Using disposable inserts for cloth diapers is a weird thing to wrap your head around. Many of you, including SimplyDad, probably wonder “what the f&CK? Just use disposable diapers! Or just commit to doing the freaking cloth diaper laundry.” BUT its not that simple and for some cloth diaper families, like mine, using Flip Disposable Inserts or GroVia Biosoakers is a great meet-in-the-middle make my life easy diapering solution.
Traditionally, I have considered disposable diapers when I just need a break or take a trip. More recently I’ve fallen into favouring disposable inserts for my diapering needs. This post is going to review and compare the two major brands available – the Flip Disposable Insert versus the GroVia Biosoaker.
This post contains affiliate links and purchases thru these links help support the work of this blog in bringing you everything you need to know about cloth diapering, adventuring, and parenting 2 under 2. This post is not sponsored and as always reflects my true and honest opinion.
I’ve ventured into the world of disposable diapers because I have 2 kids under 2. Being pregnant with a young child/toddler is exhausting. When I went on vacation over Christmas holidays, I just needed a break. I used disposable diaper options for Little Man including a combination of Huggies & GroVia Biosoakers. When I visited my family in May, I opted to bring along disposable diapers because because single parenting on holidays is hard enough without squeezing in the time to do cloth diaper laundry for two. On our last camping trip, I didn’t feel like lugging my flat diapers on our hike of Swift Creek Trail (Valemount, BC) and opted for something a little more easy-to-pack.
Disposable Insert Basics
Before we get started on the nitty-gritty between the Flip & the GroVia Disposable Insert options you need to know a few basics.
- Disposable inserts require a cover!
- Each company prefers you use their shell with their disposable insert.
- Honestly, both inserts worked in any one of my various shells.
It was suggested the Flip might not fit into a narrower crotch diaper cover, but I did not find this to be the case as the disposable insert is flexible to fitting inside almost anything.
- Disposable inserts are not flushable and its ideal to flush any solid waste before disposing.
- There are no dyes or fragrances in either insert.
- They don’t have the perfume scent of traditional disposable diapers.
- Disposable inserts are pricier compared to big name disposable diaper brands. They do creep closer in price comparability to eco-disposables diaper brands like Seventh Generation.
Disposable Inserts: Flip Versus GroVia
In hand, the Flip Disposable Insert and the GroVia Biosoaker are two very different ideas of the same concept. Both absorb and catch pee and poop, but they look very different.
Flip Disposable Insert |
GroVia BioSoaker |
|
---|---|---|
Cost | 18 inserts, $14.95 CDN | 50 Inserts, $27.95 CDN |
Materials | 9g Non-Woven Bamboo Viscose 19-20g Wood Pulp 2.5g SAP 1g Starch-Based Glue |
Lining=,Inego spun bound non-woven fabric. Core = Wood pulp fibres with minimal SAP gel. Outer = Bio-Film |
WaterProof Backing | No | Yes |
Size | Pad: 12cm x 39 cm Wings: 3cm |
Pad: 10 cm x 30cm Wings: 5cm (Top & Bottom); 4cm (Sides) |
Absorbency * | ~15-16 oz | ~16-20 oz |
Additional Features | Can be doubled Up Compostable Oeko-Tex 100 Certified |
Adhesive for Underwear Mostly Compostable (Elastic in gussets not tested) Oeko-Tex 100 Certified |
* absorbency testing is performed by me in my non-scientific kitchen. I take a measuring cup of warm water and see how much it will absorb. For this experiment is worth noting I poured 8 oz first, and then repeatedly poured 4 oz at a time until I couldn’t anymore with minimal wait time between. Other moms I know suggested the Flip is more absorbent than the Biosoaker, but I don’t find this to be the case. Even in real life, I feel a single GroVia Biosoaker lasts longer and works thru the night better for my moderate night wetters. I also felt my diaper cover was overly moist in the morning when I used a Flip disposable Insert compared to a GroVia Biosaker.
My Take: Flip Disposable Insert
The Flip Disposable insert looks and feels like a pad of paper towel. Honestly, it reminds me of a puppy pee-pad. It’s long and wide, but easily fits both of my babies. I fold it down for Little Miss who is past 15 pounds to give her a customized fit. This did not result in additional bulk as the insert is fairly trim.
My big concern with the Flip Disposable Insert was whether or not it could contain a poopy mess without any shape and structure to channel the mess. Despite the lack of poop channeling, we didn’t have any spillage with this insert.
However, because the Flip does not have a waterproof backing, I felt I was not able to reuse covers with back-to-back changes. I did not like how moist the cover is after use. This means the Flip Disposable insert is best suited to covers that wipeable. I enjoyed using it with a Flip, Nuggles, and Blueberry Capri.
Tidbit: The Flip Disposable Insert can be doubled up since there is no waterproof backing. This makes it a great choice for the super soakers of the world.
My Take: GroVia Biosoaker
The GroVia Biosoaker I already know and love. It’s the first disposable insert I tried, and it does a great job. It works overnight for both kids, fits both kids, and holds in the mess. It’s also crazy trim (because it’s not cloth).
The BioSoaker features a compostable waterproof backing alongside elastic casings, which gives it a more curled up fitted look. It fits both kids without folding at the moment, but I did need to fold it when I used it on Little Miss around 10-12 pounds (this did not cause any problems for me). The GroVia Biosoaker does fit into the GroVia shells the best, but really, use it with whatever you have. I would suggest smaller fitting covers over larger covers – like Best Bottom, Buttons, or Rumparooz.
I did find the wings of this diaper often poked out. Just use your finger and tuck them back under the elastics of your diaper cover. It won’t cause any problems. I mostly promise because it didn’t’ for me.
Recommendation
I’m going to continue purchasing disposable inserts for cloth diapers because I like having one disposable diaper that fits both my toddler and my baby. I keep a stack of GroVia Biosoakers and spare shells in the back of my van for emergencies. This guarantees I always have a back up diaper that fits. Because we all know how fast babies grow, Little Miss outgrew her size 2 disposable diapers DURING OUR HOLIDAY and that was a pain.
I’m also continue to using disposable inserts for camping and hiking adventures because it’s easier than cloth diapers. I can pack 2-3 diaper changes for two kids into a bag easier than using cloth diapers, and it gives a space-saving lighter load when adventuring into the forest. I lean more towards a Flip for these adventures knowing I could safely dispose in an outhouse if needed, as the Flip is entirely biodegradable and compostable.
For me, future purchases in disposable inserts will likely be cost related.
- The Flip Disposable Insert a little on the high end of Cost (~80 cents CDN). The small package is easy to burn thru with 2 in diaper.
- The price point of GroVia Biosoakers (~50 cents CDN) is closer to larger sized “eco/green” disposable diaper.
Find Disposable Inserts at these affiliate cloth diaper retailers
LagoonBaby (Canada)
Cloth Diaper Kids (Canada)
Corinne @ My Mom Writes (Mommy Blog) says
I think you did a great job, love the chart side by side with all the details comparing the two! I love comparisons. I commend you for sticking with cloth diapering, it can be a headache if you let it (I did!) but I think it is so awesome and great for the environment :).
April Kitchens says
We were a cloth diaper family! I used BumGenius and Sunbaby diapers. Best decision I ever made!
Kristen says
How this is so interesting to read about. I was not aware these even existed. I was going to use cloth diapers for my baby but have been too scared to try. I like this idea especially for traveling!