Flip with Stay Dry Insert Review

Flip is an offshoot of Cotton Babies, a company that also makes bumGenius and Econobum diapers. A cover/insert combo is the only thing the Flip brand offers, but it is something they do well. You can choose from three different reusable inserts that will work with the Flip cover, as well as a disposable option. In this review, we decided to test the Stay Dry insert as we like the wicking properties of the microfleece liner. The combination of great features and functionality make this a diaper we love to use.

Performance Comparison

Seen here on our baby tester, the Flip appears to be only slightly larger around the tush than your average disposable.

Absorbency

The Flip was near the top of the group in our absorbency tests, showing little green on the filter paper at the end. When put to the test with a real baby, the insert felt dry to the touch after changing, showing off its impressive wicking properties.

Three layers of absorbent microfiber lay beneath a stay-dry liner and provide the perfect combo for a happy baby. The insert has lines sewn along one end to indicate the correct fold position for various sizes, which can also help place absorbency in the right areas. Below you can see the filter paper that shows the results of the Flip's absorbency test. The quick absorbency rate and notable wicking capabilities of the insert kept the paper (aka baby's skin) relatively dry from start to finish.

Fit/Leakage

It is easy to get a snug and secure fit with the Flip, thanks to the double row of snaps around the waist and three rise positions. This one-size diaper is made to fit babies from 8-35 lbs. Having a one-size-fits-all system is handy because it can help lower the cost of cloth diapering. You won't have to rebuild your stash halfway through with larger sized covers. Despite being one-size, the Flip is one of the trimmest diapers in this review, making it much easier to fit under all those adorable tiny outfits.

We loved how well the insert fits with the cover, reaching edge to edge both length and widthwise, and tucking up underneath the contoured flaps at each end. This fit helps to keep the cover cleaner and enables you to reuse it more times. The cover only has a single gusset, but the elastic keeps it snug to baby's leg crease and does not let out any leaks during our tests.

The combination of a snug fit and soft fabric are what make the Flip so cushy to hang out in.

Comfort

We didn't get to try on the diaper ourselves, but the Flip is something that our baby tester was happy to wear. With very little bulk, a soft stay-dry liner, and smooth fabric around the edges of the cover, it is a cushy diaper. Not much of the waterproof cover comes into contact with baby's skin thanks to the well-fitted insert. Where it does touch, the fabric is soft enough that it never seemed to irritate sensitive baby skin. The extra flaps of fabric on the front and rear edges of the shell cover the backside of the snaps so they wouldn't lay directly against baby's belly. The trim fit remains a perk even when the insert is folded down to the smallest setting. When preparing this diaper for a change, you must pay attention to which side goes up and which side goes down. If you place the absorbent microfiber side against baby's bum, it can act as a desiccant, drying out the skin and causing rashes.

A double row of snaps does mean added time to each diaper change, but we think it is worth the extra effort because of how much it improves the fit of the diaper

Ease of Use

Keeping it about as simple as it gets, setting up the Flip for a diaper change only requires two steps: lay the cover flat and place the insert inside. We had no trouble fitting the insert underneath the extra flaps at each end, and appreciate this feature for the added security. This way, messes are more likely to stay within the liner without reaching the cover, therefore making it more reusable, and minimizing laundry. If anything, a quick wipedown of the laminated polyester shell will be adequate preparation for the next wear.

The insert can be machine washed and dried, but you must air-dry the cover. We don't feel like it is much of a hassle to pick out the covers when transferring diapers from washer to dryer. And the polyester fabric is so light and thin that they dry in a matter of minutes. This step also helps to preserve the longevity of the snaps and elastic pieces in the cover.

This simple system has many features that we love, and a price tag that puts it within budget for almost any family.

Value

At first glance, the price of the Flip seems comparable to that of other hybrid diapers, but there are a few things that set it apart. First, this is a one-size diaper. So once you build your stash, you are done, theoretically eliminating the need to buy a single additional diaper for the rest of your baby's life. Second, you must consider that you are most likely going to purchase the inserts and covers separately. You will probably need fewer covers (because you will be able to reuse them through multiple changes), and more inserts. Individually priced, the inserts are less expensive than other brands, which is great because this is the part that you will be buying in larger quantities. The covers are a bit more expensive, but we think they are of higher quality. They will last longer, and you will not need to purchase as many from the start.

The Flip diaper will grow with baby until they are through their diapering days.

Conclusion

For such a simple diaper, we were very impressed with the Flip. We loved the fact that there were so many small, but beneficial features that made using this diaper very easy and intuitive. If you are hoping to save a few bucks in your cloth diaper journey, but still want the convenience that comes with a nicer diaper, then this is the one for you. We highly recommend taking a look at the Flip cover and matching Stay Dry Insert.