Thirsties Cloth Diaper Review & Giveaway

Thirsties is first brand I remember learning about while researching cloth diapers during my pregnancy. I read such rave reviews about their products--especially the diaper covers and wraps. Consequently, Thirsties was one of the brands in my first-ever fluff purchase. I bought some Thirsties' Duo Hemp Prefolds (size 1) and an extra-small diaper cover. Until this review, my only experience with Thirsties has been with prefolds, inserts, and covers. Their hemp prefolds are the most absorbent diaper I've experienced (thirsty...Thirsties...get it?!?), so I use them alone OR as a night time doubler. But, as you've probably read around my blog, I'm over prefolds--ready to move on. I've been dying to try their other products because Thirsties is a very well rounded cloth diaper company.

I love that Thirsties offers so many different types of diapers, and they are expanding their accessory line too. (Have you heard about their new Booty Love cloth diaper safe ointment?) Their prints and colors are super cute and the materials are high quality. As our stash is growing to include more fitteds and pockets, I reached out to the most versatile diaper company I know. Thirsties was very happy to send me a Duo Fab Fitted Diaper system for review.

size 2 Duo Fab Fitted Diaper in Mango snaps

size 2 Duo Wrap in Black Birds snaps

large hemp inserts

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My Review

(L) Duo Fab Fitted (R) Duo Wrap Size 2 Smallest rise

(L) Duo Fab Fitted (R) Duo Wrap Size 2 Largest rise

Sizing. Thirsties Cloth Diapers and Accessories has a unique sizing system called the "Duo" size. Instead of needing 3-4 different size diapers for your baby, you can rest assured that their two sizes will fit baby newborn through potty training. I can vouch for the fact that size 1 did fit G as a newborn, and I'm sure they'll fit her until we potty train. She wore her size 1 Duo wraps for 8 months and has only recently switched to the size 2 Duo sizes. She would probably still be wearing size 1 Duos, but her cute little chubby thighs needed more room.

wear around the house without a cover

Fit. Because G is right in the middle of the weight ranges for size 1 (6 - 18 lbs) and size 2 (18 - 40 lbs), I was a bit nervous for the size 2 Duo Fab Fitted diaper coming our way. Luckily the smallest rise fits like a glove! The elastic waist and leg areas offer the perfect balance of snuggness and comfort. The diaper rides close to her skin but has plenty of give (I was able to pull it back without bothering her at all). The Duo Wrap covers the Fab Fitted AND a hemp insert on the same settings. G has never had red marks from any Thirsties' product--including our new Fab Fitted.

buttery soft on the inside,
super cute on the outside

Price Point & Quality Materials. In my opinion, Thirsties is competitively-priced and very high quality (all while being made in the USA). Remember to factor in that you only need to buy 2 Thirsties' sizes (compared to 3+ sizes in many brands) for birth-potty training. The Duo Wraps are pliable and light. They are made from 100% Polyester urethane laminate (PUL) and come in five super cute prints or nine colors. The retail price is $12.75 for colors and a dollar more for prints. The Duo Fab Fitted diapers are as soft as the babies' bottoms they cover. They are made from 85% cotton and 15% polyester on the outside and 100% polyester on the inside. The retail price is $17 for any of the 6 color options. Both the diaper and wrap are offered in Aplix hook & loop closure or snaps. The hemp inserts are 55% hemp and 45% cotton. They are twice as absorbent as cotton inserts, without adding a lot of bulk. I would never send G to bed without a Thirsties hemp product. I had been using our Thirsties' hemp prefolds as doublers, but now with our new hemp inserts, her night time diaper is even less bulky! They retail at $8 for a two pack.

stuffed for night time

Leak Proof. Thirsties is especially known for their diaper covers. Most cloth diaper moms I've talked to have at least one Thirsties' cover in their stash. Thirsties' Duo Wraps feature signature twin leg gussets that offer great leak protection--that G's put to the test countless times. We've never had anything come out the legs while using Thirsties' covers, but there have been several near-blow-outs that the gussets have saved! We have, however, had some blow-outs come out the back while using non-snappied prefolds. That's why I love the Fab Fitted Diaper--it does a great job of containing renegade poop so that the cover isn't even touched! I've never had a single leak or blow out using the Fab Fitted Diaper and Duo Wrap. The Fab Fitted itself is also great for absorption, while keeping baby's skin protected from wetness with it's stay-dry inner.


Ease of Use. These diapers are really easy to use! Set the rise snaps on your preferred setting and forget about it until baby grows. I've also got our waist settings memorized--but that isn't even necessary if you opt for the Aplix closure. I prefer snaps so that grabby-handed G can't undo her diaper, but I do have experience with Thirsties' Aplix from when she was a newborn. It's definitely high quality and was still in like-new condition after 4 months of heavy use. The only downside to a fitted diaper is that I have to put two things on G during a diaper change--put the upside to that is that the cover can be used several times before needing washed. For night time, put the Fab Fitted on baby. Place a hemp insert in the  DuoWrap and the put the cover/insert combo on top of that

Duo Fab Fitted sleeve

Cool Feature. The Thirsties' Duo Fab Fitted has a unique tunnel design! In the picture you can see the brighter white area, that's the soaker. It's attached only on the sides, so that you can stuff an insert under it from the front or back for extra absorbency! The soaker is plush and thick, but if you have a very heavy-wetter or want to double up at night, add a Thirsties' Fab Doubler in between the soaker and the Fab Fitted's outer shell. The insert will stay in place perfectly! Use an insert in the tunnel AND one in between the Fab Fitted and Duo Wrap for the heaviest wetters at night time, and sleep easy knowing your baby is kept dry.

Green Company & Made in America. I knew Thirsties was focused on sustainability (what cloth diaper company isn't?), but I realized just how deep it went when I received my diaper in a fancy "EcoEnclose" mailing package that breaks down in landfills! They have local (Colorado) work-at-home-moms sew many of their products, and everything they do is focused on minimizing fuel-use. Their warehouse is 100% wind-powered!
You can read all of Thirsties' green pride points on their website.

"We do source all our components for our diapers from the US. The only thing we cannot buy locally is the Hemp/Cotton but we do have it knit here in the US. All our diapers are sewn locally and many by work at home moms. We encourage all our customers to buy local and help support their own economies!" - Jessica, Thirsties Customer Support

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Check out Thirsties' website to request or download the current catalog. I got one with my diaper, and I have to tell you, there is something so fun about browsing fluff on paper (especially when it's VOC free and made from post-consumer content)!

You can purchase Thirsties diapers from many retailers; see their "where to buy" tab. Thirsties' also has an active Facebook Page, here.

Thirsties has graciously offered one Letters from Momma reader a free Duo Fab Fitted cloth diaper, Duo Wrap, and Hemp Inserts. Winner will have choice of closure, color, and size.
Enter to win using the Rafflecopter form below. Open to US and Canada.





I received a Thirsties' Duo Fab Fitted Diaper, Duo Diaper Cover, and a pair of Hemp Inserts to facilitate this review. Prize will be sent from Thirsties, Inc. All opinions are my own, yours may differ. Not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Facebook. Entries involving Facebook are not mandatory, and Facebook has no liability for this giveaway. Ends 11/27 at 12:01 AM Eastern.