Adhesive bandages are one of those household items that we often take for granted, and they're seldom even on our radar unless we're in immediate need of dressing a small wound.

These days, not only can you select from bandages emblazoned with your favorite superhero, but you're not stuck with the plastic type that often feels stiff and uncomfortable. Kudos to the bandage companies that give us flexible fabric adhesive bandages.

We recently put three flexible bandages to the test. We stuck on Band-Aid brand, Target store brand and Nexcare heavy duty flexible fabric bandages. Our results follow.

Band-Aid brand flexible fabric adhesive by Johnson & Johnson

$2.64 for a box of 30 at most drugstores, supermarkets and mass merchandisers

First look: These bandages are the original Band-Aid brand that most of us cut our, well, cuts on. They're made with a tightly woven fabric that is the darkest beige of the three we tried.

The rundown: These come individually sealed and are sterile until the wrapper is opened or broken. They measure 3/4 inch wide by 3 inches long. According to the package, these provide extra flexibility, nonstick absorbent pads that won't stick to wounds and a unique adhesive and durable fabric that help the bandage stay in place.

Upside: These stayed stuck on for a long time, even through several hand washings, a shower and general all-around chores. They were flexible enough to be comfortable when wrapped around fingers.

Downside: These aren't latex-free, so those with allergies to latex shouldn't use them. Because the pad is as wide as the strip, Band-Aid doesn't provide a seal around the edge of the pad, and dirt can get into the wound. These started to fray at the edges shortly after they were applied, and after several hours, they looked pretty tattered. Band-Aids left a bit of sticky residue at the edges after they were removed.

Bottom line: These quickly became frazzled and were our least favorite.

Target brand flexible fabric bandages

$1.87 for a box of 30 at Target stores

First look: These woven bandages are pale. They're sterile, and the package states that they compare to Band-Aid flexible fabric bandages.

The rundown: They measure 3/4 inch wide and 3 inches long. The manufacturer touts highly absorbent, nonstick pad cushions that protect without sticking to wounds. According to the package, these latex-free bandages are made in Thailand.

Upside: We liked that these didn't leave any sticky residue on the skin and that they never frayed, no matter how much abuse they took. The nonstick pad was very soft and absorbent. We were impressed that they performed much better than Band-Aid brand for less money.

Downside: They have the smallest absorbent pad of the three tested.

Bottom line: We loved these sticky underdogs.

Nexcare heavy duty flexible fabric by 3M

$3.99 for a box of 50 assorted sizes at most drugstores and mass merchandisers.

First look: While the material looks pretty much like the other two bandages we tested, Nexcare bandage strips have a diamond shape, making them wider in the center where the pad is located.

The rundown: While the box holds three sizes, we tested the one most similar to Band-Aid and Target brands. Nexcare measures 1 1/8 inch wide by 3 inches long. They're latex-free.

Upside: Because of their diamond shape, they keep moisture and dirt out much better than the other two brands we tested. After about 24 hours, the other two bandages left skin moist and puckered, but these didn't at all. The skin was perfectly dry. Nexcare bandages feature a slightly thicker pad.

Downside: The edges frayed a bit after a few hours, but not nearly as much as the Band-Aid brand. The sterile bandages come stuck together and have to be torn apart.

Bottom line: We're stuck on these.

"Testing 1-2-3" road-tests a wide range of products. It's not scientific testing —- we use the items just as consumers do, checking to see if they deliver as promised. The tests can help you make buying decisions.

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