I am not a “collector” of cloth diapers. That is, I do not get any particular enjoyment out of gathering a variety of different diapers into my stash. So, while I I do have a few different types I’ve purchased to get an idea of what we like, I don’t usually get super-excited over diapers. That’s why I was pretty surprised when Melissa at Bum Covered Diapers sent me an Apple Cheeks envelope cover to review, and I absolutely LOVE it! (Of course, I didn’t expect to hate it or anything, but I was pretty much thinking a diaper is a diaper.)
These Apple Cheeks covers are pocket-style diapers, so they can be used two different ways. You can, if you choose to, simply lay a diaper inside them and use them as you would any other cover. But you would be missing out on some of the benefits you get from using them the other way – by inserting the diaper (probably a small prefold) or an insert into the pocket itself. This essentially turns your cover into an all-in-one (AIO), except that it doesn’t take three days to dry after you launder it.
The benefits of a pocket-style diaper?
- You don’t have to worry about edges of the diaper not getting tucked fully inside of the leg holes of the cover and wicking.
- An especially wiggly baby won’t shift his diaper inside the cover.
- There is one less step to diaper changing (especially if you stuff the cover ahead of time), which makes it easier with a baby (like Livia) who hates diaper changes.
- It also makes it less complicated to change a baby while you’re out, when you’re not always working on an ideal changing surface.
These are very trim, as cloth diapers go, so I think they’ll fit better in the diaper bag, too.
Apple Cheeks come in two sizes, and adjust considerably. (They’re almost a “one-size” diaper.) Livia is still pretty tiny, so she still fits in the size 1, and it was very easy to snap it to fit her. But when it came in the mail, it was snapped to the smallest size, and it gets pretty darn small. I think that even my newborns would probably fit pretty nicely in these, and I usually have trouble with my babies swimming in their diapers for the first few weeks. (In fact, Livia’s legs were slim enough that I just gave up on cloth with her for about the first six weeks, because we kept having leaks – which were never an issue with the other girls.)
A couple other details: The inner layer of these is a very, very soft fleece. When used as a simple cover, this adds a layer of protection. When used as a pocket diaper, it wicks the moisture away from baby’s bottom. Also, the envelope-style construction is a huge help. Many pocket diapers are simply open at the back waistband. This allows the diaper to “creep” up and out of the opening. (Not generally a huge problem, but it can happen.) This is more enclosed, so it will stay put.
And it’s really cute. 🙂 (I love the bright colors it comes in!) I must confess that I do not go looking for cute diapers/covers, as they usually get covered up. But cute is a great side benefit!
The only thing I found I wasn’t sure about (because I’ve never regularly used pocket diapers) was how to get the insert out to launder it (without digging my hands into the dirty diaper). My sister tells me, though, that they will typically agitate out in the wash, so I will have to try that. [Update: Melissa says that because of the envelope style, the inserts always agitate out of these while, with other pocket designs, they may not.]
IMO, these are pretty expensive to form the bulk of a diaper stash (as is true of most AIO’s and pocket diapers – and too bad, ’cause I would be willing to use a stash made completely of these), but these are definitely worth the investment to at least get two or three for going out, for the babysitter, etc.
Win It
You know the drill. If you’d like to be entered to win an Apple Cheeks cover and microterry insert like the ones I tried, enter via the Rafflecopter widget below. (The winner will be able to choose any in-stock color for the cover.) In the meantime, of course, you can (and should!) head over and check out the shop. (If you’re looking for size 1 AppleCheeks, be sure to check the clearance section. 😉 )
Disclosure: Bum Covered Diapers provided me with an Apple Cheeks cover and a microterry insert to facilitate this review. As always, all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
My current favorites are Buns Up Baby and Green Acre Designs.
I would love some Knickernappies pads from bum covered.
Diapers lots n lots of diapers! and boys babylegs:)
I don’t have a favorite diaper yet but did love my Applecheeks size 1 until baby girl outgrew them 🙁 My favorite cover is Thirsties.
I would love to try the Green Scene Organic Bamboo fitted diaper
my current fav daytime is grovia AI2 and nightime are thirsties duo wraps stuffed with 4 (yes 4!) inserts (2 microfiber and 2 hemp). One hint i’d like to pass along is if your washewr doesn’t agitate out the inserts of your diapers (my top-loading HE washer doesn’t) that you can use a pair of tongs to remove the inserts. I personally don’t care about touching urine soaker dipes but my husby isn’t a fan so he uses the tongs..hahah
and i need some more hemp inserts so i’d prob get some Just Hemp inserts
I like Applecheeks covers and Osocozy AIOs
I would love to try the Applecheeks swim diapers!
I like the Flip reusable inserts
My favorite diaper right now is my Grovia shells. Although that may change as my dd changes it has before.
I am expecting my first cloth baby May 10. One of my bffs is a cloth mama and she has been super supportive. I would love an Applecheeks swim diaper or some extra inserts.
Applecheeks are my absolute favorite!!! 😀
I would love to have more applecheeks diapers and swim diapers!
i love my bumgenius freetime right now.
I love the Applecheeks swim diaper at bumcovereddiapers!! Perfect for summer.
I’d also love to try the planet wise snack bags and Thirsties Duo as I’ve never tried them
My favorite diaper is the Bumgenius 4.0.
I would love to try the Applecheeks swim diaper.
Right now my favorite diaper is the Smartipants pocket diaper.
I visited Bum Cover Diapers and would also like to try the Thirsties Duo diapers!
We’re not CDing quite yet – got about another month and a half before this little guy makes his entrance. The financial aspect is a large reason we’re using cloth, especially since we want more children. Another big reason is that cloth isn’t full of chemicals, and it’s so much gentler that disposables that can chafe. Not contributing several thousand diapers to the landfills is just an added bonus. 🙂
I like the wet bag in the black curly q pattern.
I prefer using prefold diapers and a cover around the house. I love my Sweet Pea one-size covers on my toddler but I don’t think they’ll work on the newborn that we’re expecting anyday. I have a pile of smaller covers to try when she gets here (including AppleCheeks).
I’d also love to try the Knickernappies Nursing pads (both kinds)
Hm.. I don’t think I have a favorite.. I have different types for different needs/situations.
I’d love to try the applecheeks swim
I’ve used gDiapers and would love to see what going full cloth would be like.
My favorite diapers are Applecheeks and Rumparooz!
Favorite? Goodmamas with a Thirsties cover.
I have many favorites: Tot Bots for naps because they are trim and absorbent; gDiapers w/ gcloth for out and about because they are so so trim, easy to use, and small so I don’t need a huge wetbag; Thirsties Fad Fitted w. Duo Wrap or Thirsties new AIO stuffed with Babykicks Hemp for overnight!
I’d love a green scene fitted!
I would love to have an Appleecheeks swim diaper!
I’m looking forward to trying AppleCheeks! It is definitely a diaper I want to buy soon!
My favorite diaper in our stash right now are WAHM made fitteds – primarily Short Rounds. I would love to try the Knickernappies.
I would also love to have a knickernappies loopydo or superdo to use at night!
My favorite cover is definitely my Weehuggers! It’s a great fit and nice quality.
I’d love to try/win/read a review of Earthly Remedies Foaming Wash Solution. I am pondering switching to cloth wipes and trying to figure out what solution to use.
Right now we are using all Flip Covers. There is a pocket diaper that is floating around in our stash, but I just love being able to reuse the covers … so, usually the pocket diaper is on the bottom of the stash.
I would love an applecheeks swim diaper and one of the green scene organic bamboo velour fitteds. I just discovered fitteds and I love love love them!
So far, my favorites are my itti bitti tuttos and my Grovia shells. I soooo wish I had cloth diapered my first baby. I feel like I missed out on all the cute girly diapers. Not to mention all the waste I created…… :'(
I want a Planetwise wet/dry bag.
My current favorites are AppleCheeks, as a pocket, and Flip covers. I use the Flip with the organic insert for nighttime, and it works wonderfully!
Love love love the diaper
I am new to cloth diapering so I dont have a favorite yet . I like the wet bags!
i love babybehinds fitteds
i’d love to hav ea baltic amber tething necklace
I love all of my bamboo fleece diapers…they work the best! I also love my Appletini diaper by Applecheeks
I don’t know where else to tell you what I loved and would want from the site somimwill write it here… I would love to try Earthly Remedies Butt Balm
Love my Happy Heiny dipes and Sunbabys!
I really like my blueberry covers right now
I use both Apple Cheeks and Fuzzy Bunz. Love them both. Am also looking into HipKiddo CDs. I can’t wait to start cloth diapering my new baby!
Now that it’s summer, I’d like to try the bug off spray!
I would love some more AppleCheeks <3
I have so many favorites!!! I like anything with rockets on it! I only have boys so I like to go for the really boyish patterns ….I have been coveting a construction pattern lately…maybe when our income tax comes in!!!
Would love some inserts or swim diaper too!
Visted Bum Covered Diapers. I would love some more reusable nursing pads and a wet/dry cloth diaper bag!
My favorite diapers for my little guys is either applecheeks or flip
I would also like the applecheeks swim diaper
applecheeks and fuzzibunz are definitely my favorites!
Knickernappies Hemp Nursing Pads. I loved using reusable breast pads while I was nursing.
We love Applecheeks! They are so cute and very easy to use!
id also like the applecheeks swim diaper
Well applecheeks are my favorite cover by far, but im a huge fan of itti bittis and charlie bananas as well.
Visited their site and Oh my how i love knickernappies! Id love one in spring green 🙂
We love Apple Cheeks and gDiapers! Have been using cloth diapers for 6 years now-love it!
I would like to try some hemp inserts to see how well they work
I like my Flip and my Thirsties covers so far…still pretty new to this!
Our favorite cloth diapers are Apple Cheeks and Bum Genius 4.0 – it’s a tie and we love them both and use both regularly!
Would also love Apple Cheeks Swim diaper-we have one but so need another-thanks!
I would also love to try the Planet Wise reusable lunch bags – I love their prints!
I have not yet tried cloth diapers but it seems to be all the rage so I am anxious to try it! And, AppleCheeks are so cute and practical!
I would love the Baltic Amber Teething Necklace. I have never heard of them till recently from a friend, and I am very curious to try with my baby….of course when he starts teething 🙂
My little one isn’t due until June but I’m excited to cloth diaper because it will save money AND because they are so cute. Helping the environment is a bad thing either lol.
My favorite pocket diapers are a tie between Swaddlebees Econappi (love the bamboo/microterry combo inserts–they kept DS drier longer) and Bum Genius one-size (I have the most of these because I was able to get them on sale once).
My favorite covers are ABC Snap Wraps by Swaddlebees (they have a newer design/name now, but I’m sure they are just as good) and WeeHuggers covers (so cute and I really appreciate leg gussets). Speaking of gussets, I got some Blueberry mini coveralls for DD (due in May) and I’m pretty excited to use them! I found that gussets worked best on a newborn with breastfed poo explosions, lol. 😉
I’m obsessed with liners right now. The just hemp liners look so nice!
I really like Applecheeks & Bumgenius one size!!
Would love to try an Applecheeks swim diaper for the summer!!
Right now my favorite is Kawaii. I have been wanting to try Apple Cheeks!
I am just starting with cloth – so this is new to me. But I love apple cheeks – actually makes me want to give up on the disposables! 🙂
Great website – everything is easy to find 🙂
I love AppleCheeks and HipKiddo!
I would love to try any of the Earthly Remedies from the website 🙂
I LOVE my AppleCheeks diapers…for all the reasons you mentioned in your post. They’re trim, versatile, and don’t leave angry red marks on my kiddos legs like other diapers can. I do agree that I wish they weren’t quite so expensive. 🙂
My favourites right now are bummis prefolds, but I do love applecheeks covers! Applecheeks are my favourite pocket diapers.
i would love to have some hemp inserts!! desperate need of some more!!
my fav diapers right now are grovia but i only have 1 just won it. i also love my rumparooz
From Bum Covered Diaper I would choose more flip covers, or more applecheeks of course 😉
I am just starting out on the cloth diaper adventure. So far I have only tried Kawaii, but the AppleCheeks are on my list to try.
I have been wanting to try these. I had another baby and had to go with simply adding wraps for ecocomical reasons, but I was covetting these
Love my Applecheeks! Also love AMP diapers.
After visiting your site, I am going to have to put some serious consideration into buying one of those adorable wet bags…. or a swim diaper… or a bumgenius diaper…. So many cute things!
I want the Applecheeks swim diaper!
I would reallly love a diaper pail or a wetbag. I have pitifully been using a flower pot to keep my diapers
I am not yet using cloth (number 3 is still “cooking”) but we are planning on doing cloth from day one with this one and I am trying as many different types of cloth as I can get my hands on to figure out which one I like best to build my stash with! I don’t have an Apple Cheeks yet (hint hint!!) I could also use some more nursing pads from Bum covered diapers before june comes around!!
I would love to have an Applecheeks swim diaper.
My favorite diaper in my stash is my perfect pocket from blissful booty. It has double gussets so it holds wetness in really well.
We diapered our first in fuzzi’s and bella bottoms and liked those ~ looking for what will work for this new one (expecting this summer)… it’s been over 3 years since we did the whole cloth diapering thing 🙂
I think their build your own fitteds look pretty cool! Bg elementals and the eio cup!!
My fav diaper to use is the bg elemental! So easy bc it’s aio, love snaps, and all natural fibers!
I’ve been meaning to get an Applecheeks to try for month now…
Definitely would love to have one of those baltic teething necklaces. 🙂
I visited the site, and I would get some hemp inserts to try too.
AMP’s and Applecheeks are my fave’s
Those Applecheeks Swim Diapers look great! I’d love to have one of those!
I’m registered for Apple Check’s! I can’t wait for my LO to arrive so I can see what everybody is so excited about 🙂
My favorite diapers are my prefolds with a GroVia shell. I would love to try some other things like a bumGenius elemental.
Flip covers so far. I just bought some Oeko Popo covers on a seconds sale, so we’ll see how those work out.
AppleCheeks are one of your favs but also GorVia AIO’s!
I would love some Planet Wise Reusable Sandwich Bags
I would love a diaper sprayer. Life would be so much easier… Also a large hanging wet bag for traveling.
I love applecheeks!
Visited bum covered diapers and would love to get an applecheeks swim diaper. Love your blog!
Id love to try hemp inserts. I usually use microfiber or premium prefolds as inserts, but my guys is a super heavy wetter at night.
Both my hubby and I love bumgenius, it was the first of three brands that we tried and both liked everything about them. Id love to try applecheeks, because of all the rave reviews, but I can’t justify buying another diaper when we have an entire stash of bg and prefolds and covers, just waiting for baby #2 to arrive 🙂
I haven’t started cloth diapering yet but I can’t wait to start when my baby girl arrives in June! I want to cloth diaper because it will be better for her and for the environment!
I would love to have an applecheeks swim diaper!
I think the applecheeks swim diaper it’s an awesome choice.
My current favorite diaper is Swaddlebees Simplex original style (not 2.0).
I would love to try Apple Cheeks!
I love flip covers!
I would love an AppleCheeks swim diaper. I love their colors and that they only come in two sizes.
I am not using cloth yet…it need to get a few more so I am not washing 1 at a time! Lol. I am switching due to the chemicals in the disposables.
Not using cloth yet..almost ready, just need a few more. Switching to avoid the chemicals in disposables.
An amber teething necklace!
Will be CDing our new baby when we adopt (hopefully SOON! – trying to wait patiently!)…we didn’t CD our older 2 (9 & 7)….will be doing it now because of cost, health, environment and adorable fluffy bottoms! 🙂
I’d also like an Applecheeks swim diaper 🙂
I don’t have any favorite yet since my first baby is due in a couple weeks, but I have bought some Kawaiis and would love to try some other brands as well.
I love my applecheeks diaper. I didn’t know that they had a swim diaper. I’d love to give that a try!
I would love to try the BG elemental.
I haven’t started CDing yet-baby is due in may. I so far have some Bummis prefolds and covers, BG 3.0s and BG 4.0s. I love them all and am one of those people that DO get excited about diapers.
My favorites are Fuzzibunz, but I’m always looking to try new dipes!
I visited Bum Covered Diapers and I also want to try Bumgenius 4.0 Mirror in snaps!
I love Applecheeks!
I always need more nursuing pads, they are always dirty!
I visited http://www.bumcovereddiapers.com and goodness… what WOULDN’T I want to have! =)
Applecheeks and AMP rock!
favorite cover is thirsties duo wrap. no leaks, cute prints and great fit.
My current favorites are the flip system, but I am really wanting to try an applecheeks!
Flip training pants!
would like to try the bg elemental.
no sure dont….thanks for the giveaway..
the baby butt cream…
I Love softbums but really want to try an applecheeks and a swim diaper.
Applecheeks are our favorite diapers!
I’d love to get the AC in purple rain!
We haven’t tried apple cheeks yet. so far the diapers that have worked best for us are fuzzibunz and lotus bumz. they are both os pocket diapers.
we are also still dying to try the bumgenius 4.0
I am not cloth diapering… yet. My little one is due any day now and I can’t wait to try cloth diapers on my wee one. As far as I’m concerned, if I can save money AND lessen my environmental impact, it’s a win-win situation!
oh! and I would love to boost my diaper stash with some good quality inserts and a wetbag 🙂
I am expecting my first baby, and really want to use cloth diapers, but trying to get a variety to see which ones will work best. Heard lots of good things about AppleCheeks!!
I would also love to get the Baltic Amber Teething Necklace