Fellow blogger Suzi at Cloth Diaper Addicts loves her AppleCheeks. Thus, when the diaper brand released a limited edition orange diaper for Halloween last year, I decided finally to try the envelope diaper cover for myself. I am not generally a fan of pocket diapers, but I cannot resist an orange diaper! I purchased a size 1 and a size 2 AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover to test and review on my children.
Sizing
AppleCheeks currently offers the envelope diaper cover in three sizes. Size 1 fits 7 to 20 pounds, size 2 fits 18 to 40 pounds, and size 3 fits 30 to 65+ pounds. I purchased the size 1 for my infant son and the size 2 for my preschooler daughter as well as for my son to grow into. While I personally prefer one-size diapers, I do appreciate the generous and accurate sizing of the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover.
Price
AppleCheeks envelope diaper covers currently retail for between $20 and $25 per cover. Most colors in size 1 and size 2 cost $20 each with prints priced slightly higher at $21 each. Size 3 covers retail for $25. Compared to other similar diapers, I consider AppleCheeks priced moderately among higher end brands.
The AppleCheeks warranty on envelope covers includes snap issues for 18 months, elastic defects for 60 days, and workmanship and sewing defects for 30 days. All repairs or exchanges require proof of purchase and photos of the diaper.
Prints
The AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover currently comes in approximately twelve colors and prints. However, the company has released over three dozen different diapers over the years, with many retired or limited edition. I purchased the Orange You Glad, an orange diaper with white snaps and white interior, in the size 1 and the limited edition Trick or Cheeks, an orange diaper with black snaps and black interior, in the size 2. While I am bummed by all the retired and limited edition diapers, I do think that AppleCheeks offers enough colors on a regular basis to suite any style and preference.
Design
AppleCheeks envelope diaper covers feature an outer layer of breathable, waterproof polyurethane laminated polyester (PUL) and an inner layer of soft microfleece. Durable elastic at the waist and legs provide a gentle but snug fit. The unique envelope design is similar to a pocket diaper but does require unstuffing. The absorbent inserts (sold separately) come out in the wash through the wide opening in the center back of the diaper. The waist features two rows of eight snaps that make finding a great fit easy. My only complaint in the design of the diaper is that lint sticks out obviously against the black interior of Tricks of Cheeks.
Laundering
As I repeatedly state, I am lazy in the laundry room, so any new diaper that I add to my stash must fit in with my current wash routine. Between washes, I store my dirty diapers in a pail liner in my diaper pail. On laundry day, I wash my diapers on warm with detergent and OxiClean followed by two cold rinses. I then allow my AppleCheeks envelope diaper covers to air dry on a drying rack, usually in front of a fan. I also sometimes toss the almost dry diaper in the dryer for 10 minutes to zap any remaining moisture. When I use a single insert inside the diaper, the inserts agitates out in the wash as promised by AppleCheeks. When I overstuff the cover for overnight use, I must remove the inserts by hand before washing because the added bulk gets stuck inside. In either case, the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover is extremely easy to wash and dry, fitting perfectly into my current laundry routine.
Performance
I first put my size 1 AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover on my son at one month at around 9 pounds. He wore the cover with one set of waist snaps exposed. At four months and 15 pounds, five months and 16 pounds, and six months and 17 pounds, he wore the cover with four sets of snaps exposed. I therefore agree with the 7 to 20 pound sizing for the size 1 cover.
For the size 2, I first put the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover on my son at five months and 16 pounds. With a single insert, he wore the diaper on the smallest waist setting, but the crotch extended far down between his legs. With multiple inserts stuffed in the pocket for overnight use, he wore the size two with one set of waist snaps exposed. My 29 pound preschooler could wear the size 2 with either two or three sets of waist snaps exposed, with two sets resulting in a tighter waist. I therefore also agree with the 18 to 40 pound sizing of the size 2.
During the day, I use a single small or large Best Bottom Diapers or Buttons Diapers insert inside my AppleCheeks envelope diaper covers, with the small in the size 1 and the large in the size 2. (I have not purchased any AppleCheeks inserts to try.) Both sizes last my children for two to four hours, which is pretty typically for my kiddos. I also sometimes use an overnight booster in addition to the regular insert inside either cover for my son. The medium Best Bottom Diapers insert and overnight booster works especially well in the size 2 overnight on my son. I therefore rate the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover extremely highly in terms of versatility.
Although my daughter never had a problem with moisture on her skin, my son absolutely hates feeling wet. When his diapers get wet, he cries. I therefore love the microfleece interior of the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover, which helps keep him feeling drier for longer. He can go up to four hours during the day and up to nine hours at night in his AppleCheeks.
Based on my experience with both of my kids, I am extremely happy with the performance of the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover. The diaper effectively contains poopy messes, both wet breast milk poop and more solid poop. I have never had an issue with solids escaping from my AppleCheeks. The diaper also prevents wetness from escaping well. I have had problems with leaks only when I fail to change my kiddos often enough, which is my fault and not the fault of the diaper. I am therefore rate the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover highly in terms of containment.
Ten Pounds
Fifteen Pounds
Sixteen Pounds
Seventeen Pounds
Twenty-Nine Pounds
Final Verdict
Overall I rate the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover very highly. Although I am not generally a fan of sized diapers, I find AppleCheeks generously sized. Size 1 fit my son for months after birth. Size 2 started fitting my son at around five months and continued to fit my daughter with plenty of room to grow up until potty training at 29 pounds. The covers work with a variety of insert combinations and effectively contain wet and solid messes. My only complaint is the price, which, at $20 to $25 per cover, I consider a little pricey. However, if you are a fan of pocket diapers, I definitely recommend trying the AppleCheeks envelope diaper cover.
For more information or to make a purchase visit the AppleCheeks product page on Nicki’s Diapers or Diaper Junction via my affiliate links.
Image Credits
Size 1 and Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Covers © 2015 Heather Johnson
Interior of Size 1 and Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Covers © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Orange You Glad AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Back of Orange You Glad AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Front of Tricks or Cheeks AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Back of Tricks or Cheeks AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Interior of Orange You Glad AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Pocket of Orange You Glad AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Interior of Tricks or Cheeks AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Pocket of Tricks or Cheeks AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Snaps of Orange You Glad AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Snaps of Tricks or Cheeks AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2014 Heather Johnson
Comparing Size 1 and Size 2 Snaps of AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Covers © 2015 Heather Johnson
Small Best Bottom Diapers Insert in Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2015 Heather Johnson
Large Best Bottom Diapers Insert in Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Ten Pounds © 2014 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Ten Pounds 1 © 2014 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Ten Pounds 2 © 2014 Heather Johnson
Back of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Ten Pounds © 2014 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Fifteen Pounds © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Fifteen Pounds © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Sixteen Pounds © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Sixteen Pounds © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Sixteen Pounds 1 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Sixteen Pounds 1 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Sixteen Pounds 2 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Sixteen Pounds 2 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Seventeen Pounds © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 1 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Seventeen Pounds © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Twenty-Nine Pounds 1 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Twenty-Nine 1 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Back of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Twenty-Nine 1 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Back of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Twenty-Nine 2 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Twenty-Nine 2 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Twenty-Nine Pounds 2 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Front of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Twenty-Nine Pounds 3 © 2015 Heather Johnson
Side of Size 2 AppleCheeks Envelope Diaper Cover at Twenty-Nine 3 © 2015 Heather Johnson
