SoftBums Echo System Review And #GIVEAWAY! 9/01

I distinctly remember when I first heard the name SoftBums. They were about to launch their Omni line of diapers, and there was quite the buzz around the blogosphere. I watched the YouTube introduction to the Omni, and was definitely intrigued by the unique features of this very versatile diaper. I then spent the next several days hopping around to several different blogs and entering a massive SoftBums giveaway that was being held in celebration of the Omni debut. Unfortunately, I didn't win one despite the several hours I spent trying to. But from that time on, I knew that SoftBums were a brand of cloth diaper I wanted to try.

Luckily, I recently received the opportunity to do just that! Now I see what all the SoftBums buzz was about! I received the SoftBums Echo System to try out in their vibrant Sprout color. The Echo System includes an awesome one size shell as well as a Dry Touch Pod and a Dry Touch Mini Pod. So this diaper grows with your baby! SoftBums even offers other insert options such as Super Pods for your heavy wetters and Organic Bamboo Pods that are 70% Organic Bamboo and 30% Organic Cotton! So with SoftBums, it's easy to customize your diaper exactly the way YOU want to. Take a look at all of the great features the Echo has to offer!

SoftBums Echo Features:

• SoftBums Patent Pending Slide²Size is the ONLY variable adjustment of it's kind
• Fits all legs widths from 4" - 14" for NO red marks EVER.  Made in the USA!
• Choose your own Pods for a customized diapering system!
• SoftBums Echo looks smaller than leading brands, because it's Ultra Trim
• No Leaks, Thanks to Slide²Size Technology!
• SoftBums Echo protects against rash; up to 80% less rash than disposables!
• Industrial strength velcro closures are long lasting and won't "wear out" like other velcro
• Reusable Echo shell saves money, space, and resources

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I love the versatility of this diaper! Especially their unique Slide2Size System, since it ensures the perfect fit on even the smallest of babies. This comes in especially handy in my home, since I have 2 babies in cloth. My daughter weighs 25lbs and my son weighs around 17.5lbs. Using the SoftBums Echo Shell, adjusting the size accordingly is a breeze! It only takes a second, which is fantastic for diapering a squirmy baby. Even my husband enjoys this feature. But before I get into my test results, take a look at the SoftBums Echo.

The SoftBums Echo Shell. I love this bright, vibrant green!

Here is the Echo Shell, the Dry Touch Pod and the Dry Touch Mini Pod. There's a reason I didn't photograph the pocket. There isn't one! Talk about easy to use!

I love the sleek design of this diaper. When it first arrived, I was immediately struck by the fact that this diaper looks tiny. I had serious doubts as to whether it would fit my toddler, and if it did, how well it would hold in messes. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that SoftBums Echo Shells are small because they are designed to be ultra-trim without compromising their absorbency. This is great because it helps to eliminate the bulk, making my babies' clothing fit better. I have had to buy a size up, especially in pants, to accommodate the bulk associated with cloth diapers. Putting too-tight clothing over a cloth diaper can be disastrous. I learned this lesson the hard way over a year ago with Sophie. I put a regular onesie over her fluff, and since the diaper had some heft to it, the fit was not ideal. I ended up having a mess to contend with, as it caused compression leaks. Yuck! So from then on, I have always bought clothing a size up. But using the SoftBums Echo System, I have found that this is no longer necessary. I can easily put trim fitting clothing on my babies with no worries of leaks, since these diapers are among the trimmest on the market!

SoftBums really takes the guesswork out of diapering with their easy to use Echo System. There are absolutely no pockets to stuff, which makes this a Daddy favorite, and there is no bunching due to the fact that the Dry Touch Pods conveniently snap in. There is nothing worse than finding that my babies' inserts have bunched. This leads to leaks, and leaks make for a very soggy and unhappy baby. The SoftBums Dry Touch Pods are designed to stay in place. And since these Pods are a perfect fit for the Echo Shell, the shell stays clean longer, which helps you do less laundry! Hooray for that!

Another thing I love is the fact that while using the SoftBums Echo System, there are no nasty red marks left on baby's delicate skin. With trimmer fitting diapers like the Echo, red marks tend to be a common occurrence. But since the size of this diaper can be easily adjusted to accommodate even the chunkiest of thighs, red marks are a thing of the past. This makes for a much happier baby. And we all know too well, happy baby means happy parents!

So unique features and trim appearance aside, does the SoftBums Echo System hold up against my heavy wetting brood? Let's find out!

Test Baby #1 Xander 17.5 lbs:
I tested the SoftBums Echo System on my youngest baby, Xander first. I was impressed by the ease of diapering using this system. I got the diaper on him quickly and securely in no time flat, even though he was squirming trying to scoot after his big sister! The velcro used to secure SoftBums Echo shells is super tough and durable, and seems a lot stronger than the aplix used in many competitor's diapers. There's nothing worse than flimsy velcro on a diaper.

I also noticed that since the size is fully customizable, messes tended to stay in better. There was absolutely no moisture on Xander's inner-thigh area, even after overnight use. I used the SoftBums Echo System both during the day as well as overnight, and was quite pleased with the results. The Echo definitely kept my little man and his clothing dry and clean. I loved the fact that I could fold down the Dry Touch Pod to fit the shell. This gave me added protection up front, where boys tend to wet. I didn't even need to double up the inserts with Xander. Now that was a welcome change!

So for both day and nighttime use, the SoftBums Echo System fared well with my 7 month old son. Did it perform equally well with my 19 month old daughter?

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Test Baby #2 Sophie 25lbs:
I have to admit, I was a little worried about how well this diaper would perform on my heavy-wetting toddler. I am used to having pockets to stuff and double-stuff to help keep the floodgates closed. With no pocket present, I had my doubts as to whether or not this diaper would keep my daughter dry.

My first test on Sophie was during the day time. I wanted to see how well it performed before trying the Echo overnight. I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised. She actually ended up running around and playing in the diaper, and then fell asleep on her Pillow Pet on our family room floor. (Guess she wore herself out!) She napped for about 2 hours, and to my amazement, woke up leak-free! The insert was soaked, but no moisture made its way out of the Echo Shell, and the shell itself was dry to the touch.

My next test was overnight use. I admit, I doubled up for this one. I snapped in the Dry Touch Pod and then laid the Dry Touch Mini Pod underneath it. My daughter sleeps for around 10 hours a night, and I had a feeling I would need the extra protection. I always double her diapers up, regardless of the brand or style. When Sophie woke up the next morning, she had wet heavily as usual, but her diaper was dry to the touch. I was shocked that such a slim-fitting diaper would be able to hold up against her very heavy wetting patterns. I don't think using the one insert rather than both would have given the same results, though. My daughter is notorious for needing extra inserts, so I played it safe. The SoftBums Echo System definitely rose to the occasion, and kept her PJ's nice and dry.

Another thing I noticed when testing on Sophie is that she can't take the diaper off. Usually when using diapers with aplix closure, she strips them off and tries to run around naked as a jaybird. Yes, she likes her naked time! But since the velcro on the Echo Shell is industrial strength, she wasn't able to yank it off. MAJOR plus here, since keeping the diaper ON is important and keeps pee off of my carpets! While using SoftBums, I can leave the accidents to the dog!

Overall, I was quite impressed with the quality of the SoftBums Echo System. They are incredibly trim, absorbent, and can definitely hold their own against heavy wetters. The ease of sizing is wonderful, too, especially in households with multiple babies in cloth. I can use the Echo System on my different sized babies with no real guesswork, and I am always able to get the perfect fit. I would definitely recommend this system to anyone looking for a simple, effective, error proof diapering system. No pockets to stuff, less laundry, and superior performance. It just doesn't get any better than that!

BUY IT:

You can purchase SoftBums diapers on their website and at select fine retailers.

You can also follow them on Facebook and on twitter to stay on top of their latest products and promotions!

Also, be sure to check out the SoftBums blog!

WIN IT:

One very lucky follower will receive the SoftBums Echo System in their choice of color! How cool is that?!

Please use this handy Rafflecopter form to enter!

This giveaway is open to US Residents 18+ and will be open until 12:01AM EST on 9/01/2011. Winners will be chosen at random and will be announced here, tweeted, shared on Facebook, and contacted via e-mail. The winners will have 48 hours to reply and claim their prize. If I receive no response, I will be forced to draw a new winner.

***Disclosure: I received a complimentary product to facilitate my review. No other compensation was provided, and all opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

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