In a nutshell

A comfortable, thin, leak-proof disposable nappy ideal for babies on the go.

What we tested

  • Snugness of fit
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Absorbency
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Quality
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.

Pros

  • Thin, dry, leak proof, comfortable, flexible, no 'chemical' smell, did not irritate skin

Cons

  • Colouring not quite unisex enough, value diminishes as you move on to bigger sizes (unless you are using fewer nappies), environmental impact (as with all disposables)

Pampers revamped its much-loved Active Fit nappies in 2010 to include Dry Max technology. They’re now thinner, and while they haven’t had the smoothest release onto the market, they certainly performed very well when we tested them.

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Pampers, with its commitment to using the latest technology to continually improve its products, is to nappies what Dyson are to vacuum cleaners. As a mum committed to using the traditional, reusable cloth variety, I was keen to see how the company’s new Active Fit with Dry Max model faired on my 9-month-old son, Kasper. To cut to the chase, I was impressed.

The Dry Max absorption core – unique to Pampers - allows for the removal of the pulp usually found in nappies, making it 20% less bulky than the previous Active Fit type. And the revamped Active Fit is noticeably thinner and lighter than others on the market.

Available in size 3 (9-20lb/4-9kg), size 4 (25-44lb/7-18kg), size 4+ (20-44lb/9-20kg) and size 5 (24lb+/11-25kg), Pampers Active Fit with Dry Max are aimed at babies who are on the move. With the stretchy elastic sides and flexible leg cuffs, the design seemed to encourage Kasper’s newfound freedom as he rolled, crawled, played and slept in them for more than a week without a single leak.

What we love

With Kasper now sleeping through the night, his cloth nappies are soaked through in the mornings with clean pyjamas and sheets always needed, so I was amazed at how efficiently this slim nappy absorbed the wetness. The nappy kept his skin, clothing and bedding dry even after 12 hours.

Also, the ‘chemical’ smell you normally get with disposables didn’t seem to be there. My concerns about its synthetic material causing soreness were unfounded with the soft outer cover ensuring his delicate skin was not irritated, testament to the nappy’s seal of approval from Allergy UK.

It may have been a coincidence, but during the Pampers testing Kasper began to crawl for the first time and I couldn’t help feeling that the heavy towels he normally wears may have been holding him back.

What to watch out for

The Sesame Street characters on the Pampers Active Fit nappy are cute and gave me something to talk to Kasper about during changes but I did not like the purple-y colouring on the sides and tabs - I felt this was a bit girly for my boisterous boy.

I also couldn’t help but be alarmed by the way my rubbish bin quickly filled up. Although at 14% lighter than previous Active Fits, Pampers does seem to be taking steps to reduce its impact on the environment.

With around 34 nappies in each £5.99 carry pack in Kasper’s current size, it would cost me around £30 a month to use these disposables, which I felt was ok value. However, as the sizes get bigger, you get fewer in the packs.

Who are Pampers Active Fit with Dry Max Technology nappies best for?

On-the-go babies who move about as much during the night as they do during the day.

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MadeForMums verdict

Pampers says its Active Fit with Dry Max Technology nappies are its driest and thinnest ever and they proved to be truly comfortable and leak-proof, even overnight. However, as with most premium disposable brands, you need to factor in whether the on-going cost suits your budget and any environmental concerns you might have.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandPampers
ModelActive Fit with Dry Max Technology
Price£5.99
Available sizesSize 3 (9-20lb/4-9kg), size 4 (25-44lb/7-18kg), size 4+ (20-44lb/9-20kg), size 5 (24lb+/11-25kg)
Suitable for
Child age (approx)6 months to 3 years
Features
Features
  • 20% less bulk
  • 14% Lighter
  • Seal of approval from allergy uk
  • Can absorb 10 times its own weight to help ensure your baby’s continued comfort when it’s needed
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