Period pants, has anyone tried multiple brands and found the best?

[FatAgainItsLettuceTime]

I've always just used tampons and pads, have to double up as one isn't enough.

DD is coming up on 9 so I've been thinking about period pants because they seem to be a good solution for starting out.

So I decided it would be a good idea for me to try a few brands to see which are best. So far:

Sainsburys Love Luna range, reasonably priced but a bit baggy around the gusset so ended up with leakage

Primark, cheap, better fitting but feel a bit bulky

What range have you found best, id like to avoid spending a fortune buying 20 different crap ranges before hitting on a good one if I can help it.

Me too! I have a big bum though so no flat bum problem.

That said, I don’t like their skuba material knickers and opt for the cotton/bamboo ones. They are so comfy and I’ve never leaked.

I really like Cheeky pants as does dd16. They just go in wash with everything else. If you pay to be a vip you get free shipping every time. They often have offers too. Dd also likes the Bambody ones from Amazon too.

I bought DD some cheap ones from amazon called INNERSY as a test & they were great, especially as her early periods were light. We both use M&S now. We use pads as well during our periods as we both have very heavy periods. I’ve had some very bad flooding due to menopause, which is why I began using period pants & M&S are fine. I wouldn’t trust them without a tampax or pad though.

We love Cheeky Wipes and Primark here. Modibodi ok.

Big bum here too, but they just don’t work for me and they are cut too high on the leg

wuka are good for heavy flow. I found they shrunk in the wash so maybe keep the temp lower than I did!

go a size larger as not much stretch in them

for lighter days the saianburys Tu ones are very comfortable and generous in size

I've been using M&S for about 6 months but I do find I need to change on my heaviest two days - which only really works as wfh. There can be a little bit more odour than with sanitary pads (I use Always) but I really don't think its noticeable except when you take them down to pee.

One thing - this may be a bit gross - I'm a bit stumped as to what to do with washing them. It's really not nice leaving them to pile up with the dark wash and I kind of feel that there's a lot of blood to get out that will stay in with the other clothes of the dark wash for a lot of the wash. I've tended to rinse first then chuck in (which is a pretty disgusting sight), but I don't want to wait til the end of my period to wash them all as the earlier heaviest ones will be tried up and solid by then and more likely to keep a bit of an odour. So it's not very efficient on the washing machine front for me.

What does everyone do with that? I'd be really grateful for advice, I don't know if Im being silly, or if its too gross to leave them a week?

Thank you!

Wuka heavy flow and m&s medium flow, and both have been great. No looks and have washed well. That said, I often run my pill continuously and don’t have a period, so mine don’t get as much use!

@EstherHazy rinse immediately with cold water and chuck in the washing machine. I put a wash on most days anyway, but definitely wash everyday during period. I always have enough to make up a wash though. Don't use fabric softener or all in one, as it reduces the absorbency.

I’m very in eco and wash them on their own on a 20 min wash

un eco!

I got the uniqlo ones ( from a survey on here!) And they are FAB. expensive though. Primark are okay.

I rate modi bodi and lady days. Cheeky pants were like wearing nothing . O liked the design of the cheeky ones ( I have the sassy ones is it with the criss cross sides ? )

They are my round the house leading up to period pants as they are rustley. I wouldn't trust them for anything other than some spotting/ very early or late on.

I use a mooncup and period pants and that helps with the no leaks.

M&S good, modibodi ok. But don’t buy the Lacey ones, the lace goes nasty.

uniqlo also good

will probably buy more m and s as they wash well.

@Velvian and @Newgirls Thank you :)

I think that's the way to go, you're both right - unfortunately I don't have lots of darks generally (since WFH we get through far fewer clothes!) so I do wonder the relative environmental benefits /costs with all the washing individually, how many times you wear the pants, etc etc! Gahhh!! Why are things never entirely straightforward?!

I've tended to do a mix of wearing them for the heavy day/night, putting in with the dark wash then going back to pads for the rest to avoid doing more washing. Looks like I might end up just carrying on like that (I think I'm too lazy to do more washing!!)

Thanks for your help :)

Same, mine still look good as new and I’ve never had a leak with them.

I also have modibodi which aren’t big/absorbent enough for me, but I use them on the last light day

Came here to recommend the Uniqlo ones. Expensive but worth it. Also make for a very pleasing shape under clothes, like spanx!

I love my modibodi! They are several years old now and have been chucked in the tumble dryer from day one. Still super absorbent, well fitting and extremely comfy.

The US brand Period. was amazing, not too expensive and their night cycling shorts great for heavy nights, but brexit kind of out paid to the shipping and now it’s expensive to get them sent over which is a shame.

I have several brands

Wuka - my favourite, comfy and no leaks

M&S - second favourite - the heavy flow ones hold up well and the light ones are very comfy for tail end of period.

Cheeky Wipes - have had a couple of leaks (unexpected as not on long) but I have to say their ultimate comfort night ones are brilliant. They are a bit bulky however they are high waist and the absorbency goes from top all the way through to the back of the waistband so very reliable.

Love Luna - not a fan, the seams at the gusset rubbed dreadfully.

Innersy - ok as a bit of extra protection or when spotting but I need a pad with them.

On my heaviest 2 days I tend to start with a reuseable pad in the period knickers and then take that out. Saves changing the knickers more often especially helpful when at work or out and about.

I’ve bought DD some M&S size 6 and some Wuka teen sizes for when she starts (expecting that this year so I’m stocking up in sales).

Wash wise, I store in a wet bag (one made for nappies) and then wash when period ends. Usually 5 days. Any very light days after that just go in with darks / towels etc. Cold rinse in machine followed by 40c normal wash and then another cold rinse to get any residue out (last stage because I’m sensitive to laundry detergent). Then line dry or hang in airing cupboard. No issue with smells.

Don’t tumble dry or put on a direct heat source like an airing cupboard. If line drying, don’t put them out in direct sun on very hot days or when it’s freezing cold, you can damage the waterproof layers (if any) and elastics.

My DD loves the Tom Organic ones. The ordinary ones, not the newer fancier ones. They contain a lot of cotton and aren’t all nastily synthetic.

No natural proteins like wool (Modibodi contains wool) so they can be rinsed out and then put into a bucket of enzyme boosted nappy sanitiser until I’m ready to wash them. That helps to get rid of any blood. After that I cold wash them with ordinary washing detergent, vinegar in the rinse water and air dry.

The Tom Organic pants that DD has have protection right the way up to the back waistband which is helpful for avoiding leaks especially when she’s lying down.

Just picked up the next ones and they look good but I won’t know how good till dd try’s them.

Washing wise I have a plastic tub we keep in the bathroom cupboard where dd puts them after rinsing and I’ll wash them when she’s half way though her pants so she has 9 pairs but one of those stays in her school back back for emergencies. I’ve never tumbled dried them. Always wash on 30c with bio powder. 30 minute cycle with extra spin. We have a mix of medium flow and heavy flow from modibodi and I think it’s light and medium from primark.

Dorina brand are good but quite roomy so needs a smaller than normal size.
Never had any leaks and wash and dry well.

I've only tried one brand, bambody, heaviest coverage, and I am very happy with them. Bought them 3 years ago during first lockdown and they are still going strong. Some days i need to change in the middle of the day or I wear a pad to start the day.