This past week the big buzz around the cloth diaper community is the spotting of a CLOTH DIAPER at Target. That’s right, Pampers Pure released the Pampers Pure Hybrid Cloth Diaper earlier this month. 

Back Story

In 2020, Charlie Banana was purchased by Proctor and Gamble.  I think we can safely say, that cloth diapering is going mainstream. It’s gonna happy. 

Learn more about the Charlie Banana cloth diaper story on the Cloth Diaper Podcast.

We have now seen a Tide Cloth Diaper Detergent released under a collaboration with Charlie Banana, expanding this mainstream reach and influence of Charlie Banana in the industry. 

About Pampers Pure Hybrid Diaper

The Pampers Pure Protection Hybrid Diaper is a mouthful. That’s not an easily identifiable brand. Let’s just call it the Pampers Cloth Diaper for ease of use. I think we could use a naming issue there.

The Pampers Cloth Diaper is a hybrid diaper. There are hybrid fitted cloth diapers (like those made by Lilly & Frank) and then there are hybrid diapers that use a mix of cloth and disposable.

This hybrid diaper is one that is half cloth, half disposable, and can be mix and matched for the perfect diapering experience for your family. The Pampers Pure is only sold with disposable inserts and a reusable cloth diaper cover.

The cloth diaper cover features the patent Charlie Banana toggles. We can only assume it’s a similar product to the Charlie Banana disposable inserts and cover. Check out the reviews I did on these products when I had babies in diapers.

• Charlie Banana Diaper – Going on a Staycation
  • This is not a formal review of the product. I will have to make that happen.
  • Truth be told, I find the toggles to be difficult to work with.
• Charlie Banana Disposable Inserts Review

Pampers Cloth Diaper Details

• Cloth Diaper Cover is available at $24.99 direct from Target.
  • Trial kit of 1 cover, 13 inserts starts at $29.99
• Cover is a one size fits most
  • internal straps with sizing for adjustments (no external snaps)
  • Fleece lined?!
  • PUL exterior
  • waist snaps with a three waist and
• Inserts are disposable – free of elemental chlorine, fragrances, paragons and
  • features disposable gusset design.
  • plant based liner with shea butter
  • StayPut stickers to stick into the diaper
  • No option for cloth? Is that even a hybrid?

First impressions as a cloth diaper author, enthusiast and supporter?

The person who reviews cloth diapers every month to learn and understand changes in the industry — ya me, not just any old mom blogger, but one who specializes in cloth diapering to the point where she has an entire career made out of reviewing diapers

• The reusable cover is expensive. Where most cloth diaper brands are trying to find ways to reduce the economics of diapering as Diaper Need sores in the United States, Pampers Pure slid in offering a product targeted at a specific group of families with extra money to spend.
  • Seriously, the price point is out for lunch here. Yes, I’m thrilled we have cloth diapers in target, but the average cloth diaper cost in the USA is $15-20/each – cheapies are less than $10. I don’t know of any cloth diaper cover sold without inserts priced at above $20.
• Missed opportunity with the features of the hybrid diaper. This diaper consists of multiple features that I just wouldn’t put into a hybrid cloth diaper. Maybe that’s the point? But considering it’s 2021 and cloth diaper brands are being more creative than ever, this diaper smashed together 2010 cloth diapering tricks and created something with obvious pitfalls.
  • Fleece as the lining of the hybrid diaper, or a cloth diaper cover, is a terrible choice. The material should be wipeable like the popular Esembly Baby system. Most cloth diaper families AVOID using lined covers multiple times. And sure, I love a lined cloth diaper cover, Charlie Banana fleece might not be the top choice – maybe AWJ? Seude?
  • And I know that the toggle is well loved patent feature, it’s incredibly challenging for families with mobility and dexterities problems. It is very difficult for people to adjust the rise setting (or leg elastic length when needed) to give that best fit on baby
• StayPut stick on the Disposable is asking for trouble. Does anyone even use the stickies on the GroVia Disposable Inserts? I know that they changed the sticky compound a few years ago, but the stick never washes out and just causes for trouble. A good fitting cloth diaper cover doesn’t need stick for the insert to stay put and the early reviews on product websites suggest the Stay Put stick just makes an unsightly mess for families.

 

Quick Comparison to GroVia

The basics? It’s a more expensive product compared to products sold by cloth diaper brands. Read the commentary on the IG post from parents

What does the Cloth Diaper Community think?

This has been all the talk this week, and here’s a few first impressions from parents who now know about the Pampers Pure

• Good way to start.
• I think it’s ridiculous
• Might get people curious but it isn’t realistically sustainable so it won’t represent the cloth community well.
• It’s crazy expensive and not eco-friendly
• They are taking advantage of people who want to try cloth but haven’t dived in.
• Seems like the worst option – you are creating waste and using energy to wash the cover.
• Might be a good gateway to cloth diapering… or making cloth more mainstream
• It’s a great step for disposable lovers, but at the end isn’t it the same?
• Ehhhhh……
• WAY OVER PRICED! Pampers disposables suck so I’m skeptical the hybrid is of quality.
• I feel it’ a step in the right direction, lowering waste, making cloth mainstream.
• Probably not something I’d buy BUT love they’re going to reach more people.
• So expensive not worth it.
• I’d rather support a smaller business, but access is important for families.
• I wanna try
• Pampers is loosing cloth families. They are making prints because that’s one reason we choose cloth.

Read the IG post on the quick comparison of this product.

Who is the Pampers Pure Hybrid for?

This diaper is definitely for the Target Mom.

The mom with extra income, the curiosity of cloth, and the passion to be sucked in by greenwashing and the lure of ‘crunchy mom’ life.

Pampers Pure is not a budget line. We shouldn’t have expected a low cost cloth diapering option like when bumGenius brought Elemental Joy into Walmart.

Should you buy it?

No, just buy a more eco-friendly disposable diaper and use a cheaper more functional cloth diaper cover over top.

I’m thrilled that Charlie Banana got cloth diapers into Target with Proctor & Gamble. That’s one huge amazing step for cloth diapering, but for those of us on the inside, in the community, living and breathing the struggle of diaper need, this product feels like it misses the mark.

I’m excited for the potential, but disappointed in the execution.

Check out this list of cloth diaper covers to find something that matches your families needs and then add some disposable diapers to the mix.

• 2020’s Trendiest Cloth Diapers
• 5 Must Have Cloth Diapers on Amazon
• Take the Quiz – Best Cloth Diaper for You

Overpriced and poorly executed this diaper will destroy the hope and ambition of curious cloth diaper parents. A mom is going to be curious about cloth diapers, and instead of avoiding these six common mistakes, she’s going to buy this. She’ll be frustrated with the toggles and fleece liners and decide that all cloth is terrible and just leaks and creates a mess. And then the world will never switch to cloth diapers.

Maybe I’m just being a pessimist, but this is not the product that will make cloth go mainstream. I am enthusiastic about the cloth diaper detergent cross over.