Standing Leak Guards | Adult Diaper Information Center Japan

English edition of a Japanese guide by Hiroshi Yagi. Japanese original: first published 5 July 2019; updated 9 October 2026. Read the Japanese original.

Standing leak guards are an important part of adult diapers and incontinence insert pads. They help prevent urine from leaking out at the sides. This article explains how they work, how to raise and position them, what to watch for during use, and how their design varies between products.

What are gathers?

Gathers are folds formed by drawing material together. In disposable diapers, standing leak guards rise along both sides of the absorbent core. Other gathers help the diaper fit the body.

What standing leak guards do

Incontinence insert pad cross-sections with standing leak guards raised on the left and folded down on the right

Standing leak guards help contain urine before it enters the absorbent core. If the guards remain folded down, they cannot perform this function as intended.

Blue liquid held between the raised standing leak guards of an adult diaper

Hiroshi Yagi

Make the most of the standing leak guards.

Standing leak guards in pull-on adult diapers, tape-fastened adult diapers and incontinence insert pads

Standing leak guards are used in pull-on adult diapers, tape-fastened adult diapers and incontinence insert pads. Whether they are present, and their shape, depend on the product.

How to position standing leak guards

Raise the standing leak guards

Hands gently opening a incontinence insert pad to raise its standing leak guards

Simply unfolding a pad may not fully raise its standing leak guards. Hold the two ends, gently open the pad and check that the guards are standing up.

Position the guards along the groin

Standing leak guards positioned along the groin without force

Position the standing leak guards along the groin, where the legs meet the body. Avoid pressing them firmly against the skin. Adjust them to a comfortable position.

Check the final fit

This helps keep urine within the guards and reduces the risk of side leakage.

Standing leak guards: precautions

Avoid flattening the guards with another pad

One pad flattens the standing leak guards of the pad beneath it

Placing one pad on top of another can flatten the standing leak guards of the lower pad. Follow the product instructions when checking how pads may be combined.

Watch for skin irritation

Example of skin redness where leak guards press against the groin

If standing leak guards press too firmly against the skin, they may cause redness or irritation. Review the fit and size. If you are concerned about the skin, consult a healthcare or care professional. Absorbency varies between products.

MEMO

If the skin is irritated, also review the pad’s breathability and how often it is changed.

Examples of standing leak guard designs

The shape and placement of gathers vary between products. The following examples show some distinctive designs.

Pull-on adult diapers

Nepia Tender pull-on adult diapers

These diapers have “Powerful Standing Gathers,” which fold inward and outward. The design helps reduce gaps between the diaper and the body.

Reference
Nepia Tender: secure holdOji Nepia — official website (Japanese)

Tape-fastened adult diapers

Lifree Yoko More Anshin tape-fastened adult diapers

The three layers of gathers help contain the spread of urine in stages. The illustration shows where each layer is positioned.

Reference
Lifree: triple standing leak guardsUnicharm — official website (Japanese)

Incontinence insert pads

Salva Jiritsu Shien Ateraku Pad

High Fit Gathers along the sides of a Salva incontinence insert pad

The pad has “High Fit Gathers” that follow the contours around the legs. The design also takes fit during movement into account.

Reference
Salva: High Fit GathersHakujuji — official website (Japanese)

Other fit and leakage-control features

Diapers may also use other gathers and pockets to support fit and help contain leakage.

Pull-on adult diapers

Only One Care boxer-style pull-on adult diapers

“Lifting Gathers” help bring the absorbent core closer to the body.

Reference
Only One Care: Lifting GathersKOYO — official website (Japanese)

Tape-fastened adult diapers

Attento tape-fastened adult diapers for back and side leakage

This product uses a back leakage prevention pocket to help contain leakage at the back while lying down. Side leak guards fit around the legs to help reduce gaps.

Reference
Attento: back leakage prevention pocket and side leak guardsDaio Paper — official website (Japanese)

Salva Anshin W Fit

Leak Stop Gathers in Salva tape-fastened adult diapers

“Leak Stop Gathers” are designed to help contain urine and stool.

Reference
Salva: Leak Stop GathersHakujuji — official website (Japanese)

Nepia Tender tape-fastened adult diapers

“Anti-slip Gathers” help hold the sides of an incontinence insert pad to reduce sideways movement.

Reference
Nepia Tender: Anti-slip GathersOji Nepia — official website (Japanese)

Hiroshi Yagi

Other products also use distinctive gather shapes and arrangements.

Depending on the volume and flow of urine, it may pass over the standing leak guards. If leakage continues, review the pad’s absorbency, absorption speed, size and fit.

Absorption speed in adult diapers and incontinence insert pads: choosing for urine flow, with product examples [2026] (Japanese)