Thirsties Duo Wrap with Stay Dry Duo Insert Review

Thirsties is a Colorado company established in 2014 by Erin Kimmett. With a desire to create the perfect cloth diaper cover, Erin began creating patterns, cutting, and sewing products, all on her dining room table. With some modifications here and there, it did not take long until Thirsties grew into one of the favorite cloth diapers on the market. Today, Thirsties remains in Colorado, and it strives to provide budget-friendly cloth diapers for families while highlighting the health and environmental importance of cloth diapering.

Performance Comparison

Absorbency

The Thirsties system includes a set of two inserts that snap together to provide maximum absorbency and wicking powers. The first layer is a hemp/organic cotton blend that is the real soaker. Over the top of that goes the polyester terry cloth layer that wicks away any remaining moisture and keeps the baby nice and dry.

The Stay Dry Duo Insert scored exceptionally high in our tests, earning it a top-ranking place in diaper-dom. The mock urine we used was almost instantly absorbed, with no pooling or runoff. The insert was slightly damp after changing during hands-on use, but not enough to bother our little tester.

We think you will especially appreciate this diaper if you have a heavy wetter on your hands. The cover allows for multiple inserts and is still roomy enough to fit comfortably around all the fabric. This ability not only improves absorbency, but it also opens up the diaper for a variety of uses.

Fit/Leakage

Compared to other hybrid systems, the Thirsties cover seems to have a lot of extra fabric. The extra room allows the cover to fit comfortably over the top of multi-layered inserts or prefolds and those bulky fitteds that are good for overnight use (see our top-ranking overnight diapers here). While we did not experience any leaks when using this diaper, the fit is something we were constantly adjusting and could never quite get right. This problem was partially due to the single row of waist snaps, rather than the two, which we prefer. Although the cover was the correct size for our tester, it still seemed like there was an excessive amount of fabric bunching and gapping around the waist. The odd fit is evident in the photo above. While this extra fabric makes the cover so versatile, there are certainly some drawbacks if you do not need to stuff it to the max every time. We appreciate the double gussets found on the leg openings on the cover and feel that they add an extra measure of leak-proof security to the whole setup.

The Thirsties system is very trim fitting, as are most hybrid diapers. The inserts are highly absorbent relative to their size, and many users appreciate that the diaper fits under regular clothes with no problem.

Comfort

The Duo Wrap is just average in terms of comfort. The fabric that hems the cover feels like it could get itchy, and there are exposed snaps on the inside that left red marks on our little tester's belly after being worn for a while. Neither issue bothered her, but we didn't have to worry about them with other diapers. Additionally, the insert does not reach both ends of the cover, so parts of the cover are exposed and lay directly against the baby's skin.

On the other hand, the Stay Dry Duo Insert is incredibly soft. The cozy microfleece lining is something we imagine would be comfortable to sit in for hours at a time. Its primary purpose is to keep the baby dry, but the fact that it is also impressively cushy is a bonus.

Ease-of-Use

As a hybrid, this Thirsties diaper is very simple to assemble and use, second only to an AIO. The liners snap together, which can help you better keep track of sets. It also helps add extra absorbency without the fuss of trying to line up the insert with each other mid-change. Another benefit is that taking apart the liner can significantly reduce dry time.

Like most hybrid-style diapers, the inserts are free-floating. Although they do snap together to lessen the amount of traveling they might do, having loose inserts means that messes may get on the cover as well. It is helpful to keep these things in mind when looking at the combined fit of the insert relative to the shell. If the pair is well fitted, it can add a touch of convenience to your life. After most changes, you can toss the insert into the diaper pail, wipe down the cover, and reuse it. In this way, you can cut back on laundry and extend the life of your diaper.

Should You Buy the Thirsties Duo Wrap and Stay Dry Duo Insert?

The Thirsties Duo Wrap and Stay Dry Duo Insert is an ideal pair for anyone looking for a diaper that allows for buildable absorbency and fantastic wicking properties. We were impressed with the performance of the liner and love that the sized cover offers a customizable fit while also being roomy enough to handle a lot of bulky inserts. It is one of the easiest diapers to assemble and use. If these all sound like things you have been searching for in a cloth diaper, then look no further; Thirsties is here for you. Individually, the components of this diaper seem relatively low cost, but you must buy both parts separately. This diaper is in the middle of the pack when it comes to price. You may spend a bit more as it is a sized diaper, and you will want to have a properly fitted diaper for your baby's age. Luckily, you will only have to replace covers, as the inserts will fit in any of the Thirsties cloth diaper covers. The actual savings lay in the reduced laundry. Using a hybrid system can cut your diaper laundry nearly in half, saving you time, water, and detergent.

What Other Cloth Diaper Should You Consider?

This diaper used to be an award winner because it offers impressive absorption and is very easy to use compared to the competition. However, it does struggle for fit and leak protection which prevented it from earning an award this go around. If functionality is your priority and you don't mind a little more involved process, the Rumparooz Pocket is a good fit for you. It has impressive absorbency and fit, but it isn't as straightforward of a design. If ease of use is a priority, but you don't want to sacrifice fit or leak protection, the Flip with Stay Dry Insert offers a great all-around diaper with above-average results in every metric. The Flip is an easy-to-use hybrid diaper that is also easy to clean.