Note: Funky Fluff diapers are no longer sold.

Over the years, Funky Fluff has expanded to include new fabric and insert options, while always maintaining a cute and trim fit, and an array of really cool color combos. This system consists of one-size waterproof covers (or shells) and inserts that you can either snap, stuff or lay in the covers.

You can choose from 3 different inner fabric linings for the cover:

• Bamboo Terry (80% bamboo viscose and 20% polyester) – click here for my previous review
• Stay Dry (microsuede) – click here for my previous review
• Athletic Wicking Jersey (polyester)

Today’s review is of the Athletic Wicking Jersey shell, which is one of the newest options. The Joyful Giraffe diaper shop sent me a shell in the Kryptonite color (gray with green snaps), plus a set of deLUX inserts, in exchange for a review.

There are 4 size settings on the front rise of the diaper, which I would estimate as newborn/xsmall, small, medium and large. Crossover snaps at the waist may enable you get to a snug fit on a newborn or very skinny baby.

Athletic Wicking Jersey (AWJ) isn’t just for basketball shorts anymore; it’s a polyester fabric that has turned out to be ideal for cloth diapering because:

• It pulls moisture away from the skin
• It’s less prone to staining than natural fibers
• It’s soft, supple and stretchy
• It can help keep the skin feeling cool and dry
• It dries very quickly
• It doesn’t pill like microfleece

I’ve been using Funky Fluff diapers for years, so I pulled out my others to give you a comparison of the inner fabrics:

The picture above shows that none of the PUL (polyurethane laminate) waterproof material underneath touches your baby’s skin, no matter which inner lining you choose.

Here is the Funky Fluff diaper shell opened up. It can be used in 4 different ways. Tuck inserts inside for a pocket diaper. Snap inserts in and then tuck in the pocket to make a stay-dry AIO (All in One). Snap inserts in but leave them outside of the pocket for an AI2 (All in Two). Or, just do like I do many times, and use the diaper as a cover, with Funky Fluff inserts, flats or prefolds laid inside.

There is a snap at either end of the shell to hold inserts in place, if you choose to use that feature.

Here’s what the diaper looks like with an insert snapped into the shell, AI2 style:

Pictured here are the bamboo terry LUX soakers (includes a small and a large) and the bamboo/hemp deLUX soakers (includes a small and a large). All Funky Fluff inserts are double stitched around the edges for added strength. You can use the inserts alone or attach them to each other with snaps. They DO stay fastened during washing and drying.

Funky Fluff’s bamboo terry LUX insert has a touch of polyester in it, which adds some extra softness. This counteracts the tendency of bamboo to get a little bit stiff over time and is something that really sets apart their bamboo fabric. These bamboo inserts dry for me in less than 1 cycle.

Funky Fluff’s deLUX soaker set is made of bamboo and hemp, and because hemp takes longer to dry, the inserts are stitched together only at the middle. It takes me 1 full dryer cycle, and sometimes a little more if it’s a big load of diapers, to completely dry these inserts. The deLUX set is my top choice for night time use.

Performance: Funky Fluff diapers are extremely versatile because you can customize exactly to your liking, and your child’s needs. Use 1 insert for daytime, and 2 for naps and nighttime. The pocket opening is easy to stuff for extra absorbency.

Ingrid does well in any type of insert during the day; for a bulletproof nighttime solution I use the large LUX (bamboo) soaker on top and the large deLUX (bamboo/hemp) soaker on the bottom, since it absorbs slowly and steadily.

Even if you have a SUPER heavy wetter, stacking three inserts together for nighttime doesn’t result in a lot of bulk – as compared to doubling up prefolds or using a really plush fitted.

Do the soft fabric linings mean you can’t use the covers more than once before washing? That depends on how much or how quickly your baby wets, or if a #2 mess isn’t confined to the insert. Ingrid does not flood her diaper all at once, so we can sometimes just switch out inserts and use the shell again.

Durability: I mentioned above that we’ve used this brand for several years, so I can assure you they will last for a really long time. We’ve never had any problems with colors fading, failed snaps or elastics or PUL, or poor workmanship.

I find that it’s easier to get stains out of the Athletic Wicking Jersey fabric. And the open weave is breathable and cool to the touch, both of which are great for Ingrid’s skin.

Value: Funky Fluff’s decision last year to make their diaper shells available for purchase separately was a really good move. You can now grab a cover alone for around $15 and give the fit and flexibility of Funky Fluff diapers a try, without having to spend $20 – $25 on a complete diaper (with inserts).

Overall, I think Funky Fluff is a good value for the money, because I can attest to the durability of the diapers AND the fact that they are so versatile. If you spent $25 on a premium AIO diaper, it’s single use only, whereas a $25 Funky Fluff diaper comes with 2 inserts and the different components can be used in different ways.

Fit: The Athletic Wicking Jersey is a little bit stretchier than my other Funky Fluff shells (stay dry and bamboo) and I love stretchy diapers! The stretch also makes it even easier to stuff than the bamboo and stay-dry shells, which is great news for nighttime.

I’ve always been a big fan of the way these diapers fit. They are trim and sleek and highly adjustable, thanks to the double snaps at the waist (you can angle the snaps to tighten or loosen either the legs or the waist). My only issue with Funky Fluff’s design, as mentioned in a previous review, is that a 3rd row of rise snaps would be nice. This would help the front to lie flat and not pucker out, which tends to happen more as my baby starts moving around.

For the longest time, my favorite style was the bamboo diaper, but AWJ now takes the cake. I like the extra stretch, the fact that this fabric is much easier to get stains out of, and the breathability of the open-weave fibers.

At age 19 months and about 22 pounds, Ingrid wears her diaper at the medium rise setting, with one more snap to grow into. There’s also plenty of room left in the waistband.