Hybrids are the new “it” for cloth diapers. Over the last 2 years many different brands have hit the scenes. The pioneer hybrid would be gDiapers.
Occasionally, I search YouTube for the most recent cloth diaper videos. Tonight I found a 2 part video (both are very short) that quickly and concisely shows you 4 different hybrid diapers: Flip, Weehuggers, Best Bottoms and gDiapers.
Some things I agree with “Mariospeachey1’s” on or simply noticed in her video:
- Flip covers do have a weak elastic and are wider in the crotch than others
- Weehuggers’ inner gussets are nice. The long soaker is great for customizing fit.
- Why haven’t I tried Best Bottoms??? I’m thinking Nicki needs to contact me! Those look great!
- Is it just me or do gDiapers look hard to fasten? I tried them once and fastening in the back was not convenient for me.
Autumn is a wife, mother, homeschool teacher, friend and most important a follower of Christ.
GWEN says
Hi I have a couple questions Im having another baby in febuary this will be my 3rd child and Im planning on doing cloth Im going for hybrid because that’s what will be easier for my husband and I both but everytime I go to order I end up stuck between flips and best bottoms and cant make up my mind and there really are no bad reviews on either the only difference I see is one insert snaps in and one doesn’t and flips are almost4 dollars cheaper a piece im planning on buying around 12 new inserts and then a bunch prefolds cause I can buy them used down the street from me but cant seem to pick a shell… any suggestions and any ideas on how many I need I don’t want to be stuck with no clean diapers and don’t want to have to keep buying more
Autumn Beck says
I hope this helps, Gwen! http://www.allaboutclothdiapers.com/choosing-between-flip-diapers-or-best-bottom-diapers/
GWEN says
Thanks for the advice I just completed my order with nickisdiapers and after doing a whole lot of research I actually ended up buying 4 flip covers 1 imagine cover and then decided when at home will be using pocket diapers if I like them as much as I liked the reviews so I ordered 5 romparoos 2 kawaii and 3 imagines hoping I like the pockets cause I hate to return things I order online . Have you ever used any of the pockets I ordered and how do you like them ? Im planning on using hemp prefolds in my covers also because I bought a bunch of them second hand :)
Lizabeth says
I will be using flush able inserts as I agree with an earlier poster, it seems right to flush the poop in the toilet and the pee is disposed of. This is my first baby and I have never tried CDing but as much of being on board as I say I am, I am not into the idea of full on cloth with prefold/wash only inserts (I am a bit of a germaphobe) :/ I registered for gDiapaers..and am looking at a few others but is there any diapers that work great with other flush able inserts or the gDiaper brand?
I am due in 6 weeks and live in San Diego. Everyone knows I am eco-friendly but I am betting I am buying my own cloth diapers as I only have a handful of ppl who actually CD…and they do not have flush able inserts or anything..so instead of getting harassed again, I wanted to come here and ask.
Autumn Beck says
Flushable isn’t a good idea for everyone (my septic system would be unhappy). Flip you can bury.
Kaotar says
Hi there! I am due Sept 2012 and I’m new to cloth diapering…I wanna use a hybrid system – disposable inserts….I was wondering..Can I use any AI0 diaper with those inserts?….I’m considering gdiapers, SunBaby,, BumGenius, Grovia’s, etc….I would ultimately like a good fitting, quality AI0 with disposable inserts…..and have you used TinyG’s?
Autumn Beck says
You wouldn’t go with an aio + disposable insert combo. 1) cost of an aio is a lot higher than a cover 2) the sewn in soaker would add too much bulk.
As far as fit in the list of brands you are considering BumGenius is going to be your best investment. They have fit all my children of very different body shapes. Plus, with the pocket (3.0) you can lay a disposable insert in when needed.
Jennie says
I’m in Orange County and had good luck with the flushable inserts by gdiapers but I had major leak problems with their cover system. I would use their inserts but with a different cover that is only one piece like Flip, Blueberry, etc
Ashley says
I’m a little confused by hybrids. I thought that meant that you throw away the insert, but with Best Bottoms you keep and wash them right?
We are going to cloth diaper but I’d like to use a hybrid when travelling so definitely want the inserts you dispose of.
Autumn Beck says
A hybrid can utilize cloth or disposable inserts. For example, Flip has the option of stay dry, bamboo or disposable inserts. Other hybrid systems are gdiapers, grovia, charlie banana and a couple of others.
Melody F. says
If day 18 insets in each size and 4 overnight doublers enough so while toy wash every night you can still have some diapers in reserve. 8 covers sound prefect, hth
Laura says
I’m going to be a new mom, due february 3rd, so i need to order my diapers stat! I plan on getting best bottom shells and inserts and am stuck on how many shells, regular inserts (stay dry or organic hemp), and overnight inserts i should purchase? Since the inserts are sized, I don’t want to buy too many of each- I’m a single, 20 year old new mom and have to watch my wallet! I have access to a washer/dryer at home, so I could even do laundry every day if I really needed to. Open to all advice!
Autumn Beck says
I’m going out on a limb here since I’ve never used Best Bottoms…I’d say you need at LEAST 6-8 shells. Congratulations!! I pray your birth and entry into motherhood is bountifully blessed.
Esther says
I already have a stash of prefold diapers and I am looking for covers to insert them in. I’ve heard good reviews of the Grovia Hybrids and was wondering if the prefolds will work with their covers because I know that they have soaker pads that has to be snapped into their covers. Thanks.
Autumn Beck says
Most any cover will work with prefolds. I’d buy one to try and if you like the fit and ease buy more.
Jen says
I love Best Bottom Diapers! The snaps fit better on my baby than the h/l did. They are super trim! I don’t have to size up any of her baby clothes. These diapers have not leaked once, even with huge ebf poop! These convinced me to give up disposables. I didn’t like the overnight inserts, so I use Bumgenius 4.0 for night time.
Robin Brooks says
Autumn,
Over the past two months, we have been dealing with a strange viral rash that has extended even to his diaper area. Our dermatologist has prescribed creams that are not CD friendly. In addition, if I don’t catch a dirty diaper immediately, his skin develops a bad rash quickly. When he has a rash, I have tried putting him in fitteds and changing him very frequently as well as using Grandma El’s and Magic Stick. Despite all attempts, sometimes the only way to get rid of his rash is to use a zinc based ointment. I am so frustrated to have to return to disposables when I put ointment on him and am considering purchasing some hybrid diapers for those times–or flushable liners. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks so much!
Autumn Beck says
1) I have used Burt’s Bees with no problems to cloth diapers but it *can* happen. BB is zinc based.
2) Flip disposable inserts are easy, convenient and biodegradable. I enjoy having them for when I need them.
3) Are you using Bac-out? If so are you rinsing thoroughly to make sure it’s all out?
4) If it is truly viral are you treating the diapers? GFSE and TTO or some bleach will kill it.
Kathleen says
I just started using the Best Bottoms system a month ago. LOVE it! I was using fuzzybunz because a friend gave me her stash and they worked great but I am too lazy to stuff diapers for the next couple of years. BB is a good system. The poop does get on the shells each time but I expected that with a breastfed baby and bought extra shells. I wash every other day, so no problems there. I figure when the poop gets more solid, I will be set. My only issue is when I have the overnight insert (it is combined with the regular insert) and it really gives my son a big diaper butt and he can’t close his legs. BUT, I don’t have leaks and that’s worth it to me.
Emily says
Oh and I do prefer the flushable inserts to the flip disposable inserts (I have the first version of the flip inserts, though, so the newer ones may be different) but I didn’t have the right size of flushables on hand. The Flips ones work okay but they are quite a bit narrower than the flushables.
Autumn Beck says
The new Flip inserts are a lot wider and longer ;)
Emily says
Oh, that’s wonderful! Thanks for letting me know.
Amber says
Hey Autumn! I’m just now getting around to reading this post, but all of your updates sit in my inbox until I can get to them. They make me happy! I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a trip to San Diego we’ve got coming up. We just recently went to NC and CDed there- it was great, but this time we’ll be staying in a hotel. I really don’t want to spend 3hours (x2) of this time away, in a laundromat (sp?). I have one gdiap cover, but have never used their disposable inserts- I just use prefolds. I’m in Katy (yay Texas CDers!) and am not sure that I could get anything shipped here before we leave. Cost is also a major factor. Am I doomed to sposies?
Autumn Beck says
Diane of Go Baby Go Diapers is in San Antonio. I know that she carries the new Flip disposable inserts :) I’d go with them and her.
Emily says
Amber, since reading this post I started using my gdiapers every day with flip disposable inserts (because I had them on hand and didn’t have any of the flushables) and I have to say that I have fallen in love with them as my main diapering system again…lol. Mainly because I don’t have to wash diapers! I love that the gdiapers snap-in liners are so easy to wash by hand and dry in 15 minutes or so if patted dry with a towel afterward. And the gpants can just be tossed in with my other laundry as needed. And, I find that when I use prefolds in my g’s the liners get a little smelly more quickly but when I use the disposable or flushable inserts they don’t retain the smell quite so much. Anyway, I wouldn’t think you’d be doomed to using disposables if you didn’t want to. In fact, if you just had a few extra snap-in liners and maybe one more gpant I think you’d be good to go.
If you do decide to go that route I have some coupons for gdiapers that you are more than welcome to have! I can send them to you in the mail or I think some of them might even have a coupon code. Just let me know if you are interested. :)
Jennifer says
So I bought two Best Bottoms and am so disappointed! They leave red marks on my sons thighs no matter how I adjust the rise and the front waist seems to gap which I am not sure if it’s because of the strip of Velcro or that the side tabs are too wide so his thighs prevent them from closing tightly. I am curious if the snap would be better but afraid to waist more money!
Autumn Beck says
argh! That is so frustrating when a diaper that works for so many doesn’t work for me.
Kelly Fischer says
Jennifer- so sorry the Best Bottoms didn’t work for you!! I only get snaps b/c I’m afraid most velcro will fall apart (like BG velcro does). I know you said you didn’t like the Best Bottoms b/c of the red marks– but may I ask, how did the Velcro/Aplix work for you? Was it it similar to BG– normal velcro? Or was it sturdier? I LOVE the velcro on the GroVia b/c it doesn’t fall apart in the wash!
Jennifer says
Kelly – I haven’t used the BG velcro so the only one I have to compare it to is the new style of the gdiaper which I think has awesome velcro and I have to say I don’t think the Best Bottom velcro is anything special and with the first wash the fuzzy part was already starting to pill. In my short time using it I would say I don’t suspect it will last.
Jen says
I have tried both types of Best Bottom diapers (snaps and h/l). The hook and loop to me don’t seem to get as tight as the snaps. I would try getting a snap cover. Nicki’s diapers now has a 15 day wash and return plan if you don’t like it. Then you can get store credit to buy something else. I sent my h/l cover back and will get more with snaps.
Elisa says
My favorite AI2’s (I guess that’s the same as a hybrid) are Gro-via and SoftBums. I LOVE that the Softbums will actually fit a newborn starting from 6 lbs but also go up t0 35 lbs.
I like the Flip but only with the organic insert. The stay dry was so trim it bunched up and the cover got dirty.
Jessica says
There is a new company called RagaBabe who just came out with their Organic-2 Step. There are a couple of things I LOVE about them!
1. My daughter has very chunky thighs, and their size 2 fits her perfectly (with room to grow). I never get red marks or leaks (which we’ve gotten with other brands).
2. With the snap-in insert, it’s like I get 3 diapers in one!
3. They aren’t bulky at all, but SO absorbent!
4. My daughter has very sensitive skin, and I’ve never had any rash issues with these… definitely a plus!
I love cloth diapering because of these diapers! http://www.ragababe.com
Autumn Beck says
We have their review coming out this week ;)
Michelle Straub says
I have to say gDiapers are NOT difficult at all to fasten, they’re actually really fast. Many times I feel like I can change E’s diaper faster using them. It’s nice when you have a rolly polly on the changing table because you don’t have to go searching for the tab at the back or get all the snaps done up front, just push the velcro to the back and it grabs. Just my 2 cents. :-) I’m glad you posted the videos though.
Stephanie M says
I bought FLIPS because someone said they are trim and I really think they are NOT trim. On my longer than average 14 pound 7 mo old they bunch up and gap ect. They don’t leak though. We use the organic insert and it’s now our favorite night time diaper. But trim? Definately not.
Autumn Beck says
I have an extremely long boy and with one insert (for daytime use this is all that’s necessary) they are super trim. Sterling has a short rise so he wears it on the middle setting (smallest settings when using a disposable insert).
Ladybuggsmom says
Whats the difference between a hybrid and a cover with a prefold/hemp/etc?? I’m confused….but LOVE my prefolds!!
Autumn Beck says
A hybrid is more of a package system. Practically speaking it’s basically the same thing.
Melody F. says
I hear alot of mixed reviews on the flip. On diaper swapper there are soooooo many threads going around about the covers delaminating or getting run in the slick side of the PUL and leaks getting through them. I am also reading about the elastic completing relaxing/shot after a few months of use. I have actually held the cover and used it and i can tell you first hand it is such a thin cover… too thin. I feel like if dh pulls to hard it will rip. We just dont like it….that being said not all diapers are a perfect diapers for each user. I happen to love gdiapers. I dont get leaks we have a GREAT fit and the velcros hasnt curled and it in pristine condition and ive been using them for over a year now, so from some bad reviews ive read about them from other mamas having problems with them i can see that what is magic for some is garbage for others :)
Liz says
I really like my Flips…just bought two more covers and I also like the two sets of Softbums I have. I never really like the one grobaby (grovia) set I have.
Deb says
This is very interesting. I actually really like my flips. I have a chunky boy with a chunky waist and they fit super. I haven’t had any leak issues. No red marks and they’re still slim even though the crotch is wider. I’d like to try BestBottoms diapers and see how they compare. Thanks for the videos!
Lindsay Johnson says
Thanks for posting these. I was mainly considering weehuggers and best bottoms for my next buy (I have tried gDiapers and am not that pleased with them, and I have a flip that should be arriving in the mail today) and it was great to see a comparison of them! they both look great…I will just have to wait until there’s a sale though somewhere as I’ve ordered too many diapers this week :)
Katy Ann says
I love my Flips because my daughter has a tiny waist but very chunky thighs. They’re the only ones in my stash that don’t leave red marks on her thighs, and I haven’t had any problems with leaks. I think it all comes down to how your baby is built. I also love the organic cotton prefolds for the the Flip. They’re great for nighttime use or when the babe needs some zinc oxide cream for an allergy outbreak.
Desi says
I use Flips and have never had any problems with the front flap. It always stays flat. I do wish they were tighter around the legs though. gDiapers look awkward to fasten and I am not interested in the disposable inserts. I might have to try the Best Bottoms where the insert snaps in. When my twins are active the inserts we use occasionally shift down.
Kim says
I am pregnant with twins and am concerned about the initial investment to do cloth diapers. How many did you have to buy when your twins were born?
Autumn Beck says
Hey, Kim! Congratulations on twins!! If I was having twins I would buy at least 40. This would be a time when my last post http://www.allaboutclothdiapers.com/cloth-diapers-at-a-baby-shower/ would come in handy. Also, check out newborn diaper rental programs like the one Sweetbottoms Baby Boutique offers.
Merideth says
I am liking the weehuggers & best bottoms. Might have to look into trying those. I’ve been using just prefolds and covers with a couple of gdiapers for the nursery @ church and overnight (hubby usually takes the middle of night feeding & gdiapers are easy for him). I know you’re supposed to put the velcro in back, but my girl is tiny & not reaching for the closures yet, plus the velcro is pretty strong, so I put them on “backwards” which looks like the correct way to me. Thanks for posting the videos.
Emily says
I actually started out with gDiapers when we were able to budget more for diapers. It just seemed right to have reusable covers and be able to flush the poop and pee where it belonged – the toilet and just toss the other parts in with the regular laundry. But then our budget changed and I couldn’t’ afford the flushable inserts anymore. I then realized I could start using cloth in my gDiapers and so began my cloth diapering journey.
I now have many kinds and styles of cloth diapers but still often fall back to my good ol’ gDiapers (they are just part of my rotation but every time I use them I think that if I had just stuck with those I would have saved so much money…lol. I was able to get everything I needed for cloth diapering with gDiapers for only $75)! I mostly just use an infant-sized prefold in them since we had issues with the microfiber – even covered with fleece. But I also use the flip disposable inserts in them as well since I bought those all half price.
I LOVE my gDiapers and I LOVE their customer service! And I have never had a problem with fastening them in the back. In fact, I really like it! I’m considering switching some of them to snaps which might actually be more tricky to fasten in the back. But I do know that many people just have the little g in the front and fasten them in the front without leaks or anything. I’ve never tried it that way since I don’t have a problem with the back closure. :D
Emily says
Oh, and I should have said that most of my gdiapers experience is with the oldest version of the gdiapers. I started using them soon after they came to the U.S. The velcro is super strong and I’ve had them for 4 years and haven’t had a problem. However, I did get a couple of newer ones (but I think they were the 2nd version and maybe they are on a 3rd or 4th velcro version now) and the velcro hardly held at all. No problem if my little on is in a onesie or wearing pants/shorts. But when they are worn without anything on top then they do fall off when the kids play or get rough or whatever because the velcro isn’t very good. Those are the ones that I’ll probably switch over to snaps.
Lisa says
I am a gdiaper fan. Although I have never tried Best Bottoms. Fastening at the back was an easy concept to get used to and the hook loop problem, every once in awhile, I pick out the lint that gets trapped on the “hook” side and they’re good as new!
Amber says
I love the GroVia Hybrid diapers.
I use swaddlebees pre-fold as the insert and it works awesome.
(Plus the GroVia diapers have cute patterns!)
Cassie says
gdiapers are the only cloth diapers I have ever used on my kids. I got a great deal on them, and was very interested in learning more about CD-ing. BUT the plastic-y liner (I know its not plastic, but it still feels that way) would give my son’s sensitive skin rashes almost every time he wore them. And I know I wouldn’t want to wear something that felt like plastic against my skin. I actually liked that they fastened backwards, but couldn’t get past the rash. He is potty training right now, and I’m determined to make it work, so we have no diapers in the house (eek!)… but if and when # 3 comes, I will switch to only cloth. I love everything I’ve learned on your site, and am excited to start a stash once I get pregnant again! My husband said I can’t buy diapers for a kid we haven’t conceived yet, but those little joey’s are just too cute!! :)
Alicia says
I am a Flip user, and I have found them to be very trim and “fairly” absorbent. My Bummis pre-folds are still the most absorbent for heavy wetting. I am not sure why it is bad to have a wide crotch on the cover? Can you explain that? I think it would be nice for the Flip covers to have double leg gussets (my one complaint). I have used the gdiaper and don’t like them at all. i only use them when all my Flip and pre-folds are in the wash. The velcro have worn out very quickly (4 months), and they always seem to leak around the legs, and poop is not contained very well.
Autumn Beck says
Depending on the kid, the crotch width can make a big difference. If it is too wide it can irritate the inner thighs or make moving uncomfortable. With Paisley (our 3rd) she had chunky thighs and not a lot of room b/w the legs. Wide crotch diapers highly bothered her.
Melody F says
Well I wide crotch is really annoying for babies that walk. My son started walking at 10 1/2 months and all wide croth diaper either ended up looking like banana crotch lol or too wide that he falls from being unbalanced.
Tanya says
We LOVE the FLIP (not cottonbabies per say) i have very chunky babies and yes the elastic is a little stretchy but i like that because it does not leave marks once broke in and I can still snap it down nice and trim. It is my go to NO LEAK diaper. I have also heard nothing but bad things about the g diaper. We huggers look good but I have not been super happpy with my Swaddlebees/Blueberry diapers since they have made so many changes in their style so I won’t sing it’s praises until I have used t for a while.
But I am a FLIP fan…and I am diapering a 2 yr old and a 1 yr old and have used my FLIPs for a year now.
Jennifer says
I have been using the gdiapers and love the hybrid system however my 4 month old is already leaking out of the mediums so I am looking for a new system that will last us longer. The fact that I don’t anticipate these lasting us to 6 months and between the smalls and the mediums we have about $400 invested is a bit frustrating! I have never had a problem with the velcro wearing out, it is really tough and you do get used to fastening it in the back. It is possible that because my son grew out of them so fast the velcro didn’t get a chance to fail. I just ordered a Softbums and a Flip to try as replacements but now I am wondering if I should try the Best Bottoms too!
Melody F says
Hi im mariospeachey1 and im glad you ladies liked the quick videos! If you have any questions or need more in depth details about these diapers, id be more then happy to help :)
Anonymous says
It looks like the PUL on the tabs of the BestBottoms is exposed. Does the waterproof layer touch baby’s skin at the waist?
I used FLIPs right now and am a big fan but they are a bit bulky between the legs.
Kristine says
Well, I have to say that I’m a big fan of Flip diapers… have had plenty of issues with leaks when using pocket diapers and Gdiapers (which I really wanted to work since I was given a starter set before my boy was born… but the whole snap in liner, velcro, and non-waterproof shell just don’t cut it for me). But the narrow crotch in the Weehuggers and Bestbottoms make me really want to try them… but yes, aren’t we trying to save money?!?! Just to add… the organic inserts for the Flips really are wonderful soakers!!!
Amy says
Great videos, thanks for finding and posting them. I’m always a little sad that Hybrids are rarely ever talked about on most of the cloth diaper blogs. They are super easy once wash time comes, and they are so trim fitting.
I’m a gDiapers user and I’ve gotten used to the fastening in the back, but I don’t like the velcro–it wears out fast. Those Bestbottoms look great, I’ll have to look into those.
Krystal says
I really like the look and simplicity of the best Bottoms. I cannot wait to order a couple to try them. They are a lot cheaper than most diapers that I have looked at and easier to care for. I like that. My husband might actually use them now. LOL
krystal says
do you like the snaps or the hook and loop better? I guess I could order one of both and see which I like more.
Autumn Beck says
which brand are you asking about?
krystal says
the Best Bottoms. I had a different comment before that one but I pushed the reply button and deleted it. Oops
Autumn Beck says
Personally, I’d try snaps. Lasts longer and you never know if velcro is going to go weak on you or start to unravel.
Anonymous says
I have Best Bottoms as my primary diaper for my two sons. I thought I could get away with only enough shells for one kid but I’m thinking I want a few extras. We tend to heavy messy poop changes,I guess.From my experience the Vanilla shells show stains, so I’d avoid them. I love the inserts and use them inside other diaper covers. Both my boys fit the large inserts although they are 19 months a part. They weigh about the same but are on completly different ends of the spectrum. My two year old is a little twig with chicken legs and my baby has a chunky trunk thunder thighs but both look adorable. I’m holding out for some more primary color shells. Oh,because the colors are all named after ice creams, my oldest and I have renamed our entire stash with ice cream flavors!
Boleyn says
Appreciate the concise differences. I’m always looking for new CDs to answer my baby’s ever changing needs.
Kelly says
BestBottom are my new absolute FAVORITE diaper! Hope you get to try them soon- I’d love to hear what you think! I love the ease of hybrid diapers- great for the wash routine, no stuffing or unstuffing!
Brooke says
Best Bottoms are the primary part of my stash. I just sold my medium inserts and ordered the large inserts. I really like them. Very trim and my toddler can’t undo the snaps. Poop does get on the cover every time, but I have 4 shells, so it isn’t a big deal.
Grateful for Grace says
Oh, I have a friend who has Best Bottoms and she really likes them. The look adorable on her little boy. I was tempted to get a couple and then remembered I’m supposed to be cding to save money. ;-) Dang those cute AND good diapers!