Best Cloth Potty Training Pants for Toddlers & Babies – Review

Cloth Training Pants Comparison Review

Welcome to our Ultimate Guide to Cloth Training Pants! If you are looking for the best cloth potty training pants, you are in the right place! This comparison review includes cotton training pants and also waterproof PUL training pants. These are all washable reusable training pants. We've included both toddler training underwear and elimination communication pull ups for babies. We've included styles of training pants with snaps and without.

For each style of potty training pants we will cover: how they fit; how well they contain pee; ease of washing and drying; ease of pulling up and pushing down; types of fabric; and cuteness! I will also provide on-the-body photos of the training underwear on my daughter. I've been testing these potty training underwear for the past four months in order to share my top picks!

Find out which cloth training pants are the best match for your potty training toddler or baby practicing elimination communication.

Cloth Training Pants Comparison Photos

Before reviewing specific brands of cloth training pants, I'd like to share some photos showing the range of styles and sizes.

Disclosure: Some of these training pants were gifted to me by the brands, in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Organic Cotton Training Pants Comparison

Comparison of Organic Cotton Training Pants

The organic cotton training pants shown above are Under the Nile size 12-24M; Pact size 2T/3T, Hanna Andersson size XS, Komfi Baby size 12M, Charlie Banana size M, and Smart Bottoms size 2T.

Elimination Communication Training Pants Comparison

Baby Training Pants for Elimination Communication

The training pants shown above start from small sizes, so they can be worn by babies practicing elimination communication. The EC training pants pictured are Komfi Baby size 12M, Tiny Trainers size 12M, TinyUps size M, Charlie Banana size M, Nicki's Diapers size S, Smart Bottoms size 2T, Super Undies size S, and Kanga Care Lil' Learnerz size S (also available in XS).

Index of Training Pants Brands

You can either read the entire review or skip ahead to one of these brands of training pants. Be sure to check our Coupons Page for discounts on some of these training pants.

Non-waterproof Cotton Training Pants

Waterproof Training Pants

Non-Waterproof Cotton Cloth Training Pants

Non-waterproof cotton training pants are basically underwear with extra padding in the wet zone. They are intended to absorb one pee and should be changed right away when wet. Cotton training pants will not stop clothes from getting wet, but they should prevent puddles on the floor.

Let's start with two brands that offer small training pants for babies who use the potty (starting from size 6 months) and then we will cover toddler training pants (starting from size 12 months). The main difference between training pants designed for babies  and those intended for toddlers is that baby training underwear have a much lower rise, so the waistband sits below the baby's belly.

Comparison of Tiny Trainers and Komfi Baby Underwear

Cotton Baby Training Pants: Tiny Trainers Size 12M and Komfi Baby Underwear Size 12M

Tiny Trainers by Tiny Undies

Tiny Trainers Aqua Blue

Top pick: Best non-waterproof cotton training pants for babies practicing elimination communication.

Fit

  • Starting size: 6 months
  • I tried sizes: 12M, 18M
  • Designed for babies doing elimination communication
  • The leg holes run small and don't stretch very much.
  • These are very low rise, so they don't cover my baby's bottom all the way in the back.
  • Thick padding without being too bulky.

Containing a miss

  • These have the most absorbency compared to other cotton training pants.
  • Without a cover over the trainers I could feel my baby peeing and have enough time to move her away from me before the pee seeped through and got my clothes wet.
  • Contain misses well since the leg holes are tight.

Washing and drying

  • Easy to wash and dry since they are 100% cotton.
  • Instructions say to wash on cold, but I wash on hot or warm, expecting them to shrink.

Ease of up and down

  • Pretty easy to pull up and push down as long as the leg holes are not too tight.

Fabrics

  • Outer: 100% cotton
  • Absorbency: 100% cotton
  • I wish there was an organic cotton option.
  • Made in China

Cuteness Factor

  • Very cute on my baby!
  • My daughter started wearing size 12M Tiny Trainers when she outgrew her newborn cloth diapers at 3-months-old.

Notes

  • Tiny Trainers are the best option for small babies doing EC. I just wish the leg holes and waistband stretched more.

Ways to Improve

  • Please add leg elastic to make the leg openings more stretchy! My daughter outgrew these very quickly because the leg holes were too tight. Stretchy leg holes would allow them to be worn for longer.

On the body photos

  • 4-months-old
  • 14 pounds
  • 15" waist, 10" thigh
  • Wearing sizes 12M and 18M
Wearing Tiny Trainers Size 12M
Wearing Tiny Trainers Size 12M
Wearing Tiny Trainers Size 18M
Wearing Tiny Trainers Size 18M

Komfi Baby Organic Cotton Underwear with Soaker Pad

Komfi Baby Organic Cotton Underwear

Komfi Baby Soaker and Underwear Size 12M

Komfi Baby Soaker and Underwear Size 12M

Fit

  • Starting size: 6 months
  • I tried size: 12 months (which fit my daughter well at 3-months-old)
  • These underwear are perfect for babies doing elimination communication. They also go up to size 2T/3T.
  • These are nice for babies with chubby thighs since the leg holes are stretchy.
  • Very trim, even with the soaker pad inside.

Containing a miss

  • These are a two part system: regular underwear and additional soaker pads that can be worn inside the underwear.
  • They don't absorb a whole lot, so wetness still soaks through.

Washing and drying

  • Super easy to wash and dry since they are thin underwear and separate soaker pads.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down since both the waistband and leg holes are stretchy.
  • A toddler would have difficulty using these independently, since the soaker pad would fall out.

Fabrics

  • Underwear: 100% organic cotton
  • Soaker pads: Face and back- 70% Bamboo Viscose, 30% Unbleached Organic Cotton. Filling material- Zorb Fibers.
  • Made in South Korea

Cuteness Factor

  • Komfi Baby underwear are super cute on my baby and I really like the organic cotton fabric.

Notes

  • Komfi Baby is my favorite source for organic cotton baby underwear. I hope at some point they offer cloth training pants with the absorbency built-in instead of separate soaker pads.
  • I like the wide elastic in the covered waistband and the stretchy waistband.

Ways to Improve

  • It would be great if the soaker pads could either attach to the underwear or if they were sewn in.
  • I prefer the convenience of training pants that are only one piece, so they are easier to put on and take off.

On the body photos

  • 4-months-old
  • 14 pounds
  • 15" waist, 10" thigh
  • Wearing size 12M
Wearing Komfi Baby Training Underwear 12M
Wearing Komfi Baby Training Underwear 12M
Komfi Baby Training Underwear Back
Komfi Baby Training Underwear Back

Now we will look at cotton toilet training pants for toddlers. These styles start from bigger sizes and have a higher rise.

Cotton Toddler Training Pants: Under the Nile, Hanna Andersson, Gerber, Pact

Under the Nile Organic Cotton Training Pants

Top Pick: Best non-waterproof cotton toddler training pants.

Fit

  • Starting size: 12-24M
  • I tried size: 12-24M
  • Awesome for young toddlers and perfect for Montessori toilet learning.
  • I wish they made one size smaller for babies doing EC. They leg holes were still too big on my daughter at 7-months-old.
  • These have a relatively small waistband and big leg holes. The waistband is nice and stretchy, though, so it doesn't fit too tightly.

Containing a Miss

  • Thick layer of absorbent padding, but overall they are still trim. These have more padding than most cotton trainers but not as much as Tiny Trainers.
  • Absorb a pee well

Washing and drying

  • These hold up really well being washed and dried repeatedly.
  • They can be hand washed in the sink but might take a while to dry if hanging to dry.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down.

Fabrics

  • 100% Organic Egyptian Cotton
  • Both the outer panels and the inner absorbency are organic cotton
  • Made in Egypt

Cuteness Factor

  • Limited prints
  • I wish they would release some solid colors or new prints.

Notes

  • These are my favorite cotton training pants for toddlers. If they came in a smaller size they would also be awesome for babies.

Ways to Improve

  • Please add a smaller size! I would love to see Under the Nile training pants in size 6-12M.

On the body photos

  • 5-months-old
  • 16 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing size 12-24M
Wearing Under the Nile Organic Cotton Training Pants, 12-24M
Wearing Under the Nile Organic Cotton Training Pants, 12-24M
Under the Nile Organic Cotton Training Pants Back
Under the Nile Organic Cotton Training Pants Back

Hanna Andersson Organic Training Unders

Fit

  • Starting size: XS (20-33 lbs)
  • I tried size: XS
  • These have a high rise, so they work best on toddlers.
  • They have small leg openings compared to other brands so they would be good for toddlers with thin legs.
  • Trim

Containing a miss

  • They do a good job of absorbing a pee.

Washing and drying

  • Easy to wash and dry.
  • We had a set of these for our son and they did not hold up as well to repeat washings as Under the Nile training pants.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down.
  • They have a wider waist opening than other brands of cotton training pants.

Fabrics

  • Outer: 100% Organic cotton
  • Interlining: 100% Polyester
  • Made in India

Cuteness Factor

  • I like the conservative cut of Hanna Andersson trainers.

Notes

  • We will be able to get more use out of these once my daughter is a toddler. Right now they sag too much on her.

Ways to Improve

  • I wish that the absorbent interlining was also organic cotton.

On the body photos

  • 5-months-old
  • 16 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing size XS
Wearing Hanna Andersson Training Unders XS
Wearing Hanna Andersson Training Unders XS
Hanna Andersson Training Unders Back
Hanna Andersson Training Unders Back

Pact Organic Cotton Training Pants

Pact Organic Cotton Training Pants White

Fit

  • Starting size: 2T/3T
  • I tried size: 2T/3T
  • The high rise on these is intended for toddlers.
  • The leg holes are a good size.
  • The elastic in the waistband is way too tight. After washing, the waistband stretches from about 14-16".
  • There is a good amount of absorbency while still being trim.

Containing a miss

  • Would contain a pee well if they fit correctly. The rise is still too tall on my daughter so they sag on her.

Washing and drying

  • Easy to wash and dry

Ease of up and down

  • Would be easier to pull up and push down if the waistband was not so tight

Fabrics

  • Outer: 100% Organic cotton
  • Interlining: 100% cotton
  • Made in India

Cuteness Factor

  • I like the simple solid colors.

Notes

  • These have a very similar cut to Gerber training pants.
  • I had high hopes for Pact training pants, since I love the Pact organic cotton wrap dresses that I wear.

Ways to Improve

  • I hope that Pact fixes the design flaw on these by making the waistband stretchier or sized to fit a larger waist.

On the body photos

  • 5-months-old
  • 16 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing 2T/3T

Update 4/14/2019: Pact Apparel is no longer offering cloth training pants, but they do offer organic cotton tee shirts for babies and toddlers starting from size 6-9M.

Wearing Pact Organic Cotton Training Pants 2T/3T
Wearing Pact Organic Cotton Training Pants 2T/3T
Pact Organic Cotton Training Pants Back
Pact Organic Cotton Training Pants Back

Gerber Training Pants

Fit

  • Starting size: 18M
  • I tried size: 18M
  • These are a bit bigger than Tiny Trainers or Komfi Baby underwear, but they could work for bigger babies practicing EC.
  • Very trim

Containing a miss

  • Gerber training pants do not contain a miss well.
  • They barely absorb anything.
  • I'm pretty sure that when my daughter peed in these the other day the pee went straight through them and to the floor.

Washing and drying

  • Easy to wash and quick to dry

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down.

Fabrics

  • Outer: 100% cotton
  • Interlining: Polyester
  • Made in India

Cuteness Factor

  • These white ones are super simple, but they also come in colorful prints.

Notes

  • The only time I like to use Gerber training pants is when my daughter is joining us at the table for a meal. I know they will get food on them and need to be changed right after the meal.

Ways to Improve

  • It would be better if the absorbent layer was cotton and more absorbent.
  • Tiny Trainers probably absorb 3-4 times as much as Gerber trainers.

On the body photos

  • 5-months-old
  • 16 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing size 18M
Wearing Gerber Training Pants 18M
Wearing Gerber Training Pants 18M
Gerber Training Pants Back
Gerber Training Pants Back

At home I like my daughter to wear cotton training pants with nothing over them so I can see right away when they are wet. That way we can change them right away. For leaving the house we add wool shorts over the training pants, to provide a semi-waterproof layer. The wool shorts act both as a cover to contain wetness and as clothing. Other great options are wool soakers, skirties or longies.

Truly Charis Wool Shorts

Truly Charis Wool Bubble Shorts Lilac

Wool Bubble Shorts by Truly Charis

Fit

  • Starting size: Newborn
  • I tried size: XS and Medium

Containing a miss

  • Wool is not 100% waterproof but as long as the training pants are changed frequently the wool should be able to trap the wetness inside.
  • If your child holds their pee for a really long time and then lets it all out at once, woolies with only trainers underneath may not be enough to contain the pee.

Washing and drying

  • I like to hand wash interlock wool shorts, but often interlock wool can be machine washed on a gentle cycle.
  • It's important not to shock the wool fibers with too hot or too cold of water.
  • I usually let a pair of wool shorts hang on a drying rack over night to dry.
  • Woolies only need to be washed and lanolized about every two weeks.

Ease of up and down

  • I prefer woolies that are a bit loose on the waistband, so they are easier to pull up and push down.

Fabrics

  • 95% Wool, 5% Spandex (for stretch)
  • I love that wool is a natural fiber.
  • Made in USA

Cuteness Factor

  • Wool bubble shorts, shorties, skirties, capris, and longies can be so cute!

Notes

  • Woolies are awesome for elimination communication or potty training! The lanolin in wool neutralizes urine, so even if the wool cover is peed in it can be reused over and over again!
  • I love that wool shorts serve as both a waterproof cover and clothing at the same time.
  • Wool is also very breathable so it doesn't trap sweat.
  • I love purchasing woolies from Truly Charis since they are a family business.

Ways to Improve

  • Next time I order Truly Charis woolies for my daughter I will request +1" on the waistband so that it is not as tight on her waist. I like them to be easy to take off and put back on.

On the body photos

  • 3-months-old
  • 12 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 8", hips 19.5"
  • These XS bubble shorts were already too small when we received them. She started wearing a size medium soaker at 7-months-old.
Truly Charis Wool Bubble Shorts Lilac
Truly Charis Wool Bubble Shorts Lilac

Waterproof Cloth Training Pants

Waterproof cloth training pants can be similar to a pull-on style diaper or more like padded underwear with a waterproof layer in the wet zone. Most training pants are only semi-waterproof, so wetness will seep through if they are not changed right away. I tested these waterproof potty training pants on my daughter and organized them by similar styles.

City Threads Training Pants

Top pick: Waterproof training pants that look like regular underwear.

Fit

  • Starting size: 12-18M
  • I tried sizes: 12-18M, 18-24M, and 2T
    • At 7-months-old, size 12-18M fit the best on my daughter.
  • The smallest size is good for babies practicing EC. City Threads training pants are also a great option for potty training toddlers, since they closely resemble underwear.
  • The padding section that runs through the middle is a bit thick, but overall these are one of the least bulky options for waterproof training pants. The side panels are just one layer of cotton.

Containing a miss

  • Pull-on like regular underwear
  • These don't have much elastic around the leg holes, so they need to fit snugly to contain pee.

Washing and drying

  • They take a while to dry due to the thick padding.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down

Fabrics

  • Body: 100% Cotton
  • Outer Lining: 100% PUL (waterproof layer)
  • Inner Lining: 70% Bamboo Viscose, 30% Organic Cotton
  • I like the cotton body on these.
  • Made in the USA

Cuteness Factor

  • There are lots of bright solid colors.

Notes

  • This is another high-quality product from City Threads. I already love their toddler underwear.

Ways to Improve

I wish these didn't have the waterproof PUL layer and were just breathable cotton trainers. With the waterproof layer I can't tell right away when my daughter pees.

On the body photos

  • 8-months-old
  • 17.5 pounds
  • 17" waist and 12" thighs
  • Wearing size 12-18M
Wearing City Threads Training Pants 18-24M
Wearing City Threads Training Pants 12-18M
City Threads Training Pants Back
City Threads Training Pants Back

Here is a comparison photo of Nicki's Diapers trainers and Super Undies, which are both pull-on training pants with stretchy sides.

Comparison of Nicki's Diapers Trainers and Super Undies

Pull-on Trainers: Nicki's Diapers Training Pants Size S and Super Undies Size S

Nicki's Diapers Training Pants

Top pick: Best waterproof training pants for babies practicing elimination communication.

Fit

  • Starting size: Small (16-21 lbs)
  • I tried size: Small (she outgrew them by 5-months-old)
  • These are an excellent choice for babies practicing EC, since they are so small.
  • They are good for babies with thin legs because of the elastic around the leg holes.
  • They would also be good for young toddlers who are learning to self-dress.
  • Nice stretchy sides
  • Trim

Containing a miss

  • Pull-on style
  • Contain pee well

Washing and drying

  • The cotton layer gets a little rough after multiple washings.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down
  • I really like the super stretchy sides

Fabrics

  • Outer: 100% Polyester, Lining: 100% Cotton
  • I like that there is a cotton layer touching the skin.
  • Made in China

Cuteness Factor

  • Super cute and tiny!

Notes

  • Economical choice for waterproof training pants.
  • I wish I had known about these with my first baby. He was slender and I kept waiting for him to grow into training pants.

Ways to Improve

  • The outer Polyester fabric is rough. It would be nice if it was a softer material.

On the body photos

  • 4-months-old
  • 14 pounds
  • 15" waist, 10" thigh
  • Wearing size small
Wearing Nicki's Diapers Training Pants Small
Wearing Nicki's Diapers Training Pants Small
Nicki's Diapers Training Pants Back
Nicki's Diapers Training Pants Back

Super Undies 2.0 Training Pants

Top Pick: Best pull-on waterproof training pants.

Fit

  • Starting size: Small (18-24M)
  • I tried sizes: Small and Medium
  • Bigger than Nicki's Diapers trainers, but they still work for babies doing EC or small toddlers.
  • Higher rise than some of the others, which is good for my daughter since they cover her bottom all the way.
  • Medium bulkiness
  • Nice stretchy sides

Containing a miss

  • This is the pull-on version.
  • Super Undies also offers side snapping and bed wetting versions.
  • There is a pocket where you can add extra absorbency.
  • They absorb pee well, but they did leak out the side once when my baby was lying on her side.
  • These are so good at absorbing that it can be hard to tell if my baby peed.

Washing and drying

  • The leg and waistbands look a bit worn after multiple washings.

Ease of up and down

  • These are the best waterproof option as far as pulling up and pushing down.

Fabrics

  • 100% Polyester

Cuteness Factor

  • There are some really cute prints.
  • I love these Unicorn Drops!

Notes

  • Overall I really love these trainers. They just wouldn't be good when you are trying to wrap up the potty learning process, since your child may not feel wet when peeing in them.

Ways to Improve

  • Outer Polyester fabric is loud and rough. It would be nice if it was a softer fabric.

On the body photos

  • 4-months-old
  • 14+ pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing size Small
Wearing Super Undies Training Underwear Small
Wearing Super Undies Training Underwear Small
Super Undies Training Underwear Side
Super Undies Training Underwear Side
Super Undies Training Underwear Back
Super Undies Training Underwear Back

Here is a comparison photo of three brands of side snapping training pants.

Comparison of Side Snapping Training Pants

Side Snapping Training Pants: TinyUps Size M, Charlie Banana Size M, Kanga Care Size S

TinyUps are waterproof covers that can be worn over Tiny Trainers.

Tiny Trainers and TinyUps

Tiny Trainers Size 12M and TinyUps Size M

TinyUps Waterproof Cover for Tiny Trainers

Fit

  • Starting size: Small (to pair with size 6M or 12M Tiny Trainers)
  • I tried size: Medium (to pair with size 12M or 18M Tiny Trainers)
  • These are intended for babies doing elimination communication.
  • Serve as a waterproof layer over Tiny Trainers.
  • Very small leg holes.
  • Rise is too low to cover my baby's bottom completely.
  • My baby quickly outgrew them.
  • Bulky in the front.

Containing a Miss

  • Row of snaps only on one side.
  • I wish the snaps were on both sides.
  • They do contain pee well when worn over Tiny Trainers.
  • They could also provide a little bit of absorption on their own. We didn't try them separately.

Washing and drying

  • The dark lining collects pieces of lighter color lint in the washing machine.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and down.

Fabrics

  • Outer: Polyester
  • Lining: Bamboo Micro-polar fleece
  • The lining material had a strong chemical smell when they arrived. I had to wash them a couple times to get rid of the smell before using them.
  • Made in China

Cuteness Factor

  • There are some bright colors and a few prints, but the prints aren't my favorite.
  • These are a similar cute shape to Smart Bottoms.

Notes

  • I prefer using wool shorts over Tiny Trainers instead of these TinyUps.

Ways to Improve

  • It would be better if there were snaps on both sides.
  • I don't care for the inside lining material.
  • I wish the leg holes were bigger for babies with chubby thighs.

On the body photos

  • 4-months-old
  • 15 pounds
  • Wearing size Medium
Wearing TinyUps Waterproof Cover Medium
Wearing TinyUps Waterproof Cover Medium
TinyUps Waterproof Cover Back
TinyUps Waterproof Cover Back

Charlie Banana Training Pants

Top Pick: Best waterproof training pants with an organic cotton lining.

Fit

  • Starting size: Small (10-14 lbs)
  • I tried size: Medium (16-21 lbs)
  • Great for babies doing EC, since they come in such small sizes.
  • Good for thin toddlers since there is elastic on both the waist and legs.
  • Very trim for waterproof trainers.

Containing a miss

  • Either pull-on or side snapping versions.
  • I prefer the side snapping (two snaps on either side). I like to unsnap them to hang them to finish drying.
  • Contain pee better than I expected for how thin they are.

Washing and drying

  • Dry faster than some of the other waterproof trainers.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down.

Fabrics

  • Shell face: 100% Polyester, Inner: mixed fabric, Lining: 100% Organic cotton
  • I like the smooth organic cotton lining.
  • Made in China

Cuteness Factor

  • There are some cute prints.

Notes

  • I wasn't expecting too much from Charlie Banana Extraordinary Training Pants but they ended up being one of my favorites.
  • Too bad my daughter outgrew size M so quickly. We might have been better off with size L.
  • We used these while traveling for a few weeks.

Ways to Improve

  • It would be helpful if they provided photos of babies and toddlers wearing each size, so you could get an idea of how small they run.

On the body photos

  • 5-months-old
  • 16 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing size Medium, side-snapping
  • The leg holes were getting tight at this point.
Wearing Charlie Banana Training Pants Medium
Wearing Charlie Banana Training Pants Medium
Charlie Banana Training Pants Back
Charlie Banana Training Pants Back

Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Training Pants

Top Pick: Best side-snapping cloth training pants.

Fit

  • Starting size: X-Small (12M-2T)
  • I tried size: Small (2T-3T)
  • I thought about trying the smallest size to give you a better visual comparison of the different brands, but I was tired of my daughter outgrowing trainers so fast, so I opted for the size that would continue to fit her for a while.
  • These are good for both babies practicing EC and toddlers.
  • Medium bulkiness
  • Cover a wide area of the bottom

Containing a miss

  • Sizes XS and S have side snaps. The larger sizes are pull-on.
  • The three snaps are nicely situated on the back.
  • These do the best job of containing pee and poop.

Washing and drying

  • Since they are polyester it's a bit more difficult to wash the smells out of them.
  • I like to unsnap them for washing and drying.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down.

Fabrics

  • 100% Polyester
  • Super soft fluffy Polyester inside. I normally don't like Polyester but this fabric does feel nice.
  • Made in China

Cuteness Factor

  • Super cute! Especially if you like Tokidoki.

Notes

  • Before I tried these, I thought people only liked them because of the Tokidoki prints. It turns out they are actually really well designed training pants!

Ways to Improve

  • The style is awesome the way it is.
  • It might be nice to have a version with cotton as the lining that touches the skin.

On the body photos

  • 5-months-old
  • 16 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing size small.
  • Size small fit my daughter really well at 6-7 months old when her thighs were 11".
Wearing Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Training Pants Small
Wearing Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Training Pants Small
Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Training Pants Back
Kanga Care Lil Learnerz Training Pants Back

Smart Bottoms Lil' Trainers Training Pants

Smart Bottoms Lil Trainer Purrfect

Fit

  • Starting size: 2T (this is a super small 2T)
  • I tried size: 2T
  • The small size and low rise makes these great for babies practicing EC.
  • I should have purchased 3T instead, as my baby quickly outgrew 2T.
  • Very small leg openings.
  • Nice wide waist band.
  • Bulky, especially with the snap-in soaker.
  • Wide between the legs.

Containing a miss

  • Pull-on
  • These did not do a good job at containing pee. The way they are designed, there is no barrier to prevent pee from wicking out through the leg holes.
  • I really wanted to love these, but they just weren't functional.
  • Update Sept 5, 2019 : I just learned from watching Jay's Nest that rolled elastic on cloth diapers or training pants needs to be rolled / tucked in around the legs to prevent liquid from seeping out. If you try these training pants and properly tuck them in around the leg, please let me know how they work for you!

Washing and drying

  • I like that the soaker can be removed for washing and drying.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down.

Fabrics

  • Outer: 50% Organic cotton and 50% Polyester, Inner: 100% Organic cotton
  • The outer fabric tends to pile.
  • I love the organic cotton on the inside.
  • Made in USA

Cuteness Factor

  • One of the cutest options!

Notes

  • I thought these were going to be my favorite waterproof training pants for EC'd babies. They are cute, small, made in the USA, and contain organic cotton. But they just didn't do their job of holding in pee.
  • Update Sept 5, 2019 : Now that I know that the leg elastic should have been tucked in around the legs, I would be willing to give them another try if I ever have another baby.

Ways to Improve

  • The product description on the website should include instructions explaining that the rolled elastic should be rolled / tucked in around the legs. If I had known that, these may have worked better.

On the body photos

  • 4-months-old
  • 14+ pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing size 2T
Wearing Smart Bottoms Lil Trainers 2T
Wearing Smart Bottoms Lil Trainers 2T
Smart Bottoms Lil Trainers Back
Smart Bottoms Lil Trainers Back

Blueberry Training Pants

Top Pick: Runner-up for most comfortable.

Fit

  • Starting size: Small
  • I tried size: Small
  • These are sized more for toddlers but may fit some chubby babies.
  • Trim

Containing a miss

  • Pull on style that almost looks like underwear.
  • Contains pee well, but it will wick out if you don't change them right away.

Washing and drying

  • Easy to wash and dry.
  • The outer fabric piles when washed. Similar to Smart Bottoms.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down, but sometimes the waist band elastic gets twisted in it's casing.

Fabrics

  • Outer: 50% Cotton, 50% Polyester
  • Interlining: Cotton velour
  • Hidden layer: Absorbent Polyester and PUL
  • Made in USA

Cuteness Factor

  • One of the cutest options.
  • There are some adorable prints!
  • If I had chosen these myself I would have chosen a pretty blue, purple, or pink print.

Notes

  • Since these were a bit big when we first got them we used them as a waterproof cover over Tiny Trainers.
  • We normally use non-waterproof cotton training pants, but I'm temped to buy more of these in the next size for times when we want a waterproof option. They are so cute!

Ways to Improve

  • I wish the cotton velour interlining was organic. There were a couple prints with organic cotton velour interlining but I couldn't find them anymore when I was looking for them.

On the body photos

  • 4-months-old
  • 14 pounds
  • 15" waist, 10" thigh (the waistband fit, but the leg holes were a bit big at that point)
  • Wearing size small.
  • Size small fit perfectly once she was 6-months-old, 16 pounds, 16" waist, 11" thighs.
Wearing Blueberry Training Pants Small
Wearing Blueberry Training Pants Small
Blueberry Training Pants Back
Blueberry Training Pants Back

Here is a comparison photo of Blueberry and Ecoposh training pants:

Comparison of Blueberry Training Pants and Ecoposh

Most Comfortable Training Pants: Blueberry Training Pants Size S and Ecoposh Size S

Ecoposh Training Pants

Top Pick: Most comfortable waterproof training pants.

Fit

  • Starting size: Small (1T/2T)
  • I tried size: Small
  • These are sized for toddlers but may fit some chubby babies.
  • The cut is similar to Blueberry training pants.
  • These are a bit bulky and quite heavy.

Containing a miss

  • Pull-on
  • They absorb well, but moisture will start to wick out around the leg holes if they are not changed right after a pee.

Washing and drying

  • Poop washes off of these easily if they are rinsed right away.
  • They take a while to dry since they absorb so much liquid.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down

Fabrics

  • Outer: 65% PET / 35% Organic Cotton
  • Inner: 60% Bamboo rayon / 20% Organic cotton / 20% Polyester
  • Hidden layer: 100% Polyester
  • PET is Polyester made from recycled water bottles.
  • The plush bamboo velour makes these luxurious training pants.

Cuteness Factor

  • Cute cut
  • Only come in a limited number of solid colors

Notes

  • These are made by the Kanga Care brand.
  • When all the laundry has been washed I reach for Ecoposh and Blueberry trainers first, followed by Kanga Care Lil Learnerz.

Ways to Improve

  • The design is great the way it is, I would just like to see them in more colors.

On the body photos

  • 5-months-old
  • 16 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing size small
  • These fit really well when my daughter was 6-7 months old.
Wearing Ecoposh Training Pants Small
Wearing Ecoposh Training Pants Small
Ecoposh Training Pants Back
Ecoposh Training Pants Back

Grovia My Choice Trainer

Top Pick: Best option to use as a pull-on style diaper.

Fit

  • Starting size: One-size
  • I tried size: One-size with rise snapped down
  • These are pretty tight around the waist. Even at 5-months-old they fit my daughter better with the Side Flex Panels Plus (3T-5T).
  • Best for babies or small toddlers
  • Medium bulkiness

Containing a miss

  • Side-snapping
  • These have some pretty heavy absorbency, but sometimes the pee still wicked out.
  • There is a pocket where you can add a booster for extra absorbency, but we didn't try them that way.

Washing and drying

  • The absorbent core takes a while to dry since it is a dense cotton/hemp terry.

Ease of up and down

  • These were the most difficult to pull up and push down since they were tight around the waist.

Fabrics

  • Outer: 100% Water resistant Polyester TPU
  • Absorbent layer: 55% Hemp, 45% Cotton terry
  • Inner: 100% Polyester
  • Made in China

Cuteness Factor

  • This style looks more like a diaper than underwear

Notes

  • Along with the training pants, GroVia sent me a Hybrid diaper shell which you can see in my video Easy Cloth Diapers for EC.
  • They also sent a set of super cute little 2T boxer style underwear and tank tops. The underwear are a great option if you are looking for small toddler underwear. I wish I had found the GroVia tank tops sooner, since the white tank tops in these photos were way too big on my daughter.

Ways to Improve

  • I personally prefer cotton training pants that are more like underwear, but if you are looking for trainers to use as a pull-on style diaper then these would be a great choice.

On the body photos

  • 5-months-old
  • 16 pounds
  • Waist 16", thighs 10"
  • Wearing one-size with rise snapped down
  • We started using the Side-Flex Panels Plus (3T-5T) right away.
Wearing Grovia My Choice Trainer
Wearing Grovia My Choice Trainer
Grovia My Choice Trainer Back
Grovia My Choice Trainer Back

Best Bottom Potty Training Kit

Fit

  • Starting size: Small (2T)
  • I tried size: Small (2T)
  • These consist of a waterproof outer portion and snap-in soakers.
  • Nice wide waistband
  • The leg holes are huge and there is no elastic in them.
  • They would be best for toddlers with chubby thighs
  • Trim

Containing a miss

  • Pull-on
  • Since there is no elastic in the leg bands these tend to gape and allow pee to leak right out.

Washing and drying

  • I like that the waterproof outer and absorbent soakers can be washed separately.

Ease of up and down

  • Easy to pull up and push down

Fabrics

  • Outer: 100% cotton
  • Inner: 100% Polyester with PUL
  • I like the feel of the cotton on the outside
  • Made in USA

Cuteness Factor

  • I like that the outside looks like underwear, especially for potty training toddlers.
  • There are some cute prints and they match with Planet Wise wet bags.

Notes

  • I thought I would give these a second try, since my daughter has much chubbier thighs than my son did, but they still don't fit her either.

Ways to Improve

  • Please add elastic to the leg bands so these can function properly!
  • My son used these as a toddler, but the pee would go straight to the floor since the leg bangs were not tight enough.

On the body photos

  • 4-months-old
  • 15 pounds
  • Wearing size small
  • I don't know when my daughter will grow into these
Wearing Best Bottom Training Pants Small
Wearing Best Bottom Training Pants Small
Best Bottom Training Pants Side
Best Bottom Training Pants Side
Best Bottom Training Pants Back
Best Bottom Training Pants Back

Here is a comparison photo of Komfi Baby underwear with soaker pad and Best Bottom training pants with snap-in soaker:

Komfi Baby Underwear Size 12M and Best Bottom Trainers Size S

Training Pants with Soakers: Komfi Baby Underwear Size 12M and Best Bottom Trainers Size S

That wraps up our Ultimate Guide to Cloth Training Pants. You may also be interested in reading our lists of Early Potty Training Supplies and Elimination Communication Supplies.

Pin away!

Ultimate Cloth Training Pants Guide

About Heidi Avelino

Heidi is passionate about spreading awareness of elimination communication and natural cloth diapering. She is an environmentalist and strives to live a minimalist and zero-waste lifestyle. Heidi practiced EC with each of her three children. Her eldest son and her daughter have reached potty independence. She is currently practicing EC with and cloth diapering her youngest son.

12 Comments

  1. Ariane Blais-Lacombe on January 19, 2019 at 12:43 pm

    Wow that is so complete. Thanks for all the comparison pictures and the ones on your little girl help a lot too!



  2. Heidi Avelino on January 20, 2019 at 10:33 am

    Thanks for commenting. I’m glad you like the photos!



  3. Dayton on January 31, 2020 at 8:12 am

    I Have Never A Day In My Life Thought About Using Cloth Diapers But You Have Convinced Me! I Have Picked Out 3 That Really Caught My Eye And Ordered. Thank You‼️



  4. Heidi Avelino on February 1, 2020 at 9:46 pm

    I’m happy to hear that! I hope they work out well for you.



  5. Line on February 9, 2020 at 6:40 am

    Hello,
    I am german an use Cloth diapers for my Baby since she was born. Now she is 17 Month at it is time for trainers.
    I used the Kanga Care (it fits still size XS) but now I search for more possibilities. For this your review was great, because you compare very much trainers. Thank you for this.
    But I think your baby /was a little bit above average in the weight. So is difficult to compate with “normal” weight babys. (For example my baby had 6 kg with 7 moth 😉
    I love the smart bottom trainer now. And everybody who is usig cloth diapers before Trainers is knowing that it is nesecary to roll in the elastic. It is nesecary for nearly every PuL Diaper. So I have no proplem with leaking.
    But after your rewiev I will try some more of this cute trainers.
    Thank you for all the cute photos and the work of comparing the all of this Trainers <3



  6. Heidi Avelino on March 6, 2020 at 5:58 am

    Hi! I hope you were able to find some cloth training pants that work well for your toddler. My daughter was quite chubby as a baby. That’s why I included measurements for waist and thighs. That’s what really matters, not age or weight.

    We used organic cotton fitted diapers with wool covers during the newborn stage with my daughter, so we didn’t have experience using PUL all-in-one diapers with rolled elastic. It sounds like it would be very gentle on baby’s leg. Not so great for toddlers who are learning to pull up their trainers, and won’t bother to tuck it in around the legs.

    How is your elimination communication or potty independence journey going now?



  7. Amanda K on April 21, 2020 at 7:35 am

    Hi there!

    What an amazingly comprehensive list!

    I’ll be honest I’m a bit overwhelmed in making the right choice for us. My son is 6mo, but in 18mo clothes with chunky thighs. We have finally decided to go all in on EC since this pandemic is keeping us home all the time (we are in NYC).

    What would you recommend as a best option for us? He gets flare ups with polyester, so that’s also an important thing to keep in mind for us. I’m also out of work due to the pandemic, so affordability is key. I’m looking to hopefully use a little of our stimulus check to go towards initial purchase, so again want to make sure we pick the best choice for us.

    Thanks for your input!

    Amanda



  8. Heidi Avelino on April 23, 2020 at 8:51 am

    Hi Amanda,
    Since you know he is sensitive to polyester I would go with a cotton option. Chunky thighs don’t fit well in Tiny Trainers, so I would skip those. The three brands that come to mind are: Under the Nile, Hanna Andersson and City Threads. Or Earth Baby Clothing training pants from Etsy (not included in this review). Since you mentioned that affordability is key, I looked on Amazon to see what the best option would be. I discovered a new option: Moon and Back (Amazon brand) by Hanna Andersson, which should be comparable to Hanna Andersson trainers. The 18M-3T may possibly be big around the legs, but it tends to be easy to return (if unwashed). Right now there is a 3 pack for $22. A little over $7 per pair is good for organic cotton! I hope that helps!
    https://amzn.to/2yFEPOE



  9. Gabrielle Miller on June 26, 2020 at 2:06 pm

    Hi there! I found your site today while hunting for potty training tips and you have some great stuff!

    I have a slim 2 year old girl and a chunky 5 month old girl, both in flats and pul or wool covers. I get behind on the wool washing with ebf poop getting on them all the time….

    I got a good number of lil learnerz training pants for the toddler, but she’s still having a hard time not peeing in them, especially during meals. For now we’re back to flats full time, though she prefers the cute prints on the trainers. The smalls fit, but are snug and I don’t think she can pull them up or push them down herself, which I suspect is kneecapping our training efforts. I’ve been considering the ecoposh kangacare ones, but I don’t know how they compare for leak prevention and easy up and down. Do you have any insight, there? I like the side snaps for the occasional poop, but the point is for her to learn to do it herself and if it’s too tight then she can’t.

    Thanks for your help! : )



  10. Heidi Avelino on September 19, 2020 at 3:58 pm

    Hi Gabrielle,
    Sorry, I’m just now seeing your question. The Ecoposh training pants might not be quite as absorbent and good at holding in liquid as the Kangacare Lil Learnerz, but I do think they would be easier to pull up and push down. I like training pants to fit on the loose side to make it easier for toddlers to self-dress.

    Maybe by now your daughter is past the training pants stage and on to potty independence. Sometimes cloth training pants can prolong the process, as they feel similar to a diaper. Going bare bottomed or commando can help speed up the learning process.
    With aloha,
    Heidi



  11. Ineke on February 14, 2021 at 10:25 pm

    Heidi,
    Thank you so much for this incredible and comprehensive list. Just ordered some waterproof pull-ups for naps at daycare, where my 20 month-old daughter is otherwise diaper free/potty trained in undies. I appreciate the time and effort you put in this list (and your daughters adorable smile and cute rolls!)! Thanks again!



  12. Flor Arroyo on May 23, 2021 at 7:18 pm

    Hello!
    So what would be your best pick for EC a big chunky baby. Currently cloth diapering planning on moving to EC, baby was already 13 lbs 24 inches at 6 weeks. He’s really big/tall and chunky compared to my other 2 at this age already were. I saw your top picks for babies but he is a big baby