When I first started blogging, I wasn't sure about doing reviews. Being pretty anti-consumerist, it didn't seem like the right thing to do.
But! Then! We got the opportunity to review one of the New Gen V2 Pop-in washable nappies, made by Close (formerly Close Parent).
But! Then! We got the opportunity to review one of the New Gen V2 Pop-in washable nappies, made by Close (formerly Close Parent).
Image by Close
We're crackers for cloth nappies and want as many people as possible to love them too. The New Gen V1 is already our favourite daytime nappy.
No-brainer, right? So *fanfare please* here is our very first review.
No-brainer, right? So *fanfare please* here is our very first review.
Technical Details
A Pop-in is a two-part nappy, consisting of a waterproof outer shell and two absorbent inners that you 'pop in' with little buttons.
You can leave out or add the smaller inner (the 'booster') to adjust the absorbency, and fold it in different ways to suit the gender of the child. As boys need more absorbency at the front, I fold the booster in half and put it underneath the larger inner (the 'soaker').
Pop-in nappies fit roughly from birth to potty thanks to adjustable poppers on the front. The weight range is 7-35 lbs (3.2-16 kg). For very small babies Close have recently released a Pop-in Newborn Pack, for which the range is 5-12 lbs (2-5.5 kg).
Velcro tabs on the front and a double gusset around the legs help to ensure a snug fit.
The outer shell is made of polyester coated with polyurethane (PU), while the inners are a bamboo/viscose blend.
You can leave out or add the smaller inner (the 'booster') to adjust the absorbency, and fold it in different ways to suit the gender of the child. As boys need more absorbency at the front, I fold the booster in half and put it underneath the larger inner (the 'soaker').
Pop-in nappies fit roughly from birth to potty thanks to adjustable poppers on the front. The weight range is 7-35 lbs (3.2-16 kg). For very small babies Close have recently released a Pop-in Newborn Pack, for which the range is 5-12 lbs (2-5.5 kg).
Velcro tabs on the front and a double gusset around the legs help to ensure a snug fit.
The outer shell is made of polyester coated with polyurethane (PU), while the inners are a bamboo/viscose blend.
Comparison with New Gen V1
The pictures below demonstrate the subtle changes Close have made to the design in order to improve comfort, fit, and drying time.
The V2 is on the left, compared with the V1 we already had on the right.
The V2 is on the left, compared with the V1 we already had on the right.
Performance & Fit
The New Gen V1 became our favourite daytime nappy* because it is reasonably slim-fitting, absorbent and leak-proof. As far as I'm aware, bamboo is the most absorbent nappy-fabric out there. I think the real secret, though, is the double gusset - we've found that nappies without this feature are much more prone to leaking because there can be gaping around the legs.
The New Gen V2 performs even better than the V1, and lasted 6 hours on one occasion. M has not obliged with a poo-splosion in this nappy yet, but I imagine that the elasticated back and gusset would be pretty good at keeping things contained.
The fit is really, really good. I was a little concerned that the changes to the V2 would make it too roomy for my skinny Bean compared to the V1, but this hasn't been the case at all. It's just a question of adjusting the velco on the front. I'm also very pleased that the back buttons are now flat. This does mean that the V2 soaker is not compatible with previous Pop-in nappy versions, but I'm willing to live with that as the back of the V2 nappy looks much slimmer and flatter.
In terms of care, the nappy should be washed at 40° to 60° C, using a tiny amount of non-biological detergent (biological detergent and 'ecological' detergents such as Ecover will damage the bamboo!!). If left near (not on) a radiator, the outer shell will dry in about 3-4 hours and the inners in about 5-6. I have to say, the changes to the design do mean that the V2 dries quicker than the V1, which is great. Do remember to do up the laundry tab, unless you want the nappy sticking to everything in the washing machine. The Close website has more details on how to care for your nappies.
* (we also have Bumgenius Freetime nappies for daytime, and use a Totsbots Bamboozle Stretch plus a Blueberry wrap for nighttime)
The New Gen V2 performs even better than the V1, and lasted 6 hours on one occasion. M has not obliged with a poo-splosion in this nappy yet, but I imagine that the elasticated back and gusset would be pretty good at keeping things contained.
The fit is really, really good. I was a little concerned that the changes to the V2 would make it too roomy for my skinny Bean compared to the V1, but this hasn't been the case at all. It's just a question of adjusting the velco on the front. I'm also very pleased that the back buttons are now flat. This does mean that the V2 soaker is not compatible with previous Pop-in nappy versions, but I'm willing to live with that as the back of the V2 nappy looks much slimmer and flatter.
In terms of care, the nappy should be washed at 40° to 60° C, using a tiny amount of non-biological detergent (biological detergent and 'ecological' detergents such as Ecover will damage the bamboo!!). If left near (not on) a radiator, the outer shell will dry in about 3-4 hours and the inners in about 5-6. I have to say, the changes to the design do mean that the V2 dries quicker than the V1, which is great. Do remember to do up the laundry tab, unless you want the nappy sticking to everything in the washing machine. The Close website has more details on how to care for your nappies.
* (we also have Bumgenius Freetime nappies for daytime, and use a Totsbots Bamboozle Stretch plus a Blueberry wrap for nighttime)
Prints
They're utterly gorgeous. I know it's not the most important thing about a nappy, but they so are. We chose Lion in the end, though Robot comes a close second on our wish-list.
Price & Value for Money
The New Gen V2 Pop-in nappy currently retails at £16.99 for a single nappy. I'm hoping that Close will release a box set of these, as they have done with previous versions, as that would work out a little cheaper.
Though not the cheapest nappy on the market, I do think it's good value for money. As a daytime nappy you simply can't beat it for fit, absorbency and looks (separate nighttime inners are available too, though we haven't tried these).
Though not the cheapest nappy on the market, I do think it's good value for money. As a daytime nappy you simply can't beat it for fit, absorbency and looks (separate nighttime inners are available too, though we haven't tried these).
Final Verdict
As I mentioned, the V1 was already a firm favourite. The V2 is even better thanks to the small changes Close have made. It fits better, performs incredibly well, and dries faster. My only tiny criticism is that the new laundry tab pocket is fiddly, but I do see the benefit of not having any velcro against baby's skin. My favourite improvement has to be the fact that the back is now nice and flat. And oh those prints...
Disclaimer: I was sent one New Gen V2 Pop-in nappy free of charge for the purpose of this review, but all words and opinions are genuine and my own.
