Egosan X-Dry Briefs Adult Diaper Review

*For more information on how I do reviews see Diaper Test Methodology. For a list of all product reviews see the Product Index.

 

  

Summary

The Egosan X-Dry is a high absorbency cloth-backed diaper and appears to sit at the top of the Egosan product line in terms of absorbency. The X-Dry line of products includes both adult diapers and protective underwear, but this review focuses on the adult diaper version. This review is my second review of Egosan products after an earlier review of the next-most absorbent Egosan Ultra. There also appears to be a slightly less absorbent version of the Ultra called the Eogsan Maxi. The design of the X-Dry is generally similar to the Ultra with some subtle differences in backsheet design and a more notable difference in absorbency. Both models are relatively limited in terms of sizing, with only medium and large sizes available.

In terms of performance I found the X-Dry did live up to its name for absorbency. Overall, it was significantly more absorbent than the Egosan Ultra. I also found it to be quite breathable and comfortable with little difference from its dry state when wet. However, I found tape weakness to be a much greater issue in the Egosan X-Dry compared with the Ultra even though they seemingly use the same tapes. I’m not sure if I just got a bad batch, but this significantly detracted from usability. The other thing to note about these is they come at a very high unit price. It might be justifiable without the tape weakness given the very high absorbency, but it’s hard to recommend these when such a flaw exists and I feel the Egosan Ultra or Seni Super Quatro will provide better value for a comparable product. I’d like to give a special thanks for the earlier suggestion and donation that contributed to purchasing the product for this review. Donations and suggestions are always appreciated!

Key Features:

• Cloth-like backsheet
• Standing inner leak guards
• Wetness indicator
• Repositionable fasteners

Pros:

• Comfortable/breathable design
• Good noise discretion
• Highly absorbent

Cons:

• Tape weakness/sagging
• Expensive unit price

 

Product Details

For the purpose of this post I will be reviewing and referring to the medium-sized Egosan X-Dry Briefs. However, other available sizes are listed below:

Packaging

Brand: Egosan
Manufacturer: Santex S.P.A.
Origin: Italy
Units Per Bag: 8
Cost Per Unit: $$$$
Dimensions (L x W x H): 23 cm (9.1") x 18 cm (7.1") x 26 cm (10.2")
Weight: 1.43 kg (3.1 lbs)
Available Sizes: M,L
Advertised Absorbency: Hyper Absorbency 

1.1 Egosan X-Dry Briefs Packaging

Diaper

Backsheet: Cloth-like (non-woven)
Wetness Indicator: Yes (blue stars down middle, fade 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 (blue stars down middle)
Inner Color: White
Front Waistband: No
Rear Waistband: No
Folded Thickness: 3.1 cm (1.22")
Folded Length: 24.5 cm (9.7")
Dry Weight: 170 g (6 oz)
Fragrance: No
Diaper Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 77 cm (30.3") x 62 cm (24.4") x 26 cm (10.2") x 61 cm (24")
Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Rectangular, Rectangular
Padding Dimensions (L x fW x mW x bW): 65 cm (25.6") x 30 cm (11.8") x 16 cm (6.3") x 29.5 cm (11.6")
Padding Wing Dimensions (fPW x fPH x bPW x bPH): 7 cm (2.8") x 13 cm (5.1") x 6.8 cm (2.7") x 19 cm (7.5")
Padding Wing Shape (Front, Rear): Semicircle, Semicircle
Total Padding Area: 1478 cm² (229 in²)
Tape Spacing (t1 x t2): 3.5 cm (1.4") x 12 cm (4.7")
Tape (W x L): 2.5 cm (1") x 4.5 cm (1.8")

1.2 Egosan X-Dry Diaper

Laboratory Absorbency Tests

Total Absorption Volume (after press out): 1780 ml (62.8 oz)
Total Absorption Volume (before press out): 1755 ml (61.9 oz)
Time to Absorb Wettings (first to last): (55 s, 38 s, 40 s, 44 s, 46 s, 51 s, 48 s)
Wet Folded Thickness: 7 cm (2.8")
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 85%
Total Padding to Absorbency Ratio: 1.22 ml / cm² (0.28 oz / in²)
Press Out Volume: 25 ml (0.88 oz)

Surface Dampness Rating: 8

The Egosan X-Dry proved quite resilient to surface dampness as you might expect given the name. It wasn’t particularly exceptional in the lab test, with very slight surface dampness after the first wetting and more obvious dampness on the second. However, during real world testing I barely noticed the surface dampness and the wet state felt barely different from the dry state.

[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: 1550 ml (54.9 oz)
Total Wettings: (1 standing, 3 sitting)
Leaked After Sitting: No
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 66%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1.05 ml / cm² (0.24 oz / in²)

Standing-Sitting Rating: 9

The Egosan X-Dry performed quite well when tested while standing and sitting. The first wetting while standing was easily absorbed with little to no feelings of dampness once fully absorbed. There was also no sign of pressout moisture or leaks upon sitting shortly afterward. The second wetting while seated was also easily absorbed. Any pooling was very brief in nature and moisture was easily distributed through the diaper without any obvious signs of leaks. The diaper continued to feel quite dry with few signs of dampness other than the swollen, firmer front padding. At this point the rear padding and much of the front padding remained completely dry. On the third wetting moisture pushed up the front and further into the mid-section. Nothing entered the wings and there weren’t any obvious signs of a leak near the rear leg gathers either. The front padding had swollen considerably at this point and the rear padding and moisture had made it into the lower rear padding as well. Surface dampness was a little more perceivable, particularly rear the leg gathers, though that dampness dissipated after some time. I’d still say it felt relatively comfortable and quite breathable after the third wetting. The fourth wetting initially started pushing up the front but a lot of the moisture ended up further into the mid-section and shortly after pushed through the rear leg gathers and leaked as it pooled. Surprisingly there was no leak through the front barriers and a large amount of rear padding remained dry to this point. It also had absorbed an impressive amount of moisture by the 4th wetting. Consequently, I’d feel pretty comfortable saying this diaper can absorb up to 3 wettings in daily wear without leaking, but I wouldn’t push it past that.

Lying Down

Total Absorbed Volume: 1830 ml (64.6 oz)
Total Wettings: 5
Used to Total Padding Ratio: 90%
Padding to Absorbency Score: 1.24 ml / cm² (0.28 oz / in²)

Lying Down Rating: 10

The Egosan X-Dry performed strongly when tested while lying down. The first wetting was quickly absorbed into the mid-padding with a bit of swelling but was otherwise not noticeable compared to its dry state. The absorption was quite fast. The second wetting also sank deeper into the mid-padding and was also quickly absorbed. There was more swelling at this point, but much of the front and rear padding were still dry. Other than the swelling it didn’t feel damp or particularly different from the dry state. However, the weight pulled the fasteners and the fit felt noticeably looser. The third wetting was also completely absorbed without any hint of leaks. Moisture pushed further into the rear padding but at least half of the rear padding was still dry and the front padding remained dry at the top. The looseness likely contributed to less pooling or moisture making it up the front, though it would be a major risk for side leaks. I figured the 4th wetting would leak, but surprisingly there were no obvious leaks and still a bit of dry padding at the rear. There was also minimal moisture pooling. Due to the looseness the much of the front padding was still pretty dry as well. However, I did notice dampness around the rear leg gathers, so it appears it may have been close to leaking at this point. The fifth wetting was clearly going to leak and indeed there was a moderate leak through the left rear leg gather. Even so, it managed to absorb and distribute much of the wetting through the padding. Generally this diaper should manage 3 or 4 wettings while lying down, but due to the fastener weakness you’ll find it will fail much faster than that if you’re a side-sleeper.

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

Daily Wear and Bedwetting

The Egosan X-Dry was remarkably absorbent when tested for daily wear and bedwetting. That said, it was a challenge to use due to the fastener weakness and, when tested for bedwetting, I had to re-enforce the fasteners with extra tape just to keep it on for the night. This together with the smaller sample size to work with (there are only 8 diapers per bag with these) gives me slightly less confidence in my assessment than I typically have. In daily wear I combined these with regular underwear to keep them from sliding, but it wasn’t as comfortable as it could be. These aren’t particularly discreet in terms of profile, with fairly bulky padding that produces a clear diaper bulge. But they’re otherwise silent with respect to sound. I wouldn’t recommend them for daily wear, the fasteners are just too susceptible to slipping off and can’t be reattached. This is particularly true if you fasten it too tightly initially or try to re-fasten the fasteners after the initial placement. If you ignore the fastener weakness and sagging that comes with that then these are highly comfortable. I found the material to be soft and breathable and not susceptible to sweat or clamminess. They are very skin friendly and I never noticed any irritation with wear. I also found them to be very strong at moisture wicking and they can quickly distribute wettings without pooling. They also swell to a considerable size when wet. The fastener weakness is a pretty big drawback, especially given the very expensive unit cost. For a comparable product at a lower unit cost and with only slightly less absorbency I’d recommend the Seni Super Quatro over the Egosan X-Dry. If they do end up fixing the fastener issues then these could be a highly reliable product for those who prefer cloth-backed diapers.

Suitability for Bowel Incontinence: 3

The fastener weakness makes these unsuitable for dealing with bowel incontinence. They do have a few features to help with it like standing inner leak guards and extensive rear padding. Being cloth-backed without waistbands, these may be susceptible to odors. But clearly the biggest problem is that the weak fasteners make them highly risky to use if you might have a bowel movement during wear.

 

Wear & Tear Tests

Fitting

The Egosan X-Dry diaper has a cloth-like backsheet with small fasteners that are a mix of hook & loop material and adhesive tape. This diaper doesn’t feature waistbands and has a large thick padding, but is very soft and breathable. Initially it’s possible to get a mostly snug fit, but I found the fasteners would quickly weaken and lose their adhesiveness. The sizing for this Egosan model is also relatively limited with only medium and large available from what I was able to find.

3.1 Egosan X-Dry Briefs Fastener

Ease-of-Use Rating: 4

I’m ranking the Egosan X-Dry diaper similar to the Tenera and Lille SupremFit when it comes to ease-of-use due the 3 facing similar challenges with fasteners. I found the fasteners on this diaper were even weaker than the Lille SupremFit. The fasteners on this diaper are relatively small for the size of it and the adhesive area is somewhat limited. In theory it should be possible to fasten and reposition the fasteners on this diaper multiple times, but in practice the fasteners pull off backsheet material and then are unable to refasten at all after some time. Otherwise, the absorbency of this diaper is good and it’s pretty easy to fasten initially. It also has a wetness indicator of blue stars that fade when wet, which would be helpful in a care environment. These also have standing inner leak guards and, if not for the looseness, would be good for containment. Given the clear fastener flaw, I’d limit these for overnight use only and combine them with meshpants or underwear to hold them more snugly in place.

3.2 Egosan X-Dry Diaper Fit

Comfort

Comfort Rating (dry): 6

The Egosan X-Dry is highly breathable with a thick soft padding and cloth-like backsheet that I found very comfortable. I didn’t have much trouble with padding deterioration as it held together quite well without clumping or tearing. The biggest problem with this diaper was that the fasteners were highly susceptible to coming loose. This meant even a snug initial fit would eventually result in sagging, even in its dry state. This was even a problem when worn overnight with minimal movement. Were it not for the fastener weakness I’d certainly rank this diaper among the top performers for dry comfort, but it’s too impactful to overlook, thus the relatively low comfort score considering what is otherwise a very comfortable diaper.

Comfort Rating (wet): 6

I rank the Egosan X-Dry wet state similar to its dry state for comfort. When the fasteners actually hold it can feel quite comfortable even when wet. In fact I barely noticed the difference between the wet state and the dry state. This diaper is very breathable and skin friendly. The padding is quite resistant to surface dampness or at least effective at wicking it to minimize its impact. The padding is also decently resistant to clumping or tearing just as it is in its dry state. Again, the primary problem is the fastener weakness, particularly after refastening or adjustments. The fasteners struggle to get a good grip and this makes it susceptible to coming loose. If it weren’t for that then I’d rank this diaper much higher for wet comfort because objectively all other aspects are top notch.

3.3 Egosan X-Dry Briefs Topsheet and Backsheet

Durability

Dry Padding Deterioration Proportion: 7.2% (topsheet), 6.3% (backsheet)
Shake Deterioration Test: 2 shakes to deterioration

Durability Rating (dry): 5

The Egosan X-Dry had a lot of potential for durability but the weakness of the fasteners overshadowed it. In terms of dry durability the padding held out relatively well after many hours of wear with relatively minor deterioration and mostly at the peripheral away from the core padding. Unfortunately, the fasteners proved quite weak. Even when lying down I found they could come undone. During the dry durability test it was difficult to finish because it kept slipping down. At some point after refastening I found I could no longer fasten one of the top fasteners and had to manually tape it to the backsheet to keep it up, even then it didn’t hold much. This is a pretty big flaw because it significantly impacts the function of the diaper. I certainly wouldn’t recommend this for daily or active wear and even overnight wear will require care (perhaps wearing something snug over top to keep it in place).

Durability Rating (wet): 5

The Egosan X-Dry should have ranked highly when it comes to wet durability, but the fastener weakness is too much of an issue to ignore in this regard. This diaper is quite prone to sagging or fastener weakness when wet. It was also a bit weak on the wet durability shake test as well, but I don’t weigh that measure as highly as I generally haven’t found it reflective of real world performance. Otherwise, the padding becomes firm rather than clumping in the wet state and is generally quite resistant to deterioration. I also found that the cloth-like backsheet isn’t susceptible to moisture perspiration issues sometimes found in this type of diaper. Again, for less active wear it should be fine, but even then you need to be a little careful with the fasteners if they get adjusted at all.

3.4 Egosan X-Dry Briefs 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): 5 cm (2"), 5.5 cm (2.2")
Side Rise Above Waistline (Jeans, Sweatpants): 2.5 cm (1"), 3 cm (1.2")

Profile Discretion Rating: 5

The Egosan X-Dry is not particularly discreet, even ignoring the sagging that comes from the loose fit. The padding of the diaper is quite thick and could be difficult to conceal under clothing. It may be possible under thick clothing with meshpants or underwear, but might otherwise be difficult to cover the diaper bulge at the front and rear.

 

4.1 Egosan X-Dry Briefs Jeans Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

4.2 Egosan X-Dry Briefs Sweats Profile (left) vs Normal Underwear (right)

 

Noise

Noise Rating: 10

Noise discretion is one area that the Egosan X-Dry clearly excels at and I never noticed any sound when wearing this diaper. The backsheet and padding seem to muffle any possible sound and there aren’t any crinkly edges that would give to it. It’s highly unlikely anyone would notice the sound from this diaper and thus the perfect score.

4.3 Egosan X-Dry Briefs Noise Profile

Odor Reduction

Odor Reduction Rating: 7

I was generally impressed with the ability of the Egosan X-Dry to resist odors and it does appear the padding has some built-in odor resistance. It’s fairly resistant to surface dampness so can counter odor formation. However, it is cloth-backed, it doesn’t feature waistbands and the tendency for the fasteners to loosen will be a big negative for its ability to handle odors.

 

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