Knix Leakproof Period Underwear Is *Always* Worth It

The most off-putting thing about period underwear is the cost. It makes sense—creating underwear with the needed technology to hold several tampons worth of blood is genius. Even though the reusable nature of period underwear makes it more cost-effective in the long run, shelling out $35 for a single pair of underwear when you can get a 36 pack of pads for $7 is a step. But Knix is worth it (even after the annual warehouse sale has ended). With most styles, you can bundle a set of three to save 25 percent.

As someone with a heavy period, period panties always scared me a bit. But Knix is amazing. Even the high-absorbency pairs that hold up to five tampons worth of blood feel seamless, a huge departure from the clunky diaper feeling of pads. And because each pair is absorbent on its own, you don’t have to worry about blood somehow missing your pad and soaking through your underwear in the night.

Lucky Sekhon, fertility specialist and board-certified OBGYN from NYC, explains that how often you’ll need to change your underwear depends on your flow.

“It is a good rule of thumb to, at a minimum, change them once per day,” she says. “But if your flow is heavy, change them when they start to feel damp.”

If you’re working from home, now is the perfect time to try out period underwear during the day. You don’t have to worry so much about leaking or carrying around pairs of back-up undies.

Dr. Sekhon explains that unlike tampons, you can wear a heavy-duty pair on your lighter days.

“High-absorbency tampons carry a higher risk of toxic shock syndrome which is why it is best to use light tampons for lighter flow days,” she says. “It is also more comfortable to use a light flow tampon which has a smaller caliber if you don’t need a higher absorbency. With period underwear, there is no risk of toxic shock syndrome and as long as it is comfortable for the wearer, there is no downside to wearing high-absorbency.”

The best styles of Knix leakproof period underwear

1. Leakproof Thong $23

This thong holds up to 1 teaspoon of blood, urine, or sweat. Because of the built-in pad, I noticed it made bits look a bit bulky under leggings, but only so much that was only noticeable to me. I like to wear it once I’ve reached the end of my period and I’m dealing with that brownish after-period blood.

Shop now: Leakproof Thong, $23

2. Leakproof Bikini, $23

The bikini offers medium absorbency, holding up to 3 teaspoons of liquid. I love how it feels no different than my everyday underwear.

Shop now: Leakproof Bikini, $23

3. Leakproof Boyshort, $23

Boyshorts are my go-to for sleeping when I’m on my period, because they provide more surface area than bikinis and briefs, and make me feel more secure. This pair absorbs up to 3 teaspoons of liquid.

Shop now: Leakproof Boyshort, $23

4. Leakproof Cheeky, $23

If you’re feeling cheeky, opt for this pair, which absorbs up to 3 teaspoons of liquid

Shop now: Leakproof Cheeky , $23

5. Leakproof High Rise, $28

I also love wearing this pair at night, because the high-rise makes it harder the undies to slide around at night. It holds up to 3 teaspoons of liquid.

Shop now: Leakproof High Rise, $28