Carer Reusable Protective Underwear Special Review Part 4

 * I've adjusted my Diaper Test Methodology to account for the unique aspects of these reusable incontinence products (see the first part of this series for details)

Summary

This review marks the fourth of our series covering Carer Incontinence reusable products and we’ll be covering a new category as well extending our coverage of existing product categories, including a new and unique design for plastic pants (diaper covers) with the W88. As this blog has recently ventured into assessing performance of some disposable youth products this review will also cover our first assessment of a reusable youth product with the B01 underwear for boys. Additionally, we’ll be reviewing 3 sporty new absorbent boxer-brief designs with the M80, M81 and M88.

Products in this review focus on a lighter range of incontinence that might otherwise be managed with light absorbent pads like guards or shields. Notably, each of the Carer underwear products covered in this review have a maximum recommended absorbency of 100 ml (3.4 oz). But what you’ll see in the individual evaluations is that there is some nuance to that, because each product has a different padding design and may perform better in certain circumstances. Factors like evaporation can extend the expected absorbency of a product depending on its breathability, whereas in disposable products moisture tends to be locked away and less able to evaporate. Sizing can also be an issue that influences expected performance, particularly for the youth style underwear that has a very wide relative range in dimensions. This review will also explore which of these products are better suited as primary protection vs those that can also be combined with another product and used as an additional layer of protection.

It should also be noted that Carer products are all reusable and reusable products have very different characteristics than disposables. They have major advantages in terms of discretion and flexibility, but there are limitations on absorption and surface dampness can be more noticeable with larger leaks. They also primarily target urinary incontinence and won’t be a good choice for dealing with bowel incontinence; however, the ones with padding extending to the rear could at least offer a line of defense in rare cases of bowel incontinence. Personally I feel these products will be best suited for light intermittent urinary incontinence like stress incontinence or conditions like post-micturition dribbling. When used appropriately these products can achieve significant cost savings in comparison to disposable products.

Plastic pants or diaper covers, as we’ll see with the W88 are designed specifically to be used as additional protection. This could be in combination with another reusable Carer product or a disposable product like a diaper. This category of products is relatively new to me and I’m still learning about the features that make one plastic pant more effective than another. I’ve been fortunate to receive some great advice on these products and had the opportunity to try a much larger set of them recently, so I’ve learned a lot more than I knew in my previous review. That said, I still have much to learn so bear with me. With respect to the W88, I found it to be particularly interesting because it features an extension of the moisture resistant barrier down the thighs. It has more of a boxer-brief style than the typical traditional brief design like the previously tested W66.

As always, I’d like to give a special thanks to Carer for providing the samples used in this review! I appreciate the fact that the company actively listens to customer feedback and is constantly innovating their product selection.

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium sized 
M80, large sized M81, medium sized M88 and extra large sized B01 briefs. Additionally, I’ll be reviewing the W88 in the medium/large sizes. However, other available sizes are listed below.

Packaging

Brand: Carer
Manufacturer: Carer SPK
Origin: China
Units Per Bag: 1, 2, 3, 6, or 9
Founded: 2011
Advertised Absorbency: Normal (100 ml by product)

M80 Men's Incontinence Underwear

Backsheet: Cloth (reusable) body: Bamboo, Spandex, Viscose, Polyester/+TPU
Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Advertised Absorbency: 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Standing Inner Leak Guards: No
Leg Gathers: No
Product Style: Reusable Underwear
Outer Color: Navy blue/light blue mesh sides
Inner Color: Navy blue/light blue mesh sides, black pad
Folded Thickness: 1 cm (0.4”)
Folded Length: 33 cm (13”)
Dry Weight: 110 g (3.9 oz)
Brief Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 66 cm (26”) x 36.5 cm (14.4”) x 31 cm (12.2”) x 36.5 cm (14.4”)
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 22 cm (8.7”) x 10 cm (3.9”) x 13 cm (5.1”) x 7 cm (2.8”)
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): -1.5 cm (-.6”) x 11 cm (4.3”) x -3 cm (-1.2”) x 11 cm (4.3”)
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Flat, Flat
Total Padding Area: 187 cm² (29 in²)

1.1 Carer M80 Underwear (font/back)

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 85 ml (2.9 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 90 ml (3 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (18 s, 21 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 1 cm (0.4”)
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.45 ml/cm² (0.10 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 5 ml (0.17 oz)
Time to Hang Dry: TBD

The M80 is a boxer-brief style protective underwear with a very athletic style. This underwear is most similar to the M74 in design and has a larger area of absorbent padding than the M71. The padding on this underwear is all positioned around the front, so it effectively serves the purpose of a male guard if I was to find a comparable disposable equivalent. The padding has a cup-like fit to match the male anatomy. In lab testing I treated the M80 as being equivalent to a male guard and limited test intervals to 50 ml (1.7 oz) at a time. While the actual level of absorption proved quite limited, I did find the moisture barrier to be very effective and noticed little moisture escaping behind the padding until the pressout test. For practical purposes I’d give the same advice as I did with the M74 and suggest it only be used if your regular leaks are under 20 ml (0.7 oz) at a time. If you have larger leaks of up to 40 ml you’d likely want to go for a more absorbent product like the M81, M88 or M75.

1.2 Carer M80 After Capacity Test

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Daily Drips & Dribbles Rating: 4

The differences between the M80 and M74 are primarily cosmetic and fit/comfort-based rather than absorbency based, so I’m scoring them both about the same in this regard. These products are designed only for the lightest of drips and dribbles and would be best used as an alternative to a men’s shield pad rather than an alternative to a high absorbency guard. In the Carer product lineup these are rated at 100 ml (3.4 oz) absorbency vs 80 ml (2.7 oz) for the M74, but as I mentioned in the intro, absorbency rating in reusable products, particularly light absorbency products, is far more challenging to quantify than disposables. For functional purposes you’ll want to look at the design of the product and padding layout to determine how it best suits your needs. This product will be best suited for daily wear rather than overnight wear because the padding doesn’t extend to the rear. For overnight wear you’ll more likely want to go with something like the M88 or M75, which have padding that extends toward the rear. It was easily sufficient for my light drips and dribbles in daily wear, but to put it to the test and assess its limits I tried it with a heavier wetting. What I found was that moisture quickly pooled in the bottom cup then sank into non-absorbent material behind. Surprisingly it continued to pool in the non-absorbent material while I was standing before all pouring out when I removed it. In total I measured 65 ml (2.2 oz) of absorption at the time of leakage after the excess had spilled out. That gives some indications of the potential limits and why this product is best suited for lighter usage.

Additional Protection Rating: 1

Like the M71 and M74, this protective underwear isn’t designed to be used as additional protection, but rather be used in the place of a low absorbency men’s shield. If you did need additional protection, I feel it would only really work if you combined it with a very narrow reusable pad at the front. Otherwise, this underwear is best used as primary protection.

1.3 M80 as Additional Protection for Goodnites XL

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The M80 has a very similar fit to the M74, though I tested different sizes of each based on the one most suited to my own wear. I found the medium M80 to be slightly looser in terms of sizing than the small M74. The elastic material may have had a little more flexibility to it, though it was hard to tell for sure. Both products have a sporty athletic fit that’s perfect for highly active wearers. These are designed for maximum flexibility and breathability. Notably, this underwear doesn’t have a “fly” and padding forms a cup shape around the crotch. With the highly flexible design there’s quite a bit of give in sizing, so I would recommend trying a sample of two sizes if you’re in between sizes, before settling on one.

1.4 Carer Incontinence M80 Underwear Fit

Comfort Rating: 10

The M80 easily scores top marks for comfort. I actually found it slightly more comfortable than the M74, though they both are highly comfortable. This underwear feels like it was designed for sports wear and hardly felt different from regular underwear. With the supporting “cup” at the front I would even go as far as say it would be a good choice for those heavily into sporting activities even if they don’t experience incontinence. In my own wear I never noticed any heat build up and found that leaks and sweat evaporated quickly due to the highly breathable design. So if the absorbency is sufficient for your needs then I’d highly recommend this underwear.

1.5 Carer M80 Topsheet

Durability Rating (dry): 10
The M80 also scores an easy 10 when it comes to durability. The design is highly elastic and produces little-to-no resistance even during highly active wear. I tested this diaper while running and stretching among other things and never found it the least bit constraining. Like other Carer products it has a strong high quality waistband. I never noticed any sign of fraying after multiple wash cycles. For such a breathable product you won’t get much better than this in terms of durability.

Discretion Rating: 10*

As was the case with nearly every reusable underwear product I’ve tested so far, the M80 easily earns top marks for discretion. The padding is snug and positioned in a way that nobody would ever notice a difference from regular underwear even if you were spotted wearing this undressed. It’s also notable for the complete absence of sound when worn, though that too is a pretty common trait for reusable underwear products.

*I preface my rating with that I’m rating it in accordance to products for lighter incontinence. In that regard you likely won’t notice odors until it’s close to leaking but its breathable reusable materials mean it can actually dry out between small leaks extending its usable absorbency.

1.6 Carer M80 Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

1.7 Carer M80 Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Want to give the Carer M80 a try?

Help us continue to produce quality reviews by making a purchase through our Carer M80 Incontinence Underwear affiliate link and use the code “DIAPERMETRICS” for a 15% discount on orders over $30. With every purchase this blog will earn a small amount of commission at no extra cost to the purchaser.

M81 Men's Incontinence Underwear

Backsheet: Cloth (reusable) body: Cotton, Spandex, Viscose, Polyester/+TPU
Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL
Advertised Absorbency: 100 ml (2.7 oz)
Standing Inner Leak Guards: No
Leg Gathers: No
Product Style: Reusable Underwear
Outer Color: Black, light green seams
Inner Color: Black
Folded Thickness: 1 cm (0.4”)
Folded Length: 28.5 cm (11.2”)
Dry Weight: 115 g (4.1 oz)
Brief Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 57 cm (22.4”) x 38 cm (15”) x 21 cm (8.3”) x 38 cm (15”)
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 24 cm (9.5”) x 37 cm (14.6”) x 13 cm (5.1”) x 9 cm (3.5”)
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 12 cm (4.7”) x 8 cm (3.2”) x -2 cm (-0.8”) x 8 cm (3.2”)
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Flat
Total Padding Area: 472 cm² (73.2 in²) 

2.1 Carer M81 Underwear (front/back)

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 85 ml (2.9 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 90 ml (3 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (14 s, 14 s, 21 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 0.9 cm (0.4”)
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.37 ml / cm² (0.08 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 5 ml (0.17 oz)
Time to Hang Dry: TBD

The M81 is a compact boxer-brief style protective underwear. It’s dimensionally similar to the M71, but feels like it has a slightly shorter cut. This underwear also has a very athletic feeling fit and could be a great alternative to the M80 if you prefer a cotton backsheet. The padding in this underwear doesn’t take an oval cup form like the M80, but rather takes a triangular shape with significant width at the top and becoming narrower below the crotch. This makes it particularly well suited to dealing with issues of side-leakage if that is a major concern. The padding in this underwear also differs in that it is not directly attached to the backsheet but sits as a detached layer connected at the front and mid-section. This may help with flexibility and breathability to some degree. I again treated the M81 like I would a male guard when doing the lab absorbency testing; so test intervals were limited to 50 ml (1.7 oz) at a time. This underwear has about double the padding coverage of the M80, but realistically you’re not going to get double the absorbency, particularly because a lot of the padding is in the less frequently reached sides. For that reason I also wouldn’t recommend it if you typically experience leaks of greater than 20 ml (0.7 oz). It’s primarily designed for light incontinence that you’d typically use a male shield for and may give you slightly more absorbency than the M80.

2.2 Carer M81 After Capacity Test

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Daily Drips & Dribbles Rating: 5

The M81 has a design most suited for light urinary incontinence. It may be used in the place of a men’s shield or lower absorbency guard pad. It’s rated by Carer at 100 ml, which puts it at the same level of absorption as the M80, though I feel this underwear has potential to absorb slightly more than the M80. Even so, I’ve only scored it slightly above the M80 in this regard because most of the additional absorption is at the top sides of the padding under the waistline. So the extra absorption is more geared to catching side leaks. In that respect it may perform slightly better during active wear. For my own daily testing, dealing with minor drips and dribbles, I had no issues with this underwear. But again, I tried a test to push it to its limits and get a sense of what it might absorb under a heavier wetting. It performed quite similarly to the M80 with pooling quickly forming in the cup-like padding then spilling out toward the rear. But once moisture exited the padding it leaked almost immediately. This could have been due to the material makeup or it being slightly larger on me. The end result was about 75 ml (2.5 oz) of absorption at the time of the leak after the excess had spilled out. This again feels like an absolute limit for a single void, but lighter leaks at say 20 ml (0.7 oz) at a time could add up to a greater total absorption.

Additional Protection Rating: 3

The padding in the M81 doesn’t extend far beyond the bottom of the crotch, so its use as additional protection is limited. It won’t work well in combination with the typical disposable/reusable underwear combo test I use to assess additional protection, because leaks most frequently happen near the rear leg gathers when seated. That said, I’m ranking this underwear higher than the M80 in this regard because the width of the front padding means it could be used together with a male guard and capture any leaks that exit the sides.

2.3 Carer M81 as Additional Protection for Goodnites XL

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The M81 has a compact boxer-brief style as opposed to the longer thigh style of the M80. For further reference, this differs from the standard boxer style of the M70 or brief style of the M66. This is also notable for its absorbent padding being disconnected from the backsheet except where it attaches near the waistband and below the crotch. So the pad has a bit of a free flowing feel to it, though it’s much more snug than the similar padding attachment used in the M70. I tested the large size of this as opposed to the medium I tested in the M80. It was very slightly big on me so I suspect my ideal is somewhere between a medium and a large, but due to the flexible design either would work. This underwear also doesn’t feature a “fly”, which I personally find can often take away from the comfort. This model also features one extra size in comparison with the M80, so it may be possible to get a more finely tuned fit.

2.4 Carer Incontinence M81 Underwear Fit

 

Comfort Rating: 9

Generally I found the M81 to be quite comfortable. It has a flexible snug-fitting design and soft materials. It’s quite breathable, particularly for cotton-based underwear, which can sometimes be thicker. Personally I like that it doesn’t have a “fly” because I can find those can detract from comfort without adding much in the way of convenience. The only minor complaint I have is that sometimes the looser pad can fold in odd ways and cause a little discomfort. I noticed that when running in this underwear, not so much when just wearing around the house. It didn’t actually cause any chafing or skin irritation, just felt a little awkward, so this is a pretty minor concern. It does have about double the padding coverage of the M80 and you’ll certainly notice the padding a little more with this one. But you’re never going to experience clamminess in this underwear due to sweat and the materials are quite soft. You just need to keep the limited absorbency in mind or use it in combination with a male guard if you have anything more than light drips and dribbles.

2.5 Carer M81 Topsheet

Durability Rating (dry): 10

Following the recurring theme for Carer underwear, this underwear is remarkably durable. It has a flexible cotton spandex mix that keeps it moving with, rather than resisting, the wearer. The seams are well stitched and material is of a high quality. After multiple wash cycles it still appeared brand new to me without any signs of deterioration. I can’t see any reason to give this underwear anything other than a perfect score with respect to durability.

Discretion Rating: 10*

The front padding is more extensive on this underwear than the M80, but I didn’t find that had any impact on the profile it presents. It conforms nicely to whatever you’re wearing above it and will provide better discretion than all but the lightest of disposable products. This is also a product that’s virtually silent in wear, so you won’t notice anything different than you would with regular underwear.

*Again, I preface my rating with that I’m rating it in accordance to products for lighter incontinence.

 

2.6 Carer M81 Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

2.7 Carer M81 Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Want to give the Carer M81 a try?

Help us continue to produce quality reviews by making a purchase through our Carer M81 Incontinence Underwear affiliate link and use the code “DIAPERMETRICS” for a 15% discount on orders over $30. With every purchase this blog will earn a small amount of commission at no extra cost to the purchaser.

M88 Men's Incontinence Underwear

Backsheet: Cloth (reusable) body: Cotton, Spandex, Viscose, Polyester/+TPU
Available Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Advertised Absorbency: 100 ml (2.7 oz)
Standing Inner Leak Guards: No
Leg Gathers: No
Product Style: Reusable Underwear
Outer Color: Black/camo
Inner Color: Black/white depending on pattern (black pad)
Folded Thickness: 1 cm (0.4”)
Folded Length: 31 cm (12.2”)
Dry Weight: 100 g (4.1”)
Brief Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 62 cm (24.4”) x 36 cm (14.2”) x 21 cm (8.3”) x 36 cm (14.2”)
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 42 cm (16.5”) x 11 cm (4.3”) x 6 cm (2.4”) x 23 cm (9.1”)
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 2.5 cm (1”) x 10 cm (3.9”) x 8.5 cm (3.4”) x 12 cm (4.7”)
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Triangular, Flat
Total Padding Area: 506 cm² (78.4 in²)

3.1 Carer M88 Underwear (back/front)

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 125 ml (4.2 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 150 ml (5.1 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (22 s, 25 s, 24 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 1 cm (0.4”)
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.25 ml / cm² (0.05 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 25 ml (0.85 oz)
Time to Hang Dry: TBD

The Carer Men’s M88 is a light absorbency boxer-brief type underwear that has absorbent padding running from the front to about halfway up the rear. It’s rated the same as the M80 and M81 at 100 ml (2.7 oz), but due to its design the theoretical absorbency should be a bit higher than the other two. It also should be better suited for those with light urinary incontinence who are looking for something for overnight wear, while the other two are far better suited for daily wear. The padding on this underwear uses a similar free flowing attachment as the M81, where the front and rear are attached at the front and back of the backsheet but sit as a separate moveable layer within the underwear. This underwear also features a “fly” at the front. I typically avoid this feature because I find it can lead to discomfort, but this one is smartly designed and I didn’t even notice it during testing until I re-read the product description. Once again, my lab testing focused on treating this underwear as equivalent to a male guard, so I only tested it on 50 ml (1.7 oz) intervals. In the lab test results it came out slightly less absorbent than the M81, but I attribute that more to the test design than a practical advantage. In real world settings I feel the relative absorbencies of the two are flipped.

3.2 Carer M88 After Capacity Test

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Daily Drips & Dribbles Rating: 5

I found the M88 to be nearly as absorbent as the M70 for practical purposes. Having a pad that runs up the back means it can capture gravity leaks that front-focused padding would be unable to handle. This also makes it a little more effective if worn while lying down (e.g. overnight). That’s not to say this underwear should be worn for bedwetting, because it won’t handle more than light leakage, but it could be used if you have light leaks through the night and want some extra protection. For my practical daily purposes it was easily absorbent enough for me and I found it comfortable to wear with my level of leakage. One thing to watch for is that the padding doesn’t run all the way up the front, so depending on positioning this could lead to unexpected leaks above the padding, a trade-off I feel puts it on par with the M81 for its abilities in this regard. With large leaks I did find there can be some lingering dampness, as is the case with most reusable products, but evaporation mitigated that with longer wear. That said, my regular daily needs are normally pretty minimal, so again I put this to the test with a heavier wetting to get a sense of how it could perform and where its limits sit. Shortly into the wetting moisture sank to the middle padding and pooled. It didn’t quite make it to the rear before spilling out. At this point, minus the excess that spilled out, it had absorbed exactly 100 ml, putting it a bit ahead of the M80 and M81. I attribute this to the longer length of padding. So it may be able to manage slightly larger wettings than the other two, but certainly nothing approaching a moderate level if not combined with some other protection.

Additional Protection Rating: 5

The M88 may be moderately suited as additional protection. It has a long enough stretch of padding that if you wore a male guard and it leaked, it would most likely leak into the mid-padding and it could act as a good line of defense before the leak became noticeable in outerwear. The downside is that the padding is relatively narrow. I rate it comparably to the M70 and M303, which have a similar padding structure. The M88 is a product that has padding running up to the back so I put it through my benchmark test using a wet Goodnite XL to assess potential as additional protection. The Goodnites XL can handle a full wetting without leaks, but is highly susceptible to leaking if sitting while wet. As in previous tests from the last Carer review iteration, I wore the M88 underwear over the wet Goodnites XL and tried sitting down to see whether leaks were caught by the absorbent padding or made it through the outer layers. I was surprised to find the M88 did capture some of the leakage in its padding in spite of being relatively narrow, but it wasn’t able to capture all of it and there was clear dampness around the edges. It wasn’t quite at the level of the M75 in this regard.

3.3 Carer M88 as Additional Protection for Goodnites XL

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The M88 underwear has a box-brief fit with longer thighs than the M81, but shorter than the M80. The front of the pad is attached slightly below the waistband with two distinct attachment points and then linearly attached at the rear. This creates a bit of a pocket opening above the padding at the front and the padding sits loose within the underwear rather than being sewn into the backsheet (similar to the M81 and M70). Notably, this underwear is designed with a fly at the front, so if that’s a feature you regularly use then this could be a good choice for you. I believe the addition of the fly is the reason for the gap above the front padding. Otherwise, in terms of sizing, the medium fits me well and I’m typically in the medium size range so sizing is about at the North American norm. These also have a snug elastic fit but feel slightly less sporty than the M80 and M81 (not to say they wouldn’t work well for sports). Moreover, I noticed that the tights were looser on these compared to the other two, so if you have big thighs these could also be a good choice.

 

3.4 Carer Incontinence M88 Underwear Fit

Comfort Rating: 10

I’m giving the M88 a perfect score when it comes to comfort, which is rare for me when scoring an underwear with a “fly”. I didn’t even notice the fly and found the material on this underwear to be exceptionally soft and breathable. Also, even though it has a semi-detached absorbent pad, I didn’t encounter the same awkwardness I had with the pad of the M81 or M70. Like other Carer products, this one is highly flexible and breathable with a soft material makeup.

3.5 Carer M88 Topsheet

Durability Rating (dry): 9

I rank the M88 slightly lower than the M80 and M81 in terms of durability primarily on account of the limited area of stitching holding the pad to the front of the underwear. There are two relatively narrow stitches on either side with a gap in the middle. Although I never had any issue with it in my testing, I can see the risk for someone accidentally damaging that and consider it a potential durability issue. However, I was able to exercise in this underwear and put it through several wash cycles without any obvious impact on durability, so I don’t consider that to be a major durability issue. The materials and stitching is high quality and will handle a good amount of wear and tear without fraying.

Discretion Rating: 10*

The M88 joins most of the other Carer reusable absorbent underwear products in obtaining top marks for discretion. There’s no way anyone would hear or see anything to indicate you were wearing protective underwear with the M88. If it satisfies your absorbency needs then you can wear this with confidence that your protection is completely discreet.

*Again, I preface my rating with that I’m rating it in accordance to products for lighter incontinence.

 

3.6 Carer M88 Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

3.7 Carer M88 Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Want to give the Carer M88 a try?

Help us continue to produce quality reviews by making a purchase through our Carer M88 Incontinence Underwear affiliate link and use the code “DIAPERMETRICS” for a 15% discount on orders over $30. With every purchase this blog will earn a small amount of commission at no extra cost to the purchaser.

B01 Boy's Protective Underwear

Backsheet: Cloth (reusable) body: Cotton, Viscose, Polyester/+TPU
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
Advertised Absorbency: 100 ml (3.4 oz)
Standing Inner Leak Guards: No
Leg Gathers: No
Product Style: Reusable Underwear
Outer Color: Orange (black/patterned waistband)
Inner Color: Orange (black pad)
Folded Thickness: 1.5 cm (0.6”)
Folded Length: 28 cm (11”)
Dry Weight: 110 g (3.7 oz)
Brief Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 56 cm (22.1”) x 37.5 cm (14.8”) x 18 cm (7.1”) x 37.5 cm (14.8”) 
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 42 cm (16.5”) x 18 cm (7.1”) x 11 cm (4.3”) x 13 cm (5.1”)
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 3.5 cm (1.4”) x 9 cm (3.5”) x 1 cm (0.4”) x 9 cm (3.5”)
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Flat, Triangular
Total Padding Area: 543 cm² (84.2 in²)

4.1 Carer B01 Underwear Topsheet

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (medium,large) (after press out): 120 ml (4.1 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (medium,large) (before press out): 140 ml (4.7 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (26 s, 15 s, 10 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 1 cm (0.4”)
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 0.22 ml / cm² (0.05 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 20 ml (0.68 oz)
Time to Hang Dry: TBD

The Carer B01 is a light absorbency youth protective underwear for boys and has a boxer-brief style similar to the M80, M81, and M88. The underwear marks my first review of reusable youth incontinence underwear and pairs well with my previous review of the Goodnites XL and Goodnites XXL. I wouldn’t say this underwear is a replacement for Goodnites, which is significantly more absorbent and geared toward overnight wear, but instead could be used by youths with occasional or light daytime leaks. This underwear isn’t quite as sporty as some of the others reviewed in this iteration, though it has a more extensive area of padding coverage comparable to the M75. Even so, on the Carer scale it’s rated about the same as the others at 100 ml (3.4 oz) absorbency and geared toward light usage. In lab testing I treated this like the others in that range as being equivalent to a light male guard and tested absorbency in 50 ml (1.7 oz) intervals.

4.2 Carer B01 After Capacity Test

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Daily Drips & Dribbles Rating: 7

This protective underwear should perform about equivalent to the M75 when scaled for youth incontinence. The padding layout is very similar and, notably, it has two pad extensions that run down the inner thighs. It could be considered equivalent to a light male guard or as far as youth products go, perhaps the Goodnites Absorbent Inserts that were around for a time. The padding is mostly rectangular and runs from just below the waistline to part way up the rear. It had no trouble with my light daily drips and dribbles and I never had any leaks. It does have an advantage in that moisture can evaporate away in the breathable design, so absorbency may be extended a little beyond what may otherwise be expected. To get a true sense of how it might perform under a heavier wetting I put it to the test. As was the case with the others there was moisture pooling pretty early on. However, it took quite a long time before there were any leaks out the side and the padding shape did a great job at containment. The overall absorption was still relatively low at 125 ml (4.2 oz) yet higher than any of the others tested in this iteration. This aligns well with my expectations and fits roughly with the comparison to the M75. 

Additional Protection Rating: 8

I rank the B01 about the same as the M75 when used as additional protection. The padding has a relatively wide width with extra bits near the thighs to catch leaks. The rear padding doesn’t quite make it to the back but far enough to catch leaks from the rear leg gathers of an inserted disposable absorbent product. It could be a good choice when combined with a male guard or shield for additional absorbency. To get a better sense of its utility, I tested it together with a wet Goodnites XL protective underwear like I did with the M88. This was a particularly fitting test in this case as both are youth-oriented products. Again, like the M75, I was surprised to find no obvious leaks through this underwear, so the combination proved quite sufficient. Consequently, I rate this underwear relatively highly for its ability to act as additional protection. That said, it applies mostly to daily wear. In overnight wear there’s a greater risk for moisture leaking through the rear and the rear coverage on this cuts off quite early, so it may not be effective when used for additional bedwetting protection.

4.3 Carer B01 as Additional Protection for Goodnites XL

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The B01 has a very similar construction and material makeup to the M75, but with slightly shorter thighs. It’s a semi-sporty design and is flexible, but not quite at the level of the M80. Unlike the M75, this underwear doesn’t have a “fly”, but I didn’t notice much difference in fit anyway. The padding on this one is a bit different with the front stitched into the backsheet (aside from an opening below the waistband) and the mid-section to rear being detached and reconnected at the rear. I believe this design is to give it more flexibility for movement. The sizing of this product is limited to the youth range of sizing and lists both weight range and waist size when referring to sizing fit. It closely matches the Goodnites sizing line with sizes ranging from XS to XL. For reference, my sizing is slightly above XL weight range but within the suggested weight size and I found I was able to get a comfortable fit in the XL without any tightness. So the larger sizes of this underwear could also work for smaller adults.

4.4 Carer Incontinence B01 Underwear Fit

Comfort Rating: 9

I rank the B01 the same as the M75 in terms of comfort. It has a cotton backsheet and is made of soft materials like other Carer products. It’s also quite flexible and easily stretches with movement. I found it to be not quite as breathable as the M80 or M88 and I found the edge of the rear padding to be more noticeable in this one. So I can’t quite give it a perfect score in terms of comfort, but I still feel these issues were relatively minor. The padding may be mildly constraining during movement, but I had no trouble running in this underwear so I imagine it would be fine for use in most sporting activities with limited impact on comfort.

4.5 Carer B01 Topsheet

Durability Rating (dry): 10
I give the B01 top marks for durability. It’s made of high quality materials and not easily susceptible to wear and tear. I put it through several wash cycles and it still came out appearing brand new. Compared with the M88, the stitch holding the front padding in place with the backsheet is far more extensive. The padding becomes detached over the mid-section then re-attaches linearly partially up the rear. I believe this padding design gives it a little more flexibility than if it were entirely stitched into the backsheet up to the rear. It still fits snugly and maintains a much snugger fit than the M70. I had no issues with running or exercising in this underwear and it conformed well to my movements without much resistance. 

Discretion Rating: 10*

The B01 is another highly discreet Carer incontinence product. Its padding seamlessly fits into the underwear design and the profile is no different than you would get with any regular underwear. The materials are soft and produce very little sounds. From a discretion perspective you can’t go wrong with the B01 so long as it satisfies your absorbency requirements.

*I preface my rating with that I’m rating it in accordance to products for lighter incontinence. In that regard you likely won’t notice odors until it’s close to leaking but its breathable reusable materials mean it can actually dry out between small leaks extending its usable absorbency.

4.6 Carer B01 Large Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

4.7 Carer B01 Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

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W88 Unisex Plastic Pants

Backsheet: 100% nylon + PU coating
Available Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL, 4XL, 5XL, 6XL
Leg Gathers: Yes
Product Style: Plastic pants
Outer Color: White
Inner Color: White
Folded Length (M, L): 35 cm (13.8”), 37 cm (14.6”)
Dry Weight (M, L): 75 g (2.7 oz), 100 g (3.5 oz)
Pants Dimensions (M) (L x fW x mW x bW): 70 cm (27.6”) x 35 cm (13.8”) x 26.5 cm (10.4”) x 35 cm (13.8”) 
Pants Dimensions (L) (L x fW x mW x bW): 74 cm (29.1”) x 38 cm (15”) x 26 cm (10.2”) x 38 cm (15”) 
Pants Wing Dimensions (M) (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 8.5 cm (3.4”) x 20 cm (7.9”) x 8.5 cm (4.7”) x 20 cm (7.9”) 
Pants Wing Dimensions (L) (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 12 cm (4.7”) x 22 cm (8.7”) x 12 cm (4.7”) x 22 cm (8.7”) 
Total Pant Area (M, L): 2535 cm² (392 in²), 2980 cm² (462 in²)

5.1 Carer W88 Plastic Pants (Medium)(back/front)

5.2 Carer W88 Plastic Pants (Large)(back/front)

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Overflow Threshold (M, L) (standing): 15 ml (0.15 oz)
Overflow Threshold (M, L) (standing-sitting): 15 ml (0.15 oz)

The W88 marks my third test of a “plastic pants” type product after W66 and My Pool Pal reviews. However, I’ve tried more of these products since then and learned more about what to look for when evaluating. For consistency, I will keep this review aligned to the previous 2 reviews in terms of metrics, but will reference my newer learnings.

Once again, for those who aren’t familiar, plastic pants (aka diaper covers) are specially designed to provide protection against leaks. These products typically have little-to-no added absorbency of their own, though some “terry-lined” variants actually do provide added absorption. Primarily they focus on containment, so leaks that make it out of an underlying absorbent product don’t reach your outerwear or bedding. They have a completely moisture impenetrable barrier, so the only places leaks can happen are through the waist (unlikely unless you’re lying down) or the thighs (far more likely). For this reason it’s very important to get the thigh sizing correct. It needs to be snug, but not overly tight. If your waist and thigh sizes are misaligned in the Carer recommended sizing chart it would generally be better to go for the fit that matches your thigh over waist.

The positioning of the leg exits is also something I’ve learned can have a big impact on whether the product leaks or not. Leg exits positioned like regular underwear, such as those in the My Pool Pal, will be far more prone to leaking (that product was focused on in water wear so drainage wasn’t necessarily a bad thing). Ideally, if the pant is folded and facing up, the leg openings would be further up the front rather than the bottom edges, so as to create a pocket below them for containment. 

Now that was the case for brief-style plastic pants. The W88 is a boxer-brief style plastic pant, which is completely new to me. So even though I had become more familiar with plastic pants before this review, I still felt like I was in somewhat uncharted territory with this product. To stay consistent with the previous review I used the same lab test where I added small bits of moisture (15 ml / 0.51 oz) at a time when standing or sitting to determine the absolute capacity. It’s an imperfect test, but at least it may give some point of reference. During the test I would also shift between intervals to check for leaks during shifts. I opted to not do the video-based testing I did with the W66 because I found that method of testing to be very poorly suited for actual plastic pants performance. I should also note that the W88 is specifically targeted at overnight wear, so my standing/sitting lab tests may not reflect its optimal performance. 

"Real World" Absorbency Tests

Additional Protection Rating: 7

I’m again, to be consistent with the W66 review I’m considering my additional protection score in relation to the protection you might get from reusable incontinence underwear products. Plastic pants like this have the advantage of greater coverage than reusable underwear but they don’t provide any additional absorption, so ability to prevent leaks leans heavily on the structure and seal of the leg elastics (or possibly waist for overnight wear). I believe most plastic pants will manage up to 5~10 ml without leaks just due to distribution of moisture. I previously pegged the W66 at 10~30 ml of protection and I’d also put this one at about the same when sitting or lying down. Their strong points will be in different circumstances. Whereas the W66 would appear to perform strongest when standing and fail faster when seated, I feel that the W88 performed better when lying down and failed faster when standing. I tested it as additional protection with the benchmark wet Goodnites XL test and didn’t find the pressout was enough to cause any obvious leaks. However, in one instance I had a modest leak while standing and it ended up building up over the leg and dripping down from there very shortly after. So while I found the structure more comfortable than most of the plastic pants I’ve tried, its downside is that leak protection will be fighting against gravity when standing. I believe this is why Carer recommends this product for overnight security specifically. In that instance it’s great because gravity will tend to keep moisture more toward the center. I tested for overnight wear as well and was quite happy with the performance. Certainly if there are leaks, it will easily capture them and the level of comfort from the design doesn’t interfere much with sleep. However, you do need to be a bit careful when getting up if you’ve had a substantial leak, because any buildup can come rushing down toward the legs at that point. Still, it’s far better than having a leak while in bed and should be easier to manage if you’re prepared for it. Overall I rank it slightly lower than the W66 due to the more limited circumstances in which it will provide protection, but for bedwetting specifically it will still be a strong choice.

5.3 W88 Plastic Pants as Additional Protection for Goodnites XL (Medium)

5.4 W88 Plastic Pants as Additional Protection for Goodnites XL (Large)

 

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The W88 has a boxer-brief style fit. It has snug barrier material around the waistband and mid-way down the thighs, but, like other plastic pant style products, the fit between the barriers is quite spacious to provide plenty of room for a large diaper underneath as well as containment. I felt the sizing was slightly on the larger side of things, but medium fit me quite well and I typically go with medium whereas the large felt a bit too large and wasn’t as snug around the thighs as I would have liked. The elastic around the thighs in these plastic pants is also quite different from most plastic pants. In many of them it’s a narrow elastic surrounded by stretchable folded material. In this case it runs flat against the thigh and is a material that’s very similar to the waistband.

5.5 Carer Incontinence W88 Plastic Pants Fit (Medium)

5.6 Carer Incontinence W88 Plastic Pants Fit (Large)

 

Comfort Rating: 10

The W88 also earns top marks for its remarkable durability. As mentioned when assessing comfort, these produce little if any resistance to movement and could be worn quite comfortably for exercise. These are very well made, with strong seams and good materials. I didn’t notice any signs of fraying or structural flaws, even after several washes. It would be hard to find a plastic pant more durable than the W88.

5.7 Carer W88 Backsheet and Topsheet (Medium)

5.8 Carer W88 Backsheet and Topsheet (Large)

Durability Rating: 10

The W88 also earns top marks for its remarkable durability. As mentioned when assessing comfort, these produce little if any resistance to movement and could be worn quite comfortably for exercise. These are very well made, with strong seams and good materials. I didn’t notice any signs of fraying or structural flaws, even after several washes. It would be hard to find a plastic pant more durable than the W88.

Discretion Rating: 7

Discretion is one area where the W88 falls short. In terms of profile it’s perfect and could easily be hidden under any outfit, as you might expect. However, when it comes to sound I found the W88 to be far noisier than the W66. I noticed the crinkling sound from it every time I stood up or started walking. Careful choice of outerwear would be needed to dampen the noise associated with these, but I’m certain it could be covered up. Otherwise, these are probably best saved for occasions where you’re not concerned about someone else hearing it. With the W88 being targeted toward overnight wear, discretion may be less important anyway.

5.9 W88 Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right) (Medium)

 

5.10 W88 Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right) (Medium)

 

5.11 W88 Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right) (Large)

 

5.12 W88 Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right) (Large)

 

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