UPDATED 9/14/25
If you haven’t spent a few minutes reading about Elastic Tissue blog do so now, then come back here to finish this comparison!
Let me begin this comparison with a quick story! Seven years ago was the beginning of my pumping life; I pumped for a total of 18 months for my multiples, pumping was the name of my game. Unfortunately the beginning of this journey was a nightmare, mastitis, clogs and nipple damage really gave me a run for my money. It wasn’t until I learned of elastic tissue and had an opportunity to try LacTeck Flanges, that's when things finally turned around. Allow me to also add that what has helped correct my battle with elastic tissue may not be everyone’s experience. I will follow this up with most moms I’ve communicated with have shared similar stories; that’s said, if you’re battling elastic tissue - silicone is worth a try.
I’m an old dog, I don’t like new tricks and I know what I like and works for me. But this is bemybreastfriend, trying new things, sometimes when I most dread it- is apart of the game. When I had learned of the Idaho Jones flanges, very similar to the LacTeck I knew I had to give them a try! So here we go, let's compare!
Not all silicone is created equal. You have frosted finish, what I like to call - raw silicone and different silicone molded designs that can really set options apart from each other.
As shared above I have been using the LacTeck flanges since my first pumping journey, 7 years ago. I’ve had nothing but pleasant experiences with each new generation of LacTeck flange that have been released. I’d be lying if I said I had a favorite, they’re all very similar in my opinion. One thing I can say confidently is the finish of the LacTeck flanges always has me starting and finishing every pump session in comfort. LacTeck flanges have a frosted finish that keeps the skin from being painfully dragged down the tunnel. *Fair warning* If you sit down to pump after a shower or you’ve wiped the natural oils off your body to pump, it is possible you may feel this draw down the flange tunnel, but generally speaking it should not be an issue. The LacTeck flanges are rigid enough that they don’t flop or bend in half when hanging from your breast with bottles full of milk. I will admit the only time I would use an 8oz collection bottle with these flanges is when I’m only going to be sitting for a session, otherwise I can stay mobile with 5oz collection bottles hanging from my breasts.
There is ONE complaint I do have about the LacTeck flanges, which isn’t a deal breaker but can be a real pain in the butt, flanges slipping out of the connector.. Quick TMI on my nips, I use a 21mm on one side and 24mm on the other. That said I have NEVER had my 21mm slip out of my flange connectors. Following using the fridge hack with both sizes, the 24mm have a tendency to start walking their way out of the connector. I am always on guard when I slap my flanges on after using the fridge hack, this never has happened after freshly assembling the connectors and flanges. The only attribute I can associate with why this would happen is moisture gets trapped between the connector and 24mm flange tunnel and loosens it’s snug fit. What have I done to correct this? Once I see the flange starting to slip I will push it back in, most times it locks up. When the flange doesn’t lock up in the connector I will disassemble and use a clean paper town and wipe both the inside of the connector and outside of the flange tunnel where it inserts into the connector. Voila it’s fixed, but hopefully before any bottles of milk hit the floor. I have lost bottles of milk due to this slip up (literally) but it’s only been the 24mm never the 21.
LacTeck’s Lord of The Flanges days are over, in comes their next competitor: Idaho Jones Silicone Flanges, coming up on the list next is BareShield by @baremotherhood_ . This particular comparison does not include these flanges but I do own them and I am not a big fan. They are very bulbous and they need to be flipped inside out to place on the breast. This requirement is the deal breaker for me, I found this to be an extra annoying step that I didn't have time to fiddle with. I've been wearing the Amelia pumping cami by Davin and Adley (use code BREASTFRIENDS10 at checkout) for 7 years, this bra does not have clips and makes for a real hassle putting on the BMH flanges. But do the work? In all honestly, it's been a long time since I've used them. I'm remember being frustrated by the placement technique and not impressed by expression. I'll bust them back out, for science.
The Idaho Jones flanges are very similar to the LacTeck, there’s only so many ways we can mold silicone into a traditional flange, amiright? Yes and no, the designs are very similar but the silicone is not. LacTeck’s silicone is a clear winner for me, the frosted finish is a must. I find it bizarre that the Idaho Jones flanges aren’t frosted, since this has seemed to become an industry standard. Due to the lack of finish on the Idaho Jones silicone flanges, I absolutely find them a bit pinchy and sticky. Some sessions are more uncomfortable than others, depending on how quickly milk is expressed to lubricate the flange tunnel. This said, lubricant is your breast friend 😉 with the Idaho Jones flanges. Once adding a lubricant it’s easy sailing, that’s what I’ve been doing regularly and have really grown to like these flanges. The other half of this is when it comes time to remove the flange from your breast because your session is over. Seems harmless right, just another step... meh, I wish it was that easy. My first experience with the Idaho Jones flange following a session removing the flanges felt like I was tearing bandaids off my breasts, it hurt like hell. But again that’s where the lube come into play, creating a barrier is key- you don’t need much but any oil does help. I think it's worth noting that after many uses with the Idaho Jones flanges, your natural oils will eventually break them in and they wont feel as sticky any longer. You've been warned though, watch for those initial uses!
The perk that I’m finding with the Idaho Jones flanges are that they never slip out of the Medela connectors. They’re super snug and I haven’t once been slightly concerned that they are going to dislodge, so this is huge. Also, due to the mold design, there’s no question how far they should be inserted into the connector. The flanges have a stopper molded into the design eliminating any insertion concerns, unlike the LacTeck flanges.
UPDATE 8/11/23. It's only fair to share all the information and keep it fresh as possible. Update on the Idaho Jones, this is what I said. "Lets just say I aim to have my IJ flanges clean for the next morning pump". Then I went on to acknowledge that they were no longer pinchy like I had shared above. I will not go back on that because that was very much in fact a thing for me. However, I do believe with all of my redundant use and body oils getting worked into the silicone- it's just not pinching like it once had. THIS IS HUGE because I have to admit my preference has def switched gears. I am loving these flanges!
I would say comparing both the LacTeck Flanges and Idaho Jones flanges are like comparing Gala apples to Granny Smith. They’re not exactly the same but at the end of the day you may not notice a big difference. The fact that the Idaho Jones flanges are available on Amazon for Prime 2 day delivery might be the icing on the cake for most. In the words of Veruca Salt, “I want it now.”
**UPDATE**
The real update here as of September 14, 2025 is that Idaho Jones JUST expanded their sizes of silicone flanges. Currently on Amazon you're able to find 21, 24, 27, 30mm flanges. This release is two years, too late in my opinion. I was informed that these flanges were set to hit the market by the end of the year 2023, unfortunately the time came and went with no product in sight. This allowed Lacteck to continue to be the leader in silicone for all size needs. Now flash forward to 2025 and Idaho Jones finally releases extended sizes but in my opinion, their biggest mistake wasn't showing up late to the party but the hike in price upon release. Idaho Jones increased the price by almost $10, now retailed at $27.00 which is a drastic hike from where they were only a few months ago. I understand this is a business but I feel that Idaho Jones' lower price point was to their advantage. Now with the closer price points and no real advantage of using their flanges over the LacTeck, I don't feel there's any incentive to choose Idaho Jones. Find their expanded sizes HERE, 13, 15, 17, 19mm
LacTeck $29.99 set + shipping offering 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27mm (use code breastfriend10 for 10% off)
Idaho Jones $27.00 Amazon Prime or direct for extended sizes 21, 24, 27, 30mm
Idaho Jones $27.00 Amazon Prime for the smaller options 13, 15, 17, 19mm
Looking to use these flanges with your wide or standard neck bottles? I got you!
Now as for sizing, flange sizing has turned into a real controversy in the last year or so, everyone has a better way to size than the next guy. I have always advocated for measuring the base of your nipple and choosing a size that best fits that mm, within that one millimeter. When finding you're best size with silicone flange I agree that not much will change but it wouldn't be unreasonable to size down to help control the elasticity of your tissue. I polled the community and this was the result..
LacTeck sizing recommendation-
