Apart from the folding, are terry nappies really inferior to shaped fancy nappies?

[Ceolas]

I mean in terms of absorption, leaks etc?

Your opinions please

they are slightly more prone to leaks simply because you can't always get the legs nice and snug. but you vcan get round that and as long as you have a good wrap it shouldn't really matter

Firstly I have to admit to never having used Terry Squares with my boys. However I have used prefolds for the small and medium sizes on ds1 & ds2 and then fuzzis for the large size. Ds2 hates nappy changes and wriggles constantly so keeping liner, prefold and wrap suitably positioned whilst trying to prevent ds from escaping was not the easiest of tasks, whereas the pocket nappy does not disassemble itself when placed under a wriggling toddler. Also the pocket nappy and its micro terry insert easily dry over night on the airer (or a couple of hours in the airing cupboard) as opposed to having to put the prefolds in the tumble drier if I needed them for the next morning.

Frankly, I do not think you can beat a good old fashioned terry nappy, using a kite fold, boosted with a second nappy at night if necessary, with plain pull on plastic pants over the top. If you make sure all the nappy is contained inside the pants, you should get no leaks.

i use mainly terries,only reason i have some shaped in my collection is for cm and any one else who wishes to change his bum but moans about silly cloth.i find they work just as well sometimes better,although can be hard on wriggly baby !

agree with boomally,i use at night also boosted with 2nd terry and is fine.