Molicare Premium Elastic 10D (Small/Medium) Adult Diaper Review

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

Summary

The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D is the second Molicare-branded diaper I’ve tested after the Molicare Slip Maxi. This diaper features a cloth-like backsheet with unique elastic sides that allow it to snuggly fit the curves of one's hips. This product line features an extensive range of absorbency levels from 5D (drops) to 10D with the 10D tested in this review being the maximum level of available absorbency for this diaper. Choosing the proper sizing proved a challenge for me with mixed reviews and many complaining about incorrect sizing. Typically I would go with a medium size, but I saw some reviews suggesting it fits large. I imagine others have faced this dilemma, so for the purpose of this review I’ve gone with testing both the small and the medium sizes to compare them (this turned out to be a more valuable comparison than I’d expected since they’re quite different).

In terms of absorbency, I found the small and the medium sizes were nearly the same for performance. I suppose this isn’t surprising since they both have about the same amount of core padding, even though the backsheet on the medium runs far higher and has well defined padded wings. The stretchy sides on this diaper have both pros and cons. In terms of fit they provided among the best fit I’ve ever experienced (in the small anyway), but they’re also more challenging to apply because pulling on one side to attach it can pull the whole rear toward that side, making it harder to attach the other side. In terms of structure the small and medium are very different diapers, with the medium having a more typical adult diaper hourglass structure and the small taking a rectangular form that seems like a hybrid between an adult and baby diaper. Price-wise, the unit price of the small is substantially less than that of the medium, so it’s a far more affordable choice for those who can fit it. My final take is that I’d recommend this diaper for those who don’t like the fit of more traditional adult diapers and I feel it would make a great choice for daily or overnight wear (just be careful when ordering to make sure you get proper sizing). I’d like to give special thanks to BR Pat and Denis whose donations helped contribute to the purchases in this review! Again, any help is always appreciated!

Key Features:

• Cloth-like backsheet
• Repositionable tapes
  
• Single tape per side
• Standing inner leak barriers
• Wetness indicator
• Stretchy elastic-sides
  

Pros:

• Snug comfortable fit
• Highly soft/breathable
• High absorbency
• Very Discreet

Cons:

• Some gaps between sizes
• Difficult to apply while standing
  

 

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the small/medium-sized Molicare Premium Elastic 10D Diaper. However, other available sizes are listed below:

Packaging

Brand: MoliCare
Manufacturer: Paul Hartmann AG
Origin: France
Units Per Bag (S): 14
Units Per Bag (M): 22
Cost Per Unit: $$
Dimensions S (L x W x H): 38 cm (15") x 16 cm (6.3") x 21 cm (8.3")
Dimensions M (L x W x H): 36 cm (14.2") x 18 cm (7.1") x 24 cm (9.5")
Weight (S,M): 2.5 kg (5.6 lbs), 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs)
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Advertised Absorbency (S/M): Heavy

1.1 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D (S/M) Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Cloth-like (non-woven)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (blue dashes down middle, fades when wet)
Standing Inner Leak Guards: Yes
Leg Gathers: Yes
Product Style: Stretch Sides Brief
Refastenable Tabs: Yes
Number of Tapes: 2
Repositionable Tabs: Yes
Outer Color: White (gray text/lines running parallel over the padding edges)
Inner Color: White
Front Waistband: No
Rear Waistband: No
Folded Thickness (S, M): 1.8 cm (0.72"), 2.7  cm (1.1")
Folded Length (S, M): 21 cm (8.3"), 24 cm (9.5")
Dry Weight (S, M): 112 g (4 oz), 158 g (5.6 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions S (L x fW x mW x bW): 70 cm (27.6") x 29 cm (11.4") x 29 cm (11.4") x 61 cm (24")
Diaper Dimensions M (L x fW x mW x bW): 80 cm (31.5") x 45 cm (17.7") x 30 cm (11.8") x 78 cm (30.7")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular (None for Small), Rectangular
Padding Dimensions S (L x fW x mW x bW): 63 cm (24.8") x 20 cm (7.9") x 17 cm (6.7") x 21 cm (8.3")
Padding Dimensions M (L x fW x mW x bW): 64 cm (25.2") x 29 cm (11.4") x 18 cm (7.1") x 36 cm (14.2")
Padding Wing Dimensions S (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 1.5 cm (0.6") x 12 cm (4.7") x 2 cm (0.8") x 20 cm (7.9")
Padding Wing Dimensions M (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 5.5 cm (2.2") x 14 cm (5.5") x 9 cm (3.5") x 23 cm (9.1")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area (S, M): 1187 cm² (184 in²), 1720 cm² (267 in²)
Tape Spacing (S, M) (t1): 3.5 cm (1.4"), 3 cm (1.2")
Tape (S, M) (W x L): 7 cm (2.8") x 4.5 cm (1.8"), 7 cm (2.8") x 4 cm (1.6")

1.2 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D S/M Diaper

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (S, M) (after press out): 1213 ml (42.8 oz), 1417 ml (50 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (S, M) (before press out): 1238 ml (43.7 oz), 1492 ml (52.6 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings S (first to last): (61 s, 72 s, 83 s, 87 s, 76 s)
Time to Absorb Wettings M (first to last): (52 s, 45 s, 58 s, 57 s, 63 s, 67 s)
Wet Folded Thickness (S, M): 4.5 cm (1.8"), 5 cm (2")
Used to Total Padding Ratio (S, M): 91%, 83%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio (S/M): 1.02 ml / cm² (0.23 oz / in²), 0.82 ml / cm² (0.19 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume (S/M): 25 ml (0.88 oz), 75 ml (2.65 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 8

The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D performed well when it came to resisting surface dampness. During the lab paper towel test there was no sign of moisture after the first wetting and only a little on the second. It wasn’t until the 3rd wetting that there was significant moisture on the paper towel. In real world testing it performed very well; I never noticed dampness after a single wetting. Even on the second wetting when the padding was saturated it continued to feel relatively dry on account of the highly breathable design.

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

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

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Posture Tests

Standing-Sitting

Total Absorbed Volume (S, M): 838 ml (29.6 oz), 942 ml (33.2 oz)
Total Wettings (S,M): (1 standing, 2 sitting), (1 standing, 1 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio (S, M): 73%, 80%
Padding to Absorbency Score (S/M): 0.71 ml / cm² (0.16 oz / in²), 0.55 ml / cm² (0.12 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 8
The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D small size performed well when standing then sitting. The first test while standing saw very brief pooling and most moisture was absorbed into the mid section of the padding. Once fully absorbed the diaper went back to feeling dry and comfortable with the dampness barely noticeable. Upon sitting shortly after there was no obvious pressout and, consequently, no leaks. The second wetting while seated resulted in moisture pushing up the front of the diaper but it was contained and prevented from escaping the waist or wings. Instead the moisture was redirected down toward the middle of the padding and partially wicked up the rear. Most of the front padding was wet at this point but there was still dry padding at the rear and no sign of leakage. After a more extended amount of time sitting I suspect there was some slight leakage out the leg gathers but not enough to stop the test. On the third wetting there was substantial pooling at the front of the diaper and enough pressure that quite a bit was able to push up through the front leak guards and over the wings. Unfortunately the thickness at the mid-section prevented much of the excess moisture from making it to the rear when seated, but there was still some dry rear padding at the end of the test. I ended the test at that, but was impressed with the overall performance given its size and suspect it will consistently take 1~2 wettings during daily wear. On the next test, the first wetting of the Molicare Premium Elastic 10D medium while standing was rapidly absorbed and wicked through the padding. Because of its relatively loose fit on me, most of the moisture ended up getting directed toward the middle padding and the front and the rear remained largely dry. Upon sitting shortly afterward there was no sign of leakage and I didn’t notice any pressout or significant moisture. On the second wetting while seated moisture pushed up the front of the diaper and leaked out into its wings pretty soon after. The result was a modest leak out below the rear, under the wings. I ended the test at that, but I suspect it may have performed a little better with a snugger fit to redirect the moisture to the rear padding. At the end of the test there was still a substantial amount of dry padding at the rear.

Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume (S, M): 1063 ml (37.5 oz), 892 ml (31.5 oz)
Total Wettings (S, M): 3, 2
Used to Total Padding Ratio (S, M): 99%, 86%
Padding to Absorbency Score (S, M): 0.90 ml / cm² (0.20 oz / in²), 0.52 ml / cm² (0.12 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 8

The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D demonstrated reasonable absorbency when tested while lying down. When testing the small size, the first wetting was absorbed quickly and easily with little pooling. Once absorbed, it was hard to tell whether the padding was wet due to its breathability and minimal surface dampness. The only sign of wetness was the faded wetness indicator and the padding was slightly thicker/firmer. The second wetting while lying down was also fully absorbed. I expected leaks on this wetting as it initially felt quite damp and there was a bit of pooling, but the very snug fit of the small size contained it all until it could be absorbed and there were no signs of leakage. Had the diaper fit loosely I’m sure there would have been some leakage. Once absorbed, the diaper felt comfortable, with a bit more surface dampness but again balanced out by its breathability. On the third wetting there was finally moderate leakage through the rear leg gathers. Initially the pooling pushed up the front of the diaper but there were no leaks through the wings because the snug fit held it back and it was the pooling around the rear leg gathers that eventually caused the leak. All things considered, I was rather impressed with how the small size of this diaper held out, perhaps largely due to its unique fit. When testing the medium size, performance was somewhat affected by the fit, as the medium fits pretty large and in my case I found there wasn’t a particularly strong seal at the leg gathers, making it a bit more susceptible to leakage. In spite of that weakness, the padding coverage in the medium is substantial and the first wetting was easily absorbed with no obvious surface dampness. I couldn’t even tell it was wet after the first wetting aside from a little more firmness of the padding. In the second wetting there was significant pooling in the mid-section and a substantial leak through the leg gathers. Given that most of the padding was saturated after the test it likely would have leaked regardless of the fit, however, it wouldn’t have leaked as easily with a better fit. In my case it leaked almost immediately, but for those with a snugger fit it may take 2 wettings in some cases.

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

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

In testing the Molicare Premium Elastic 10D I found substantial differences between the small and medium-size. Whereas in most diapers the larger sizes are just a scaled up version of the smaller sizes, in this diaper the construction of the small and medium was substantially different. The medium is about what you might expect from a standard adult diaper, with an “hourglass” shaped backsheet and padding. Its primary distinguishing feature being the stretchable rear wings, giving it a design not unlike the Tena Super Stretch or Prevail Air Overnight. That said, I give it an edge over either of those diapers as it also features decent inner leak guards and proved a bit more absorbent. The sizing of this diaper leans toward the larger end of the spectrum so if you’re normally at the smaller end of medium in sizing then you may opt for the small size. However, because of its design, sizing is all the more important to ensure it stretches, rather than sagging, over the waist and the tapes don’t overlap in the middle but are still able to stretch far enough to reach the front backsheet. It’s quite easy to mess up the fitting of this diaper and that will result in poor absorbency or discomfort. Personally, I didn’t find the medium-size to be uncomfortable even if it was a bit large, but it left substantial gaps for moisture to escape and was more susceptible to sagging so I focused more on the performance of the small size in my review. The small size is where this diaper is truly different from others on the market. Its padding length is nearly identical to that of the medium size, but with a much shorter backsheet, so the padding runs nearly all the way to the front and rear waistline. The padding and backsheet are also nearly rectangular and it has no front wings, with the partially stretchable rear wings entirely responsible for the fit. For this reason I found it was easiest to apply this diaper while lying down because your body weight will hold it in place as you stretch the wings to attach to its front. If standing, it’s probably easiest if you can get another person to help hold it in place as you fasten it. The area of stretchy material on the wings is somewhat limited on the small-size, while it makes up most of the length on the medium. I imagine more people would be able to get a good fit with the small size if the stretchable material made up a greater proportion of the material on the wing. All in all, the design of the small feels like something of a hybrid between a baby diaper and an adult diaper, with its core more like a baby diaper and fasteners more like an adult diaper. In testing, I found this design actually worked surprisingly well. The fit is amongst the snuggest I’ve ever experienced but the fasteners hold strongly and don’t easily slip. I didn’t experience any leaks when worn for bedwetting, with it easily absorbing 1~2 wettings and never disturbing my sleep. I wouldn’t recommend it for any more than 2 wettings as you’ll hit the overall capacity at that, but the fit goes a good way to ensure the padding is well utilized. During daily wear it was a bit more challenging because it can be tricky to reattach it when you are able to make it to the toilet on time. For this reason, it may work better for those who are fully incontinent where they’ll only ever want to remove it to change into a new diaper. In daily wear you’ll generally get at least 1 wetting without leakage on this diaper, I suspect 2 wettings will often be possible but there is more risk of minor pressout leakage on sitting. Aside from that, I never noticed clamminess from this diaper and it proved incredibly skin friendly as I never had so much as a hint of irritation during wear. I’d highly recommend giving this diaper a try, particularly if you’re able to fit the small size, which comes at a much better unit price.

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 7

This diaper checks several key boxes when it comes to suitability for bowel incontinence. It has strong tapes with a snug fitting design, generous rear padding and standing inner leak guards. However, it lacks waistbands which are important for containment and the breathable design can be susceptible to odors. I feel this diaper could work for bowel incontinence but you’ll likely be better off going with something like the Forma-Care X-Plus in this regard.

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D has to be one of the most interesting fittings of any diapers I’ve tested so far. It has a cloth-like backsheet with only a single hook and loop fastener per side (most adult diapers have 2 tabs per side) and stretchy rear wings. In this way it has a lot of similarities to the Tena Super Stretch or Prevail Air Overnight. However, there are significant differences between the fit of the medium and small version of this diaper. It’s almost like they’re two different diapers. The medium is more similar to the Tena Super Stretch or Prevail Air Overnight with its curved backsheet and well defined wings at the front and rear. Also, in the medium size the backsheet runs well above the end of the padding at the waistline. The dimensions of the small size are different than any I’ve tested so far. It has nearly the same padding length as the medium but the backsheet is substantially shorter so the padding runs right near the end of the backsheet at both the front and back. The padding area on the small size has a rectangular shape to it with very small wings at the front and rear, with the rear wing also being rectangular and stretchy.

3.1 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D S/M Fastener

 

Ease-of-Use Rating: 6

I’ll preface my relatively low ease-of-use score for this diaper with the caveat that it depends highly on circumstance and some may find it far easier to use than others. I discovered a substantial difference in sizing between the medium and the small sized Molicare Premium Elastic and found I was very close to being in-between sizes. My 78~81 cm (31~32”) waist had a better fit on the small size, which is targeted at a 70-90 cm (27.5-35.4”), compared with the medium size, targeted at a 85~120 cm (33.5~47.2”) waist. My other challenge was my relatively large hips, which pushed me closer to the limits on the small size. Typically when I’m between small and medium-sized diapers I tend to go up in size, but in this case the medium left large gaps for me and the stretchy sides had to be left somewhat loose to avoid the two tapes overlapping in the middle. Anyone with a waist only slightly larger than my own will likely struggle to get a good fit from this diaper. That aside, the stretchy sides are a major selling point for this diaper and give it a surprisingly snug and comfortable fit when you get your correct size. At first I felt the small was too tight until I realized the elastic was designed for some stretch and doesn’t result in crushing tightness when worn. Yet, this presents some challenges in self-applying the diaper or re-attaching it. I found it easy to apply when lying down, less so when sitting, and far more difficult when standing. The problem with trying to apply it when standing is that the stretchy side will pull the front backward so you need to keep a firm grip on the front when applying it while standing. This may be less difficult if you have another person help apply it and perhaps won’t be an issue in a care-giver environment. Still, it makes it difficult if you can make it to the toilet on time because it will be hard to re-attach. When I’ve attempted re-attachments I’ve run into some issues accidentally ripping the backsheet, which made it even more difficult. It provides a high level of absorbency and I was quite happy with its overnight performance. It also has a wetness indicator and decent leak guards. I was conflicted on rating this diaper for ease-of-use, but I heavily weighted its impact on daily wear with the difficulty in applying it when standing. If you can reliably apply it while lying down I’d be tempted to say it’s as high as an 8 or 9 in this regard.

3.2 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D (S/M) Diaper Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 10

I’ve given the Molicare Premium Elastic 10D a perfect score for dry comfort, with the caveat being that you actually get a proper fit. In my case I found that was possible with the small size, which fit snugly and never budged during hours of wear. The padding is quite soft and the design is amongst the most breathable on the market. I never noticed any clamminess during wear and heat quickly dissipated, so I feel it could be a great diaper for warmer weather. Moreover, the padding proved incredibly resistant to clumping or tearing during dry wear and continued to feel the same as when it was first applied, even hours later. I’m confident this diaper won’t sag, even though I do have concerns about tape weakness after re-attaching the tapes (I counted that more against durability than comfort though), during testing I was able to avoid any issues around that; yet it requires a lot of care that might not be possible if changing in a public restroom.

Comfort Rating (wet): 10

The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D earns a perfect score for wet comfort. I found the padding to be incredibly durable with little-to-no deterioration (particularly in the small size). It also remained highly breathable with little noticeable surface dampness. The snug fit prevented any indication of sagging when wearing this diaper while wet. Again, assuming the proper fit (small for me), the elastic sides hold the waist up better than diapers with a more traditional design. I feel an elastic waistband might be a nice improvement, but far less necessary than it would be in a diaper without this fantastic fit. The main concern I might have with wet wear in this diaper would be if you were re-attaching the tapes multiple times while standing. I tried to avoid that and the tapes held out remarkably, but with multiple re-reattachments and a damaged backsheet the risk of it coming loose increases substantially. I’m assuming the tapes are used as intended in my scoring here.

3.3 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D S/M Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion (S, M): 2%, 6.1% (topsheet), 0.9%, 4.3% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test (S/M): 2/7 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 9
When properly fit this diaper performed remarkably well for dry durability. In my case this was while wearing the small size, whereas the medium showed more padding deterioration. I believe this owes to its very snug fit, which minimizes the amount of padding shifting and collapsing to happen during wear. At the end of the dry durability test, which involved many hours of modest activity the padding deterioration was among the least I’d seen in any of my tests. The small size was a particular winner in this regard, and may have also done better because a larger proportion of its padding is in the core compared with padding toward the wings, which is usually weaker. During testing I never found this diaper came loose on me and the tapes held on incredibly well to retain the initial snug fit. The only reason I can’t give it a perfect score is that I found that re-attaching the tapes multiple times can damage the backsheet, which risks causing damage that will make them hard to refasten later on.

Durability Rating (wet): 9

The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D demonstrated a high degree of durability when wet, though slightly less than its dry state. I found more small tears in the padding after it was worn wet and the tapes can become hard to re-attach if you damage the backsheet during previous attachments. However, I found this diaper did a great job at keeping its snug fit when properly tapped (again referring to the small version since I couldn’t quite get a proper fit for the medium). Unlike many other diapers with a cloth-like backsheet this diaper’s backsheet is moisture impermeable and I never noticed pinhole leaks or “sweating” out of the backsheet. I feel waistbands would give it slightly more of an edge but I don’t feel these are strictly necessary in this diaper. Were the padding in just slightly better shape after the test I’d easily rank this diaper perfect for wet durability.

3.4 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D S/M Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests

Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline S (Jeans, Sweatpants): 1 cm (0.4"), 0 cm (0")
Front Rise Above Waistline M (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4 cm (1.6"), 4 cm (1.6")
Back Rise Above Waistline S (Jeans, Sweatpants): 1 cm (0.4"), 0 cm (0")
Back Rise Above Waistline M (Jeans, Sweatpants): 9 cm (3.5"), 6 cm (2.4")
Side Rise Above Waistline S (Jeans, Sweatpants): 0 cm (0"), 0 cm (0")
Side Rise Above Waistline M (Jeans, Sweatpants): 2 cm (0.8"), 2 cm (0.8")

Profile Discretion Rating: 9

The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D ranks right up there with the Tena Slip Active Fit Maxi or Tena Super Stretch Brief when it comes to profile discretion. I found the snug fit and strong resistance to sagging allowed this diaper to disappear under clothing even without the aid of underwear or meshpants. It’s easily among the most discreet diapers I’ve tested so far. This is particularly true in the small size, which generally stays below the waistline and won’t show even if bending over. The medium size will show up far more if you’re on the smaller size of the medium range, so it would arguably rank lower. I’ve chosen to focus on the small because it’s sizing aligns with the lower end of most products medium range.

4.1 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D S/M Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D S/M Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Noise

Noise Rating: 10

The Molicare Premium Elastic 10D is as quiet as you could possibly expect from a diaper. I never noticed any noise when wearing this diaper, even when sitting or standing. The snug fit of the elastic sides cuts down on the potential for rustling with movement. This was true both in its wet and dry state. I really doubt there would be any way to make it quieter and thus the perfect score.

4.3 Molicare Premium Elastic 10D (S/M) Noise Profile

 

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 7
The downside of being so breathable was that I found the Molicare Premium Elastic 10D a bit more susceptible to odors than I otherwise would have expected. For the most part I didn’t notice odors too much, but when wet it was occasionally noticeable. It does have a nice snug fit that certainly helps, but I feel having waistbands could further cut down on the odors. Otherwise, it has a decent resistance to surface dampness that will assist with preventing odors from forming in the first place.

Want to give the Molicare Premium Elastic 10D a try?

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