Training pants
best cloth training underwear
Reusable Options for Bedwetters
Summary of bedwetting diapering options that might work for you.
My Fav 3 Trainers
The training underwear I loved the most during my cloth diapering days.
Go Diaper Free
Amazing resource to support families in elimination communication.
Training Underwear
Looking for an absorbent washable underwear? Or maybe you’re looking for a transitional diaper to support your child in moving from diapers to underwear?
Trainers, Pull-Ups, and other variations of learning underwear provide parents with an absorbent, sometimes customizable, and adaptable garmet that can support their toddler in moving to the next diapering stages.
There are many different types of training underwear including those that are just padded underwear, those that are pull on diapers, those that are hybrid versions of a diaper and underwear, and those that are designed for a night time diapering strategy.
Best Transitional
The Bebeboo Grow is arguably the most adaptive transitional underwear supporting parents in transitioning from diapers to underwear. Sold as a shell only, this pull on, stretchy-tab diaper finally meets parents where they need it.
Starting at $16.95 USD
Read the Review
For Poopers
If you’re struggling to transition into underwear because they won’t poop on the potty, look for side snapping undies like these from Omaiki (Canada Only)
These look and feel just like underwear.
Canada Only – $22.95
Most Absorbent
Motherease Bedwetting Pant is one of the most absorbent all in one style training pants on the market providing 21oz of absorbency. Very bulky, but very absorbent.
Starting at $36.95
Works with Your Stash
If you built your stash with snap-in inserts the Best Bottom Training Pants works as a pull on cover that is a great way to take your stash into undies.
$13.99 USD
Best for Small Kids
KangaCare Lil Learnerz are available in sizes XS to XL, and provide a small trim fit that are great for little learners. Snap are available on their smallest sizes to support you.
$36.99 for a 2 Pack
Best on Amazon
The Thirsties Potty Training Pant is an absorbent hybrid underwear. Featuring PUL, this highly absorbent underwear can easily pull on and off.
$22.95?
Best Low Cost
Consider a transitional underwear like Zoochini Training Pants, for a lower-cost training underwear that doesn’t compormise absorbency.
3 for $31.99
Best for Big Kids
Rig N Gig Pull Up Trainer is a large one-size shape that fits most toddlers up to 50lbs and additional panels can be added for 6″ of width.
Review Coming Soon
Personal Favourites
In my experience, training pants are very personal purchase because we all approach potty learning differently. Training underwear can be a pricey addition to your stash, and might not be right for you. Some kids learn differently, and not all families need trainers.
I’ve ordered the cheap $2-3 trainers from wholesalers and random websites and they usually have 2-3 layers of cotton that absorbs barely a pee. It’s worth nothing that the cost of a washable pull up is mostly associated with the absorbency. Absorbent material is one of the more expensive components of a diaper, and the more absorbency, the higher price. Additional features further impact the overall price tag and ultimately performance.
We all have different needs, budgets and options.
All Time Favourite
If you’re already using wool or fleece, and you want an incredibly absorbent trainer, the Sloomb Trainers were one of my all time favourite choices. I loved the fit and function.
Just Like Undies
My non-cloth diaper friends who have bought the Kickee Pants Training Pants just can’t stop talking about them.
Must Have
Make the investment into a waterproof mat. I loved the Peapod Mats but there are many options. I still use it 5 years later for night accidents, travel & more.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need training pants
No
Can I hand wash trainers
It depends on the style, there are many different variations and some of the more dense styles like sloomb, apple cheeks and Thirsties would be difficult to handwash.
How does sizing work?
Each brand is different with a wide array of sizing. Some brands sell a one-size variation that is either true to sizing or fits on the larger size. Many brands go to a sized trainer to get that “just like underwear” approach to trainers.
There is a lot of choice when it comes to trainer sizing. Many trainers work as big kid diapers.
Why are they so expensive
On average washable trainers can cost about $20 per pair. This is for a just like a diaper absorbency.
$10 washable trainers usually catch small accidents.
$30-40 trainers are more like big kid underwear designed to hold larger pees.
A lower cost option is to consider pull on covers, or pull on pocket diapers, and purchase your absorbency separately. This is available with the Best Bottom or Bebeboo, or Super Undies systems. You could reuse what you have to keep the cost down.
How do I teach my child to use the potty
That is beyond my expertise.
As one parent to another – be gentle with your child, and be gentle with yourself.
What about disposable pull ups
A fantastic choice for many families. Single-use pull ups offer you the ease of use and trimness that you might be looking for.
they can look and feel a little too much like diapers, but you have so many choices to choose from.
Professional Cloth Diaper Educator
Bailey brings 5+ years of cloth diapering experience and conversation to the cloth diaper space. She's not just your every day mom blogger sharing her experience - Bailey is immersed in the cloth diaper community learning from other parents and growing as an individual. She wants to find the cloth diaper solution that truly works for you.
Bailey believes we need to stop and listen to cloth diapering parents. We need to recognize our own bias and preferences and focus on solutions that work for you, not us. The Cloth Diaper community needs to recognize the privilege of being able to cloth diaper, and provide spaces for more conversations and stories.
Cloth diapering is not about rules but about our own strength as parents to do the best we can for our children with the resources available.