Oto Adult Diapers Premium Review

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

 

Summary

The Oto Adult Diapers Premium are a cloth-backed Indonesian diaper with a hybrid fastener design produced by PT Arkstarindo Artha Makmur. Like other Indonesian diapers tested so far, this diaper features two disconnected landing zones. Unlike most cloth-backed diapers, the landing zones are a plastic material and the fasteners are adhesive tapes rather than hook & loop fasteners (hence the “hybrid” qualifier). The company that produces these also appears to produce a number of absorbent/non-absorbent sanitary products. They also produce another, presumably plastic-backed version of these, simply referred to as Oto Adult Diapers Open. Interestingly these have some Japanese looking branding and the SAP (super absorbent polymer) appears to be labelled “product of Japan”, though the diaper itself is made in Indonesia. These diapers are also uniquely notable for containing information about recommended urine concentrations in the landing zone designs.

These diapers are relatively thin and struggle to absorb a full wetting without leaks. However, they are also highly breathable, comfortable and reasonably durable. For some that trade-off might be worthwhile, but you’re only going to get at most one wetting from these before leaking and they would best be used with a booster pad for extra absorbency. They run at an exceptionally low unit cost, so the booster pad economics make a lot more sense if you decide to go with these.

Key Features:

• Cloth-like backsheet
• Dual plastic landing zone 
• Standing inner leak guards
  
• Repositionable fasteners

Pros:

• Highly breathable/comfortable
• Snug fitting with decent fasteners
• Very low unit cost

Cons:

• Low absorbency
• Poor protection against surface dampness

 

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium-sized Oto Adult Diapers Premium. However, other available sizes are listed below:

Packaging

Brand: Oto
Manufacturer: PT. Rejeki Putra Putri Eliman
Origin: Indonesia
Units Per Bag: 8
Cost Per Unit: $
Dimensions (L x W x H): 17 cm (6.7") x 17 cm (6.7") x 23 cm (9.1")
Weight: 0.8 kg (1.8 lbs)
Available Sizes: S,M,L,XL
Advertised Absorbency: High

1.1 Oto Adult Diapers Premium Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Cloth-like (non-woven)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (bluish-green double line dashes/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: Yes
Outer Color: White (yellow/orange patterned landing zone + blue fan/diaper icons down middle)
Inner Color: White
Front Waistband: No
Rear Waistband: No
Folded Thickness: 2.33 cm (0.92")
Folded Length: 24 cm (9.5")
Dry Weight: 100 g (3.5 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 75.5 cm (29.7") x 61 cm (24") x 30 cm (11.8") x 59 cm (23.2")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 63 cm (24.8") x 26 cm (10.2") x 18 cm (7.1") x 36 cm (14.2")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 4 cm (1.6") x 12 cm (4.7") x 9 cm (3.5") x 16 cm (6.3")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1518 cm² (235 in²)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 7 cm (2.8") x 13.5 cm (5.3")
Tape (W x L): 2.5 cm (1") x 4 cm (1.6")

1.2 Oto Adult Diapers Premium

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 670 ml (23.6 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 675 ml (23.8 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (63 s, 89 s, 93 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 3.5 cm (1.4")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 83%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.44 ml / cm² (0.10 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 5 ml (0.18 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 3

The Oto Premium performed poorly when tested for surface dampness. There was substantial dampness from the very first wetting during the lab paper towel test. This was validated during the real world testing where I found just a single wetting was enough to produce significant surface dampness and the surface dampness tended to linger rather than being locked away in the padding eventually.

[VIDEO COMING SOON]

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: 700 ml (24.7 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing, 1 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 85%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.46 ml / cm² (0.10 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 4
The Oto Premium diaper performed reasonably when tested while standing and sitting. The first wetting while standing was fully absorbed without any signs of leaks. Initially there was a fair amount of pooling with all the moisture ending up around the mid padding and the front and rear remained dry. Upon sitting there wasn’t an obvious leak, though there may have been a tiny leak. It was hard to tell whether it actually leaked and there was clearly still lots of dry padding left so I continued the test from there. On the second wetting moisture pushed up the front of the diaper and toward the sides but the leak guards managed to contain it within the front padding and I didn’t notice any obvious leaks through the sides. However, there was significant pooling below the crotch and a moderate leak through the left rear leg gather. The padding felt quite damp and squishy at this point. At the end of the test the front padding was completely saturated but there was still a bit of dry rear padding. I suspect this diaper will manage up to one wetting without leaking during daily wear but I wouldn’t push it past that.

Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 610 ml (21.5 oz)
Total Wettings: 1
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 72%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.40 ml / cm² (0.09 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 3

The Oto Premium diaper failed earlier than expected when tested while lying down. It leaked on the first wetting, albeit a very small leak for the amount absorbed. Initially there was considerable pooling at and below the crotch, which took at least a minute to fully absorb. I suspect the small leak through the rear leg gathers happened at that point. There was still significant dry padding at the front and even a little dry padding at the rear after the leak, so the theoretical capacity for this diaper was certainly higher. After the wetting, the padding continued to feel damp, yet the breathability somewhat mitigated that. It was a large wetting and small leak so this diaper certainly should be able to manage most single wettings while lying down without leaks, but it would be best used with a booster pad for heavier wetters and is unlikely to exceed a single wetting before leaks occur.

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

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

This Oto Adult Diapers Premium review is somewhat limited due to the smaller package quantity available, but I still feel I was still able to get a good sense of performance. When tested for bedwetting I found these diapers susceptible to leaks and possibly even some perspiration through the cloth-like backsheet when wet. Generally I don’t think they will be that useful for bedwetting unless worn with a booster and/or additional protection like a diaper cover (plastic pants). In daily wear they may hold up a bit better, though I still feel like perspiration through the backsheet and minor pressout leaks could be a problem. I didn’t have them leak on me while standing, but they could leak more easily if wet while seated, perhaps even on the first wetting. When dry, these diapers are incredibly breathable and comfortable to the point I barely noticed them, which is rare for a diaper with this level of padding coverage. I also found them to be quite durable and easy to conceal under clothing. Although they have a pretty wide area of padding coverage, they didn’t feel bulky at all. However, the downside is that, when wet, they were quite susceptible to surface dampness and pressout moisture. During testing I found they would continue to feel wet well after a wetting. In testing, I was never able to manage more than a single wetting in the Oto Premium before it would start to leak. There seems to be a hard absorbency limit in the range of 500~600 ml (16.9~20.3 oz). Like other Indonesian diapers these come at an impressively low unit price; in fact these were the cheapest diapers of any I’ve tested so far (slightly below even the Popoku diapers or Pampers 8 youth diapers for comparison).

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 7

The Oto Premium is reasonably well suited for bowel incontinence. It has an extensive area of rear padding and decent standing inner leak guards. The downside of course is that it’s cloth-backed and doesn’t have waistbands so it can be a bit susceptible to releasing odors. Moreover, its susceptibility to surface dampness could also contribute to odors and discomfort. I’ll say it’s a bit above average but not quite a top performer in this regard.

 

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The Oto Premium features an interesting “hybrid” design with a cloth-like backsheet and two disconnected landing zones at either side of the wings. This double landing zone is similar to other Indonesian diapers like the Confidence Classic Night or Popoku. The tapes on this diaper are of a decent quality and should be easy to refasten/reposition anywhere on the landing zone after first application. The sizing is about average for a medium and I found it fit me comfortably even with my sizing being on the lower end of the suggested waist range.

3.1 Oto Adult Diapers Premium Fastener

Ease-of-Use Rating: 10

The Oto Premium diaper seems to be designed for easy care-giver usage. It has longer dual landing zones than the Confidence Classic Night or Popoku, giving it a greater range of fastening options. Even being at the lower end of the recommended waist range I still had plenty of room at the edges for fastening. The landing zone is patterned in a way that serves a dual purpose in that its different colorations correlate with urine saturation and instruct the user on what to watch for. This ranges from “Not Dehydrated” to “Extremely Dehydrated”. These diapers have a relatively large range of available sizing from small (minimum waist size 25”) to extra large (maximum waist size 62”). The adhesive fasteners are easy to detach and can easily be repositioned if you get an incorrect fit the first time. These don’t have waistbands, but I found it quite easy to get a snug fit. They also have a wetness indicator and extensive package information to assist in a caregiver environment. Absorbency is somewhat limited, but I couldn’t find any real fault in terms of ease-of-use for this diaper and thus the top score.

3.2 Oto Adult Diapers Premium Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 10

The Oto Premium diaper scores top marks when it comes to dry comfort. This diaper is incredibly breathable and I hardly noticed it during wear. The material makeup is also soft and there will be little-to-no resistance from the topsheet or backsheet during wear. The tape/landing zone combination holds up strongly and I didn’t have any issues with tapes loosening or sagging during wear. It was quite easy to achieve and maintain a snug/comfortable fit with this diaper. Meanwhile, the padding, while not the most durable, proved quite resistant to clumping or tearing and I didn’t notice any decrease in comfort due to padding state after extended wear.

Comfort Rating (wet): 7

The Oto Premium diaper was modestly comfortable when wet. From a breathability perspective it remained top-notch and that went some way to mitigating the surface dampness issues. However, this diaper is highly susceptible to surface dampness and pressout. When the padding is wet the surface dampness never really goes away though it can disperse somewhat if there’s remaining dry padding. Aside from that it generally doesn’t sag when wet and the tapes hold up well. Nor does the padding clump up when wet. So it’s really just the surface dampness issues that keep this diaper from ranking higher in this regard.

3.3 Oto Adult Diaper Premium Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 9.5% (topsheet), 12% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 6 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 7
The Oto Premium was reasonably durable in its dry state. During the dry durability test I only noticed peripheral padding deterioration with the core padding remaining full intact. The padding is relatively thin and light so it doesn’t have a lot of weight against it but I don’t consider that a factor for this test. This diaper should hold up reasonably well during active wear. I didn’t have any issues with sagging or the tapes coming loose after more extended wear. That said, the padding came a little detached from the backsheet even if it didn't clump or tear and this was still far from a top performance for dry durability so I rank it a little above average.

Durability Rating (wet): 6

I rank the Oto Premium slightly lower for wet durability compared with dry durability. It did relatively well on the wet shake test, but I’ve found that is often the case for thinner diapers that absorb less. I didn’t notice a considerable difference in padding deterioration with the core padding holding up and only some deterioration along the edges, where it matters less. The tapes also had no issue holding up the weight of the wet diaper and didn’t slip at all, any sagging was minor. My primary additional concern for these when wet was that I found them slightly susceptible to perspiration through the backsheet.

3.4 Oto Adult Diapers Premium Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests

Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 3 cm (1.2"), 4 cm (1.6")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4.5 cm (1.8"), 5 cm (2")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 6 cm (2.4"), 3 cm (1.2")

Profile Discretion Rating: 7

The Oto Premium isn’t the most discreet diaper on the market but the profile is a little more discreet than it may initially appear. I found the padding to be relatively thin and flexible in this diaper so it pretty easily compresses and would be difficult to notice if worn under regular underwear or meshpants. The fit is pretty snug naturally and doesn’t easily give to sagging, so I rate this diaper relatively high in terms of profile discretion in spite of signs of rear bulkiness.

4.1 Oto Adult Diapers Premium Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Oto Adult Diapers Premium Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Noise

Noise Rating: 9

In terms of noise discretion the Oto Premium diaper ranks fairly well. If not for the plastic landing zones on the front it would be indistinguishable from regular underwear. The plastic landing zones will produce a slight crinkling when standing-sitting and walking. I didn’t find it particularly noticeable but it clearly wasn’t as quiet as the most discreet diapers on the market so I can’t quite rank it at the top.

4.3 Oto Adult Diapers Premium Noise Profile

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 5

I can’t say I found odors particularly noticeable from the Oto Premium diaper, but my testing was relatively limited and it has some aspects that make it particularly susceptible to odors. The breathable design, while good for comfort, also detracts from odor containment and this diaper notably lacks waistbands. The other big issue is the weak performance against surface dampness. The inability to contain surface dampness will make this diaper more prone to odor formation.