I have heard from multiple sources now and random grumblings that Abena is looking to switch their Abena X-Plus to cloth diapers…multiple people have emailed me telling me this and I have heard it myself from a few other sources. Not sure the validity of it but this would be a big hit to the premium adult diaper selection for adult babies and diaper lovers. Even though I am a Bambino girl – I do love Abena X-Plus diapers as well and I do always keep a small supply on hand for random times.
This would be very disappointing for sure if it is true. If they were to switch to cloth I would definitely not stick with them…I have never really liked any cloth like diapers…just not my thing. But, I do recognize the Abena is not making these adult diapers for the ABDL community but rather they are making them for the incontinence community and I guarantee you the majority of the incontinence community would rather a cloth like diaper than plastic backed. I am not one of those people but the majority are hence why a lot of the big manufacturers are moving to cloth like type diapers – Tena, Attends, and possibly Abena now?
Again, not sure how valid it is but just wanted to throw that out there to people in the community to see what people’s thoughts were on this or if they had heard anything?.
Shoot. 1st they get rid of Small bambinos. Now this.. next thing you know Chuck Norris will start taking ballet lessons.
I have seen brands change their outer side for cloth like, all those diapers became worse, much more leaks and rubbing on my legs.
Some brands changed back to plastic or made a ‘classic’ like attends in Europe.
Cloth outer side sucks big time.
Hi – I take it you mean the cloth-like /disposable/ diapers (i.e. their AirPlus line), and not that abena is moving away from disposables and toward cloth diapers. Can you clarify?
Thanks!
Abena has always offered cloth-backed Abri-Forms, although they’ve always been more expensive. Does this mean that they’re switching over to that brand entirely?
My suggestion is to write to them and express your disappointment in their decision to stop making the plastic backed diapers. Although, I wouldn’t go out of my way to mention that you are an ab/dl by any means, but simply a customer who has found success and comfort in their plastic backed products. Maybe, just maybe, if they realize there is still a demand out there for that line of diapers, they will keep up doing what they’re doing.
It should also be mentioned that the cloth-backed, AirPlus, line also has the stretchy tapes that Molicare Super has switched to, and that Bambino tried to use and then switched back after too many complaints.
I like the idea of cloth-backed diapers as they are completely silent, but like others have mentioned, they chafe my inner thighs. And, in this case, the stretchy tapes just do not work.
I’m not a big Fan of Cloth backed diapers either. The only issue is that they don’t hold as well as Plastic backed diapers. So for Heavy wetters, it would be a major issue and It would not work for them as well.
I love literal cloth diapers–the kind fastened with pins and covered with plastic pants–as they’re best for nighttime, but I just as passionately hate the “cloth”-backed disposables. My complaint is pretty much the same as that of others here–not only do the “cloth”-backed ones chafe, but they leak horribly. That for me means not only soaked outer clothing, but a drenched wheelchair seat cushion as well.
What I’d like to see are “retro” adult disposables resembling Depend’s classic green ones. Those had an elastic waistband *and* leg gathers, which made it easier for me to pull the Depend up and down when I happened to be near a toilet. They also absorbed better than any disposable I’ve used since.
Yep, I’m wearing one now. Abena x-plus “Premium” medium size, fabric-backed. No way these are as good as the plastic backed diaper. Chafing, looser fit, more leak-prone.
Watch what you buy from Amazon. That’s how I wound up with these. Same description as their plastic backed x-plus, with the addition of the word “Premium.”
I’ll avoid these in the future now that I’ve tried them and know I don’t like them. The only plus is they are very quiet for changing in a public restroom.
Wow, I’m actually surprised to hear the plastic kind are still on the market! Here in Israel they switched to cloth about a year ago. I was very disappointed at first because, let’s face it, the older version is one of the best diapers out there. However after using the cloth version I am now only mildly disappointed. They aren’t that terrible, and still much better than most products available.
Have you ever tried Idan diapers? I have found that they are very similar to the old Abena, but instead of coming in white they are blue for medium and yellow for large.
My biggest gripe with cloth-backed disposable diapers is chafing. That and the fact that they seem to leak more, though I can’t give you any logical reason why that would be so. And I’m in agreement with Rachel. I depend (no pun intended) on cloth diapers and waterproof overpants for protection during the night, which is why I have no problems using an overpant to suppress the crinkle of some disposables when it would not be appropriate to have strange noises emanating from one’s lower trunk.
That said, I want to let you know that I just recently found your site, after being out of the community for quite a while, and I am enjoying reading your past contributions. It is through your ramblings that I found Bambinos, the first sample of which is surrounding my butt even as I type this. What can I say but Mmmmm….. These gotta be about as authentic as it gets! (At least for those in post-baby-boom generations.) I also have some Cushies on order – with fragrance. I just might find myself reborn into baby heaven!
Oops. I forgot to mention that I tried to find X-Plus for sale, and they seem to be out of stock everywhere, suggesting to me that there could be a production change underway. Not good, IMHO. (Oh, does that abbreviation give my age away?)
Hey everyone. Feels like it been while since I last commented on a good topic here on Adrian’s blog. For all of us and a preferercne, there is a hell of a big difference between cloth-back and plastic backed disposable diapers that we all like for our own reasons. As far as I know Abena has as ways had the choice of the plastic back or the air flow ( aka cloth back ) when ordering them from XP Medicial. Most cheap store brands are gonna be clothed backed other than Depends of course besides there underwear of course. Besides speaking of Abena, does anyone know when SPC is gonna get back into stock?!?! They’ve been out of everything for quite some time now. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were all bought by fellow AB/DL’S. Ha!Ha! Most likely a supply and demand thing going on for them. I like SPC’S X-Plus more so than Abena. Does anyone happen if there is a difference between those two diapers?! Say Adrian, maybe that would be a fun comparison some day for those two diapers for those of us that like the X-Plus thickness for diaper wear and such.
Yeah, here lately I’ve been going to Goodwill stores and getting whatever diapers that they happen to get from donations and maybe score a few good packs of Depends. For example, 3 packs for a $1.50 each as to retail anywhere for at least $15. You never know with Goodwill stores. Well, thats about it for y reply and take it easy everyone. Black-Dragon
I am afraid Adrian is right. If you look at the Abena website, you will see that they only list product information for the AirPlus product. They used to list information for both product lines.
Adrian, suggest you e-mail Gary at XP Medical. He was to meet with Abena on November 30th.
Theres no change or announcement at xpmedical so far, but that would bum me out as I prefer abena products because of their great price to performance ratio and the fit is just right for me.
If Abena does go through with this, they’ll be losing my business permanently, whether they re-introduce the plastic-backed line or not. I do not appreciate companies toying with my night-time wetting problem like this. That’s a *lifetime* of diapers that they will not have bought from them and I know I am not an isolated case. That’s about 8 cases a year, for let’s say, another 60 years. Just shy of $29,000 they lost in business, right there. That’s a fairly conservative estimate, presuming that the cost per case NEVER changes with inflation, presuming that my problem does NOT get worse, and presuming that I “only” live into my mid-80’s (I’ll likely live longer – my family has good genetics).
Now, I am certain there are a lot more people like me, who they are going to be losing business from, so this number gets compounded quite quickly. Especially if those people deal with incontinence 24/7. More cases each year.
Abena is not just removing a wonderful product and pissing away the global dominance they’ve earned this market, they are screwing with people’s lives. In a very fundamental and basic way. So many people other than myself rely on their diapers for privacy and discreteness.
I have *never* found a cloth-backed disposable – Abena’s included – that manages my problem. They don’t work. They are more prone to leaks, moisture “seeps” through the outer backsheet, and they cause a nasty amount of chaffage – more friction between a cloth-backed diaper and your skin, than a plastic-backed diaper.
I am considering just flat out not buying from them on principle anymore, as even considering this move – and apparently it is set to happen – shows they care more about BS environmentalist pressures (we do not, and will never have, a landfill space crisis, even if our methods for dealing with garbage do not advance at all for the next *millenia*) than they do the comfort and security of the customers who are directly responsible for building them into the wildly successful and profitable global empire that they are today.
Hi Adrian,
Here in Europe Abena X-plus is already with cloth. Only Save Express in Germany is the single shop where we can buy x-plus with a plastic outer layer.
So there’s a reasonable possibility that they will switch to cloth in the USA too.
Kindest regards,
Mike
The Netherlands, Europe
I wonder how much Abena’s business is made up of ABDL consumers. Most ABDL’s prefer plastic backed diapers and if the community really makes up a huge chunk of their sales, they’ll feel it and switch back.
But I’d point out that unlike a few years ago when Abena X-plus was really the only premium adult diaper, now there are markets aimed specifically at the ABDL community. Bambino and AB Universe keep coming out with new diapers. That shows the market is growing. If there is a demand for a product left by Abena’s absence, I willing to bet someone will fill it. I’m sad to see the X-plus go, but I also don’t own any anymore. The Dry 24/7 and the Bambino Bellissimo have left the X-plus feeling obsolete.
I find they aren’t very good for odor prevention compared with plastic
I have sent emails to both Abena and XPMedical about a week ago and no answer from either. Very disappointed in this and will be switching to another brand if they go through with it.
Deen
I tryed Abena in the medium size and they were ok but still did not have the fit that I liked, Im vary much hooked on Dry Care 24/7 diapers these to me are the vary best in fit and comfort and they have a vary nice plastic cover that is nice and smooth between the leg’s, With lots of that nice flufy cuddle feeling we like.
If you get out of bed 4to6 times a knight to use the rest room like I do you will find these to be a God sin in performance and comfort.
I have had to go through this since I was a child and thank God I can finaly sleep at knoight at last.
I wish every one a happy new year.
I just bought the traditional plastic backed Abena XPlus and discovered a 40% price increase. If Abena does move away from the plastic backing then Molicare will get all of my business instead of the current 50% I give them now. Oh, and this is in central Canada.
I don’t see how anyone who has bowel incontinence issues can like the cloth backed ones as things that let out air also let out smell.
i think that abena will just make every one mad when thay switch to cloth like backed diapers . thay should keep making the PLASTIC backed diapers as well . their going to end up with no customers at all if thay don,t stop changing things and LISIN TO THEIR CUSTOMERS…………………………………//////////////
Thanks for posting this! I’m trying to find information on Adults Diapers and this has definitely helped me in this process.
This is in fact very true; and was effective January 2012.
Cloth diapers are more cost-effective for the manufacturer: lower production cost, increase revenue. Seems like simple (yet wrong) math to me.
There are still plenty of other options for plastic-backed diapers (airoliver.de has plenty).
On a side note: disposable diapers are down right terrible for the environment; and before switching to cloth, I estimate my contribution to landfills at around 50,000+ diapers. When you think about it, that’s a pretty big pile of dirty, smelly diapers that I alone am responsible for.
While I love the feeling & crinkle sound of a googd, thick, plastic-backed disposable, I — as some who’s been wearing diapers for just shy of three decades, can no longer allow myself to be part of the problem.
I feel your pain regarding ABENA’s terrible choice to change their product. But the fact is: everyone is doing it (for the obvious aforementioned reason). So either buy as many plastic-backed disposables as you can, or do what’s right. Make the change to cloth.