Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Adult Diaper Review

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

 

  

Summary

Walmart Assurance Unisex Stretch Briefs with Tabs are a store brand line of stretch-side style cloth-backed diapers sold by Walmart USA. These appear to sit at the top of the Walmart absorbency line with other products sold including protective underwear and a lower absorbency “belted” diaper they call the "unisex belted shields". These have a lot of similarities with other store brand stretch-style diapers but with some differences. The CVS and Walgreens diapers appear to be very similar to each other, while this diaper appears to be very similar to the Rite Aid diaper. That said, the differences between this and the Rite Aid are more noticeable. The backsheet on this diaper is pure white, while that one had a bluish tint to it. The wetness indicator on this diaper is plain yellow, while that one was orange. The backsheet material on this diaper also doesn’t feel quite as soft as the material from the Rite Aid. Interestingly, in Canada Walmart sells a completely different 4-tabbed cloth-backed diaper under a different store brand called Equate. Even stranger, sometimes Assurance and Equate brands overlap, like for their male guards. And some Equate brand products are sold in both countries with no differences. It’s odd that Walmart split the country-specific lines for this particular product.

In terms of performance, I feel this diaper actually had a very slight edge over the Rite Aid diaper due to slightly better durability. It wasn’t significant, but enough that I’ve noted it several times through this review. In terms of performance, this diaper will only manage up to a single wetting and you shouldn’t expect it to absorb more than that. It’s also best suited for less active wear, because the fasteners have a tendency to loosen up with movement and its prone to sagging after extended wear. This is another limited review, as I didn’t have the original package for these diapers and only tested a subset that was donated. I’d like to give a special thanks for the donation of diapers to support this review. Suggestions and donations are always appreciated!

Key Features:

• Cloth-like backsheet
• Stretchable wings
• Standing inner leak guards
• Wetness indicator

Pros:

• Comfortable/breathable
• Consistent absorption
• Reasonably durable

Cons:

• Limited sizing
• Prone to coming loose/sagging

 

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium-sized Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs. However, other available sizes are listed below:

Packaging

Brand: Assurance
Manufacturer: Drylock Technologies
Origin: USA
Units Per Bag: 34
Cost Per Unit: $
Dimensions (L x W x H): 43 cm (16.9") x 16 cm (6.3") x 36 cm (14.2")
Weight: 83 kg (2.9 lbs)
Available Sizes: S/M,L/XL
Advertised Absorbency: Ultimate

 

1.1 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Packaging

*Note: I didn't have the package so was only to use the photos provided. If you have the rear packaging image it would be appreciated as it's currently missing from the images above.

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: Stretch Sides Brief
Refastenable Tabs: Yes
Number of Tapes: 2
Repositionable Tabs: Yes
Outer Color: White
Inner Color: White
Front Waistband: No
Rear Waistband: No
Folded Thickness: 2 cm (0.79")
Folded Length: 21 cm (8.3")
Dry Weight: 83 g (2.9 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 78 cm (30.7") x 44 cm (17.3") x 24 cm (9.5") x 90 cm (35.4")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 61 cm (24") x 20 cm (7.9") x 15 cm (5.9") x 20 cm (7.9")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 2.5 cm (1") x 11 cm (4.3") x 2.5 cm (1") x 11 cm (4.3")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1025 cm² (159 in²)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 2 cm (0.8")
Tape (W x L): 11.5 cm (4.5") x 2.5 cm (1")

1.2 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Premium

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 687 ml (24.2 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 717 ml (25.3 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (44 s, 52 s, 58 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 4 cm (1.6")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 77%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.67 ml / cm² (0.15 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 30 ml (1.1 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 6

The Walmart Assurance diaper isn’t particularly strong when it comes to resisting surface dampness. During the lab test there was noticeable dampness after the first wetting and it was fairly obvious in subsequent wettings. In real world wear the dampness was less noticeable due to its breathability, but still at a level that you’d likely notice it. On the plus side, pressout moisture wasn’t too obvious in the Walmart diaper. I rank it about average in this regard.

[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: 542 ml (19.1 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing, 1 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 76%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.53 ml / cm² (0.12 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 5
The Walmart Assurance diaper performed reasonably well when tested while standing then sitting, particularly for a store-brand diaper. The first wetting while standing was absorbed relatively quickly. The padding didn’t feel particularly damp afterward and the breathability certainly contributed to the less noticeable dampness. Upon sitting a few minutes later there wasn’t any obvious pressout and no sign of any leaks. The mid-padding was quite wet, but there was still a decent amount of dry padding up the front and rear. The second wetting while seated initially appeared to hold off leaking, moisture pushed down toward the middle then ended up pushing back up the front and through the leak guards into the wings there were substantial leaks below the wings and right under the crotch, but nothing particularly noticeable at the rear. In fact at the end of the test there was still a fair amount of dry rear padding, suggesting ineffective moisture channeling. Generally this diaper should be able to manage a single wetting without leaks in daily wear, but don’t expect any better than that. 

Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 742 ml (26.2 oz)
Total Wettings: 2
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 100%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 0.72 ml / cm² (0.16 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 6

The Walmart Assurance diaper also performed decently when tested while lying down. The first wetting resulted in moisture quickly settling in the mid-padding and there was only a very brief period of pooling. After the wetting there was still a considerable amount of dry padding at the front and rear. It still felt a bit damp at this point, although the breathability went some way to mitigating that. The second wetting was clearly going to leak but held off initially. There was significant pooling in the mid-section and moisture pushed into both the previously dry front and rear padding areas. Shortly afterward there was a substantial leak through the left leak guard and minor leak on the right side. By the end of the test the padding was completely saturated with no remaining dry areas. This diaper may perform slightly better when worn while lying down compared to standing or sitting due to more efficient moisture channeling, but I again wouldn’t ever count on it absorbing more than a single wetting without leaks.

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

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

This was another diaper where I reviewed a smaller subset rather than an entire package, so I wasn’t able to get as clear a view in terms of everyday performance as I typically would. However, with 8 samples to review it wasn’t much different than some of the smaller diaper packages I’ve reviewed anyway. In testing I did try them for a few nights to deal with bedwetting and they managed a single wetting, but they would leak beyond that and required additional protection for security. I also found there was a tendency for the fasteners to shift and loosen a bit overnight, but it was slightly better than the Rite Aid diaper when it came to disconnecting fasteners. I also tried these during the day and found pretty much the same results. The fasteners will shift, but can be readjusted and generally the backsheet maintains its integrity. That said, after a much more extended period of wear it felt like the stretch sides had lost some elasticity and sagging was very noticeable. I wouldn’t expect these to perform well during athletic activities. On occasion the fastener can disconnect and attach to your outerwear, which may be uncomfortable and cause further loosening and potential discomfort. On the plus side these are incredibly breathable and proved to be an excellent choice for warm weather wear. I never noticed any skin irritation when testing these, but I will note that the padding itself is a little susceptible to surface dampness after a wetting. In daily wear these will take a single wetting, but they seem quite reliable at that and I didn’t notice any pressout moisture when sitting after a wetting. Another interesting aspect of these is that the stretchy sides can actually be pulled in a way that would let you awkwardly pull them up and down like regular underwear rather than refastening (but to avoid discomfort you’d need to take care to tuck the wings back in when pulling them back up). This may be useful if you can sometimes make it to the bathroom on time or aren’t dual incontinent, though I wouldn’t recommend these if you’re only bowel-incontinent because the looseness will not work well for containment. These are hardly a premium diaper, but with their low price and widespread availability in Walmart USA I think these will likely be good enough for many inactive daytime wearers and even some overnight wear. Personally I’d recommend using them with a booster or diaper cover if worn for bedwetting if you go with these diapers.

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 4

I’m rating the Walmart Assurance diaper the same as other similar store-brand stretch-style diapers when it comes to dealing with bowel incontinence. It has standing inner leak guards, which can be helpful for dealing with this condition. But being cloth-backed and having a loose fit makes it susceptible to odors and leakage. It may work for bedridden patients, but I wouldn’t recommend it for active wearers with bowel incontinence.

 

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The Walmart Assurance diaper has a “stretchy-sides” design that seems to have become very common in American store-brand diapers. The Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS diapers all closely match this one, but in terms of material makeup and structure this one is most similar to the Rite Aid. It has a cloth-like backsheet and hook & loop fasteners that can be refastened/positioned multiple times. I found the fasteners held better in this diaper and that may be due to the difference in backsheet material. The Rite Aid backsheet was softer, but perhaps more susceptible to fasteners slipping. Otherwise, the sizing between these two diapers is nearly identical and it tends to be on the large size relative to other diapers. I found the medium to be quite big on me, whereas I can typically comfortably wear a medium size. These only come in S/M, which I tested and L/XL under the tested branding, although there are also bariatric briefs in the 2XL and 3XL sizes, which look similar. So this is about as small as they come.

3.1 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Fastener

Ease-of-Use Rating: 7

This is a standard stretch-side style diaper with a cloth-like backsheet and hook & loop fasteners. I didn’t find it any easier or harder to use than the other similar diapers I’ve tested. It doesn’t have waistbands and with this style of diaper it will be challenging to get a perfectly snug fit, but it’s easy enough to fasten it. The fasteners can be repositioned and reapplied multiple times, so there’s little risk in adjusting a bit to get a proper size. That said, after some time the fasteners can lose a bit of adhesiveness as they pick up fabric from the backsheet and that blocks their ability to grip correctly. Otherwise, it does have some helpful features like inner leak guards and decent leg gathers. It also has a resilient wetness indicator, a yellow line down the middle that clearly turns blue when wet. It’s easy enough to remove when you’re done with it. Yet if you’re particularly active then there’s a high risk of it coming loose on you, or at least not fitting as well as it did when first applied. Other than that, like the similar Rite Aid diaper, the fastener tabs are initially quite deeply folded when applying a new diaper and you need to be sure to undo all folds before applying it, otherwise you won’t be able to fasten the sides to the front. I expect most people won’t have trouble using this diaper, but it’s not going to work for everyone.

3.2 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 7

I rank the Walmart Assurance diaper about the same as the similar Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS diapers. These diapers all have a very similar design with cloth-like backsheet and stretchy sides. I found the padding and materials of this diaper to be quite soft and highly breathable. Though it may have been slightly less soft than the very similar Rite Aid diaper. The padding was also fairly durable and I didn’t have issues with clumping or tearing that would affect comfort, though it can feel slightly lumpy after extended wear. One downside of this diaper is that the tapes can slide a bit and the fit can loosen with extended wear. I didn’t notice this sagging tendency as much as I did in the similar Rite Aid diaper, but it’s still something that can impact comfort. You’ll never get a fully snug fit with this design, but for many it should be comfortable enough and will be reasonably well suited for warm weather.

Comfort Rating (wet): 6

I rank the Walmart Assurance slightly worse than its dry state when wet. There was some surface dampness but it wasn’t particularly noticeable and the breathability went a long way to mitigating that. I didn’t have significant issues with the padding clumping or tearing but it can start to feel a little lumpy when wet. Moreover, I noticed the sagging became a considerable problem if worn after an extended period of dry wear. The fit will never be completely snug and dampness detracts from the comfort, so I can’t rank it among the best in this regard.

3.3 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 11.6% (topsheet), 15.3% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 2 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 6

The Walmart Assurance demonstrated reasonable dry durability, at least from a padding perspective. There was slight padding tearing at the front and rear but core padding held together surprisingly well during the dry durability test. The wetness indicator was also fairly resistant to sweat/minor dribbles. The downside of course is that the fasteners can be quite prone to shifting and won’t hold up well during activity. This also can lead to sagging in the diaper, but I noticed slightly less in this diaper compared with the Rite Aid diaper. The fasteners will generally manage multiple refastenings, but they can become a bit weaker as they pull off bits of backsheet material. It also felt like the side material can lose elasticity, which further contributes to sagging. I don’t think this diaper would be great for a very active wearer, but it should be fine for lighter activities.

Durability Rating (wet): 5

The condition of the Walmart Assurance diaper in its wet state wasn’t significantly different from its dry state. Again, there was a little padding tearing, but nothing significant in core parts of the padding. Though the padding did have a lumpier feel to it after extended wear. I didn’t notice the sagging as much in comparison with the very similar Rite Aid diaper, but there was certainly a significant amount of sagging when wet. Other than that, the fasteners didn’t seem any more prone to coming undone when wet and I didn’t notice any perspiration through the backsheet, which can sometimes be a problem in cloth-like diapers. Hence I’m giving a score slightly below that of the dry durability rating.

3.4 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Premium Dry Test Deterioration

Discretion Tests

Profile

Front Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4 cm (1.6"), 4 cm (1.6")
Back Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 2 cm (0.8"), 4 cm (1.6")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 4 cm (1.6"), 4 cm (1.6")

Profile Discretion Rating: 7

The Walmart Assurance diaper has a pretty large and loose fit, but the padding is relatively thin. This means that if you wear it without anything keeping it in place then over time there can be a bit of a diaper bulge at the front and rear. It’s easy enough to cover this up with regular underwear or meshpants over top. I wouldn’t say this diaper is fool-proof for discretion, but generally it should be possible to wear it undetected (from a profile perspective). Though it should be noted that the backsheet has some rise over the waistline.

4.1 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Noise

Noise Rating: 8

This diaper is generally resistant to producing any detectable sounds. When getting up or sitting down I have noticed a slight rustling from the hook & loop fasteners at the front as they pull at the backsheet. Most people probably wouldn’t notice or think anything of that. Otherwise the backsheet itself is virtually sound free and I almost never noticed noise from it when walking around in this diaper. For whatever noise it produces, it would be fairly easy to cover up with proper outerwear.

4.3 Walmart Assurance Unisex Briefs with Tabs Noise Profile

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 6

I didn’t have a large sample of units to work from to get a really good indication of how well this diaper performs for odors. I did notice odors on occasion and the breathable cloth-like structure means odors can escape fairly easily where they form. It was also prone to surface dampness, which will more easily allow odors to form and linger. Even so, I don’t think this diaper is among the worst performers in this regard. I score it about the same as the very similar Rite Aid diaper.