In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Flip with Stay Dry Insert Review

Easy to use, easy to clean diaper perfect for on-the-go cloth diapering
gearlab tested logo
flip with stay dry insert cloth diaper review
Here, baby is in the slim fitting Flip diaper.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $20 List
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Manufacturer:   Cotton Babies
By Abriah Wofford & Juliet Spurrier, MD  ⋅  Mar 23, 2023
70
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#3 of 13
  • Absorbency - 35% 7.0
  • Fit/Leakage - 30% 7.0
  • Comfort - 20% 7.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 7.0

The Skinny

Together, the Flip diaper cover and Stay Dry Insert create a top-ranked cloth diaper, sporting above-average absorbency performance and a wallet-friendly price tag. This diaper duo is easy to assemble and clean afterward. The single Stay Dry insert fits snugly within the cover and can be layered if more absorbency is needed. The wipeable diaper cover can be reused through multiple diaper changes, making it ideal for an on-the-go diapering lifestyle since you won't have to bring along as many bulky diapers on outings. We love this one-size diaper for many reasons and think it will be one of the best diapers for budget-minded families.
REASONS TO BUY
Trim fit
Easy assembly
Easy to get good fit
REASONS TO AVOID
Free floating liner
Single gusset
Editor's Note: We performed an update on February 28, 2023, to this gear review to encompass more information about our favorites.

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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Ideal for use in on-the-go cloth diapering, with a simple set up and cleaning routine, but the liner is free floating and single gussetA slightly bulky but super absorbent pocket diaperAn absorbent cloth diaper that may be a fit for Velcro-lovers with larger babies or a bigger budgetA pocket-style diaper with notable absorbency but otherwise basic and difficult to adjustAn inexpensive set of pocket diapers to kick off cloth diapering, but it isn't the most absorbent
Rating Categories Flip with Stay Dry... Rumparooz Pocket Bambino Mio Miosolo Imagine Baby Pocket... babygoal Reusable
Absorbency (35%)
7.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
5.0
Fit/Leakage (30%)
7.0
9.0
7.0
5.0
6.0
Comfort (20%)
7.0
8.0
8.0
4.0
5.0
Ease of Use (15%)
7.0
4.0
6.0
6.0
4.0
Specs Flip with Stay Dry... Rumparooz Pocket Bambino Mio Miosolo Imagine Baby Pocket... babygoal Reusable
Style Hybrid/AI2 Pocket All-in-one (AIO)/Pocket Hybrid Pocket Pocket
Tested Material Diaper Synthetic Fiber: Polyester, Nylon, Spandex Synthetic Fiber: Polyester, Polyamide Synthetic Fiber: Polyester Laminated to Polyurethane, Polyester, Nylon Synthetic Fiber: Polyester, Nylon Natural & Synthetic Fiber: Bamboo, Polyester, Polyurethane
Weight Range 8 to 35 lbs 6 - 35+ lbs One Size: 8+ lbs 8 to 35+ lbs 7 to 33 lbs
Gusset Single Double Single Single Single

Our Analysis and Test Results

Flip is an offshoot of Cotton Babies, a company that also makes other cloth diaper brands, like bumGenius and Econobum. A cover/insert combo is the only thing the Flip brand offers, but it is something they do well. They offer a selection of inserts that work with the Flip cover, including a disposable option. We decided to test the Stay Dry insert as we like the wicking properties of the microfleece liner.

Performance Comparison


flip with stay dry insert cloth diaper review - seen here on our baby tester, the flip appears to be only slightly...
Seen here on our baby tester, the Flip appears to be only slightly larger around the tush than your average disposable.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Take note: the Flip Organic Day Time Insert is sold separately from the Flip cover.

Absorbency


The Flip ranks near the top of the best cloth diaper group in our absorbency tests.


A start-to-finish view of our absorbency testing for cloth diapers in the GearLab in-house lab.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Stay Dry inserts come in packs, and you can select newborn (6-12 lbs) or one-size (8-35 lbs). We used the one-size Stay Dry inserts during testing. Three layers of absorbent microfiber lay beneath a one-size Stay Dry liner and provide the perfect combo for a happy baby. The insert has lines sewn along one end to indicate the correct fold position for various sizes, which can also help place absorbency in the right areas.

flip with stay dry insert cloth diaper review - with a small amount of well distributed green dye, this filter paper...
With a small amount of well distributed green dye, this filter paper indicates that the Flip is good at keeping baby more or less dry after wetting the diaper.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Flip's filter paper result shows very little green. The insert's quick absorbency rate and impressive wicking capabilities kept the filter paper (a.k.a. baby's skin) relatively dry from start to finish.

flip with stay dry insert cloth diaper review - flip's cloth inserts fold down to size accommodating baby's growth.
Flip's cloth inserts fold down to size accommodating baby's growth.
Credit: Flip

Fit/Leakage


The Flip with Stay Dry Insert scores above average for this test metric.


This one-size diaper will fit babies from 8-35 lbs. Thanks to the double row of snaps around the waist and three rise positions, it's easy to get a snug and secure fit with the Flip. A one-size-fits-all system is handy because it can help lower the cost of cloth diapering. You won't have to rebuild your stash halfway through with larger-sized covers. Despite being one-size, the Flip is one of the trimmest diapers in this review, making it easier to fit under those adorable tiny outfits.

A double row of snaps is exactly what we look for in our ideal cloth...
A double row of snaps is exactly what we look for in our ideal cloth diaper.
The Flip Stay Dry Insert fits into the cover like a glove.
The Flip Stay Dry Insert fits into the cover like a glove.
The elastic in the single gusset on the Flip is wrapped with the...
The elastic in the single gusset on the Flip is wrapped with the same uber soft waterproof fabric found on the rest of the cover.

We loved how well the insert fits with the cover, reaching edge to edge both length and widthwise and tucking up underneath the contoured flaps at each end. This fit helps keep the cover cleaner and enables you to reuse it more times. The cover only has a single gusset, but the elastic keeps it snug to a baby's leg crease and does not let out any leaks during our tests.

flip with stay dry insert cloth diaper review
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Comfort


The Flip's above-average score in this metric is higher than many, and our baby tester was happy to wear it.


It is a comfy diaper with very little bulk. The Stay Dry liner is soft, and the fabric is smooth around the edges of the cover. Thanks to the well-fitted insert, not much of the waterproof cover comes into contact with the baby's skin. The fabric is soft enough that it never seems to irritate sensitive baby skin where it does touch. The extra flaps of material on the front and rear edges of the shell cover the backside of the snaps so they wouldn't lay directly against the baby's belly. The trim fit remains a perk even when the insert is folded down to the smallest setting. When preparing this diaper for a change, you must pay attention to which side goes up and which goes down. If you place the absorbent microfiber side against the baby's bum, it can act as a desiccant, drying the skin and causing rashes.

flip with stay dry insert cloth diaper review - a double row of snaps does mean added time to each diaper change...
A double row of snaps does mean added time to each diaper change, but we think it is worth the extra effort because of how much it improves the fit of the diaper
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


Keeping it about as simple as it gets, Flip's score in this metric is above average and right behind top performers.


Setting up the Flip for a diaper change only requires two steps: lay the Flip cover flat and place the Stay Dry insert inside. We had no trouble fitting the insert underneath the extra flaps at each end and appreciate this feature for the added security. This way, messes are more likely to stay within the liner without reaching the cover, making it more reusable and minimizing laundry. If anything, a quick wipe-down of the laminated polyester shell will be adequate preparation for the next wear.

The insert can be machine washed and dried, but you must air-dry the cover. We don't feel like picking out the covers when transferring diapers from the washer to the dryer is much of a hassle. And the polyester fabric is so light and thin that they dry in a matter of minutes. This step also helps to preserve the longevity of the snaps and elastic pieces on the cover.

flip with stay dry insert cloth diaper review - the flip diaper will grow with baby until they are through their...
The Flip diaper will grow with baby until they are through their diapering days.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Flip?


For such a simple diaper, we are very impressed with the Flip, and it's a well-rounded option that's less money than top performers. If you are hoping to save a few bucks in your cloth diaper journey but still want the convenience of a nicer diaper, we highly recommend looking at the Flip cover with Stay Dry Insert. At first glance, the price of the Flip seems comparable to that of other hybrid diapers, but a few things set it apart. First, this is a one-size diaper. So, once you build your stash, you are done, theoretically eliminating the need to buy a single additional diaper for the rest of your baby's life. Second, you must consider that you will likely purchase the inserts and covers separately. You will probably need fewer covers (because you can reuse them through multiple changes) and more inserts. A set of Stay Dry inserts are less expensive than other brands, which is great because you will need to purchase larger quantities. While the covers may be a bit more costly, we think they are of higher quality and will likely last. Overall, we are pleased with this duo and believe you will be too.

What Other Cloth Diaper Should You Consider?


While there is much to love about the Flip, and it is a good choice for many families, if you want the absolute best absorbency and are willing to sacrifice some ease of use to get it, the Rumparooz Pocket is a comfortable diaper with great leak protection and absorbency.

Abriah Wofford & Juliet Spurrier, MD
 

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