Best Way to Choose Swimming

Pull-Up Diapers

Posted by Brianna Maguire on Nov 13th 2020

Incontinence should never stop you from enjoying a beach day or a family trip to the pool. Our disposable swim diapers for adults are the perfect product for those who want to be in the water, but may experience bowel incontinence. With a waterproof exterior that traps bowel incontinence, swim pull-ups allow you to swim freely without worrying about accidents.

Learn about:

What are swimming pull-up diapers?

Swim pull-ups, sometimes called "swimming diapers" or "disposable swimwear," are an underwear-shaped incontinence product worn underneath a bathing suit. Featuring a soft waistband and a moisture-proof barrier, these trap bowel incontinence so it can't escape into swimming pools or any other body of water. These products are for both youth and adults.

Who should use swim protective underwear?

Swim pull-ups are a great solution for those who are:

  • Looking for bowel protection in the pool
  • In need of a swim pull-up for larger children who aren’t yet potty trained, or who have special needs
  • Taking classes in the water or attending aqua therapy 
  • Relatively active and mobile
  • Don't want a soggy diaper

Who shouldn't use them?

Disposable swim pants are probably not a good fit for those who are:

  • Looking for urinary protection in the pool
  • In need of a traditional pull-up (outside of the water)
  • Looking for a solution that keeps water out (e.g., recovering from a urinary tract infection or surgery)
  • Immobile or have poor balance

How do they work?

Fortunately, our swim pull-ups are not made with polymers (the tiny absorbent beads that soak up moisture), which means there will be minimal swelling. However, that means that swim pull-ups technically only contain bowel incontinence, because there are no polymers to hold urine.

If swim pull-ups were to contain polymers, they would soak up water and cause the pull-up to puff up, meaning the product would become baggy, more visible under a bathing suit, and could ultimately break apart.


How to put on protective underwear for swimming:

  • Step into the underwear, one leg at a time
  • Slide the underwear up the body
  • If you struggle with mobility, it can help to start from a sitting position, or on a toilet


How to remove protective underwear for swimming:

  • Tear off each side using the easy removal seams
  • Pull the underwear off your body and dispose of them

What features exist?

Leg guards

Leg guards, also called "leg cuffs," are strips of fabric that hug the pull-up's leg openings and guard against potential bowel accidents, as well as provide a snug fit.


Tear-away sides

Tear-away sides offer a convenient removal solution - just rip the seams on either side of the pull-up, then toss the pull-up away.


Cloth-like backing

Cloth-like backing means that the outside of the diaper is soft cloth. Typically more comfortable and better for your skin, all of our swim pull-ups have cloth backs. Plus, cloth won't make any sounds under your bathing suit, so it's more discreet.


Moisture barrier

Swim pull-ups contain a moisture barrier in the core that locks in any bowel incontinence.

Carewell's recommendations

If you’re looking for a trustworthy swim pull-up, we love:

SwimMates Disposable Adult Pull-Up Underwear

Ideal for all types of users between waist sizes of 22 and 80 inches, these pull-ups trap any bowel incontinence from leaking into the water. They won't swell or break apart, so you can wear them underneath a bathing suit without anyone ever knowing you're wearing a pull-up.

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Brittany's pro-tips

If you're experiencing leaks, it's probably an issue with fit. Be sure to use exact waist and hip measurements when choosing your size, and don't be afraid to give us a call for help!

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