Top 7 Best Adult Pull-On Diapers for Incontinence [2025] | Vitality Medical (2025)

There are certain features of disposable underwear that make them particularly appealing to an incontinent patient. The absence of these features makes the product less desirable when making a purchase decision. A list of these features and a summary is below.

Absorbency

The absorbency of the protective pull-ups is critical; otherwise, they serve no purpose. Heavy and super absorbent protective underwear offers the best protection against leaks and embarrassing encounters. Light and moderate absorbent garments provide greater freedom of movement, are more discreet, and provide better comfort.

Breathable Fabric

The backsheet of the garment may use a microporous material that allows vapor permeability. This 'breathability' reduces the humidity on the surface of the skin. Heat and water vapor pass out of the containment area for a more comfortable experience for the user.

Cloth-like Outer Layer

A backsheet construction is with polyethylene film or textile. This layer retains moisture within the core. The textile versions are soft cloth-like material that is discreet and comfortable, mimicking regular underwear.

Acquisition and Distribution Layer

Polymer or natural fibers separate the core of the product from the skin. These fibers wick moisture away from the body and convey it to the core. The core locks moisture away from the skin. The acquisition layer is one of the most important advances in the recent technology of incontinence products.

Odor Neutralizer

Additives to the core counteract the smell of waste. These additives usually consist of styrene-butadiene and butyl acylate woven into the polymer fibers. Containment of waste within the core is also essential.

Tear-Away Sides

Protective underwear with tear-away sides provides for easy removal of soiled adult pull-ups. This feature is particularly significant when changing in public restrooms. The user does not need to remove their shoes and trousers to change the pull-up diapers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

Absorbency or discreet protective underwear, which is more important?

The more absorbency protective underwear has, the less discreet they become. Any improvement to the absorbent core usually results in adding bulk to the brief. The more bulk added to the brief, the greater the capacity to store fluid, the longer wear-time, the better the leak protection, and the less chance of soiling clothing, bedding, or furniture.

However, as the bulk increases, the more noticeable and less discreet, the greater the difficulty of freedom of movement, and the less comfortable the product becomes. So there is an inverse relationship between absorbency and discreetness/comfort.

What are the absorbency levels of incontinence products?

Manufacturers disagree upon a single standard for marketing the absorbency level of their incontinence products. Some manufactures use four different levels to describe absorbency, while others have up to six. At Vitality Medical, we employ four levels of absorbency and use objective measurements to assign these levels.

1. Light – 2 to 8 oz capacity (up to one cup)
2. Moderate – 4 to 16 oz capacity (up to two cups)
3. Heavy – 12 to 32 oz capacity (up to four cups)
4. Super – 32 oz and above capacity (four cups or more)

Unfortunately, some manufacturers of incontinence products do not disclose their products' absorbency level in objective or measurable terms even when asked. One brand's moderate absorbency can be another brand's light absorbency. Another brand's super absorbency can be another brand's heavy capacity. Sometimes, it is a guess as to how many ounces of fluid the product will hold before it fails.

What are the types of incontinence?

There are two basic types of incontinence—urinary and fecal. Urinary incontinence is the bladder's involuntary voiding, while fecal incontinence is the inadvertent elimination of the bowels. Both situations are very stressful for the incontinent person.

Other technical terms used to label incontinence include stress incontinence when impaired control of the bladder during coughing, sneezing, or physical exertion. Urge incontinence is a sudden uncontrollable impulse to urinate. Dribbling occurs when the bladder fails to empty, or an enlarged prostate restricts urine flow. Functional incontinence occurs with a physical or mental disability does not allow enough time to get to a toilet.

What causes incontinence?

There are numerous causes of urinary incontinence. A list of the most common reasons is below.

• Weak bladder muscles
• Aging
• Damage to the pelvic floor
• Cancer
• Enlarged prostate

Product Videos

Kimberly Clark Depends Video (0:20 minutes)

Prevail Incontinence Products Video (1:04 minutes)

Tranquility Premium Disposable Absorbent Underwear Video (3:59 minutes)