GroVia AI2 Hybrid Diaper Review

This review is for the Aplix version of this diaper only.

Fits Birth to Potty (no weight limits are disclosed, Size Chart included at very bottom of this post)

Price Per Diaper:  ★★☆☆☆   It all depends on where you shop and what you want.  Normally, shell sets (1 cover and 1 insert) are $24.95.  Right now, you can find shell sets on clearance for approximately $17.95.  And BabySteals.com has had these diapers on their daily deal a few times for even cheaper.  Also, GroVia intends that you are going to need more inserts (soakers) than shells as you can simply snap out the wet soaker, snap in a dry one, and reuse the shell.  This is the intended purpose of the GroVia AI2 diapers.  For approximately $37.95 you can buy a mini kit that includes 1 shell and two soakers.  Also, if you buy the larger packages, you can save more.  Even with the discounts and the package deals, this diaper system is a little pricier than other systems.  You can buy this diaper at both of my affiliates, links to right.

Leaks:  ★★★★☆  Only one time did I have a leak with this diaper and I am not certain if it was the diaper or if it was user error.  My daughter will occasionally wear this diaper for nap time, and because this is an AI2 diaper with only 2 snaps holding the soaker in place, the soaker tends to bunch up as your child moves and as the soaker gets wet.  My daughter took a long nap, and when I got her up, her shirt was moist.  I noted that the soaker had completely rolled up on itself.  This never happened again, so it could have been me.  The soaker often bunches, but the shell contains the moisture and mess.  This diaper comes with a shell and a single snap in soaker with waterproof backing, you can buy boosters separately.

Fit:  ★★★★★  I had no trouble finding the perfect fit with this diaper.  The aplix closure is secure and the leg casings were tight enough for my skinny little child.  The soaker also has leg gussets to contain moisture and mess.  Due to the entire top of this diaper being made of the material used to stick the aplix to, you can cross over the tabs and truly make the diaper fit any size child.  This diaper also has 3 rise settings to take in or let out as your child grows.  This diaper would also be perfect if you are diapering more than one child as it is so easy to change from size to size quickly.  As my daughter is approaching 20 months and is very tall, I am seeing that the rise on this diaper is slowing becoming too low for her, I am not sure how much longer we will be able to use this diaper.  However, unlike many other OS diapers, I can see this diaper fitting well at many newborn sizes.  Also, due to the simplicity of the soaker and shell, this diaper fits very trim and goes well under clothes.

Ease of Use:  ★★★★☆  This diaper is intended to be an AI2 and you are to be able to snap in and out the soakers and reuse the shell.  As it is intended, this diaper can be a challenge and I found myself not using it in this way but rather tossing the entire diaper in the pail and grabbing a new one, in this way, this diaper is a cinch!  I found that when my daughter peed, the soaker would bunch and the shell would be wet (the shell kept her dry though).  And when she pooped, the poop would get on the shell.  Either way, I found myself taking the entire diaper off when it was time to change her.  However, as for putting this diaper on and taking it off as well as snapping in the soaker, this diaper is easy peasy!!!  And if you can get your child to sit still long enough (such as a NB) it probably would not be hard to snap out the soaker, snap a new one in, and put the shell back on.

Washing:  ★★★★☆  This diaper is very easy to wash.  Since there is just a simple shell and a soaker, there are no small crevices or anything for poop to stick to or get stuck in.  However, while they seem to wash easily, they also stain quite easily.  This does not impede the function of the diaper at all, but it is sad to look at.  The shells are equipped with a smart invention, tuck under laundry tabs.  What this means is that there is a little loop that your tab fits under.  This keeps the tabs secure during the wash.  It takes a little bit of practice to get the tabs under and then get them back out as the aplix is VERY sticky to the fabric, but once you master this feat, this is a great addition to this diaper and is one of the upgrades from the GroBaby diapers.  Also note worthy, this diaper does require quite a lot of prep before you can use the soakers.  GroVia recommends washing in hot water 5-6 times prior to use and advises against boiling due to the snaps and waterproof backing.  I don’t know about you, but that seems like a lot of prep time!  Also, GroVia recommends only line drying the shells.

Overall Performance:  ★★★★☆  This diaper performed very well.  I am concerned about the fact that the soaker seems to always bunch up, but I am amazed by the shell and that it never leaks (except that once).  I think that if GroVia would switch to 4 snaps holding the soaker in, this would stop the bunching and maybe cure that one leak that I had.  Overall, I am very surprised at this diaper and how well it did.  It is very trim, easy to use, and comes in some really nice prints and colors!  Also, many people have complained about the aplix wearing out on this diaper.  The aplix on my GroBaby diapers (the older version) are starting to show some wear, however, the aplix on my GroVia diaper does not show any wear.  Also, if your aplix does wear out, GroVia will convert your aplix to snaps for just a couple dollars.

Total Stars:  23/30

Daddy’s Thoughts:  Easy to put on and take off, but not his favorite.  He rarely uses these.

Food For Thought:  GroVia also makes a disposable biosoaker.  I LOVE these for three reasons!  One, they are great for travel!  Two, they can be composted!  And three, if you encounter a day when you need to put non-cloth safe cream on your little one’s tush; the disposable biosoakers are a MUST!  They fit great in the GroVia shells (of course) but they also fit well in any wrap or cover!!!