Favorite hybrids?

J&NL · March 2014

After prepping my diapers, I've come to realize I don't like stuffing pockets and hybrids are much easier. I have grovias and best bottoms so far.

Any advice on good brands and the pros/cons of using hybrids? I still need to get a few more diapers so if I should stick to these then I will get more of them.

TJ1979 · March 2014

I love best bottoms! The con is that the insert doesn't really control messy poops or runny NB poop well. So you would go through more covers. Also some DC's won't allow them, and they completely baffle my mom even though she's an intelligent woman. And if you have a side sleeper, there is no side absorption so you might get leaks.
The pros are that they are awesome and adorable and easy to care for.

bumpuser9353653 · March 2014

I just bought a Grovia hybrid and hoping to try it out on DD1 soon. We have gDiapers at the moment and they are pretty good but just as much work, if not more, to prep as pockets.

Danie007 · March 2014

Another vote for Best Bottoms! TJ laid out the pros and cons pretty well.

PipSqueak0313 · March 2014

1BB shell and 2 inserts (aka 2changes) take up less space in the diaper bag than 2 pockets....other than that, I thinks the pros/cons have been covered. And btw, they are good. I love my BB covers even with prefolds/flats.....no experience with fitteds.

J&NL · March 2014

Has anyone tried soft bums? My cousin said those were her favorite and flips. Does anyone have any experience with those?

CLLDLL · March 2014

I have Grovia, SoftBums, Best Bottoms, and Flip. For use as a hybrid where you re-use the cover Best Bottoms are my favorite followed closely by Flip. I prefer BB over Flip because the BB fit my kid better. Also the BB inserts snap in. Flips don't snap in. The kind of tuck under a flap. So they could move around a bit. Mine don't much.

The downfall to SoftBums and Grovia actually is that the cover is lined with fleece (softbums) or mesh (grovia) which means if there's a tiny bit of poop or a lot of pee you can't wipe clean and reuse the cover.

So while I LOVE my Softbums, I use them as a pocket, not as a hybrid/AI2. If you are wanting them for DC to not have to stuff, they are actually pretty awesome. You can just lay the insert in the cover & snap the back w/out stuffing. I like both their MF and bamboo pods. I've been using mine for over a year & they still look like new. Also SoftBums aplix is the best I've seen. Holds up to everyday use really well.

J&NL · March 2014

CLLDLL said:

I have Grovia, SoftBums, Best Bottoms, and Flip. For use as a hybrid where you re-use the cover Best Bottoms are my favorite followed closely by Flip. I prefer BB over Flip because the BB fit my kid better. Also the BB inserts snap in. Flips don't snap in. The kind of tuck under a flap. So they could move around a bit. Mine don't much.

The downfall to SoftBums and Grovia actually is that the cover is lined with fleece (softbums) or mesh (grovia) which means if there's a tiny bit of poop or a lot of pee you can't wipe clean and reuse the cover.

So while I LOVE my Softbums, I use them as a pocket, not as a hybrid/AI2. If you are wanting them for DC to not have to stuff, they are actually pretty awesome. You can just lay the insert in the cover & snap the back w/out stuffing. I like both their MF and bamboo pods. I've been using mine for over a year & they still look like new. Also SoftBums aplix is the best I've seen. Holds up to everyday use really well.

Do you use the Echo or the Omni soft bums?

CLLDLL · March 2014

We have both. I like the Omni better because it can be used as a pocket or as a hybrid and it gets just a tiny bit bigger than an Echo.

The Echo is a little more trim, but not much.

J&NL · March 2014

Okay thank you! They're decently priced too so that's nice.

Okay, one more question. When you use hybrids, how many changes can you do before having to change the cover? I know you have to change it if poop gets in it but what's the normal standard for pee diapers?

ABColeslaw · March 2014

I never made it passed three changes, but I had a pooper.

CLLDLL · March 2014

3-4 is our max. It depends on how often your kid poops and how wet the cover gets.

J&NL · March 2014

Okay so you would say about 3 inserts per cover? I'm just trying to buy enough

CLLDLL · March 2014

Yep I'd go with 3 per cover for Best Bottoms or Flips. Two per cover for SoftBums or Grovia.

J&NL · March 2014

Awesome thank you!

ABColeslaw · March 2014

Yes actually I think this is even what Best Bottoms recommends.

abby8279 · March 2014

I myself chose between Grovia and Best Bottoms. The reason I went with Best Bottoms was because the inside of the covers are wipeable whereas the insides of the Grovia are fabric/mesh. I have found that my personal preference using the BBs are with a trifolded prefold laid inside as opposed to the inserts though. Since then I have heard good things about Flip also. I would give Flip a try too if I could justify adding to my stash. I have not heard good things about G diapers. Those are the only hybrids I know about.

Danie007 · March 2014

I tried a used flip and a used GroVia, but I didn't like either. I prefer the double gusset of the BBs.

PipSqueak0313 · March 2014

I have one Echo and one Omni cover, I think the medium BB inserts fit my Omni better than they do in the Echo. I only have medium BB inserts so I don't know if it's true for the small or large BB inserts.

The Imagine snap in inserts do fit in both the BB and SoftBums shells as well, however, for the price difference the BB inserts are better than the Imagine ones.

mrsnorthernbell · March 2014

I use flips with the flip inserts. I tried grovia but lo would leak every time. I wanted to love them but the inside would get wet and I'd end up washing the cover every time. Bb were nice but they just had an odd fit. The double gussets were too tight. Flips fit dd from 2 months until she pt at 27 months and they were still on the middle setting. Http://northernbellemama.blogspot.com

Lild09 · March 2014

Was looking at best bottoms and they seem much more expensive than flips do. Wonder why?

TJ1979 · March 2014

Because they are better!

J&NL · March 2014

Last time I bought them I did the free diaper code with kellyscloset so while it's not technically a "good sale" I like to think of it as a good deal. Have you tried looking on amazon? I saw some bundle packages on there, which might save you money.

CLLDLL · March 2014

Mapleme said:

Sorry to thread hijack. Do Best Bottoms ever have good sales? These didn't end up in my stash because I bought almost everything over Black Friday and they didn't show up with good enough sales. I was still pretty new at that point, so I might not have known where to look though.

Nicki's had them 15% off in the week leading up to BF. Then they had a special code you could enter to get an additional 5% off. So while not a steal, I thought it was a pretty good deal. I would guess they'll do something similar for Earth Day.

@Lild09 The PUL is thicker on BB than Flips. I've only been using my Flip for 4 months so I don't know how it will hold up in the long run compared to BBs. I much perfer the BB inserts to the Flips. I hate the Flip MF. The Flip organic cotton is nice, but I like the trimness of the BB cotton/hemp better.

J&NL · March 2014

Mapleme said:

Sorry to thread hijack. Do Best Bottoms ever have good sales? These didn't end up in my stash because I bought almost everything over Black Friday and they didn't show up with good enough sales. I was still pretty new at that point, so I might not have known where to look though.

Oh and there is a best bottoms b/s/t group on FB. I don't know how you feel about preloved diapers but sometimes you can find some good deals on them.

ABColeslaw · March 2014

This is just me, because I only tried one flip and sold it as fast as I could, the flips seem so flimsy compared to the BB shell. Also, I like double gussets!

J&NL · March 2014

I'm glad the BB are great diapers, I just wish they weren't all two toned! I guess I'm being too picky though. lol

ABColeslaw · March 2014

J&NL said:

I'm glad the BB are great diapers, I just wish they weren't all two toned! I guess I'm being too picky though. lol

awww...lol. I think the prints and colors are so cute, just another perk for me. I have 7 BB shells and I keep itching for a couple more.

J&NL · March 2014

ABColeslaw said:

J&NL said:

I'm glad the BB are great diapers, I just wish they weren't all two toned! I guess I'm being too picky though. lol

awww...lol. I think the prints and colors are so cute, just another perk for me. I have 7 BB shells and I keep itching for a couple more.

I like their prints! I just don't like how their solids have the different color outline but like I said, I'm just being too picky.

Mandmeesh · March 2014

J&NL said:

ABColeslaw said:

J&NL said:

I'm glad the BB are great diapers, I just wish they weren't all two toned! I guess I'm being too picky though. lol

awww...lol. I think the prints and colors are so cute, just another perk for me. I have 7 BB shells and I keep itching for a couple more.

I like their prints! I just don't like how their solids have the different color outline but like I said, I'm just being too picky.

I think you need to get a few and see them on your baby…the two-toned colors are super cute

J&NL · March 2014

Mandmeesh said:

J&NL said:

ABColeslaw said:

J&NL said:

I'm glad the BB are great diapers, I just wish they weren't all two toned! I guess I'm being too picky though. lol

awww...lol. I think the prints and colors are so cute, just another perk for me. I have 7 BB shells and I keep itching for a couple more.

I like their prints! I just don't like how their solids have the different color outline but like I said, I'm just being too picky.

I think you need to get a few and see them on your baby…the two-toned colors are super cute

Very true! Either way, I was going to buy some more, as well as some soft bums

ABColeslaw · March 2014

You'll love them on your fluffy butt baby

Plus there are a lot of prints, so you could just go that route. Are you having a boy or girl?

Girl prints are super cute, I have giraffes, lace, foxy trot, and Moo If you are having a boy you could do green and blue giraffes, moo, fox trot, and hoot. GN; Green giraffe, moo, hoot...there are options other than the two tones.

Mandmeesh · March 2014

I have a boy and have lace

it makes him look super sexy. lol

ABColeslaw · March 2014

Mandmeesh said:

I have a boy and have lace it makes him look super sexy. lol

lol the lace was too hard to pass up, when it came out I was still collecting GN things and I was like "eh it is mine either way"

Lild09 · March 2014

You ladies are selling me on this fluff! I have some bum genius diapers coming my way gently used but DH liked the flips system in the store so maybe ill do some flips and some bb to add to the stash.

On another note I'm getting my newborn stash today and I'm so excited! My first cloth diaper stash ever

had to share bc I only know one person who does cloth so no one else really cares/understands the excitement lol

abby8279 · March 2014

Nicki's has BBs 10% off and free shipping right now. I have 9 BB covers and there are still a couple colors/prints that I covet.

Into+the+Kitty · March 2014

abby8279 said:

Nicki's has BBs 10% off and free shipping right now. I have 9 BB covers and there are still a couple colors/prints that I covet.

Is it terrible that I have no child in diapers, and no child on the way, and still want to buy one?

Yes, yes I think it is.

karenhorning · March 2014

Mapleme said:

Sorry to thread hijack. Do Best Bottoms ever have good sales? These didn't end up in my stash because I bought almost everything over Black Friday and they didn't show up with good enough sales. I was still pretty new at that point, so I might not have known where to look though.

Over Black Friday weekend Nicki's had BB 10% off, then 10% off everything. And they offer a small quantity discount for 3+ shell and 6+ inserts. They also sometimes have seconds.

Combining the discounts I purchased microfiber inserts (6+) for $3.03 each, Hemp insert seconds for $3.60, and an "overstocked" solid shell for $12.20 from Nicki's on BF weekend.

I had previously bought some at full price (but got a free diaper with the order from Kelly's Closet). Doing the math, even if you buy everything at full price and you end up buying all 3 sizes of microfiber inserts, if you go with buying 1 shell per 3 inserts it works out to $17.50 a change which is comparable or less than any of the USA made OS pockets or AIO diapers. ((16.95 + (9*3.95))/3 =17.50) If you are just looking to try it out with the insert size you currently need a cover and 3 inserts gives you 3 changes at 9.60 each.

Back to the original question...

So far I like my Best Bottoms the best. I like that Bestbottoms have double leg gussets, is made with two layers of PUL, that the inside is wipeable and that the inserts snap in on both sides rather than just on one side or just being laid in/tucked under so I don't worry so much about the insert shifting and either causing the diaper to leak or causing the microfiber underside to touch my LO.

I like my Bumgenius diapers but I passed on getting Flips since they didn't seem like much of a step up from just a normal cover (might as well call any of the covers + a trifolded prefold an AI2 system).

I also have a Softbums Echo & inserts. I don't dislike it, but I didn't feel the need to get anymore. On the plus side you get a very good, very customizable fit from adjusting the leg elastic, and because their are no rise snaps in the front its very trim on smaller babies compared to other OS diapers. The Echo with the mini-pod insert fit better on my only days old baby than most of my 'newborn' diapers. The downside is that the fleece lining on the shell gets damp alot of the time and even if you lay it out for awhile to dry I can still smell the pee so I don't feel comfortable using it for longer than maybe a 2nd change. And the system is rather pricy if you're just doing 1 or 2 changes per shell. (Now that my LO is only pooping once a day I can easily use 2-3 BB shells all day long)

The Grovia system looks interesting with the inserts having gussets and being backed with PUL, but I haven't tried it.

SunshineSarah12 · March 2014

Ok you all have sold me on the best bottoms. Which do you prefer- snap or hook and loop?

TJ1979 · March 2014

I only use snaps. I've just never owned an aplix dipe.

CLLDLL · March 2014

I like the fit with h&l better, which is weird for me. Normally I like snaps better. Aplix is good quality and ours is still really sticky a year+ later.

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