Pull-Ups 5T-6T Protective Underwear Review

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

 

Summary

Over the past couple years as many review suggestions have come in for products beyond adult diapers we’ve expanded to cover disposable and reusable protective underwear as well incontinence pads. In this review, I’m excited to kick off the first of a sub-series of the largest youth diapers and would like to give special thanks for the donation of Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T to kick off this review series. In these reviews I’ll cover the largest available youth products and try to best determine whether any are of a size that will fit the underserved “middle” market of small adults/large youths. For those in that size range there are relatively limited products available and large youth products have the benefit of being considerably cheaper than adult products. As someone who is typically in the small/medium range for adult products I doubt that any of these products will fit properly, but I’ll do my best to assess at what level they’ll perform at when scaled down.

Arguably, Pull-Ups aren’t quite a diaper, but more of a hybrid protective underwear-diaper product, since they can be pulled on/off like regular underwear straight out of the package but have refastenable sides that can be attached/detached like a regular diaper. The fasteners on these are completely different from conventional diapers because the adhesive hook & loop tabs are on the front wing facing outward whereas diapers typically have such fasteners on the rear wings facing inwards. Otherwise, they very closely resemble the Goodnites line of products but are marketed toward toilet training rather than bedwetting. Moreover, the regular Pull-Ups covered in this review appear to be targeting daytime use because there’s a whole different product line for overnight wear. Like Goodnites, these are a gendered product with different areas of targeted absorbent padding for the boys vs girls product (this review will only be covering the boys version). I have to admit, I was highly skeptical I’d even be able to pull these around my waist but the waist size fit surprisingly well. It was the low rise that caused me the most trouble, which was just barely long enough to be functional. Absorbency was also slightly less than experienced in the Goodnites XL line of products, but not nearly as different as I would have expected for a product targeting half the weight range. Having tested and measured the Pull-Ups 5T-6T extensively, I’ve come to the conclusion that they will work best for someone up to 80% of my dimensions, so a weight of up to 110 lbs (50 kg) and a waist of 24~26” (61~66”). Certainly if you fit into such a range it could be a cost effective choice, assuming absorbency is sufficient.

Key Features:

• Cloth-like backsheet
• Dual waistbands
• Colorful Disney character prints
• Standing inner leak guards
• Wetness indicator
• Refastenable sides
  

Pros:

• Comfortable and breathable
  
• Easy to change
  
• Highly flexible/durable
  

Cons:

• Low absorbency
  
• Thin mid/rear padding, susceptible to pressout leaks
• Very small sizing (this product is designed for youths)

 

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the large-sized 5T-6T sized Pull-Ups Boys Protective Underwear. However, other available sizes are listed below:

Packaging

Brand: Huggies Pull-Ups
Manufacturer: Kimberly-Clark Corp
Origin: USA
Units Per Bag: 14
Cost Per Unit: $
Dimensions (L x W x H): 17 cm (6.7") x 10 cm (3.9") x 23 cm (9.1")
Weight: 0.50 kg (1.1 lbs)
Available Sizes: 2T-3T,3T-4T,4T-5T,5T-6T
Advertised Absorbency: Day-Time

1.1 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Protective Underwear Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Cloth-like (non-woven)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (blue instrument outline at crotch, fades when wet)
Standing Inner Leak Guards: Yes
Leg Gathers: Yes
Product Style: Hybrid Protective Underwear
Refastenable Tabs: Yes
Number of Tapes: 1
Repositionable Tabs: Yes
Outer Color: Blue (Disney Mikey Mouse patterns)
Inner Color: White (blue sides)
Front Waistband: Yes
Rear Waistband: Yes
Folded Thickness: 1.2 cm (0.47")
Folded Length: 22 cm (8.7")
Dry Weight: 40 g (1.4 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 53 cm (20.9") x 29 cm (11.4") x 17 cm (6.7") x 30 cm (11.8")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 43 cm (16.9") x 10 cm (3.9") x 8 cm (3.2") x 10 cm (3.9")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 1 cm (0.4") x 9 cm (3.5") x 1 cm (0.4") x 8 cm (3.2")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Total Padding Area: 378 cm² (59 in²)
Tape Spacing (t1): 1 cm (0.4")
Tape (W x L): 11.5 cm (4.5") x 1.5 cm (0.6")

1.2 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Protective Underwear

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 470 ml (16.6 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 472 ml (16.7 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (39 s, 38 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 4 cm (1.6")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 100%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 1.42 ml / cm² (0.32 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 2 ml (0.07 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 6

Considering it has such a low overall absorbency, the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T performed surprisingly well with regards to surface dampness. During the lab test there was no perceivable moisture after the first wetting. It was more noticeable on the second wetting, but not completely saturated like I’ve seen in some tests. This aligns it with what was seen in the Goodnites XL. I can also say, I noticed a similar thing during real world testing, but what I found was the front padding was considerably more resistant to surface dampness than the rear padding.

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: 360 ml (12.7 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing)
Leaked After Sitting: Yes
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 96%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.95 ml / cm² (0.22 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 2
The Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T surprised me when tested while standing. I was very much expecting a rapid leak given my being well above the intended sizing. Instead, the first wetting while standing was fully absorbed without leaks. Though not to say it didn’t feel a bit precarious at first, as there was initially considerable pooling in the mid padding that lasted a minute or so before being fully absorbed and surely could have leaked if shifted too much one way or another, but wasn’t affected by regular walking. Once fully absorbed the underwear swelled a bit, but otherwise felt comfortable and the surface dampness wasn’t too noticeable. Its breathable design certainly helped in that regard. The performance up to this point was similar to what I experienced when testing the Goodnites so I was very much expecting a leak upon sitting and the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T did indeed moderately leak through the rear leg gathers very soon after sitting. The overall absorbency was only a little short of what was found when testing the Goodnites, but none of these have enough absorbency to protect against pressout moisture upon sitting without the use of a booster pad. To keep with a consistent scale, I’m rating the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T according to the same standard as other products in this blog, but clearly they could score better if adjusted for youth needs.

Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 435 ml (15.3 oz)
Total Wettings: 1
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 100%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1.15 ml / cm² (0.26 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 1

The Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T isn’t designed for bedwetting. Instead, there seems to be a night version of Pull-Ups or Goodnites product line that fill the overnight role. In any case, this product won’t absorb a full wetting when lying down and, assuming you’re able to fit it, it would be best used only if you have small to moderate leakage overnight. During testing it was comparable to a less absorbent version of Goodnites. The first wetting quickly resulted in pooling, which pushed back up the front and leaked out through the wings. By the end of the wetting, the underwear was completely saturated. Interestingly, the absorbency wasn’t that different from the Goodnites L/XL Boys or Goodnites L/XL Girls, though neither of those hit the same level of padding saturation when lying down. Once again, I’m rating the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T according to the general standard in this blog and they will perform a bit better when adjusted for youth needs.

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

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T was a challenging product to review given my being well over the intended weight range. This line of protective underwear is clearly marketing for toilet training, though arguably the 5T-6T range will be quite sufficient for older youths with special needs above the 60 lbs (27 kg) given its sizing and performance are not considerably lower than that of the Goodnites line, which tops out at 140 lbs (64 kg). For reference, my weight of ~140 lbs (64 kg) / waist 30~32” (76~81 cm) has me at the top of the Goodnites XL suggested range. That underwear fits well for me, even if the waist rise is a little lower than I might otherwise prefer. It also consistently absorbs at least a single wetting without leaks when combined with a small diaper booster (without the booster it’s hit-or-miss and quite susceptible to pressout moisture upon sitting after a wetting). In testing, I found the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T fit surprisingly well around my waist, as the sides had no trouble stretching and sitting where they were without feeling tight. I’d initially expected the refastenable sides to tear open, but it never happened once, they were solid. The primary source of discomfort was the low rise, with the protective underwear just barely giving me enough rise to be functional. Looking at the measurements, I found the dimensions of the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T were about 80% of the Goodnites XL, so perhaps a more accurate maximum to the range would be a weight of 110 lbs (50 kg) and a waist of 24~26” (61~66”) and even at that range it would be best used with a diaper booster. With that in mind, I did my best to give these a thorough review. In my testing, they clearly weren’t suited for bedwetting and leaked quickly in that scenario. The big problem with these is that the most absorbent padding is up at the front and the rear padding has very little absorbency. But with me being oversized for these, it also was prone to damming in the mid-section due to the snug fit, resulting in quick leaks through the sides. When tested for daily wear, this protective underwear consistently absorbed a full wetting while standing. In that case, the tightness of the Pull-Ups might have actually been a benefit as I found there was significant pooling but nothing made it through the edges. Either way, even if it absorbs a full wetting while standing it will leak very soon after sitting, though I can imagine smaller wettings that stay contained in the front padding won’t make it to the thinner mid-rear padding. So with all that in mind, while this protective underwear is targeted at youths it might actually work for some small adults or teens with dimensions at 80% or less of my own. Personally, it was good to know they could even be feasible for someone my size and I’d certainly consider them if I was in a pinch and couldn’t find a larger product. Absorbency is somewhat limited and I would only trust it to not leak if your wettings are typically 250 ml (8.5 oz) or less. But if that works for your needs then these consistently come in at a cheaper price than Goodnites or other adult diapers and could be a budget-friendly alternative.

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 6

When appropriately sized, the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T are likely a little better suited to managing bowel leakage than the Goodnites if only due to the easy-change sides. Otherwise, the two products are nearly identical in this regard. Pull-Ups have key features you’d want for bowel management like standing inner leak guards and dual waistbands. Though the breathable design will make them more susceptible to odors and the thin/limited rear padding will limit its utility. Still I wouldn’t say these are as well suited as diapers to the matter.

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T is designed for a weight range of 46-60 lbs (21-27 kg) and sits as the largest product of the Pull-Ups lineup. The target range is clearly youths. So, as one might expect, this protective underwear will only properly fit very small adults or teens, though based on my experience there’s a very generous amount of give above the 60 lbs (27 kg) limit (for reference, I’m a little over the double that and was able to find a functional fit). Looking at the dimension measurements, this makes sense as the measurements are generally within 80% of the similarly built Goodnites XL, which has a target range up to 140 lbs (64 kg) and fits me comfortably. The Pull-Ups protective underwear is similar to Goodnites, but has what I call a hybrid diaper-protective underwear design. You can pull it up/down like regular underwear, but it also has hook & loop fasteners on the front wings that connect to the rear wings. So it can also be attached and detached like a regular diaper, by fastening the wings together. This would make it a convenient product for changes on the go where removing pants for a change isn’t practical. Also, like Goodnites, this protective underwear features a cloth-like backsheet and highly elastic, breathable design. The underwear’s rise is also several centimeters short of the already low rise on the Goodnites.

3.1 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Fastener

Ease-of-Use Rating: 9

If you or the one you care for is actually able to fit the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T protective underwear then it’s about as easy to use a product as you can find. It has the great features of a diaper, like the ability to make adjustments after applying it and a wetness indicator to let you know when it’s time for change. Alternatively, you can just pull it up and down like regular underwear and the super elastic design means minimal adjustments are likely needed anyway. However, there are a few issues to watch for. Like the pre-Quicksorb versions Goodnites, the sides on this underwear can become a little loose with extended wear, which puts it at risk of sagging. Also, I found the hook & loop fastener design could be a bit tricky to fasten because it goes against the normal diaper convention. The fastener material is on the front wings/faces outward and you need to stretch to rear wings over it for fitting, but there is a limit to how much you’d actually want to stretch it because pulling it too far forward will cause the wing to overhang so the fastening must be nearly perfectly aligned between the edge of the rear wing and the front wing. Without that perfect alignment you will end up with an overhang of the rear wing, which risks getting caught on clothing and coming undone. In a typical diaper the fastener would be on the rear wings and facing inward, which is ideal for changes. For this reason, it will be much easier to remove using the side tabs than to put on a new one via this method. This product is definitely designed primarily for use as protective underwear. Still, I don’t count that too much against Pull-Ups as it’s not a core use-case and the hybrid design is still a major differentiator compared with nearly every other product on the market.

3.2 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Protective Underwear Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 9

I rate the dry comfort of the Pull-Ups protective underwear at about the same level as that of Goodnites. These were obviously a little too small for me, but I didn’t detract from comfort rating on that account as they’re designed for youth wear. This underwear is highly comfortable with a highly breathable design and I never felt like I was overheating during wear. They are somewhat susceptible to overstretching and very slight sagging after extended wear, but the sides are rock solid and I never notice any sign of tearing or deterioration. The padding itself is also robust, just like the Goodnites, and doesn’t easily clump or tear. Even being oversized for these, I found the fit to be snug and surprisingly comfortable so I’m quite confident those with a proper fit will have no issues with dry comfort.

Comfort Rating (wet): 6

The Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T ranks similar to the Goodnites XL for wet comfort. The absorbency is lower, but for its targeted weight range that’s less an issue. Both are made of the same sort of material, with a padding that’s relatively good at resisting surface dampness in its core “targeted” areas. Yet in the thinner padding toward the mid-section and rear it’s far more susceptible to pressout moisture and will feel notably damper than the front padding. Also, the padding in this protective underwear will remain relatively intact without obvious additional tearing or clumping when wet. However, one thing that may detract from wet comfort is the slight tendency to sag as the sides stretch and can give the feeling of it coming loose.

3.3 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Protective Underwear Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 17.2% (topsheet), 15.5% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 3 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 9
I rate the Pull-Up Boys 5T-6T at about the same level as the Goodnites XL when it comes to dry durability. During the dry durability test the performance was remarkably similar with no deterioration in the core padding. There was no noticeable clumping or tearing of the padding, just some peripheral damage. I believe the sizing contributed to it appearing larger than it actually was, and I feel in this case the percent of deterioration can be overlooked when much of it was non-impactful. Additionally, I found I was able to wear the Pull-Ups protective underwear for many hours without any sign of the sides coming loose or overstretching. It maintained a comfortable fit the whole time, with only a slight loosening after many hours of wear. I also tried reattaching the tabs on the side, and while they can be difficult to position, they can easily be reattached multiple times without deteriorating or significantly losing adhesiveness. I have no doubt this protective underwear can be worn for very active wear without worry about deterioration. Though one thing I will note is that it’s similar to the previous generation of the Goodnites XL with an issue where the outer cloth material can separate from the plastic backsheet after a while. It doesn’t impact performance, just makes it look a bit more deteriorated than it otherwise might.

Durability Rating (wet): 8

The wet state of the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T is little changed from its dry state. In both cases the only obvious deterioration happened near the periphery of the padding with core padding remaining intact. However, like the Goodnites XL, the Pull-Ups sides can lose some of their flexibility over time. I wouldn’t say it’s a huge issue, just something to be aware of. I don’t feel the condition of the padding will be significantly impacted by activity when wet, perhaps being only slightly more susceptible to clumping. Regardless, I again rank the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T the same as the Goodnites XL in this regard, given the obvious similarities.

3.4 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Protective Underwear Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests

Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 0 cm (0"), 0 cm (0")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 0 cm (0"), 0 cm (0")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 0 cm (0"), 0 cm (0")

Profile Discretion Rating: 10

The Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T  have the same profile, scaled down, as the Goodnites XL. If you’re able to properly fit this protective underwear and are at an age where you’d actually care about discretion, then it’s highly unlikely to be noticed as it fits with a low profile and the padding is quite thin. It should be super easy to conceal this under clothing. However, this comes with a big caveat. The outer print of this underwear is a mix of colorful Disney Characters that would be quite obvious if the backsheet were exposed through thin outerwear or above the waistline.

4.1 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Protective Underwear Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Protective Underwear Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Noise

Noise Rating: 10

The Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T are nearly identical to the Goodnites when it comes to noise discretion. They have a very flexible design and cloth-like backsheet that isn’t susceptible to noise. Though, for whatever reason, did notice a crinkling noise a bit more from these when compared with the Goodnites. I suspect this is because the rather tight fit pulled the cloth-like backsheet looser from the underlying plastic layer, so this won’t be as much of an issue for those with a better fit. The hook & loop bits on the side might also cause some noise if they become dislodged, but I didn’t notice any noise from those. In any case, it would be quite easy to conceal this sound under clothing.

4.3 Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T Protective Underwear Noise Profile

 

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 8
The Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T once again matches the Goodnites when it comes to odor discretion. It has no added fragrance and a very breathable design. The area of padding coverage is also relatively limited. Moreover, I’d say the front padding, which is more absorbent and resistant to surface dampness will outperform the rear padding when it comes to odor reduction. Yet, for a product like Pull-Ups, perhaps odor discretion is less important anyway as its primary purpose is toilet training so ideally it’d never get to that point.

Want to give the Pull-Ups Boys 5T-6T a try?

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