Choosing a cloth diaper style can be overwhelming at first. There are many different styles to choose from and so many brands on the market. But what do you do once you have chosen the style you’d like to use? You can’t simply announce “I’m using pockets!” and be done with your cloth diaper days… (If only it were that easy!)

Once clients have been to our Cloth 101 class and chosen their style, they often want all the details about their chosen diaper: the good, the bad and to be honest, the truth. Never to be ones to back down from the hard questions, we often hear “so, which is the best pocket cloth diaper?”

In this article, we will review the top five pocket diapers on the market today, the pros and cons of each and give you a few fit recommendations as well.

1. Thirsties Natural One Size Pocket Diaper
2. Thirsties One Size Pocket Diaper
3. Rumparooz One Size Pocket Diaper
4. Smart Bottoms Dream 2.0
5. bumGenius One Size Pocket Diaper

Thirsties Natural One Size Pocket Diaper

The Thirsties Natural One Size Pocket Diaper is newer to the market than the rest. The inner layer is organic cotton with openings at the front and back to make sure the inserts agitate out in the wash. The shell of the Thirsties Natural One Size Pocket is the same as the original one size pocket, and it is offered in both hook and loop and snap closures, like the original.

So, why is Thirsties the best? The natural pocket has two inserts that snap together, if you choose. The newborn insert is three layers of 100% certified organic cotton, while the full size insert is five layers of the signature hemp/organic cotton blend that makes this diaper oh so thirsty.

These fibers work together to produce an incredibly absorbent diaper (even for overnight) complete with double gussets to help protect against leaks. Thirsties even added a one year warranty on their products, so you don’t have to worry about how long your product will last. Recommended for babies eight to forty pounds, Thirsties Natural One Size Pocket Diaper is our top choice.

#protip You don’t have to use both inserts at once! If your baby is in the newborn stage, feel free to choose only the small insert and leave the larger one out until baby grows.   

 

Thirsties One Size Pocket Diaper

The Thirsties One Size Pocket Diaper is similar to the natural version above, but oh so different. The liner of the pocket shell is a microfleece that wicks away wetness quick to keep baby feeling dry and comfortable. It includes the same double opening design that will allow your inserts to agitate out in the wash and the same double gussets, protecting babies (and their caregivers) from the dreaded diaper ‘blowout’.

This version also comes with two inserts, a newborn and a full size insert. However, the fiber content is very different. The newborn insert is three layers of microfiber while the full size insert is five layers of hemp. The microfiber will absorb quickly, helping to get moisture away from baby and the hemp will absorb more than most fibers to avoid leaks.

So, why do we love the Thirsties One Size Pocket Diaper? The microfleece liner makes getting rid of solids and avoiding rashes so easy. You don’t have to unstuff this diaper when wash day comes and there is enough absorbency to last you until the full forty pound recommendation. The double gussets keep blowouts away and the thoughtful design means even an eight pound baby could comfortably wear this pocket. What’s not to love?

#protip If you decide that the insert fibers aren’t your favorite, you can easily replace them with any of Thirsties All In Two Insert options.

 

Rumparooz One Size Pocket Diaper

The Rumparooz One Size Pocket Diaper is the only pocket diaper on our list with patented inner double gussets, to prevent against leaks. A microchamois inner lining keeps moisture away from baby’s skin and three rise settings help you get that perfect fit.

The inner double gusset feature has to be my favorite. It helps to eliminate blowouts as well as leaks and makes clean up quick and easy. If you are using GroVia Bioliners, it gives you the perfect spot to put your liner which makes cleanup even easier.

The Rumparooz One Size Pocket Diaper comes with 6r inserts are microfiber, but you can choose bamboo or hemp inserts if you like. The customization is what makes the pocket diaper so popular.

#protip Snapping your rise snaps first and your waist snaps second will help you get the perfect fit.

 

Smart Bottoms Dream 2.0

The Smart Bottoms Dream 2.0 can technically be thought of as an AI2 as it has a snap in insert, but what’s great about this diaper is that it is also a pocket. In other words, you can use it as an AI2 or a pocket diaper, depending on what your absorbency needs are for that particular change. You can also snap in more absorbent inserts or stuff the Dream 2.0 with a different insert you love.

Because it’s both a pocket and an AI2, you get both the benefit of a quick drying shell and multiple absorbency options. There is also an inch and a half of waterproof material in the front panel, protecting against tummy leaks and wet clothes. It’s not hard to see why this dipe is in our top five.

#protip In a pinch, newborn prefolds make excellent pocket diaper inserts.

 

BumGenius One Size Pocket Diaper

The BumGenius One Size Pocket Diaper has been on the market many years, and it’s still an Arctic Baby Bottoms staple. The BumGenius One Size Pocket comes with two inserts, one newborn and one full size, both made of microfiber.

The stay dry liner will keep baby dry and feeling comfortable and the inch and a half of PUL inside the front panel will keep leaks away. I also love that there is a one year warranty on bumGenius products, just in case you encounter any problems.

The bumGenius One Size Pocket also has a slightly wider crotch area so that stuffing your diaper is quick and easy. Remember, you can stuff your pockets with any fiber you choose, so if microfiber isn’t your favorite, but you love the bumGenius fit, you can customize your pocket however you like. Recommended to fit babies 8 to 35 lbs, this diaper is so easy to use, even easier to get a perfect fit and one of our favorites.

#protip If you decide microfiber isn’t for you, keep your inserts! They work very well as cleaning cloths for mirrors, countertops and stainless steel.

#Momrealness

Choosing your cloth diaper style can be tough, but once you have done that, you’re almost there. I have personally used each of these pocket diapers with my babies and I can tell you, these are the best. They are each a little different, and their differences may make you love one more than the other or even love them as a team.

Stuffing pockets after they’re clean is also somewhat therapeutic, believe it or not. Pour a glass of something you love, turn on your favorite Netflix binge and stuff! Pockets also give you the opportunity to stuff one for an older child and one for a younger child using the same diaper, but different inserts. (See? Customizable.)

You can shop all the cloth diaper styles and accessories mentioned above in our carefully curated collection of cloth diapers. For more cloth diapering tips and tricks, LIKE us on Facebook, FOLLOW us on Instagram at @ArcticBabyBottoms or join our community on Facebook at the Arctic Baby Bottoms Fan Group!