Sometimes it feels like every subtle nuance between products results in a whole new category.

But in the world of adult training pant vs. pull ups vs pull on diaper, the difference encompasses both product details as well as intended use.

So what’s the difference between training pants, pull ups, and pull on diapers?

Some baby diaper companies tout their “waterproof pant” for putting over cloth training pants. But let’s be real, a “waterproof pant” is just a diaper cover, only it’s made from PEVA, not TPU or PUL.

If you’ve never heard of PEVA, you’ve probably never read the label on your shower curtain.

Though, ironically, Marion Donovan created the first disposable diaper using a shower curtain.

Anyway, PEVA is an non-chlorinated vinyl alternative to toxic PVC. This means that it is waterproof. As in, no air goes in, no moisture gets out. PEVA is commonly used in adult diaper covers.

But training pants aren’t just for potty training.

In the adult cloth diapering world, a training pant type product often goes by the name of incontinence brief/panty, or protective underwear. These almost always have a hidden waterproof layer.

In addition to the nighttime wetting thing, parents also come to me looking for larger sizes of training pant type products because their child giggle incontinence.

This is when you laugh and involuntarily empty your bladder.

Because giggle incontinence involves the complete emptying of the bladder, look for products that have a waterproof layer.

Another common issue I run across is stress incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when you laugh, sneeze, cough, or lift something heavy and pee leaks out.

For children and adults with giggle or stress type incontinence, it’s more of a daily occurrence, necessitating the need for a little more protection in the underwear region.

Since discretion on these sorts of things is always nice, the fact that training pants are meant to mimic regular underwear makes them a happy alternative.

No bulky padding. No funny noises. Just regular underwear with a little extra padding and a waterproof layer.

 Pull Ups

A pull up, on the other hand, has a large waterproof backing and more absorbency. It will contain a larger accident without any leaks.

However, it’s important to note that pull ups are not diapers. They are not meant to hold large amounts of liquid for a large amount of time.

Pull ups are the happy medium between training pants and diapers.

Need more protection than what training pants has to offer, but don’t need to go full on diaper ninja?

Give pull ups a try.

This is actually the most popular item in my shop, both for older kids and adults. The reasons range from above mentioned giggle incontinence, stress incontinence, period underwear, etc.

Because most waterproof fabrics have barely any stretch, pull ups tend to be designed either with sidebands or the brief style look that has a hidden layer of said waterproof material stretching the whole center length of the pull up.

The biggest difference between pull ups and training pants is that pull ups have greater absorption capacity.

Nighttime Pull Ups

Okay. Yes, there are nighttime pull ups. These have a little bit more absorption capabilities than regular pull ups.

But if you’re more the type of “I just want to put one pull up on (whomever) and expect it to last all night even if there’s copious pee involved,” then you’re infringing on diaper territory.

If you don’t want leaks, you must make sure that there is enough absorption to fit your needs. In addition, you’ve got to change soon after using the training pant or pull up.

Also, a note about wicking.

Wicking occurs when a damp fabric touches a dry fabric. Let’s say you have an all cotton pull up with a hidden layer of PUL. That cotton will eventually wick to whatever dry cloth it’s touching. Aka, the outer layer of cotton in the pull up or your pants, etc.

This is why it’s recommended to change quickly after the incontinence product has been used.

If you can’t change right away, but don’t want to go the bulkier route to diapers, many customers tell me that they use a diaper cover over their pull up for extra protection.

Type in pull on diaper into google and you get all sorts of results. While it may be initially confusing, once you know what your needs are, it’ll be waaaay easier to narrow down to a product that will work for you.

If you want max capacity in the absorption arena, but also want to avoid fasteners, pull on diapers are a great solution.

For the most absorption, choose a pull on without a waterproof layer and add a cover on top.

If you prefer a one piece than a pull on version of an AIO works great.
The pull on diapers that mimic pull ups with fabric side bands may offer a snugger fit, but note that if you’re going for the long haul or all night, wicking might occur along those sidebands.

Knowing Your Needs

Knowing your needs before choosing a product will help you avoid falling into any internet rabbit holes while researching products. Once you narrow down the category you need, it becomes easier to check out different companies without getting overwhelmed.

What are some products of training pants, pull ups, or pull on diapers that you’ve tried? Let me know!

Related search terms for this incontinence article: adult cloth diaper styles, special needs training pants, cloth training pants for adults, .