A Guide to Incontinence Booster Pads & The Top 5 Adult Booster Pads to Consider

At Parentgiving, our goal is to make aging easier for both the person and the caregiver by providing helpful resources, practical tips around accessibility, and best-in-class products. In this guide, we will be covering a product our experts often recommend to our customers to enhance the use of adult diapers and bladder control pads, limit leaks, and encourage confidence.

Let’s start with the basics to enhance wellness.

What is a Diaper Booster Pad?

Finding the perfect incontinence solution can be challenging for anyone, but incontinence booster pads are made to make your life easier. Also known as diaper doublers, these pads provide you with an extra level of protection when used in addition to adult incontinence underwear because they are designed with a flow-through backing.

How Booster Pads Work

The pad will absorb fluid, fill to capacity, and then pass the remaining liquid into the super-absorbent adult diaper. It’s like adding a big sponge to your incontinence underwear, increasing how much fluid can be absorbed.

Adding a booster pad to an existing product can add up to 20 ozs more absorption capacity, providing additional wear time hours without requiring a change. That means you can continue your routine without stopping to frequently deal with replacing the product.

Even if your incontinence garment of choice manages to absorb everything, the most absorbent booster pads can provide you greater peace of mind, knowing that in a worst-case scenario, you have extra protection.

Booster Pad Benefits

Booster pads are extremely versatile and can be used in several ways, making incontinence and healthcare less of a thought. Key benefits of booster pads include:

The ability to transform them into an overnight adult diaper or absorbent underwear when need be.
It is easier for both caregivers and patients to use.
They are discreet and easy to carry, allowing you to change a pad in a pinch without needing a whole new adult diaper.
Wick or redirect urine back to the outer garment.
It is a value-conscious alternative to upgrading to a higher absorption product.
Provides peace of mind so you can continue doing the things you love and going where you want to go without having to worry about leaks.

Who Should Use An Adult Booster Pad?

While anyone with incontinence issues can use booster pads, they are a good solution for people who are:

Traveling and looking for extra absorbency. Booster pads are also helpful if you will be someplace for a long time with a limited chance to change your adult diaper. Deep sleepers. Whether due to deep sleep or simply enjoying a long, restful sleep, booster pads can make sure that you are good to go, whatever the situation.
Troubleshooting leak issues. Most often, leaks occur through gaps in the legholes. Booster pads are a great solution to fill that gap. Additionally, these diaper inserts give people who sleep on their side more targeted protection from leaks.
Experience bowel incontinence. If you need added protection to supplement your usual outer protection, the booster pads provide an affordable option to extend the life of your product without having to pay the significant price rise, which typically correlates with higher absorption products.
In a wheelchair or confined to a bed. To avoid more frequent diaper changes.

Who Should Not Use An Adult Booster Pad?

While these pads provide relief for those who are looking to stay dry, there are some situations where a person shouldn’t use the product.

If you are looking for all-in-one protection, these products are not intended to function by themselves.
If you are in need of light incontinence solutions.
If you prefer a single product or less bulkiness for your protection. You may prefer products that offer maximum absorbency or products for moderate incontinence rather than the inclusion of booster pads.

How to Use a Booster Pad

To apply a booster pad, start by removing the adhesive protector from the back of the pad. Carefully fit the pad within the diaper’s leak guards, making sure that it aligns with the core for optimal absorption.

Press down firmly on the adhesive, avoiding contact with the pad’s surface to maintain cleanliness. Once placed inside the adult pull-up diaper, the pad should stay secured to the core. Depending on the brand or variety, the product may have an adhesive strip to fasten the product securely to the outer product.

Size is also a major consideration when properly using a booster pad. If you wear an XS or Small adult diaper, oversized booster pads may not fit.

Proper positioning of the booster pad can help prevent leaks. For women, place the pad slightly toward the back of the diaper or brief. For men, position the pad around the top of the area as a deflector, allowing urine to flow back into the adult diaper for better containment.

How Much Do Adult Incontinence Pads Absorb?

On average, booster pads add between 8 ounces and 23 ounces of additional absorption capacity. For comparison, an adult diaper holds around 30-40 ounces, whereas a pantyliner can barely hold an ounce and is only meant for light use.

It is recommended to use only one booster pad in your diaper. However, some users do double up to provide additional and custom amounts of absorbency. Even if doubled up, these products still require the use of that main protective garment, or they will not function as intended.

Booster Pad Features To Look For

There are different varieties of booster pad options available, some of which come with differing features. There are certain features to look for when exploring various types of booster pads.

Adhesive Backing

If security is a major concern for you, there are versions of booster pads that come with an adhesive backing that provides added security to the product by fastening it to the outer garment itself so it stays in place. This feature is found more often in smaller pads and typically fits the length of your underwear. This makes them unlikely to have much in the way of wiggle room.

Shape Varieties

While there isn’t a wide variety of options available, booster pads typically come in two different shapes, including:

Rectangular shaped: These are the most common and may resemble menstrual pads. They rest on the core of a pull-up or tabbed diaper.
Hourglass-shaped pads: These are contoured to accommodate plus-sized bodies and feature wide panels to cover the rear and belly, yet narrow at the legs to eliminate unnecessary bulkiness.

Length Options

Some booster pads feature longer or shorter lengths and are intended for different styles of outer protective garments. The goal is to find a booster pad with a length that fits comfortably inside the pull-up, diaper, or brief option that you wear. If the pad pokes out of the sides, it could cause a leak risk that you want to avoid.

The 5 Best Booster Pads for 2022

The booster pads outlined in this section are the highest rated, extremely well manufactured, and the best bang for your buck. It is important to remember that each case of incontinence is different, so depending on your needs, we recommend you try several booster pads to find the best one for you.

1. Dry Direct Ultimate Booster Pad

Our number one choice is the Dry Direct Ultimate Booster Pad, the finest and most absorbent booster pad available. Dry Direct is engineered to be narrow enough to fit into small sizes and long enough to provide needed absorbency. One of the only US brands with Italian manufacturing, Dry Direct is known for its soft top sheet – the softest on the market.

These booster pads are fantastic for getting more out of daytime adult diapers, side sleepers, or briefs. They also do a great job for anyone who wants to troubleshoot leakage with their current briefs or pull-up diapers.

Top Features

“Dry Direct Ultimate Booster Pads has solved overnight absorbency issues. They clearly are the best in the market !” - Marjorie D.

Increase absorbency by up to four cups of fluid
A breathable top sheet pulls more moisture away from the skin
Anti-odor system preventing odor and ensuring discretionary leakage
100% made in Italy, latex-free, and hypoallergenic

2. Abena Boost Maxi Booster Pad

The rectangular ABENA-Boost incontinence pad is made without a moisture-proof backing. You can apply ABENA Boost to any brand of disposable incontinence briefs or protective underwear using the "Flow-Thru" design to boost absorbency.

Top Features

Fluff-filled design
Extends the life of absorbent undergarment
Minimizes leakage and patient changes
Acts as a channel to pull fluid into the diaper underneath
The booster can be replaced when wet
Fully breathable back sheet
Promotes a cooler, more comfortable experience while promoting skin health
Slim, discreet, and highly efficient

3. Tranquility Topline Countour Booster

Tranquility Topline Contour Pads are made in the USA and are easily disposable booster pads that come in different sizes. The Super Plus allows additional capacity for individuals looking for increased room and comfort. Many customers have purchased the smaller size, then later purchased and loved the larger one because of the additional capacity allowances that come with the Super Plus.

Top Features

“A good product my family member has MS this product assists her in a great way at night.” - Susie

An added layer of extra protection to pullups or tabbed briefs
Hourglass shape allows for a more comfortable fit on many shapes and sizes
Categorized as both urine and the best underwear for bowel incontinence
Latex-free and breathable texture makes it suitable for people with sensitive skin

4. Tranquility Topline Super Booster Pad

Having consistently achieved positive feedback, the Tranquility Topline Super Booster Pad has fantastic flow-through, allowing liquids to pass through and fill fluid out the primary undergarment. This booster pad is a no-brainer to have in the top five list. These booster pads come in three different sizes, each with a different leakage capacity.

Top Features

“The booster pad is just the right length and provides that extra absorbtion you need sometimes. Soft and comfortable.” - Cathy K.

Latex-free
Varying size and leakage capacity, allowing wearers multiple options
Fits snugly between the inner legs with a solid cuff mechanism and adhesive strip
It has advanced odor-control technology that keeps you fresh

5. Seni Booster Pad

Seni’s booster pads boast of being anatomically shaped, allowing the wearer to have more comfort and ease of flexibility. Paired with another absorbent product, the Seni Booster Pad will increase capacity and can work with catheterized people.

Top Features

“What a helpful product! With these we can keep Mom and my sister dry and comfortable without having to undress and redress them each time. All one needs to do is lift out the soiled/wet/used liner and then slip in a new one.” - M

Latex-free.
Highly absorbent.
The 24.6” pad is practical to use and can be a solution for both urinary and bowel incontinence.

FAQs About Booster Pads

Can I use multiple booster pads at once?

While you can wear booster “stackables,” it is not recommended. You’ll experience reduced breathability, which can trap moisture and heat, leading to bacterial infections or rashes. It may also decrease the absorbance as the outer pad isn’t designed to be used that way. It’s better to get a high-absorbency product.

What is the difference between booster pads and incontinence pads?

While both are designed to manage incontinence, incontinence pads have standalone protection, meaning they are designed to be worn independently. With different levels of absorbency to choose from, incontinence pads are also designed to be discreet and more fitting for your shape.

Booster pads, on the other hand, are used in conjunction with other incontinence products that are designed to boost absorbency. By adding a booster pad, you have more customization for higher absorbency levels that are needed, specifically during nighttime or long-term daytime use.

Will using booster pads cause skin issues?

If used improperly, booster pads can cause skin issues like rashes. The key is to shop for pads made with high-quality materials that are soft and gentle on sensitive skin. It’s important to frequently change the booster pad when it gets wet to avoid moisture buildup and to make sure the booster pad properly fits to avoid chafing.

Do booster pads work for bowel incontinence?

Yes, booster pads can work for bowel incontinence. While they’re primarily designed for urinary incontinence, booster pads can provide added absorbency for leaks and accidents, especially when used in conjunction with incontinence briefs or underwear.

Keep in mind: if you’re experiencing severe bowel incontinence, purchase appropriate products for that, in addition to seeking advice from a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying issues.

Are booster pads suitable for people with medical devices like catheters?

Yes, booster pads can be used for people with catheters and other medical devices. While the goal of catheters is to drain urine, it can help capture any leaks and help keep skin dry and healthy. Consider first the type of catheter, the needs of the individual, and skin sensitivity to come up with an appropriate plan.

Are You Ready to Try Booster Pads?

Finding the perfect incontinence solution can be a challenge as many different factors come into play. However, booster pads are a product worth exploring and can make a positive impact on your journey to staying dry and discrete!

If you are ready to increase your absorbency and comfort, view our full booster pads product line today at parentgiving.com.