I write posts on occasion that, when I started blogging over 10 years ago, I never could have envisioned myself writing! This post is one of those. I used cloth diapers for my eldest child. I continued using these for my middle child’s first six months of life. With my third child, I chose to use disposables. I assumed we would quickly move beyond the need for diapers, but due to the significant developmental delays that accompany my third child’s autism, we still need them.
Thankfully, many manufacturers are making baby diapers in larger sizes. For a number of reasons, we’ve been using pull-on diapers. We purchased Pampers Cruisers 360, but these are only available through size 7. My daughter, who is very big for her age, needs size 8. I wasn’t sure what brand to try next, so my father generously purchased small packages of three different brands (LILLYDOO Diaper Pants, SmartyPants Easy-On Diaper Pants, and Pura Diaper Pants) so we could figure out what would work.
Note: A few months after I wrote this post, Pampers Cruisers 360 came out with a size 8 diaper. Similarly, Pampers Easy Ups and Huggies Pull-Ups both now come in size 6T/7T. I have not used the Huggies Pull-Ups in the larger size, but I have used the Cruisers 360 and the Easy Ups. See my notes and photo about these below.
I would have benefited from a comparison of these three brands, so I’m sharing one here for parents who may find themselves in a similar situation.
LILLYDOO, SmartyPants, and Pura diaper pants comparison (updated to include information about Pampers Cruisers 360 in size 8 and Pampers Easy Ups size 6T/7T)
The first thing that struck me about these diapers is their similarities. They feel very similar in your hands (all are soft and pretty thin). Likewise, the elastic around the waist and legs is similar (strong, providing a fit that is snug without being too tight).
Fit
It is important to note that each brand has a different weight recommendation for its size 8 diapers:
- LILLYDOO: 42+ pounds
- SmartyPants: 46+ pounds
- Pura: 41+ pounds
When you glance at the diapers, it is difficult to see a difference. However, when you stretch them out while holding them up against each other, you can see a slight difference (the SmartyPants diapers are a hairsbreadth larger).
Update: The Pampers Cruisers 360 size 8 are for 46+ pounds and the Pampers Easy Ups in 6T/7T are for 64+ pounds. Neither feel quite as soft as the three others, but they have stronger elastic around the waist and legs.
Absorbency
I have not had significant issues with leaks with any of these diapers. However, they do not seem as absorbent as the Pampers Cruisers 360. Though they should be more absorbent because they are larger, it seems to me that these size 8 diapers have absorbency like a size 7 in the Pampers.
As I said, this doesn’t mean I’ve had a ton of leaks, but it does mean I have to be careful to change wet diapers promptly, especially if my daughter has had a lot to drink. If you have a heavy wetter, especially if the diaper will be worn for a while (like overnight), you may want to consider something more absorbent or utilize a doubler.
Update: In my experience, both the Pampers Cruisers 360 and the Easy Ups have a little better absorbency than the LILLYDOO, SmartyPants, and Pura diapers.
Removal and disposal
Because these diapers do not have tabs that secure the diaper in the front, you remove them by tearing the sides. All three tear easily enough, though I am pleased to say that I haven’t had issues with any tearing accidentally when I pull on the diapers. This has happened previously with the Pampers Cruisers 360.
Once removed, you roll up the diapers for disposal. Two of these diapers (SmartyPants and LILLYDOO) have an adhesive strip on the back that you use to secure the rolled-up diaper. The Pura diapers do not contain a strip. This is important to note because it makes the Pura diapers a little more difficult to deal with when soiled.
Update: As noted above, in the past I had occasional issues with the sides of Pampers Cruisers 360 diapers tearing when I pulled them up on my daughter. I have not had that issue with the size 8 diapers. This may be due to a design change. Previously, you removed these diapers by tearing the sides (as with the LILLYDOO, SmartyPants, and Pura diapers). However, their current design has “e-z off tabs” across the hips that you pull on to split the sides and remove the diaper. You then roll it up and use the tabs to secure it in place. The Easy Ups are like the three discussed above in that you tear the sides to remove them. Like the Pura diapers, they do not have adhesive strips to secure the rolled-up diapers.
Appearance
The SmartyPants diapers are solid white, so there’s not much to comment on regarding their appearance. The LILLYDOO diapers have a whimsical dandelion seed pattern that is grey and yellow in color (one pattern on all the diapers). The Pura diapers have pink images of leaves, a heart-shaped earth, and a baby printed on them (one pattern on all the diapers).
Update: The Pampers Cruisers 360 and the Easy Ups both have colorful prints. Currently, the Pampers Cruisers 360 have pictures of stars and planets; the Easy Ups feature images of Bluey or Peppa Pig.
Wetness indicator
None of these diapers have wetness indicator strips like traditional diapers.
Update: The Pampers Cruisers 360 have a wetness indicator, but the Easy Ups do not.
Final thoughts
As I noted above, these diapers are quite similar. If cost is your top consideration, then you could simply choose whichever brand costs the least. If having an adhesive strip to secure a soiled diaper is a top consideration, then you’d want to choose the SmartyPants or LILLYDOO. If choosing a brand you can stick with for a while is a top consideration, then you’d want to go with Pura (the only one of these brands that carries size 9 diapers).
Update: The Pampers Cruisers 360 have the “e-z off tabs” that make disposing of soiled diapers a cinch. The 6T/7T Easy Ups are for 64+ pounds, so they are going to fit for longer than size 8 diapers. We’ve been using fewer diapers because I’ve been putting my daughter in training underwear with a waterproof cover to help facilitate potty training. However, when we still use disposable diapers (overnight and when out of the house for longer periods of time), I’ve been using the 6T/7T Easy Ups. They have stronger elastic around the waist and legs, so they hold up well when my daughter moves around and when being pulled down and back up several times for visits to the potty.
What diapers do you prefer for larger children who still need them? What questions do you have about the diapers reviewed here?
Your review tone is respectful and neutral — not overly promotional or negative.
You give honest feedback, like noticing reduced absorbency compared to Pampers Cruisers 360, without bashing the products.
You clearly break down each feature: fit, absorbency, removal/disposal, and appearance. This makes it easy for readers to skim and find the info they need.
The direct side-by-side comparison is extremely helpful — especially for a niche need like size 8 pull-on diapers.
Thanks, Barbara. I certainly have no interest in promoting one over the others. I know I would have found this info useful when I was first looking at the diapers, so I shared it in case others are in the same boat.