In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Rumparooz Pocket Review

A high-quality pocket diaper with absorbency superpowers, but requires extra effort
gearlab tested logo
rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $24 List
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Manufacturer:   KangaCare
By Abriah Wofford & Juliet Spurrier, MD  ⋅  Mar 23, 2023
81
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 13
  • Absorbency - 35% 9.0
  • Fit/Leakage - 30% 9.0
  • Comfort - 20% 8.0
  • Ease of Use - 15% 4.0

The Skinny

Rumparooz has a reputation for quality, and the Rumparooz Pocket is no exception. This pocket diaper fits babies from 6-35+ lbs. It quickly became one of our favorite cloth diapers, earning it a top spot in the competition. Its double gusset and dual microfiber insert contribute to its exceptional absorbency and leakage performance. The multiple snap configurations make it easy to find the perfect fit. For these reasons and more, we recommend this contender to our friends and family for diapering.
REASONS TO BUY
Highly absorbent
Soft fabric
No leakage
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky
Requires stuffing
Editor's Note: We updated Rumparooz's gear review on February 28, 2023, as we added new products to the cloth diaper lineup.

Compare to Similar Products

 
rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review
This Product
Rumparooz Pocket
Awards Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award Top Pick Award Best Value Award  
Price $24 List
$25.95 at Amazon
$20.00 List$22 List$15.00 List
$11.95 at Amazon
$6.50 List
$6.17 each at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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61
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52
Star Rating
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Pros Highly absorbent, soft fabric, no leakageTrim fit, easy assembly, easy to get good fitAssembly free, option for extra inserts, quick absorbencyAbsorbent, soft lining, large pocketInexpensive set, extra bamboo inserts, good fit
Cons Bulky, requires stuffingFree floating liner, single gussetNon-removable bulk, single gusset, line dry onlyBulky, difficult to adjust, requires stuffingNot for heavy wetters, tight pocket
Bottom Line A high-quality pocket diaper with absorbency superpowers, but requires extra effortEasy to use, easy to clean diaper perfect for on-the-go cloth diaperingAn easy-to-use diaper that's perfect for first-time cloth users but has a bulkier fitA no-frills pocket-style diaper that is bulky but has a strong absorbency performanceA cheap system of cloth diapers that's lower quality but gets the job done
Rating Categories Rumparooz Pocket Flip with Stay Dry... bumGenius Freetime Imagine Baby Pocket... babygoal Reusable
Absorbency (35%)
9.0
7.0
6.0
8.0
5.0
Fit/Leakage (30%)
9.0
7.0
6.0
5.0
6.0
Comfort (20%)
8.0
7.0
5.0
4.0
5.0
Ease of Use (15%)
4.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
Specs Rumparooz Pocket Flip with Stay Dry... bumGenius Freetime Imagine Baby Pocket... babygoal Reusable
Style Pocket Hybrid/AI2 All-in-one (AIO) Pocket Pocket
Tested Material Diaper Synthetic Fiber: Polyester, Polyamide Synthetic Fiber: Polyester, Nylon, Spandex Synthetic Fiber: Polyester, Nylon, Spandex Synthetic Fiber: Polyester, Nylon Natural & Synthetic Fiber: Bamboo, Polyester, Polyurethane
Weight Range 6 - 35+ lbs 8 to 35 lbs 8 to 35 lbs 8 to 35+ lbs 7 to 33 lbs
Gusset Double Single Single Single Single

Our Analysis and Test Results

In 2016, a frustrated mom named Julie Ekstrom found that her second daughter was sensitive to the contents of disposable diapers and was looking for a viable alternative. Cloth diapering immediately came to mind, but Julie struggled to find a cloth diaper that would fit her daughter correctly without leaking. The pursuit of a leak-free cloth diaper led Julie to start sewing her own (a simple choice for Julie, who had been sewing for 30 years), and Kanga Care was the result. She developed an innovative double-gusset that solved the leak problem with her daughter, and that design later became a patented feature of Rumparooz diapers. The Kanga Care brand has been manufacturing Rumparooz diapers, plus other cloth diapering accessories, ever since.

Performance Comparison


rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review - our happy tester romped and roamed in the rumparooz pocket diaper...
Our happy tester romped and roamed in the Rumparooz Pocket diaper. It was one of the best diapers for absorbency in our lab and real-life testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Absorbency


With an impressive absorbency performance, the Rumparooz Pocket is a top-scoring contender in this metric.


A start-to-finish view of our absorbency testing for cloth diapers in the GearLab in-house lab.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This diaper has two different-sized inserts made from a blend of polyester and polyamide, creating a highly absorbent microfiber 6r soaker duo. These inserts have snaps that allow you to use them together, separately, or folded according to your absorbency needs. This means you can customize the inserts depending if your baby is a light or heavy wetter, for daytime or nighttime use, or if more wetness occurs in the front, middle, or back.

rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review - this an average representation of our absorbency testing. the green...
This an average representation of our absorbency testing. The green is where the mock urine soaked through the diaper and would have felt wet on baby's skin. On other rounds of testing, there was almost no green on the filter paper at all.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The Rumparooz Pocket's filter paper result shows nearly no green (mock urine). It absorbed the mock urine very quickly, and the microfleece lining did a great job locking away the moisture inside the diaper. When used with our little tester, both the liner and the baby's bum were dry to the touch after changes.

rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review - there are six configurations for the rumparooz g2 6r soaker. the...
There are six configurations for the Rumparooz G2 6r soaker. The Newborn and One Size soakers can be used alone or as a customized doubler for maximum absorption where it is needed most.
Credit: Kanga Care

Kanga Care offers two alternative insert options if you want to use natural fibers. The Hemp 6r Soaker (55% hemp, 45% certified organic cotton) and the Bamboo 6r Soaker (50% bamboo, 20% organic cotton, 30% poly fleece). While we did not evaluate these inserts in our tests, both options are made specifically for the Rumparooz Pocket and should perform well in combination with this diaper.

Take Note
Only place microfiber inside a pocket. It should not be laid directly against the baby's skin as it is so absorbent that it will act as a desiccant. It will dry out the baby's skin and surely give the baby a raw rash if used in this manner. On the other hand, natural fibers such as cotton and bamboo are safe for this purpose but do not have the same wicking capabilities. They should not be left next to the baby's skin for an extended period as they can stay damp.

rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review - it is easy to get a good fit with the numerous rise and waist snaps...
It is easy to get a good fit with the numerous rise and waist snaps, although some found the leg holes to be a bit snug on chunky babies.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Fit/Leakage


Competing with the Rumparooz Pocket's high score in this test metric is hard.


This one-size diaper fits babies from 6-35+ lbs. It has more adjustment settings than average, with four rise snaps and five snaps on each side for the waist. The elastic band around the backside of the diaper fits snugly against the baby's skin. We especially appreciate the double row of waist snaps, which are sometimes absent on other diapers. We felt they allowed for a much more secure feeling and less gapping around the belly area.

rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review - the double gusset on the rumparooz pocket is a lifesaver in...
The double gusset on the Rumparooz Pocket is a lifesaver in preventing leaks and blowouts.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

When it comes to leakage, the double gusset is a must. While it is not the only diaper with this feature, Rumparooz diapers are the only ones with the second gusset in this location. Placed further from the edge, rather than acting as an extension, it helps keep messes more central and prevents the likelihood of blowouts and leaks. In our testing, we did not have any issues with leakage.

Being comfortable in the diaper is key while roaming and exploring...
Being comfortable in the diaper is key while roaming and exploring new things.
The microfleece lining of the Rumparooz Pocket kept liquids locked...
The microfleece lining of the Rumparooz Pocket kept liquids locked away from baby's bum, preventing sogginess and diaper rash.

Comfort


Much thought went into the comfort of Rumparooz Pocket, and it's one of our favorites in terms of comfort.


Its oh-so-soft microfleece fabric lines the entire inner side of the diaper. Soft, stretchy elastics keep the leg gussets snug, and multiple snaps allow you to adjust with precision. As a pocket diaper, it is bulkier than some, but we like to think of it as a little extra cushion for when the baby starts to walk. Not to mention the adorable, poofy cloth diaper bubble butt it creates. The outer material is waterproof but still silky smooth to the touch and does not irritate the baby's skin.

The newborn-sized insert has an hourglass shape, which reduces the amount of material in the center, making it more comfortable for young infants. The larger one is a simple rectangular shape that provides the bulk necessary for older babies.

rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review - cloth diaper bubble butt is an incurable but adorable byproduct of...
Cloth diaper bubble butt is an incurable but adorable byproduct of the Rumparooz Pocket diaper.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


As a pocket diaper, the Rumparooz inherently requires more work than other styles, scoring below average for ease of use.


Compared to other pocket diapers in this review, the Rumparooz has a smaller-than-average pocket opening, making it harder to stuff. The space is just large enough to accommodate both the insert and your hand without much fuss. We also found that the large number of snaps found on the Rumparooz made it easier to achieve a good, comfortable fit for the baby.

While the pocket opening on the Rumparooz is not as big as some...
While the pocket opening on the Rumparooz is not as big as some others, we did not have much trouble getting both inserts to fit snugly inside.
Here is the Rumparooz, stuffed and ready to go.
Here is the Rumparooz, stuffed and ready to go.

Washing pocket diapers can be more involved than an all-in-one, which you can toss straight into the wash after disposing of any solids. With Rumparooz, you must remove the insert from the pocket before washing, which is not always the pleasant mess-free experience you may anticipate. Additionally, in the interest of longevity, we generally recommend line drying covers as it extends the life of elastics and preserves the integrity of the waterproof lining. However, if you are in a rush or do not have the space to string out a bunch of diapers to dry, the entire Rumparooz can be machine dried on low. This feature is uncommon, as many manufacturers specify that the shell must be line-dried, which adds one more dose of convenience to this diaper.

rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review - baby was happy and comfortable in the rumparooz pocket diaper, and...
Baby was happy and comfortable in the Rumparooz Pocket diaper, and mom and dad will be pleased with leak-free performance and ease of use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the Rumparooz Pocket?


After countless hours of research and testing, we can confidently recommend the Rumparooz Pocket diaper. It's a top performer in our absorbency tests, beating several others. Although it's a little pricey compared to other diapers, we believe its performance and superb quality are worth the investment. Plus, they fit babies from 6-35+ lbs, taking you from infancy to potty training. So, despite an upfront cost, we think the initial investment will pay off and save money over time. But, no matter which cloth system you choose, you will spend less than if you went with disposables, so it's a win-win situation.

rumparooz pocket cloth diaper review - the rumparooz is designed to fit babies up to 40 lbs. it's durable...
The Rumparooz is designed to fit babies up to 40 lbs. It's durable enough to last throughout your baby's diaper days.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

What Other Cloth Diaper Should You Consider?


While we love this diaper, there are reasons to consider alternatives depending on your diapering goals and lifestyle. For instance, the bumGenius Freetime is one of the easiest to use and could be a great fit for parents nervous about dipping a toe into the cloth diapering world. Let's be honest; you're more likely to stick with cloth diapering if it doesn't inconvenience you or isn't hard to use. Alternatively, if you are on a budget but also want a high-functioning diaper that is easy to use, the Imagine Baby Pocket Snap could be a better fit than the Rumparooz.

Abriah Wofford & Juliet Spurrier, MD
 

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