth-like backsheet. They’re clearly marketed toward the ABDL community and hardly what I’d consider discreet. I find the marketing interesting, being “Inspired by Japan”, “Designed in America” and “Made in China”. The biggest standout feature in these diapers, which is heavily marketed, is the positional print technique used to produce the sophisticated backsheet designs. I will say that I’m pretty impressed with the quality of the result. When they refer to positional print it’s actually a simple concept. It just has to do with where the diaper’s patterned backsheet is cut. The production process is a bit more complicated with positional printing because each diaper needs to be cut at exactly the right spot in the material roll rather than cutting at any random spot as you would with a repeating pattern.

In terms of performance these diapers rank highly. They have an advertised absorbency of 7500 ml (254 oz), but during testing I found the practical absorbency to be more in the 1200 ~ 2500 ml (40~84 oz) range before leakage would be a concern. They’re also highly comfortable and durable. Overall, I was happy with the performance of this diaper, but would have a bit of a hard time justifying the cost of it. If you really want a cute printed diaper to emphasize your kawaii factor then this is for you. For practical daily wear I think the price point will put this out of most people’s reach.

Key Features:

• Cloth-like backsheet
• Positional printed backsheet designs
• Hook & loop fasteners + landing zone
• Repositionable tapes
• Dual waistbands
  
• Standing inner leak barriers
  

Pros:

• High absorbency
• Snug fit
• Breathable
  
• Extensive soft padding
  
• Strong tapes + durable

Cons:

• Very expensive unit price
  
• Post-wetting pooling
• Limited sizing available

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium-sized ABU Little Kings/Alpha Gators Diaper. However, other available sizes are listed below:

Packaging

Brand: ABU (by ABUniverse)
Manufacturer: Weifang Mimosa Personalcare Technology
Origin: China
Units Per Bag: 10
Cost Per Unit: $$$$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 28 cm (11") x 17 cm (6.7") x 25.5 cm (10")
Weight: 1.9 kg (4.2 lbs)
Available Sizes: M, L, XL
Advertised Absorbency: Maximum (7500 ml)

1.1 ABU Little Kings Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Cloth-like (non-woven)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (yellow line 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 with green/blue waistband / playful prints
Inner Color: White
Front Waistband: Yes
Rear Waistband: Yes
Folded Thickness: 3.2 cm (1.3")
Folded Length: 25 cm (9.8")
Dry Weight: 192 g (6.8 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 79 cm (31.1") x 64 cm (25.2") x 32 cm (12.6") x 62 cm (24.4")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 66 cm (26") x 30 cm (11.8") x 17 cm (6.7") x 35 cm (13.8")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 6.5 cm (2.6") x 12 cm (4.7") x 9 cm (3.5") x 17 cm (6.7")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1584 cm² (246 in²)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 5 cm (2") x 13 cm (5.1")
Tape (W x L): 4.5 cm (1.8") x 5 cm (2")

 

1.2 ABU Little Kings Diaper

1.3 ABU Alpha Gators Diaper

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 2233 ml (78.8 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 2258 ml (79.7 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (66 s, 66 s, 86 s, 89 s, 96 s, 80 s, 75 s, 69 s, 69 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 7 cm (2.8")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 88%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 1.41 ml / cm² (0.32 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 25 ml (0.9 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 9

The padding construction of the ABU Little Kings is almost identical to the NorthShore MegaMax and ABU PeekABU. During the lab test there was no obvious surface dampness on the paper towel test until at least the 4th wetting. However, the slow absorption rate led to pooling and some moisture slid over the topsheet. During real world testing, the excellent resistance to surface dampness continued to be the case, with the cloth-like backsheet perhaps even giving this one an edge over the similar plastic-backed versions in helping keep it "breathable". Even so, I couldn’t quite give it a perfect score on the part of its tendency for initial pooling after a wetting.

2.1 Wet vs Dry Diaper After Capacity Test

2.2 Used vs Unused Padding After Capacity Test

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Posture Tests

Standing-Sitting

Total Absorbed Volume: 1283 ml (45.3 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing, 2 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 63%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.81 ml / cm² (0.18 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 9
The ABU Little Kings performed well on the standing-sitting capacity test but not so much as I might have expected. The first wetting while standing was quickly absorbed, though there was some temporary pooling. Once completely absorbed the dampness was barely perceivable and the diaper hardly felt any different from its dry state. There was no hint of leakage or surface dampness upon sitting shortly afterwards. During the second wetting while seated there was a bit more pooling but no hints of leakage and once it was absorbed the dampness was again neglectable with no hint of pressout. On the third wetting while seated there was significant pooling at the front of the diaper. Enough so that it worked its way up the front and out the wings before the diaper could absorb it. This resulted in a substantial leak through the left wing. Once absorbed the diaper again felt mostly dry and there was clearly plenty of potential absorbency left, but it was a bit too late at that point. This was very similar to my experience with the NorthShore MegaMax or ABU PeekABU, pointing to the very similar internal construction between the three. At the end of the test most of the front/mid padding was wet but almost all the rear padding was completely dry. I suspect this diaper will typically handle 2~4 wettings during daily wear before leakage is a concern (it will likely take a lot more wettings while standing compared to sitting before leakage occurs).

Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 2158 ml (76.1 oz)
Total Wettings: 5
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 97%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.36 ml / cm² (0.31 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 10

The ABU Little Kings performed exceptionally well when tested while lying down. The first wetting was quickly and easily absorbed with little sense of surface dampness afterward and no leaks. The second wetting was also fully absorbed without leakage. There was a brief amount of pooling on the second wetting but it didn’t last long. Likewise on the third wetting, where pooling continued to be a theme but the diaper’s structure made it perfect for redirecting any pooling and there was never an issue with absorption. Even after the third wetting this diaper continued to feel relatively dry and comfortable. The same was true for the fourth wetting and aside from the swollen padding, after the wetting was absorbed it didn’t feel considerably different from its dry state. The padding was quite swollen at the fourth wetting and mostly saturated but still felt fairly dry. The padding had swelled considerably near the crotch of the diaper at this point but was less noticeable when lying down. On the fifth wetting there was substantial pooling as a lot of moisture was blocked from making it to the rear of the diaper due to the padding swelling. Eventually a bit made its way into the wings and escaped through the back of the diaper. What’s interesting is that in spite of being “cloth-backed” the wings in the backsheet did not allow any moisture through directly and so some of it actually made it to the rear padding indirectly. The leaks were relatively small but enough that they’d stain the bedding. Overall this diapers performance when lying down was impressive and it would be highly unlikely to leak for anyone who wets the bed. Expect it to manage 4~5 wettings before leakage is a concern when lying down.

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

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The ABU Little Kings/Alpha Gators has an interesting set of features. Internally, the topsheet is nearly identical to the plastic-backed ABU PeekABU or NorthShore MegaMax. They all have a honeycomb-textured padding that’s relatively dense and resistant to surface dampness. On the flip side, the topsheet does have a bit of a slow absorption rate so an initial wetting will result in temporary pooling, which is when it's at highest risk of leaks. The topsheet is the key differentiator in this diaper, it’s cloth-backed and features a playful print that covers the entirety of the topsheet. The design and prints are high quality and clearly catered to the ABDL-market. It also has hook & loop fasteners with a landing zone that’s very similar to that found in the Attento or Unicharm diapers. I feel like this diaper is a little better suited to bedwetting/overnight wear when compared to daily wear. For one, this diaper is huge and has an obvious profile that would be very hard to conceal. It’s also far more absorbent when worn lying down as there’s a better chance for moisture to make its way to the rear padding. During daily wear this diaper will do a lot better if most wettings happen while standing. Yet, it will leak well before capacity if wettings happen while seated because the padding at the crotch/mid-section swells to the point that it effectively blocks moisture from making it back to the unused padding at the rear. The plus side for daily wear is that it’s one of the most breathable premium absorbency diapers on the market, since most others with a comparable level of absorbency don’t have a cloth-like backsheet. Also, in spite of the backsheet being cloth-like, it is still very resistant to moisture seepage and I never had any issues with backsheet perspiration or leakage through the wing material during testing. When worn for bedwetting I never woke up to any leaks and feel this will provide more than enough absorbency for even the heaviest wetters. Also of note, this diaper features a functional wetness indicator (a yellow line that clearly goes from yellow to blue when wet. The sizing is about in line with the ABU PeekABU and it’s easy to get a snug fit. The tapes and design are also incredibly durable and I never had it come loose on me during daily or overnight wear. Nor did I have any issues with skin irritation, even during extended wearing. Of course the biggest downside to this diaper is the cost, you’d practically need to take out a mortgage to use the ABU Little Kings/Alpha Gators as your daily diaper. For many, that will mean it remains something of a novelty.

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 10

The ABU Little Kings is perfectly suited for managing bowel incontinence. It’s very easy to get a snug fit with this diaper and it has strong inner leak guards and leg gathers. Moreover, this diaper is one of the best on the market for surface dampness containment. The amount of rear padding coverage is also very generous and perfectly suited for this purpose. If you can overlook the price-point this diaper ranks at the top in terms of being suited for bowel incontinence, which is quite a rarity for cloth-backed diapers.

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The ABU Little Kings is a high quality full featured diaper. It has dual waistbands, repositionable tapes with a patterned landing zone, standing inner leak guards and a generous amount of padding coverage. It has a cloth-like backsheet and the landing zone somewhat resembles the one on the Attento or Unicharm diapers or “hybrids” like the Rearz Barnyard/InControl Elite Hybrid. The sizing of this diaper is about average if not slightly smaller than others on the market for its advertised sizes. The tapes can be refastened and repositioned multiple times without losing adhesiveness.

3.1 ABU Little Kings Fastener

Ease-of-Use Rating: 10

I give the ABU Little Kings top marks for ease-of-use. It’s very easy to get a snug fit with this diaper as the leg gathers and waistbands are large and flexible. The landing zone also provides a generous space to attach or reattach/position the tapes if you get the first try wrong. The backsheet pattern, while clearly ABDL-focused, actually makes it easy to consistently get a good fit because it provides a reference point. Also, unlike the similar NorthShore MegaMax or ABU PeekABU, this diaper has a good quality wetness indicator for those who need assistance. The tapes on this diaper are also easier to add/remove than the NorthShore MegaMax or ABU PeekABU. Again, I can’t really see a downside to this diaper that would complicate usage and thus the perfect score.

3.2 ABU Little Kings Fit

 

3.3 ABU Alpha Gators Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 10

The ABU Little Kings is among the most comfortable diapers on the market. I rank it similar to the Seni Super Quatro in this regard. The padding is a little firmer (basically identical to the NorthShore MegaMax), but the backsheet is a similar level of softness to the Quatro. Like the Seni Super Quatro this diaper features a moisture-resistant type of cloth-like backsheet but remains highly breathable. The landing zone at the front is rigid and made of a similar material to the Attento and Unicharm diapers. The tapes are easily refastenable and present little difficulty in getting a snug fit. I didn’t find the landing zone to be as irritating as that of the ABU PeekABU or NorthShore MegaMax. When worn for bedwetting I could hardly even tell I was wearing a diaper, in spite of its large/thick padding. I’d say this diaper could do well in warmer weather where other thick premium diapers might not, though perhaps not as good as the Seni Super Quatro. Overall, I can’t think of any significant comfort flaws and thus I’m giving the ABU Little Kings a perfect score for dry comfort.

Comfort Rating (wet): 10

The ABU Little Kings proved to be among the most comfortable diapers on the market when it came to wet comfort. Like the NorthShore MegaMax or ABU PeekABU this diaper is highly resistant to surface dampness, so aside from the padding swelling and feeling thicker, it doesn’t really feel any different from the wet state. In fact this diaper may have a bit of an edge over the other two, due to its cloth-like backsheet that makes it more resistant to overheating/sweat. Furthermore, the padding remains highly durable when wet and will not fall apart (clump or tear) so there continues to be minimal skin contact with the inner part of the backsheet. I do have to point out that when initially wet there will be pooling as the padding is limited in the speed of absorption. Still, I didn’t count that aspect against it in this regard because there’s tons of room for absorption and once captured it isn’t susceptible to pressout.

3.4 ABU Little Kings Topsheet and Backsheet

3.5 ABU Alpha Gators Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 4.7% (topsheet), 6.4% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 3 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 9
The ABU Little Kings performed very well when it came to dry durability. During the durability test there was very little deterioration, mostly in non-key parts of the padding. The tapes aren’t as strong as the plastic-backed equivalents, but still reasonably strong and they don’t lose adhesiveness with refastenings. The wetness indicator is also highly resistant to dampness and never showed signs of sweat/minor dribble during dry testing. Moreover, refastening tapes won’t pull bits of cloth off the backsheet like many cloth-like diapers. It also maintains a snug fit and I never had issues with it coming loose during active wear. It wasn’t among the very best diapers with regards to dry durability, but pretty close.

Durability Rating (wet): 9

The ABU Little Kings is nearly identical to the NorthShore MegaMax or ABU PeekABU in terms of wet durability. The backsheet is a different material, but that doesn’t matter much when the padding and structure are about the same. The tapes are perhaps slightly weaker than the other two due to the hook & loop fastening mechanism, but I found they had no problem holding the weight of the wet diaper. On the other hand, the backsheet with its softer landing zone could add to its flexibility and make it suited for active wear. If you’re OK with the thickness, this diaper will have no trouble with active daily wear.

3.6 ABU Little Kings Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests

Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 5 cm (2"), 6 cm (2.4")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 6 cm (2.4"), 3 cm (1.2")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4 cm (1.6"), 3 cm (1.2")

Profile Discretion Rating: 4

The ABU Little Kings was clearly not designed with discretion in mind. It produces a very large diaper bulge at the rear. The diaper bulge at the front isn’t as noticeable but would still be difficult to conceal. Moreover, the prominent cartoonish print is hardly discreet and could be visible wherever the diaper rises above the waistline.

4.1 ABU Little Kings Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 ABU Little Kings Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Noise

Noise Rating: 7

The ABU Little Kings has a thick padding and cloth-like backsheet that go a good way to reduce its noise. Still I found it louder than most diapers with cloth-like backsheets such as the Seni Super Quatro. I attribute the sound largely to the landing zone that is far less flexible and can be noisy during movement. If you can conceal this diaper I generally believe you wouldn’t notice the noise much when out and about.

4.3 ABU Little Kings Noise Profile

 

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 8
The ABU Little Kings is right in line with the ABU PeekABU or NorthShore MegaMax when it comes to odor reduction. I never noticed much in the way of odors and the padding is highly resistant to surface dampness, which helps prevent the formation of odors. The waistbands and snug leg gathers also help with containment of odors. I wouldn’t say it’s the best in the market when it comes to odor reduction, but it’s not far off.

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