Incontinence Products - Part 2 - Adult Diapers, Briefs, & Protective Underwear

By Anna Hazard

View the Rest of the Series

Part 1 : Pads, Boosters, & Drip Collectors
Part 3 : Bedding, Seating, & Surface Protection
Part 4 : Cleansers, Wipes, & Skin Care

Introduction

When it comes to incontinence products for both children & adults, these underwear & diaper style briefs are what most commonly come to mind and are the styles most readily available.
 
For diaper & brief style products, fit is of particular importance and needs to be taken into consideration when using waist & hip measurements. Too small products may ride up forming openings or may not properly cover areas that need absorption. Too large products will form gaps around the body where liquid may leak. For determining best fit, try samples beforehand (usually available directly from the manufacturer or in sample & variety packs from incontinence suppliers) before buying any products in bulk.
 
Also keep in mind that certain products lines may also offer special features such as re-closable/re-adjustable tabs for better fit & longer use, odor control to prevent the smell of ammonia from spreading, components that lower the pH of urine thus protecting the skin from irritation, or may be available in bariatric sizing meant for larger individuals.

Products

Adult Pull Ups/Protective Underwear

Pull on Briefs

• This type of incontinence garment is similar in style to normal underwear with a stretchy waist that does not require tabs or other fastenings like the diaper-style briefs. It includes wider coverage than incontinence pads for moderate to heavy urine capacity. However, pull-ups are not as heavy duty or absorptive as tab style briefs.
• Pull-ups must fit snugly at their elasticized crotch or inner leg cuffs in order to contain leaks. Some styles include tear-away sides for easier removal or additional absorptive side panels. Overnight protective underwear has more high volume capacity than day time wear.
• This style is general viewed as being more discrete & comfortable than tab style diapers, especially for active people who are limber enough to not require help from caregivers when changing or going to the bathroom.
• Available both as disposable and re-wearable versions.
• Women's Briefs
  • Tena | Prevail | Depends | CareActive | Quick Guide
• Men's Briefs
  • Tena | Prevail | Depends | CareActive | Quick Guide
• Unisex
  • Abena Abri-Flex | Tranquility | Attends | Sure Care | MoliCare | Wellness | McKesson | Presto | MedLine

Washable Underwear

• This style of incontinence wear includes sewn in padding to absorb liquid and is made to be washed & dried like normal underwear. They are generally used for lighter volumes of urine or have additional booster pads added for heavier loads.
• While each garment is more expensive than their respective disposable versions, their continued re-use makes them an overall less costly option.
• Abena Abri Fix | Dignity | MoliPants | McKesson | Tena | Prevail | Salk Briefs | Salk Panties | RearZ | FannyPants
  

Diaper Covers/Waterproof Pants/Plastic Pants/Cover-ups

• These undergarments are meant to be worn on top of other primary incontinence garments to provide extra protection against leaks and staining of outer clothes. They also help prevent the sagging or tearing of briefs & pull-ups during activity and can muffle the sound of rustling from plastic disposables.
• At least one side of this style of garment is made from waterproof material such as PUL, vinyl, polyrethane, or plastic. Covers are more commonly worn with cloth reusable underwear, but can also be used in conjunction with disposables.
• Salk | GaryWear [1, 2, 3] | Netti [1, 2] | Priva | Americare | Gabby's | Briggs | Cardinal Health | Essential Medical [1, 2] | CareActive | RearZ | Dependeco
  

Swim Diapers

• This garment provides heavy duty protection against fecal and some urinary incontinence while swimming. Since the fabric is meant to repel pool water, absorption qualities for urine is limited depending upon the exact brand.
• Disposable: Tranquility | PoolPal
• Reusable: Netti | SoSecure | Gabby's | PoolPal | Sprint
  

Adult Diapers/Tab Style Briefs

Tab Style Briefs (Tape-On)

• This style of incontinence garment has higher absorbency than all other styles, particularly with less leakage from the leg holes due to their adjustable tabs offering a more customized fit. Briefs are fastened with either tape or velcro style tabs. Tabs can be refastened with some more expensive, higher quality styles.
• All styles include a waterproof backing made either from plastic or softer non-woven cloth-like material. Plastic backing may present less leakage, but cloth backing is more common & popular due its being more discrete with less rustling with the wearer's movement.
• Overnight briefs tend to be bulky and offer the heaviest absorbency available. Fitted briefs are meant for daytime use, are less bulky and absorptive, and come in various rating from light to heavy. Both styles can often double for bowel incontinence.
• This style of undergarment is easier for caregivers when a patient needs assistance in managing their incontinence or otherwise can't change or remove their underwear by themselves.
• Disposable versions are more common than reusable ones with overall more brief styles available than pull-ups.
• Disposable Briefs
  • Abena Abri-Form | Tranquility | Tena Women | Tena Men | Covidien | Attends | Depend | Dignity | Prevail | Wellness | McKesson | Presto [1,2,3] | ConfiDry |MedLine | RearZ | Quick Guide

Washable Briefs

• Similar to washable incontinence underwear, these incontinence garments are made to be reusable, but are more heavy duty and suitable for overnight protection. Custom versions with fancy patterns & fabrics are available from smaller manufacturers.
• While each washable brief is more expensive compared to their disposable versions, their overall cost is less due to their longer periods of use before needing replacement.
• MedLine | MIP | LeakMaster | SuperUndies | Dependeco | Priva | RearZ
  

Belted Undergarment

• This style of incontinence underwear is meant for moderate levels of absorption. They are comprised of a combination of a large pad with open sides and a adjustable belt or waistband strap. Fastenings on the waistband include hook-and-loop, buttons, and velcro with reusable straps.
• Belted undergarments can be worn with or without regular underwear and are more discrete and less bulky than other incontinence brief styles. They are particularly useful for bariatric sizes and for those whose body shapes don't comfortable fit into the traditional style of pull-ups or briefs, such as those whose waist measurements are wider than their hips.
• Other benefits include being easier to adjust position of the pad, the ability to change out the pad without removing clothes, and being good for sensitive skin due to the added airflow which allows skin to breathe more, thus avoiding rashes & other irritations.
• Abena Abri-Wing | Tranquility [1,2] | Attends | Prevail | Tena [1,2] | Dignity