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A detailed, tried-and-tested review of the top brands of period knickers (aka period pants) in the UK.
I’ve tried out Modibodi, WUKA, FLUX, and Floweret, and reviewed them all in this blog post – with brutal honesty. I paid for all the products mentioned in the post myself, and no one asked me to write this (with one exception)! Warning – I’m talking frankly and honestly about periods here, so there are some pretty gross sentences in this post.
Disaster struck while I was waiting in line for my takeaway coffee last week. Yep, the thing I’d been most afraid of happening since I first started trying period underwear: a leak.
The reality of the disaster wasn’t nearly as bad as the imagined one inside my head as I hurriedly tied a jacket around my waist and escaped, cheeks burning, to waddle uncomfortably home. Even if the damage turned out to be minimal, the emotional turmoil of your period leaking while you’re out in public is something no woman wants to deal with! So I figured I ought to get my lazy butt in gear and finally write the period pants review I’d been thinking about writing for months!
I’ve been using Modibodi and WUKA period pants since last year and had grown confident. So confident that I’d decided to build up my collection in order to completely stop using other menstrual products. So confident that I’d bought a set of four from a cheaper brand. And that was when I discovered that not all period knickers are created equal. Sometimes, you get what you pay for!
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What are Period Knickers?
Period knickers – also known as period pants, period underwear, or period panties if you’re from the USA – are exactly what they sound like. They are knickers designed to absorb your period flow, so that you don’t need to use tampons or sanitary pads anymore.
I realise that opening this post with the story of a leak probably isn’t the best way to sell you on period knickers! But it was the first incident since making the switch a year ago, and it was because I was wearing the wrong pants. This post is to make sure you don’t make the same mistake by showing what I think are the best period pants brands in the UK!
It’s also supposed to give an honest, warts-and-all account of what using these kinds of underwear is like. But despite the recent dramas, I REALLY love my period underwear and think everyone should give it a try. Here’s why:
They’re Eco-Friendly
One of the main reasons for switching to period pants is the eco-friendly aspect. Disposable products like tampons and towels are unsustainable and bad for the environment, so switching to any form of reusable product is a good thing. Other options include reusable washable pads and menstrual cups, but I much prefer a simple pair of knickers as my weapon of choice!
It’s More Cost-Effective (or is it?)
Another argument for making the switch is that it can be more cost-effective as you’ll never need to buy tampons or sanitary pads again. I’m not entirely convinced by this. If you consider that you might need 2-3 pairs a day, you probably want at least 6 to get you through a period (with a washload halfway through). And at £20-£25 a pair, the initial costs add up.
Say you’ve spent £130 on period underwear, and you’d normally spend £3 a month on sanitary products. It’ll take about 3.5 years for the underwear to pay for itself. I bought my first pair a year ago and they’re still going strong, so assuming these pants last years, then they’ll definitely pay off in the end.
Easy Life
For me, the main thing I love about using period knickers instead of normal sanitary products is the ease. I mean, it’s a simple as putting on a pair of pants – something I was going to do anyway! It does away with all the usual period faff – you literally just put a pair on and get on with your day.
There are some downsides to losing the benefits of single-use products – and I cover these in gross detail in the last section of this post. But on the whole, I much prefer period pants now. I’ve always found tampons too uncomfortable to use, and sanitary pads are a bit crap when you’re being active (and I find the big overnight ones soooo sweaty and uncomfy). It’s so much nicer to just wear a pair of knickers!
Best Period Pants UK
Alrighty, get ready for some oversharing in this post! I get pretty flipping heavy periods – especially the first one or two days. So I was dubious about making the switch to period underwear. What if they leak? What if they can’t handle my flow?
One year on – I can safely say I’ve found two of the UK’s best period underwear brands, and one that I’m much less confident on. Keep reading for individual reviews of Floweret, WUKA, and Modibodi…
Flowette – Affordable Period Pants
Let’s get this one out of the way first! Flowette – formerly called Floweret, and before that Tulip Cup – are a well-known menstrual cup brand. I’ve not tried their cups, but I’ve heard and read good things. I bought their pants when they were called Tulip Cup, and these ones leaked on me (within 30 mins of putting on a fresh pair).
I’ve had them four months, with no previous issues, and I’ve followed all the care instructions, so I can’t say for sure what the issue was. Maybe I just had a moment of super-period, and the pants couldn’t take it. Maybe something was off with that particular pair. Who knows. But I will only be using these ones for my super light end-of-period days from now on!
The Good:
What I will say is that I like the discrete size and shape of the Floweret period pants, which are smaller and less bulky than other UK brands I’ve tried. You can wear them with leggings or skinny jeans without anyone being able to tell.
And they have been working for me on lighter days when my flow isn’t strong enough to leak.
If you’re looking for a set of period knickers to use with a menstrual cup, these are a winner. They’re reasonably priced, discrete, and they certainly work for light flows. Just avoid using them as your only defence against a strong flow.
Update 2023: the brand have had a name-change and re-brand since I wrote this review, and they also now have a HUGE range of period pants on offer. I’ll try and give the newer range a trail to update this post.
WUKA® Period Pants – Heavy Flow
WUKA is a UK-based period underwear brand founded by passionate environmental scientist Ruby. I really LOVE this brand – especially their ethical business model and the variety of body shapes on their site. And their products are Vegan approved, even better!
But let’s get down to the nitty-gritty – the pants. I use the WUKA® Period Pants – Heavy Flow, which are £24.99 a pair so a bit of a splurge.
UPDATE: WUKA have since launched a more affordable range of mass-produced period pants. The Basics range starts from £12 per pair.
The Good:
I’ve had my WUKA period knickers for nearly a year now and they work a dream. On the site, it says you can wear them for 4-6 hours on your heavy days. But I often use them overnight (so about 8-9 hours) and haven’t had any problems. They will hold at least 20ml of period flow, which is around 4 tampons worth.
I love the comfy, stretchy fabric which is super breathable. I also love that the fabric is carbon neutral!
Also – unlike many brands of period pants, WUKA pants can be washed at 40° instead of 30°. This means I don’t have to put on a special washload just for a handful of pants.
This is a great company, with good values, and a really good product. Definitely one of the best period pants in the UK.
The Bad:
The only bad thing I have to say about WUKA is that the pants feel a tad bulky. OK, quite a bit bulky. They are big midi-brief style pants, which gives good coverage and is obviously more protective than the skimpy Floweret ones above. But the padding, which does its job so beautifully, is pretty bulky, on the Heavy Flow pants at least.
To be fair, you can’t tell when I’m wearing them, especially if I stick to skirts and dresses. But I’m definitely much more conscious of them, and can really tell I’m wearing period underwear.
However, the heavy flow pants are IDEAL for overnight use because they’re so protective. And as long as you’re not planning to wear a bodycon dress they’re probably fine for daily use too.
WUKA Basics – new cheaper option
The WUKA Basics briefs feel a lot slimmer and more lightweight than the originals. I now have a pair of the Heavy Flow Basics briefs as well and they work just as well – but they cost less and feel slimmer.
ModiBodi – The Original Period Pants
Modibodi are the brand most people have heard of when it comes to period knickers. They advertise themselves as “the original period pants”, and they certainly seem to dominate the market. Which might have something to do with the fact that these pants are AMAZING.
Another good company with strong values and a nice, inclusive, multi-body-type site, Modibodi brings one thing to the table that WUKA don’t, which is more diversity of products. There are multiple styles, colours, sizes, and flow options to choose from. They even do period-proof swimwear! Not all the products are vegan, but they do have a vegan range.
The Good:
I use the Classic Bikini in Heavy-Overnight absorbency, which is £22*. They are every bit as protective as WUKA, also absorbing 20ml or 3-4 tampons worth of flow – and have been working for me for over a year. But, despite offering the same absorbency, the padding isn’t as thick and the pants feel a lot less bulky. In fact, they almost feel like normal pants.
They’re made from a comfy, breathable material which feels soft and a little silky. The pants are dead comfy, slim, and they work a treat. I can usually wear them for about 6-8 hours at a time, although on heavy days I’ve sometimes had to cut it shorter.
The Bad
Honestly, I don’t really have anything bad to say about my Modibodi period knickers. They work, they’re comfy, they aren’t too big or bulky, and there’s a massive range of styles to choose from. The only downside is that you have to wash them at 30° – while WUKA can be washed at 40°.
*You can also buy bundle packs to make it cheaper.
FLUX Undies – Ethical Period Pants
Recently, I was sent a free pair of period pants from FLUX Undies, in order to try them out and update this post.
Like Modibodi, there’s a huge range of products and different styles, so there’s bound to be a pair you like. And like the other companies, FLUX has strong ethics and seem like a really good company.
The pants are eco-friendly and are made from sustainable materials using ethical manufacturing. Not only that, but for every pair you buy, FLUX gives a reusable period pad to a girl who needs one as part of their campaign to fight period poverty.
They also have an Essentials range with a more affordable price-point, which would be great for people making the switch from disposables.
The Good
I have a pair of the Classic Bikini Period Pants in Moderate Flow (£25.95). Again, they’re a bit of a splurge (the new Essentials range is a tad more affordable).
But I have to say I LOVE the design of these. They have this cute lacy section along the top which makes them feel pretty instead of practical. They’re also quite thin and lightweight feeling, definitely less bulky than the WUKA pants, and so comfy!
I also love the material, it’s super soft and very breathable. My cheaper period knickers can feel quite hot and stuffy, especially on warm nights, these don’t feel any different to my regular underwear.
My pair are moderate flow, but the box claims the Classic Bikini pants can hold 3 tampons worth. They certainly lasted me a good half a day on my last period.
Oh – and you can wash these at 40° too!
The Bad
I’ve only been able to try my new FLUX Undies out on one period, but I haven’t yet come across anything I didn’t like. Similar to the other pants featured in this post, the price point is quite steep as an initial investment. But there’s the Essentials range, as well as bundle sets, to make things more affordable.
Which Period Knickers Would I recommend?
If it’s not obvious from the above, or you just skipped ahead, the UK period pants brands I’d recommend are Modibodi and WUKA. I like both brands a lot, but Modibodi have a lot more choice and are a little less bulky, so I prefer them.
WUKA are my favourites for using overnight as they offer protection for longer, in my experience. They’re also a more ethical brand, with vegan products and carbon-neutral products – check out their values to learn more!
Now that WUKA have their Basics Range, which is cheaper and slimmer, I think they might have the edge.
FLUX Undies are another strong contender – good brand ethics, an attractive slim design, and they work SO well.
The Honest Truth About Using Period Knickers
OK – so I love my period knickers, I really do. I feel good about not using disposable products every month, and I find them MUCH comfier than wearing a sanitary pad – especially at night. But are they the most practical things in the world? Maybe not.
For one thing, most can only be worn for 6 hours max on a heavy day. If you work a 9-5 outside of your home, or plan on going out for the day, that means that you’ll need to take a spare pair to change into during the day. It also means you’ll have to bring the dirty pair home with you to wash. And we’re talking about a thicker-than-normal pair of undies which are filled with your blood, a bit smelly, and possibly covered in some of that sexy period gunge that no one ever seems to want to talk about.
So you’ll want some kind of sealable plastic bag to put them in – for hygiene and smell reasons. It’s certainly not as simple as switching tampons during the day. But it can be done, and once you’re used to it, it won’t seem like a big drama.
Caring for your period pants
Also, speaking of all things gungey and smelly – be prepared to confront your periods a bit more. With a disposable product, you can wrap it and bin it nice and quick, pop in a fresh new one, and move on with your life. With period pants… less so.
You have to rinse them before you can wash them. This isn’t one of those care instructions you can ignore, either – you really do have to rinse them, thoroughly. And that’s the part I really hate, because day-old period blood is stinky – and because any, ahem, less liquid aspects of your period are pretty noticeable at this stage!
What I do is take the pants in the shower with me and let them rinse underfoot while I crack on with washing myself. This way I don’t have to get so close and the smell doesn’t bother me. Plus it wastes less water. Then I pop them in delicates bags, whack them in the machine on a cool wash, and they come out good as new.
Are Period Pants for You?
I’m not saying all this to put you off – it’s just to prepare you. You’re trading the ease and convenience of disposable products for a long-term solution which is more eco- (and possibly more wallet-) friendly.
It takes some getting used to, but it’s not as bad as it sounds. And if we can do away with unnecessary single-use products, so much the better.
If period pants don’t sound like they’ll work for you, you might want to consider using them in conjunction with a menstrual cup, or trying reusable pads instead. But if you want to start moving away from disposables, both Modibodi and WUKA offer a risk-free trial period for new customers. So you can try a pair and see how you get on, before splurging on a full set.
So, that’s my period knickers review! I hope you found it helpful – and feel free to ask me anything in the comments below.
Thank you for such an honest review! I’ve been wanting to move away from disposables for a while but with working 10-12 hour days nothing has seemed appropriate for me. But you seem so happy with them I’d be willing to try them on my days off. At least it’s still a reduction of disposables! I love the idea of cleaning them in the shower so thanks for that tip. The idea of touching them doesn’t sound appealing haha and yes why do we never talk about the gunge we all know happens lol
Ahahahaha the GUNGE!! Even if you only use the pants at night it’s still a reduction – and they’re awesome for overnight. I’ve always found the big nighttime pads so uncomfy, especially when it’s hot. Sleeping in nice big knickers and knowing they won’t leak is a dream!
This was really helpful, thank you! I’m looking into this option for my daughter so she will feel more secure at school… We are fast approaching this stage in her life so looking at practical options (this wasn’t one of them when I was younger!) – in your opinion do you think period pants are okay for young girls in terms of the handling on a day to day basis? My periods have stopped now that I’m on the Merina coil so I can’t try these out myself and trying to wrap my head around the working of them!
Thanks so much for reading. I do think they’d be OK – Modibodi even have a range of pants specifically designed and sized for tweens so they’d be a good place to look. The only tricky bit might be with changing them while at school. But most would last for 6-8 hours with a normal period so you could probably go a whole school day without changing them. If your daughter is unsure, you could always start off just using them for overnight – they are perfect for bedtime and that would be a good way to get used to them and make sure she’s feeling confident. Hope that helps :)
Loved your review was straightforward which is refreshing. I have been a reusable pad lady for a few years, but recently felt I want to move into pants for disability reasons. Sent off for my Modi detachable and also a Cheekywipes kit (pretty), sign of my age I’m quite excited… Looking forward to reading more of your blog, love getting in the car and heading for the wilderness.
Thanks so much for commenting. I had read a few reviews before buying mine and felt that they were all a little too glowingly positive so I wanted to be straight-up and honest. They’re not without their problems but still so much better for the planet (and more comfy) than disposables. I’ve used reusable pads too but definitely think the pads are better. Hope you enjoy them :)
I have Wuka, Modibody and Bamboo House. My periods have gone flow crazy at 52 yrs old… dreadful, embarrassing leakage until these babies. Bamboo House are on the small side but work well. I love the Wuka as I’m a big girl and they are super stretchy ( I have the ones with see through side panels) and have good rear coverage. I only wish that these had been available when I was younger. Sanitary towels always seen to end up in a sausage shape immediately or floating off to one side and tampons just uncomfortable and icky! First day of period today and been through 2 Modibody light to moderate knicks in 10+ hours but they had seeped onto outside…but I’m surprised they held up so well. Going to add to my mixture of brands (have 7-8 pairs) and get some more heavy flow ones as currently only have that absorbency in my one pair of Wuka. Great article… thanks for the info.
Hi Ramara, thanks so much for commenting. I love the stretchy WUKA ones with the see-through panels. I also really like their new Basics range so maybe give a few of them a try? I pretty much only use Medium and Heavy flow ones as I also have flow-crazy periods!! Even then I generally change every 5-6 hours or so just to be on the safe side! Going to try Bamboo House next, thanks for the tip :)
Hi Emily, thank you for your review! I’m just wondering… Once you rinse the pants do you wash them in the machine striaght away? Or do you wait a few days in order to wash a few pairs altogether?
Thank you
I wait and wash them all together – usually I have to do a wash halfway through my period! Some can go in a 40 wash so I wash them with other clothes (I put them in zipped delicates bags to keep them separate). The ones that need a delicates wash at 30 degrees, I do with my bras since they need the same treatment (and wool jumpers in the winter). I don’t like to do a wash just for the pants on they’re own as it feels wasteful. Once they’re rinsed I’ve found it fine to leave them for a few days until there’s enough to wash together :)
I’m afraid my experience with Modibodi, and their customer service, hasn’t been as positive. The high absorbency overnights were great for the first few wears (first period)- and I followed the rinsing/washing instructions to the letter- but I had a horrendous leaking incident the first time I wore a pair for my second period. Looking at the gusset, the inner pad appeared to have shrunk away from the sides, so there was nearly a cm of just pant material on either side of the gusset, with no pad. So no wonder they leaked. Looking at the other pair I’d bought, the same thing had happened. This to me is a defect, and means they are not fit for purpose. Their customer service offered their normal ‘return one within 60 days’, but didn’t offer to give me my money back on both (even when I asked they just ignored the point I was making), which considering this is a ‘not fit for purpose’ issue rather than a ‘I don’t like them’ issue, is problematic to me, especially considering the price.
I think if you have a light flow, and can carry spares around with you, they’ll probably work for you. I was really disappointed I had issues with them.
Oh that’s such a shame – and such a different experience to mine. I still have the first pair of Modibodi pants I bought, they’ve lasted over a year at this point and still going strong. It does sound like a defective one so perhaps try reaching out to them again, maybe on social media? I have a very heavy flow and wear my Modibodies for about 6-8 hours at a time. I have to say the original WUKA heavy flow ones are the best I’ve found for wearing overnight, but I wear Modibodies most of the day without issue. Even on my heaviest days! Hopefully you manage to get this sorted – try sending in a picture of the fault :)
Hi, thanks for such a useful and thorough piece. You don’t mention blood stains, which is my main concern. I’ve been wearing black washable period pads for the past couple of years (the ones that popper around your normal pants) and although I rinse them after use and then wash them at 40 degrees, they are all really stained by now. Thanks!
Hi Naomi! All the pants I’ve been using are black and most of them of them have no noticeable staining, even the ones that are nearly 2 years old. My oldest pair of WUKA’s have a very small and faint stain on the inside but not enough for me to care about it – I only noticed because I just went to look after reading your comment! I rinse them either the same day or next morning after taking them off which I think helps, and then wash most of them at 40 degrees (some can only be washed at 30). I don’t use stain remover and just regular washing stuff. Hope that helps :)
Thank you very much for this blog :). I’ve ordered the Starter set from ModiBodi for my daughter and I feel much better about my purchase as a result.
Thanks for reading :) I LOVE my Modibodi’s – definitely a good one to start off with. Hopefully your daughter gets on well with them :)
Thank you so much for writing this review, it’s exactly what I’ve been looking for! I also suffer with very heavy flow and made the move to moon cup 2 years ago, mainly to reduce plastic but was also a good way of finding out exactly how much I was losing each month (turns out it’s anything between 160-200ml!). Moon cup has worked well but not very practical if you need to empty it whilst out and about, so last week I impulse bought some M&S period pants but quickly realised they weren’t up to the job I needed them for (in fairness I realise I have much heavier flow than ‘average’). So I’ve been researching since then but so many articles have different pants reviewed by different people, that I hadn’t been able to make an informed decision, other than being torn between Wuka and Modibodi. Your review has changed all that, so thank you so much! I’ve decided on a pair of Modibodi, and see that they now do a maxi/24hour pair which can hold up to 60ml, which I think will be perfect for me and should easily get me through a day at the office without having to worry, and means I can hopefully look forward to leak free nights too. I’m so glad I found your review, thank you.
Hi Emily. Thanks so much for commenting, and I’m really glad you found this review handy. I have to say, I absolutely LOVE my Modibodis and they’re still going strong after about 2 years. So good. I’m excited to try out their new 24 hour ones, they sound IDEAL. Hope they last a whole work day to save you having to change – let me know how they go :)
Hi Emily, thanks for your reviews. I have been looking into period pants for possibly me and my daughter that’s now approaching this time in her life. The main reason is sustainability and comfort. The only thing that’s putting me off is the frequency of washing, from what I’ve read they need to be rinsed and washed on the same day as wearing, which I understand, but not sure entirely practical, firstly I don’t want to be putting the washing machine on every evening for a couple of pairs, I get that you can include them with your regular wash, but who washes on an evening, at 30 degrees with no softener?
I’m also concerned my daughter won’t want me to be dealing with her underwear, and she’s a bit young to be doing her own washing. In this day and age we all do but especially youngsters need to using sustainable products, I just feel it’s not something you’d want your Mum dealing with.
Hi Mandi. If it helps you make a decision, I can tell you I don’t usually wash the pants the same day as wearing them. I take them off and rinse them that day but wait until I have a few that need washing, so I usually do 2 wash loads when I’m on my period. One lot can go in with my main wash anyway so it never feels like too much extra washing. I’ve rinsed the pants and left them for 3-4 days before washing in the past without issue, although ideally you should wash them asap. But if you rinse thoroughly I find they can wait a few days.
The other issue I can’t help you with I’m afraid! At that age I probably wouldn’t have wanted my mum dealing with my undies either! Maybe it’s time to teach your daughter how to use the washing machine?
Hi Emily,
Just wondering how you cope using the reuseable period pants when travelling? Do you handwash in the sink or risk getting them washed at the hotel or laundry?
Hi Jo. I haven’t actually travelled long term since starting with the period pants, the longest trip I’ve done in the last couple of years has been 3 weeks. On shorter trips, I generally just take them home with me to wash. I stick them all in a carrier bag inside my travel laundry bag and leave them till I get home. If I’m staying in the same place for the whole trip I’ll rinse them in the sink or shower, let them dry out, then pop them in the bag – otherwise I just rinse it all once I’m home.
A few people recommend spritzing them with vinegar to stop them smelling until you can wash them. I have some scented bin bags (an accidental wrong size purchase!!!) which I use to stash the pants until I can wash them!
I’d only use hotel laundry if you can guarantee they’ll wash them at the right temperature, some of the pants have to be washed at 30 degrees. If you’re travelling for longer and need to get them washed you could find a launderette that allows you to change the temperature setting.
Hope that helps!
Hi, I have been using the tulip pants for a while and have mostly got on well, however had suffered leaks on a few occasions recently as I have started HRT and. My cycle has become very heavy. I want to invest in some more pants that a a bit nicer looking, and cam across your article . I have been reading the comments about the challenges of rinsing and washing – I use a ‘wet bag’ (similar to reusable nappy ones) to store the pants till I need to wash them (folded in on themselves so they don’t dry out) and then use the washing machine on a ‘rinse and spin’ cycle so I don’t have to manually rinse them. Then I add a small amount of gentle detergent to the machine and wash at 30 degrees. I always take a spare pair out with me to work and again have a small wet bag that came with some reusable sanitary pads I bought a few years ago. Thanks for the review – think I will look at the modibody ones.
Hi Nat! That’s a great tip re the wet bag – where did you buy yours? I think I need to get one! If your flow is heavy give the Modibodies a go, I’ve still got the ones I bought 2 years ago (maybe more actually) and never had a problem. Love them! Also the heavy WUKA ones are fab for overnight but they feel too bulky for day use IMO.
Emily I think from ebay, but if you do a generic google search for ‘nappy wet bag’ there are lots of options.. Thanks for the tips – I have decided to ret the Wuka as I got a 20% NHS discount. :-)
Excellent, thanks so much for the tip! And enjoy the Wuka’s :) I love mine!
Hi Nat, how did you use your discount as I too work for the NHS. I have wanted to try the reusable period pants but didn’t want pay too much incase they weren’t for me. Thanks