Adult Diaper Balancing Act of Cost and Features
An adult diaper is amazingly complex product but yet looks so simple on the outside. The idea of an adult diaper is so simple, a piece of plastic with padding in it to contain fluids and solid matter. When you describe it like that, an adult diaper seems so simple. But, the making of an adult diaper is complex and takes into consideration a lot of factors. So many factors go into making an adult diaper including design, appearance, absorbency, material used, features, and cost. There is a balancing act that must be played with creating adult diapers because manufacturers don’t want to create a super everything diaper that is going to cost butt-loads of money so that only a few select people buy it…that would not be profitable nor beneficial to the masses.
For example, an adult diaper manufacturer could create a super absorbent diaper by purely using polymer which absorbs many times more than pulp/fluff in an adult diaper. But, this would do two things:
- Make the cost of the diaper skyrocket because polymer is a lot more expensive than pulp.
- For ABDLs, using purely polymer would cause the diaper to be a lot thinner if it did not contain any pulp at all.
So, an adult diaper manufacturer has a balancing act to play. Depending on what they are aiming for, they may add more or less polymer depending on the absorbency they are going for. This exact situation can be seen in the adult diaper industry today, especially in the adult baby and diaper lover world.
The materials used to make adult diapers is extremely important in the diaper manufacturing process. Everything from the type of plastic to the woven inner-lining of the diaper. There are many different types of plastic outer coverings and the one you choose is important. Some plastics have big pores and are more susceptible to leaking or feeling clammy because moisture from wetting the diaper seeps into the plastic outer coating. The inner-lining of an adult diaper is probably a seemingly “taken for granted” part of the diaper. But, if you were to compare certain adult diapers side by side you would be able to feel and immense difference in softness of the inner lining (inside) between them. Bambino Diapers are famous for probably having the softest inner-lining on the market because they have a specially patented blend that makes the inner lining very soft. So, if you compare for example, a Bambino Diaper’s inner lining to an Attends – you can definitely tell the difference in the diaper’s softness of the inner-lining.
Cost is one of the biggest factors that goes into creating adult diapers. Keeping the diaper affordable but with the best features, absorbency, and materials used can prove quite a complex process. Plus, the diaper provider/manufacturer’s “profitability factor” must be taken into account. Obviously, each diaper sold is earning a profit for a diaper company, that amount earned is determined by the diaper company. Obviously, some companies are going to be more apt to make a “quick buck” by jacking up their prices. A person can easily determine the “greed factor” of a company by comparing that companies products with competitor’s prices in conjunction with features. Below, is a PRIME example of this:
The premium adult diapers include Bambino Diapers, Abena X-Plus, Secure X-Plus, Molicare and some would say the ABUniverse Diaper. If you were to shop around for prices of EACH of these diapers you would notice a similarity somewhat (between a few cents to 10-20 cents per diaper) between the Bambino, Abena, Secure, and Molicare; BUT, there is an outlier and its strange. The ABUniverse diaper costs around $2.25 PER DIAPER (ABU Cushie) while the Bambino is $1.36 PER DIAPER, Abena is $1.37 PER DIAPER, Secure is $1.36 PER DIAPER, and Molicare ranges from $1.40 to $1.57 PER DIAPER (depending on which store). This is NOT a knock against the ABUniverse diaper but just merely pointing out a huge discrepancy in price of their diaper compared to the rest of the premium adult diaper market.
To further the argument above, the ABUniverse Cushie diaper does NOT have any insane features that would possibly cause the price to be jacked up so high. Technically, the ABUniverse diaper is less absorbent than the Abena, Molicare, Bambino and Secure adult diapers. The materials are of higher quality in all the other diapers than ABUniverse. The only thing different is the look/design. The pure design itself should not cause such a huge price discrepancy. The only thing to conclude from this is that ABUniverse is more interested in making a higher profit by charging an outrageous price for technically an inferior diaper to its competitors in the premium diaper market. For those with lots of money and really just want the looks, the ABUniverse diaper might be up your alley, but I know I cannot afford to shell out that sort of money when I can get better absorbency, features, and comfort in a Bambino, Abena, Secure, or Molicare diaper.
This article is not meant to bash any diaper but rather point out pure facts and educate the ABDL community and anyone else looking to purchase adult diapers. Money is always tight now a days for many people, including myself, and I am trying to get the best bang for my buck. Much of the adult baby and diaper lover community does not think about these things, which you don’t have to, but I just wanted to provide a little tidbit of information that I take into consideration when purchasing my adult diapers (which is quite often). Money does not grow on trees for me, so I will take a cheaper price adult diaper with better absorbency, features, and material over a super expensive diaper that only has a different look. But, then again, everyone is different and after something different.
Rainy Weekend
The weekend here in the Raleigh area has been a super rainy one this weekend. Quite depressing actually. Gosh, I wish it was snow so bad instead of boring ol’ rain. I wish I lived in Washington D.C. right now where they are absolutely getting slammed with snow. As you can tell I love snow. I think the idea of being trapped inside because of snow with a fire going in the fireplace and just walking around in a t-shirt and diaper holding my favorite coffee mug is fun to me. You northerners probably hate it and its probably a nightmare but I love the “cozy” factor and there is nothing cozier than a diaper plus being warm inside knowing its cold and wintry outside. What can I say, I love snow.
It finally stopped raining today (Sunday), so its sunny here now. Still cold, but sunny. You know what is also weird – when it is sunny outside, I feel more stressed. I know isn’t that crazy. There just is something about it being sunny that makes me feel like I always need to be doing something and I get stressed. Opposed to rain, snow, thunderstorm, etc where the dark clouds and precipitation seems to have a relaxing effect on me. Maybe its just that I have been conditioned over my life to like the cold and dark weather? Since I have worn diapers my whole life I always hated the sunny and hot days because I tend to sweat more in my diaper and can sometimes get a little uncomfortable…but you don’t get that as much with diapers when its cold and not sunny outside. I don’t know, just a thought. Well, thats it for now. I might post again later. I hope everyone out there is having the weather you enjoy outside and staying diapered up.
Doubting Women in the Adult Baby and Diaper Lover World
The title of this post was quite hard to come up with in expressing what this post is about. But, I wanted to talk about women in the adult baby and diaper lover community.
The reality of the internet is that there will always be guys posing as women on the internet no matter what community you are associated with. But, it really is unfortunate for the ABDL community because the fact is that there are a lot of women into the adult baby and diaper lover topic but are either scared off from the community or completely blasted because they don’t reveal their whole life to a male or even another female right off the bat. I understand the skepticism when it comes to making sure it is a woman on the other end but on some level there should be an understanding of trust and gradual progression.
The reality is that most people in this community will start talking to a girl in the ABDL community and almost immediately start asking them for photos, videos, etc. Which, some girls don’t have problems with that and some do and the level of photo “showage” will vary between girls. Some will show their face and some will show just their lower half or whatever. But, the first thing wrong here is that guys start out with these questions first before even getting into any sort of meaningful conversation. Its almost like some men are just after photos of women in diapers just to please themselves (not all guys mind you); When most girls are just looking for conversation and true friends online.
Some people have no problem being completely open in the adult baby and diaper lover community but some don’t and would prefer using only bits and pieces of their true life in order to remain somewhat anonymous. This is where understanding comes into play. Girls and even some guys would be more apt to share more if people would be more conversative and understanding rather than so forward and aggressive.
I will probably regret this later but I will share my experience…Me being a incontinent girl that wears diapers all day, everyday, really enjoys the ABDL community and loves engaging in conversations that are meaningful and would love to meet people that are actually semi-intelligent and have lives that don’t revolve around everything diaper related. Of course, in the beginning, I was unsure of the ABDL community when I first got involved and I was not very forward with anything and I didn’t reveal much about myself besides being a girl. I tried to protect myself by remaining anonymous in the terms of not using my real name. But, as I got more comfortable I started sharing more and realizing the community can be an awesome place. I started slowly feeling more comfortable revealing things about myself and giving more and more. Eventually, starting I Heart Diapers, and I became even more comfortable revealing things within limits. I give as much true factual information about myself to the point where I feel comfortable knowing I can remain semi-anonymous so that it would not affect my career/life outside of the adult baby and diaper lover world. I am active in the community, I have dozens of photos all through out my blog showing basically everything except my facial features. I mean, with all of that, even so much as showing my boobs area and such – people still to this day question that I am a girl, LOL. Its almost laughable at this point and you learn to ignore it. I mean I get crucified by some people in this community because I don’t show my face…I mean get over yourself…not all of us are in that position in our lives to risk everything by flaunting your face in front of everyone in association with the ABDL community.
Unfortunately, all the suspicion has caused girls to barely even be able to talk to other girls because of the doubt that exists and is present in the community because there is always this “doubt”. Unless you are willing to shake your bum on webcam or take a photo with your face smiling with a big wet diaper and a handwritten sign saying “This is so and so…” then there is not much trust unfortunately and any sort of relationship outside of fantasy land is basically not possible because the relationship online can’t get past that barrier because no one wants to participate in the conversation unless what I said happens first.
People in the adult baby and diaper lover community just need to recognize that at least with me – I will always be somewhat shielded because I have a successful life outside of the ABDL community and I protect that. I will divulge more and what not if I actually were to meet you or have a good friendship.
To make a long story short and to sum up – understand is that there are tons of women in the diaper community and they aren’t going to be as open as you want them to be at first with you. Just like on a first date, things are awkward and unsure, and you just have to give the person the benefit of the doubt and not act accusatory to them otherwise there will be no hope in any sort of meaningful relationship.
The ABDL Message and Outside View
The ABDL world is a complicated one and consists of people from all walks of life. Everyone from doctors, lawyers, construction workers, teachers, and the list goes on and on. I for one look at the adult baby and diaper lover world as an extremely unique community that is completely different than any other community. There is not really a community out there that enjoys doing things that are similar to the ABDL world that is harmless in its purest form but yet can bring so much joy. But, this world of ABDLs has in my mind given themselves a bad name in many aspects and really has brought more harm than good to the community.
The ABDL world is first looked at in a negative light and associated with kids unfortunately. An outsider looking in automatically is going to associate diapers with kids and while this is unfortunate, it is understandable. What is not understandable and unacceptable in my mind is those people who enhance this image by engaging in activities that will only further this view. While I understand there are always bad apples in any group, I don’t think it does us justice when there are a whole lot of “borderline” apples that engage in forums and chat alongside or with people that are under the age of 18. I think this is wrong and however innocent it may be in many cases, it is not in many other cases. Unfortunately sites such as ADISC, while providing a decent community, is filled with underage kids as well as teenbabies and adult diaper lovers and babies. This setup is a breeding ground for disaster but also is not a good look for the ABDL community. The site basically is an invitation to anyone with a computer and internet connection to come “innoncently” talk to underage people about diapers…this in my mind is wrong and breeds negativity. There are many “good” people at places like ADISC but there are also many sickos, perverts, and the likes that harbor around this community because they know what it is and how to bend the rules to satisfy whatever need they want. That is why I highly disapprove of sites like ADISC and the likes of them and feel they really are a bad apple in the ABDL community.
Sites such as DailyDiapers are good wholesome communities that is specifically for ADULT babies and diaper lovers over the age of 18. They do not invite nor set up specific threads for underage people. DailyDiapers as a whole is great forum that has a lot of engaging people that are 95% of the age of 18 which is how its suppose to be!
The outside world does not understand what goes on in the ABDL community as well as someone like me or you. Which is precisely why the ABDL community as a whole should not give them any reason to misunderstand or interpret our community as what it is not. I know one thing is for sure and that is when I have kids one day, whether they wear diapers or not, I will never approve of them conversing in a chat room that contains adults when they are under the age of 18. I think it leaves a lot of open doors and is just wrong. The ABDL world is an ADULT world and while there are people under the age of 18 that are into the diaper thing – that area of things should not be promoted online in such a public chatroom open to anyone wanting to easily lie about their age to gain access to children. This is wrong.
I have always been a big supporter of the adult baby and diaper lover community and always will be. The first step in presenting ourselves to the outside world is to clean up the mess within our own “ranks” that does not give outsiders excuses to accuse the ABDL community as a whole of wrongdoings. While, this is no easy task, I think it is a focal point that should not be taken lightly if the ABDL community ever wants to take another step in acceptance on any level within the outside world.
This is just my two cents on the situation and while sites like ADISC are well moderated communities and active – I think ADISC presents a huge problem and are a sore eye for the ABDL community as a whole when they are actively harboring people that are under the age of 18 in their forums. If they would gear their site to over the age of 18 then their site would be fantastic but that is not the case and unfortunately I think it is just one of the many examples of the barriers and problems for the adult baby and diaper lover community of every getting past that horrible stigma to the public.
NOTE: While I understand people’s views may differ I do not want “trash” comments and I will not allow garbage and immature comments such as this which I just received:
“So you want over 18 sites where people can post hairy crotch shots or their miniature d*cks, or pick up chicks for diaper sex, or provide detailed instructions on how to make yourself incontinent so you’ll be pissing yourself happily ever after without control. I’m sure that is what this world needs!” (he also forgot to leave a fake email so some nice easy Google searches and I have a photo of him from a profile)
I thought about posting his photo just to prove a point but I won’t stoop to that level…Please refrain from immature comments AS WELL AS comments that you simply base off of here-say rather than fact.
Exercise, Cooking, and Adult Diapers
I got back from exercising today and doing a little bit of yoga so by the time I got home I was absolutely starving. I headed straight for the kitchen and started making dinner…Peter took this photo of me in my yoga shorts cooking dinner. Don’t mind my huge thighs – working on that!
Anyways, I will tell you what – wearing diapers during yoga sure does help with a lot of the moves because it provides a little bit of a cushion when you forget your yoga mat like I do half the time. Plus, yoga is relaxing at the same time its still considered exercise so diapers help me relax I will say so its like an added bonus when doing yoga. As you can tell, the diaper is quite noticeable in this case because its a Bambino Diaper but usually I wear a little thinner diaper for yoga but I forgot to stick a thinner one in my gym bag so all I had was a Bambino. You get a few more stares with a thick diaper but I would say I am pretty use to it and most people really don’t care. Every once in awhile you get a question or two on what exactly is going on but you just explain the situation and I have actually had people say “Thats Awesome!!!” but I have also had people just be like “Oh, ok” so I mean it varies. Most importantly, when it comes to diapers you just have to be comfortable with yourself and confident. The more you give off that it is abnormal the more abnormal people are going to think of you as.
Back to cooking – so, most people don’t know this about me but I am a good cook. Peter absolutely loves when I cook for him. He was so hungry when I got back he didn’t even let me change my soaking wet diaper (hence the sag in the diaper a bit in the photo). So, I started right off making some pasta with mushrooms and scallops in it. It ended up not being the best in my opinion but he said he liked it which I guess is all that matters. Then, again he usually has a beer with his meal so alcohol makes a lot of things taste better I guess.
Diapered in the Snow
So, we finally got some snow in North Carolina. We never get snow in the central part of North Carolina, it can be so frustrating. I love snow so we went and built a snow man and took a walk. It was fun. It was nice because we both love just being outside so being outside in the snow was definitely a plus. Also, wearing a diaper in the snow keeps you way warmer as well. We both had on a Bambino Classico while we were bundled up in the snow, so we were super warm.
I am sure for those people up in the northern part of the United States snow is like an everyday thing but for us Southerners (hehe) its like heaven. It shuts everything down, and we just like to stare at it. Its great! I gotta admit there is something about wearing a nice thick diaper and then sitting down in the snow. It feels so padded, its great. You feel so secure and protected. I guess you go back to that feeling of being a kid again because of the days you would get off from school when it snowed and you would just go play around in the snow with your friends. It brings back memories of being younger plus also wearing a nice thick diaper just adds to that great feeling of being a kid, which we all love going back to some time.
Anyways, after awhile of playing in the snow we came in and had some hot chocolate and watched some sports and movies. Pretty laid back weekend overall, but a very enjoyable one. Anyone else in the snow hits areas do anything fun in diapers over the weekend?
Wearing Diapers to the Gym
So, I recently joined a local gym and I am trying to make it a habit to go almost everyday. After work, I always head straight to the gym so I don’t have an excuse not to go if I go home first. So, typically by the end of the day my Bambino Diaper is soaked and I end up having to change it in the locker room at the gym before heading to workout. I am courteous and change my diaper in the stalls and not out in the open as that would be a little too much I think. But, I typically either way spandex shorts or pants as it really helps to reduce any sort of chaffing while running or working out when wearing a diaper. I usually wear a Secure Plus while working out because it is not super thick but still provides the great absorbency in case I have an accident. I will tell you what though, those spandex shorts make you really feel like your not wearing a diaper though because they are so tight – very comfortable though.
I usually will run and then bike for awhile and then head to do some free-weights. I always feel funny doing free weights with all the guys staring at me like “what is a girl doing in the free weight section”. I don’t know, I guess I just need to get over it. I mean, I guess you may be able to tell I am wearing a diaper but I would say you would need to be looking for it…its not super obvious. So, I really do hope that men don’t stare that bad and that hard especially in a public weight room.
I usually finish up with stretching for about 15-20 minutes because I am super not flexible so I am trying to work on that a lot. I will say there is a nice little feeling in my stomach when I am stretching or bending over and my diaper pokes out a little bit, not too much, but enough so someone could tell if they were paying attention. As long as I have worn diapers, I still get that little rush knowing someone knows I am wearing a diaper. Its the craziest thing…maybe its just me. Any how, back to cleaning up my mess of a place that looks like a hurricane hit it!
Secure Plus Diaper Review
The Secure Plus diaper is a diaper put out by Secure Personal Care and is probably one of the best mid-level adult diapers on the market. Plus, the all new Secure Plus diaper has a super cute design on the front of it that I absolutely love. I will show the photos first before I get into my review of the Secure Plus diapers.
Absorbency: The absorbency of the Secure Plus is surprisingly really good. Though it does not compare to the absorbency of Secure Personal Care’s Secure X-Plus diaper (their premium and best adult diaper), the absorbency is still one of the best for a mid-level diaper. I was able to wet it 2 full times and then I felt like I had to change…no leaks! It probably could have held a little bit more but that is pretty good for a mid-level adult diaper. Other adult diapers to compare it to are Attends and Tena which I think Secure Plus beats both of these easily in the absorbency department.
Design: The design of the Secure Plus diaper, especially the new one, is great. It is super cute and I really like the cute little hearts on the front. The fit of the Secure Plus is very secure and fits great. I feel very protected at all angles of the diaper. The plastic is SUPER SOFT, and I love the crinkle this diaper makes. Very soft plastic which is great for a lot of reasons, one being is that it will REDUCE chaffing on the skin!
Features: The features of the Secure Plus diaper are really quite amazing. They feature a re-taping frontal landing zone to allow adjusting the diaper in case it needs the adjustment once put on. Also, it has standing leg cuffs which is one of the best features ever created for a diaper. It also has leg gathers to further prevent leaking. These features rarely come with any other mid-level diaper which I think is what sets the Secure Plus diaper apart from a lot of other adult diapers.
Price: The price of the Secure Plus diapers are one of the better buys you can get out there for a mid-range adult diaper. The features that come with this diaper plus overall quality and absorbency are phenomenal and especially for the price. Plus, they offer Free Shipping with every order no matter what which is very nice!
Overall: I was super impressed with the Secure Plus diaper and will definitely keep a steady stock of these diapers in for when I don’t want to have a super thick diaper on but rather feel like a semi-thick and very good absorbent diaper. The absorbency was quite impressive to me and very good compared to other diapers similar to it. I would highly recommend many of you try them especially with the new cute designs.
Buy Them Here: Secure Personal Care (Go to Briefs and then Secure Plus, be sure to check out their other products which also may suit your needs)