I received these items at no cost to facilitate my review. All opinions remain my own. (For more info on the snap pocket diaper, scroll down for some updates on the design!)
Big news hit the cloth diaper industry earlier this year when two of Quebec’s leading cloth diaper brands announced a merger. Bummis, a pioneer in the business since the early 80s, joined forces with the more modern Mini Kiwi, recent winner on Quebec’s version of The Dragon’s Den (aka Shark Tank) this summer.
Mini Kiwi’s products had been, until the merger, manufactured in Mexico. Bummis has always manufactured much closer to home, mainly in Quebec. Perhaps the happiest consequence of the Mini Kiwi/Bummis merger is that Mini Kiwi’s products will now also be made in Canada.
One of the first products to be launched under the new Bummis Mini Kiwi banner is the redesigned Mini Kiwi Pocket Diaper. You can have a look at our review of its predecessor here.
Design:
Available in hook & loop and snap closures, this one-size pocket is designed to fit from 8-35 pounds. I’ve used a lot of pocket diapers in my time as a cloth diaper aficionado, and the pocket is by far my favourite diaper style. Let’s check out what the Bummis Mini Kiwi Pocket Diaper has to offer: 
One of the major differences between this model and the previous one is the removal of the internal double gussets (most likely to avoid issues in the United States due to the Kangacare patent). Personally, internal double gussets aren’t a gamechanger for me, so I don’t mind that they’re gone. The inner material is a stay-dry, super soft microsuede. The back pocket opening (the best place for a pocket opening, in my opinion) is elasticized:
This helps keep the insert in place, and also ensures that no microfibre becomes exposed and irritates baby’s bum.
The hook & loop version of this diaper features a thick strip of very strong velcro and square tabs, while the snaps version has a double row of parallel snaps:
You’ll notice two interesting things about the snaps: the contrast-colour umbilical snap down, and the fact that there is one row of female KAM snaps and one row of male KAM snaps. As far as I can tell, this is simply a question of using snaps efficiently, since they are sold in pairs. The umbilical snap down is surprising considering the weight minimum is 8 lbs, and most newborns are slightly smaller than that at birth.
I believe this is the first one-size diaper we’ve ever received that has an umbilical snap down!
As a general rule, I am not a huge fan of diaper that use square tabs for the hook & loop closure. (I prefer the rounded, hook-and-loop-only tabs typical of Tots Bots.) I find that the squared tabs like Mini Kiwi uses tend to curl. Great news: out of the wash a few times and the curl is so far minor.
Another difference in this latest Mini Kiwi pocket is the sizing, which is much more generous. Our previous model did not have such a high rise, and sat uncomfortably low on Cub’s bum by the time he was over 2 years old.
I was a huge fan of Mini Kiwi’s insert the first time around, and they’ve kept everything I love about it and gotten rid of the issue with “baconing.” The booster no longer gets curly at the edges after washing!
What’s so great about the Mini Kiwi insert is that it sets you up for cloth diapering success right from the start: the insert is made partially of microfibre and mainly of a bamboo cotton blend. The microfibre portion goes on top, absorbing urine quickly. The bamboo portion is folded and snapped behind (there are three levels of snaps, depending on which rise you have the diaper on), and serves to contain liquid without being susceptible to compression leaks.
Since I generally stuff Cub’s pocket diapers with one microfibre booster on top of a natural fibre insert, the Mini Kiwi is exactly what I do, just in one piece!
If you wanted to use your Mini Kiwi as an AI2, you could simply use the insert with the bamboo portion facing up, against baby’s skin, and lay the insert on top of the pocket.
Fit on a 3-month-old and a 3-year-old:
In terms of fit, Little Miss Cub is about 12 lbs, and the hook & loop model suits her perfectly.
The snaps model is a good fit too, but I find I’m preferring the precise adjustment of the velcro closure on her best at this point.
I have a feeling that I will come to prefer the snaps model as she becomes more mobile!
In both cases, the fit around the leg is very nice:
Though he is mainly wearing trainers now, here is the fit of the snaps pocket on 35 lb, 40 in. tall Cub.
Performance:
If you want to get a sense of just how absorbent the Mini Kiwi insert is, consider that Little Miss Cub can wear it (without the booster) for nearly 12 hours, over the course of which she nurse 2-3 times, and wake up dry. So for use during the day, of course it’s working great!
What I love about the redesigned Bummis Mini Kiwi Pocket Diaper:
- High enough rise and enough snaps at the waist to fit even on the preschooler;
- The most absorbent pocket-diaper insert in our stash, even without adding the booster;
- The combination of microfibre and bamboo in the insert could only be beaten if it were hemp instead of bamboo;
- Elasticized pocket opening;
- Umbilical snap-down on the snaps model, which I’m eager to see in action on an 8-lb newborn;
- Super strong and sturdy (and non-curling) velcro closure;
- MADE IN CANADA!!!!!
What I love less about the redesigned Bummis Mini Kiwi Pocket Diaper:
- I’d like to see a strip of PUL at the front waist to prevent wicking and waist leaks;
- I don’t love square tabs for the hook & loop closure.
A comment on pricing:
I truly do think that the Bummis Mini Kiwi is worth the price of $28.95. Yes, nearly $30 is a lot for one diaper, however, consider the following:
- No need to buy boosters or use different inserts (I hate using 100% microfibre, so I always switch out the inserts in Rumparooz and BumGenius pockets);
- The rise and waist adjustments are generous enough to truly fit til potty learning (Cub is too tall for our Rumparooz and TotsBots);
- The diaper is MADE IN CANADA (Rumparooz are the same price, and are made in China).
Update, July 2016
Since this review, Bummis has upgraded the snaps on their pocket diaper. The waist snaps are still a top row of female snaps and a bottom row of male snaps, but there is no longer a specific umbilical snap. You could, in theory, still snap the waist down. The new snaps are the more robust, larger KAM smaps which are on Bummis’ other diaper covers and their AIO. One snap on my original (astronaut print) diaper broke off on the wing, so it was replaced by Bummis.
It’s also worth noting, to avoid confusion, that following the merger of Bummis and Mini Kiwi, the branding will now be exclusively “Bummis.”
Future versions of this pocket diaper will feature the Bummis label, but it will be the same amazing, made-in-Canada diaper!
Shop & Connect:
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Stefanie / The Monarch Mommy says
These sound amazing! I’d love to try one out!
Katie Koenig says
The elastic pocket sounds great! Would love to try one!
Melissa K says
Well I certainly appreciate that it has STRONG velcro. I love velcro, but sometimes it’s a let down. Makes me more interested in trying this diaper!
Rachel Zrill says
I love the prints!
Sara Califf says
I like that it comes with different boosters. These Canadian dipes are getting to be some of my faves.
Sara says
I love the elasticized insert holder.
Jillian Gonzalez says
Sounds like an amazing diaper and I would love to try one.
Kathy Harrigan says
The prints are so cute!
Caroline says
I love the insert combo
Kitana Degen says
beautiful prints
krista gould says
Fit on a 3-month-old and a 3-year-old:
Jillian Gonzalez says
Sounds like an amazing diaper and I would love to try one. I love snaps and one size so that they are more adjustable.
Heather J. says
These sound great! I love that they have a combo bamboo/microfibre insert and fit toddlers. We are looking to size up from Best Bottoms, and these look like a good option.
Jennifer S says
The insert sounds amazing!
Amy Lewis says
Those inserts look amazing!!!
Jaquelynn Rodriguez says
I really love the way the pocket is designed and I love the absorbency of the inserts
Jeannine cymbalisty says
I love that these have the newborn umbilical snap down!
Christine c says
Favourite feature is insert. Would love to see in person! and try 🙂
Constantine says
I love that this diaper comes with different boosters and that it really seems to go from newborn to potty learning.
Mylène Bélanger says
Bamboo! I’m like you and hate mf
Sophie Pilon says
This diaper is perfect for my little size baby. It fit just perfectly on her because she has thin legs
Steph S says
The super-absorbent insert sounds amazing!
Emily says
I love the snap closures. The patterns are so cute!
Sara McKechnie says
The feature that sounds the best to me is that its the most absorbent pocket-diaper insert in our stash, even without adding the booster, because our night diapers get pretty giant stuffing extra layers in there!
Jennifer says
Love the bamboo on the insert! I’ve had to use bamboo boosters with so many inserts and this combination looks so great.
Erin Malette says
By far my favourite feature is That they’re made in Canada! <3
Amélie L. says
I love how the insert is made!
Vanessa Aubie says
Loving the review of this diaper and now I really want to get one. I find that the double snaps is a must for us.
April Duffy says
I like what you’re saying about the high absorbency, my LO needs it. Also, I love that this is a Canadian diaper of course. 🙂
April Duffy says
I like what you’re saying about the high absorbency, my LO needs it!
Vanessa Aubie says
My favourite feature is the insert that is made if both microfiber and bamboo.
Alishia Chamney says
The fit on Cub is why I would like to try this diaper – I have a long baby too!!
Morgan says
The bamboo/microfiber inserts sound great! Would love to try one!
Viv Sluys says
Are Rumparooz good diapers though? I just bought 4 second hand (in like new condition)for $30. Was that a bad purchase?
Jacey Edson says
My favorite feature would be the super-absorbent insert!
Stefanie / The Monarch Mommy says
My favourite feature is the combo MF and bamboo insert. Such a great idea to put it together as one piece!
Susanne S says
Like the insert combo and umbilical snap down.
Dandi D says
I really like the velcro closure.
Monica M says
These look great! I use bummis prefolds, liners and covers, it would be great to try this too!
Donna Mayes says
The absorbency sounds great!
Stephanie M says
I like the elasticized pocket. I have a few diapers with this feature and I never end up with bits of inserts coming out of the bums.
Jami Arias says
I love that bamboo+microfiber insert! So clever!
Amber Delorme says
I really LIKE that you can use the Mini Kiwi as an AI2,all you need to do is simply use the insert with the bamboo portion (facing up towards your babes skin) and lay the insert on top of the pocket…This particular feature is a win win for me 🙂
Alicia says
I love the sound of this diaper. Would love to be able to give it a try and hopefully PIF when we are done with babies for another mom to try out. Being lower incomed it’s really hard to buy diapers I’m unsure of the brand since I worry if they don’t work for us.
Kristina D says
Since I haven’t tried them yet, I’d have to say that my favorite feature is the beautiful prints!
Claudia says
I love the umbilical snap down as i plan to CD from birth with 2.0
Michelle D says
I really like the looks of the insert on this diaper. I love that it uses bamboo so you can use the diaper as a AI2.
Holly Hollister says
I love that they fit for so long, that is awesome!
Kristin says
Sounds like a really good diaper. Would like to try one.
Jenn E says
I love that the insert is included and that they are made in Canada.
Jamie S says
In addition to the absorbency and the elasticized pocket, my FAVORITE feature is the generous size/rise. MY LO is only 5.5 months and already so long (and chunky) she is at middle rise and halfway across… I don’t see how some diapers will last until potty training!
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I love that they have the newborn umbilical snap down and go from 0 to toddler age, that is brilliant 🙂
Jessica S. says
I like the pul on the stomach to prevent wicking and leaking! Sounds like a great diaper and the fact that it is made in Canada is awesome!
Viv Sluys says
I like that it has a high enough rise and enough snaps at the waist to fit up to a preschooler’s size. I have tall kids so that is a great selling point!
Nicole Hessig says
The snap down for newborn umbilical cord because that gets overlooked and was a lifesaver for me cding my newborn!
Jessie H says
I like the combination of microfibre and bamboo in the insert! And I love that it’s made in Canada w
cassie says
I love that its not made in China!!! Lol also that it has a bamboo microfiber insert, they are my favorite so far although I have not tried hemp yet.
Alex Hoeft says
I would love to try these for baby #2. Your little girl is so cute!
Nicole B says
The idea of a one size with the umbilical snap sounds wonderful! My babies started out at roughly 8lbs and 9lbs. I know it’s a short period that’s needed, but I could never justify newborn diapers knowing how big my kids tend to start out. These, I’d consider instead!
Cassandra Rae says
I like that they are adjustable and fit your newborn and toddler. Also I know you dont love microfiber but I like the combo they have with hemp and micro fiber !
Holly B says
Elastic pocket opening
Elizabeth Parker says
I love the umbilical cord snap-down! 🙂