Diaper Safari released an updated pocket diaper in 2014 with some new print options, including hippos and lions. Just in time for the new year, they’ve added more designs! There are SIX new color combos now available in both pockets and covers.
And right now they are on sale for BUY 2 GET 1 FREE, but only for a very limited time.
Diaper Safari sent us two complimentary pocket diapers to review in Flamingo (pink with lime snaps) and Spidey (red with black snaps). Unlike the covers, the new pockets only have contrasting snaps but not leg trim. The new color combos are lots of fun and very eye-catching.
For my review, I used the Diaper Safari brand inserts already in our stash (microfiber, hemp and bamboo).
As previously reviewed, the Diaper Safari pocket retails for $9.95 (without inserts) and features:
- One size design which fits from 10 pounds to 35 pounds (2 rows of snaps on the rise)
- Choice of hook and loop or snap closure
- The snap version has crossover snaps on the waistband for small/slim babies
- Pocket opening at the front and the back
- Waterproof PUL on the outside with a microsuede inner pocket
- Waterproof PUL strip on the inside top of the waistband
- 90 day warranty
The two rows of rise snaps allow you to adjust to three sizes which are (roughly) small, medium and large.
The dual pocket openings allow you to stuff and empty the diaper from either end. I really love this feature, because when faced with a big messy diaper it can be tricky to ease a bulky insert out of the pocket when you only have 1 opening and that opening just happens to be covered in poo.
When you purchase a Diaper Safari pocket, you have the option of choosing an insert to go with the shell – either microfiber, hemp or Trifold Bamboo. Or, you can just purchase the shell alone and use whatever you already have.
I tried out this diaper with all 3 of the Diaper Safari inserts we already own, in addition to prefolds and padfolded flats. The pocket opening is big enough to accommodate whatever you prefer to stuff inside.
And because the pocket opens at both ends, most inserts will agitate out in the wash on their own. (The only time this didn’t always work is when I folded up a prefold or flat and stuck it in the pocket).
Just in case you missed last week’s review, here’s a quick look at the exclusive Diaper Safari Trifold Bamboo Insert. It’s a flat diaper made with several layers of highly absorbent bamboo/cotton, and then 1 layer of stay-dry microsuede. Fold it in thirds like you would a prefold. You can have either the microsuede or the bamboo cotton layer facing upwards. For just $5.99, I think it’s a really great deal compared to other bamboo/cotton trifolds on the market. Stuffed inside the pocket diaper, it’s a great nighttime solution for an infant or even an average toddler who doesn’t wet heavily.
Erik, our 3 year old, often wears Diaper Safari pockets overnight. They run on the larger size and fit him very comfortably. Because the pocket is big, I can stuff a lot in there to keep him dry. If I want the diaper be more trim under his pajamas, I’ll use a Diaper Safari hemp and microfiber insert together.
I especially like our Diaper Safari pockets on a toddler. Maybe it’s because they are generously sized? This is not a diaper that will fit from birth, but past that stage it’s highly adjustable and very customizable.
You can see pictures of Diaper Safari pockets on Erik when he was 22 months here.
I like how the Diaper Safari pockets fit Ingrid when there’s just one insert inside (microfiber or hemp). A trimmer diaper looks better on her chubby little body. Erik is more thin and wears the diaper better when it’s stuffed full.
You can see Ingrid in a Diaper Safari pocket when she was 3 months, here on my previous review. Interestingly, the leg elastics on our animal print pockets (reviewed last year) seem to be slightly tighter than these newer pockets. For Ingrid that’s not a drawback, however, because as mentioned above, she has really chubby little legs.
Any room for improvement? The Diaper Safari pocket is lined with microsuede. It does a good job keeping our little ones feeling dryer, especially overnight, but my personal preference is microfleece (which is softer). Microsuede attracts hair like crazy, too. Also, having another “girl” color combo to choose from in the new line-up would be marvelous (maybe something like purple or pink with white snaps or white with pink snaps). 🙂
As for durability, our experience has been great. We’ve used Diaper Safari products for 4 different children. During that time we never had any signs of delamination. The only thing I’ve noticed on our older pockets and covers is loosening of the elastics, which is going to happen to every cloth diaper you own when it’s been used and washed so many times. We wash all our diapers on hot with Tide or Purex and dry on low.
I have had one minor issue with the rise snaps. With the Flamingo (pink) diaper, two of the rise snaps don’t fasten very securely. I can’t push them in all the way, so they will sometimes pop back open as I’m putting the diaper on Ingrid. It’s aggravating, but since it only happens with one diaper I figure it must be a factory flaw. Our Spidey diaper doesn’t do this, nor do our animal print diapers (released last year).
What about the hook and loop closure? I am updating this post because we purchased a hook and loop pocket from Diaper Safari a couple of months ago. Over time, I’ve noticed a few things. Ingrid can easily take the diaper off, so in terms of strength the velcro is just fair. Also, during the day when’s she’s really active, the waistband will sometimes curl in; that means the white scratchy part of the velcro will rub against her tummy. At night, in her crib and pretty stationary, this hasn’t been an issue. As a plus, I like how the Diaper Safari pocket fits even better with the hook and loop closure. Having maybe 2 or 3 of these easy-to-put-on diapers in our stash is really nice (my pre-teen helps with changes and loves the hook and loop), but snaps are what I prefer for the majority.
For just $9.95 with free shipping, I think the Diaper Safari pocket is an affordable and highly customizable diapering solution. If you’d like to try it out….here’s your chance to win a free one!
Giveaway
Diaper Safari would like to send one Zephyr Hill reader a free pocket diaper shell! Winner chooses color and closure (snap or hook and loop). Open to US and Canadian residents. Good luck!
We use some pocket diapers, but I’ve never tried Diaper Safari before!
We were a flats/prefold family but have been given a good number of pocket diapers. Now that our guy is 13 months old and a squirmer I am reaching for those pockets more and more. It also helps that he is mostly poop potty trained. My love of pockets is growing. I would love to try these.
Pockets are definitely a great way to make changes easier. ~Anne
We’re mostly prefolds & covers family but have a few pockets. I love the macaw & tree frog colors! The flamingo color makes me think of watermelon🍉. We’ve not tried Diaper safari yet but would love to!
my stash is most made up of pocket diapers. I love the colors of these diapers.
I don’t use pockets, but I used their covers for my son overnight when he was 3, they were wonderful! My friend just started with cloth so I’d love to win this one for her!
Pockets are really nice for nights. Im loving all the fun color combos they have. Tree frog is great!
My interest in pockets seems to have declined lately. but we still use them on laundry day
I don’t have any cloth diapers yet, but really want to start. These look great!
I use pockets but find some of them difficult to stuff without the inserts getting twisted. So I love that these have an opening at each end.
I give it a beat and that helps to smooth them out. Idk if I really like pockets either. I’m thinking about getting one with snap in inserts to see the difference.
We will begin using cloth when our little one arrives in March. Right now, we only have two pockets in our stash, because I’m not certain we will like the style, (we’ve been told and have read that the microfiber inserts can dry out your hands while stuffing, meaning my husband cannot help because he has bad skin, :/ ). I have heard great things about this brand and would love to add it to our stash to try. 🙂
Elizabeth, that’s a really interesting comment microfiber inserts. I do know that microfiber can dry or irritate skin if in direct contact, but I always assumed that was prolonged contact. But you never know. Thankfully, Diaper Safari does offer other insert options besides microfiber, including hemp and bamboo/cotton. ~Anne
I really enjoyed this review. We use prefolds and covers during the day and aios when we go out and pockets at night. My son, Safari, is 4 months. He is the first boy and first to wear cloth. We are loving every aspect of cloth so much we are currently making the transition to use it in every way we can. Idk about to yet though. 🙂
*toilet paper.
Baby boy #2 is due in March and we have a lot of pockets in our stash – but no Diaper Safari! Love the bright colors, and the reasonable price!
Currently, almost my entire stash is pockets! We haven’t tried Diaper Safari but I like their colors!
Almost all of my diapers are pocket. I find them simple to use, and I don’t mind the stuffing time (for the most part).
Diaper Safari was the first cloth I ever owned and I am loving these new color combos!!!
We have mostly pockets but we do have some that aren’t pockets.
We use pockets and have mostly Diaper Safari… they are all the old version, would love to try the new version!!
We use pockets right now. LO is 2 months old so we are trying a variety of CD to get the bet fit for us. Thanks for the review Id love to try Diaper Safari… the fit looks soooo good. The models are adorable too 😉
I have one Diaper Safari pocket, and I love that it’s bigger for my toddler. Thanks!
I am new to cloth diapering, but I plan to use mostly pocket diapers when my baby arrives in May.
We use all types of diapers, but pockets are what we always grab for. I like that I can take out the “soaker” and wash it, yet, after stuffing it is as easy to use as a sposie.
I do use some, but I have large hands so it can be tough to stuff them.
I’ve tried a pocket diaper and a cover in the same brand, with the same closure and the same insert (a flat diaper). The cover leaked but the pocket diaper didn’t! I have a few Diaper Safari covers that just aren’t fitting my two-month-old right. Hopefully that will change as she grows, but I’d like to give their pocket diapers a chance.
I like the design of these pockets. Do you like the front opening flap? Does it stay tucked down when on a medium rise? I have another brand pocket with an opening in the front and it seems like extra fabric when on a smaller rise. I don’t have that problem with my thirsties pockets though. Love them!
I do like the front opening flap, Sarah, because sometimes the diaper will be so messy at the back (i.e #2) that I don’t want to grab the insert from that opening. When using the diaper on Ingrid, on the medium setting, I haven’t had problems with the front flap. It stays closed and flat when the diaper is on. I just make sure to smooth the inside of the waistband down flat with my hand as I put it on Ingrid. ~Anne
We just started our cloth diapering journey and I am a huge fan of pocket diapers!! Wow free shipping at diaper junction! May just have to check it out.. such a huge fan of free shipping makes my life easier!
We use Flip covers with prefolds, but I’d love to try something new!
I plan to use covers and prefolds, with pre-stuffed pockets for diaper changes that need to be fast and convenient (on the go, squirmy, middle of the night, or other caregivers) so we want to have a good number of those too. We will have to wait and see until he arrives which style I end up liking best though!
I think my favorite color shown is Aardvark, but the Macaw is great too!
I have a few of the older Diaper Safari pockets for my toddler and I really like the double pocket opening so I don’t have to u stuff the diaper for washing. I was a little disappoint when they released their new diapers that only came in the animal prints. They were cute, I just prefer solids. I am so glad they released these fun new colors!
I like the wider range of choices now, too! ~Anne
I’m currently using pocket diapers, and love them. I’m always interested in trying different brands though!!
That’s impressive that you used them for 4 children!
Microsuede lining is my favorite! It’s easy to spray and feels dryer, in my opinion, than fleece. I also love diapers with openings on both sides to help the insert agitate out. Sounds like I need to look into this diaper. 😉
Which affordable pockets last the longest? Most of my diapers from my first son lost all elasticity in the legs within a year or two. :/
I can only share my personal experience, but our Diaper Safari pockets have definitely lasted more than a year. The elastics are still good. Same with our Kawaii nighttime pockets. What is your wash/dry routine, Shana, and how many pockets were in the rotation for your first boy? ~Anne
I haven’t heard of diaper safari before, but I really like the colors and the 2-opening pocket looks convenient!
I’ve never used a Diaper Safari diaper, but we are a pocket household. Moreso Thirsties or Charlie Banana than anything!
We love our pockets. We have used them for 3 children so far and they are really in fantastic shape. Love our pockets, especially for a night
I love pockets for night time diapering and can’t wait to use them on my new little one this spring!
I love pockets. Haven’t tried Diaper Safari yet, but would love to, and I love these new colors!
Can you fold them the opposite way? Like microfiber on the inside and bamboo on the outside? Would it make a difference?
Yes, you can use the Bamboo Trifold either way you like, with the microfleece on the outside, or the bamboo on the outside. The only difference is that microfleece wicks moisture away slightly quicker, but since this would be stuffed inside the pocket (which is lined with fleece), that is already happening anyway. ~Anne
Half of our stash is pockets ai2 and aio are my favorite for convenience though. I’ve debated back and forth on trying these out.
All but four of our diapers are pockets. Love them!
I have a few pockets. My favorite is my thirsties pocket.
We’re still building our stash for our first baby due in April! I want to try everything!
Thank you for the giveaway! My husband and I are expecting our first this June, so I’m looking forward to trying out different types of CD 🙂
I’m expecting my first baby in July, and haven’t yet cloth diapered. My husband is a little scared of pockets, but I’d like to try a wide variety of cloth diapers.
We use pocket diapers. I like that I can customize what I stuff in the pocket. We have mostly pockets because that is what I can get hubby to use. 🙂
Just starting to buy a few cloth diapers for our little one due in April. After reading just about everything the entire internet has to offer (lol) I’m loving the idea of pockets. And pockets for only $9.95?! Even better!
I’ve never seen a pocket that opens on both ends. I bet you’re right about it helping with really big messes. Great review! Would love to try these. I love pocket diapers.
Our stash is mostly pockets and I like them! I love the contrasting snaps on these diapers. Super cute.
I love the new colors, especially Flamingo :). We are currently using almost all pocket diapers. With our first we used pre folds and covers, which I loved, but I now I really like having a diaper completely ready to put on at diaper changes.
That’s a nice benefit of pockets, for sure, Jessica. It takes a little time to stuff at the beginning, but then you have a whole pile of diapers all ready to go! ~Anne
I love the new colors! Beautiful
I love that they offer free shipping with no minimum! Very cool! Currently we don’t use pocket diapers the way they are intended to be used. We usually just lay a flat/prefold on top, instead of stuffing!
That’s a great way to use a pocket, Anel, because you have the benefit of soft fleece gussets around the legs! ~Anne
I have 3 diaper safari pockets and I was surprised how well I liked them. I stuff them with prefolds though.
I’m adding to my pocket stash, slowly, Hubs likes the idea of just using it once and throwing it in the pail (unlike covers that you can use again) and I love the soft lining 🙂
My little one is still cooking right now but we only have one or two pockets in our stash. Would love to have more on hand for more “leak proof” out and about diapers.
We use mostly RAR and Alva pockets. I’ve recently tried Blueberry and Smartbottoms but think I’ll stick to my pockets!
Pockets are the majority of our stash- easy to use and easy to customize. Thanks for the opportunity!
I appreciate you giving your honest opinion on the microsuede.
Totally new to cloth so I haven’t used pocket diapers yet!! But super excited to try!! I love their bright colors!!
We use pocket diapers when we are out an about, they make diaper changes quick and easy.
I’m using AIOs mostly with my baby right now because that’s what I have in her size but I have mostly pockets once she’s a little bigger. She’s not quite 9 pounds yet. She’s just 3 weeks old.
Pockets are my go to diaper!
I love the colors of these pockets. We use prefolds and cover when my daughter was a newborn and is pockets now. We’ll be doing the same for #2 due in July.
Used mostly AIOs..
Now using pockets for night time diapers.
I just bought 2 pocket diapers for nursery while I work 1 morning a week.
I have had a few in the past though on and off (they wore out or were given away). I’m mainly prefolds and covers though.
I had been using mostly prefolds and covers but have decided to move to pockets.
Our stash is mostly pockets