Reviewers say the following about shopping for adult diapers.

  • Consider your personal needs. A light pad may provide enough protection for mild stress incontinence, and a standard diaper may work well enough if it's changed after each use. For those with severe incontinence or those who want to use a single diaper for multiple wettings, a premium diaper is the most reliable choice.
  • Choose a diaper that's compatible with your clothing. Although premium diapers are the most effective, they can also be bulkier. While the increased bulk shouldn't be an issue for those who wear fairly loose clothing, experts say less absorbent styles tend to fit more discreetly under closer-fitting clothing. Another discreet choice is a pad in an appropriate absorbency level worn inside close-fitting underwear.
  • Will you still be able to use the toilet? Users say pull-on underwear or pads are far easier to pull up and down than adult briefs, which need to be refastened on each side after a trip to the bathroom. Another option for those who need more protection is to place a booster inside a brief and change the booster as needed while leaving the brief in place. Experts say changing a standard adult diaper in a public washroom requires significant mobility and dexterity, which is simply not practical for most people.
  • Start with a sample pack. Because of the variation in people's body shapes and lifestyles, experts say there's no incontinence product that works for everyone. A reputable retailer should be willing to send a small sample pack -- usually two or three diapers -- at a reduced price, before you commit to a larger order.
  • Buy the smallest size that fits well, unless you need extra protection. Adult diapers and disposable pull-on underwear come in a range of sizes from extra small to extra large and beyond. For those whose body measurements fall between sizes, the smaller size is usually less expensive option, while the larger size may have a higher containment capacity.
  • Try new products out at home first. An incontinence product that works well for one person's body shape may be uncomfortable or leaky for someone else. Experts caution that even a top-rated brief, pull-up or pad should be tested in a private setting before being worn out in public.
  • Get the support you need. Although millions of people experience mild to severe urinary or fecal incontinence, many users still say they feel nervous or ashamed about using adult diapers. See our Best Research and All Reviews sections for links to support groups, information, treatment options and advocacy.

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