Which Is Better Snaps or Velcro? What Is the Best Cloth Diaper Closure

Which Is Better Snaps or Velcro? What Is the Best Cloth Diaper Closure?

Let's start out this great debate by clearing up some terminology. Velcro is a company that makes hook and loop style closures. Hook and Loop closure is sometimes used as a way to close cloth diapers or other garments. So Velcro is a brand name and a company, and hook and loop is what is on the actual diaper. Aplix is another term you'll hear for hook/loop, this is a company that makes this type of closure too. So it's like saying Kleenex (brand name) to describe a facial tissue. Does that make sense? The generic term for 'Velcro' or 'Aplix' is Hook and Loop and sometimes you'll see this abbreviated to H/L or H&L.

Great.

Now onto the debate...which is better, snaps or hook and loop closure for cloth diapers?

SNAP CLOSURE
Pros
*Snaps are generally the top choice and most widely available for a few reasons:
- They are durable and last a long time without showing wear and tear. In fact they generally outlast the fabric of the diaper itself even after hundreds of washes. If you want to re-sell any of your diapers when you're done with them, snaps will always look good and remain functional over time.
- Snaps are snug and secure and can't be easily ripped off by a toddler who'd rather be naked.
- Snaps come in lots of different colors and can add color coordination/interest to the design of the diaper.
- They are usually replaceable. In the odd instance where a snap pops off it can usually be easily and cheaply repaired with a handheld snap press and new snap pieces from any craft or fabric store. (This isn't always possible with all-in-one style diapers, but you can usually get at the snaps to repair them on a pocket diaper or diaper cover no problem).
- Many cloth diaper companies, especially ones like Kanga Care/Rumparooz and Thirsties have extended snap warranty.

Cons
- If you have a hard to fit baby it can sometimes be difficult to find a snap setting that gives the perfect fit especially on a newborn or when they are between sizes.
- It can be intimidating to figure out where to snap for caregivers unfamiliar with cloth. This can be especially true when using 'one size' adjustable diaper styles that have rise snaps down the front in addition to waist and leg snap rows. There can be a bit of a learning curve for newbies.
- Can be harder to do up snaps on a squirmy baby or protesting toddler.

HOOK & LOOP CLOSURE
Pros
- Fast to put on even for squirmy babies or fussy newborns.
- Always a perfect fit; you can cross over in the front for skinny waists or adjust for chunky or skinny thighs easily even when baby hits awkward or disproportional growth spurts.
- The best choice for caregivers with mobility issues like arthritis or disabilities of the hands or arms. Hook and Loop is easier than fiddling with snaps.
- Most intuitive. Hook and Loop is the easiest to understand. It goes on just like a disposable diaper so it's less intimidating for alternate caregivers like babysitters, grandparents, or daycare workers.
- You can fasten it with your eyes closed. Not that we recommend it, but when you're tired and changing a diaper in the dark it's hard to put it on wrong.

Cons
- You have to fold back the velcro tab on itself before every wash so it doesn't catch onto other laundry in the machine.
- Hook and Loop will eventually show wear & tear and/or curling. This will take longer with high quality closure materials of course, but will happen eventually nonetheless.
- Is easier for curious toddlers to tear off if they want to escape their diaper. But if this is happening, maybe it's time to give potty training a try.
- Some caregivers don't like the sound of peeling hook and Loop off and it can sometimes startle sensitive newborns during nighttime changes.

Still can't decide? As a reference point, a lot of cloth diapering families choose snaps. They are more easily accessible and generally easier to find in stock at your local retailer. Personally, I've found that Thirsties has the best quality H/L. We have some hook and Loop in stock here at Cloth Diaper Kids, but we can also easily order in anything you'd like if you prefer a specific product in hook and Loop or a larger number of diapers than what's in stock.

snaps or velcro