Leaks happen—but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice looking good and feeling confident. Absorbent and pee-proof panties have skyrocketed in popularity over the last couple of years, no doubt thanks to some advances in the sister space of period-proof underwear. It means that whether you’re leaking a little bit at the gym or experiencing heavy spurts all day, you can still wear a lacy bikini and not worry about a thing.
We’ve put together a guide to some of our favorite bladder leak underwear out there. Some of these pee-proof panties absorb moderate to heavy leaks, and some are for light or occasional protection. Some can be bolstered with padded inserts or supplemented with pads for extra protection. They’re washable in the laundry and re-wearable. (NB: As we’ve noted above, some leak-proof underwear out there is designed for periods, so it might be tempting to lump them all together. But because blood and pee are pretty different, we’re only including the bladder leak underwear on this list.)
Lunapads
Why we love the brand: Lunapads has been around since 1993, and this women-owned, eco-conscious company makes cloth pads, inserts, and pee-proof panties for both periods and incontinence. The owners started out making disposable pads for themselves when they didn’t feel that great about contributing to landfills every month, but the environmental benefits and added comfort of the organic cotton products really resonated with other women, too.
- Good for: Light to moderate bladder leakage
- Absorbency: According to Lunapads, holds as much as a “normal” disposable pad or pantyliner
- Styles: Hipster, Brief, Bikini
- Sizes: XS-3XL (Hipster and Brief) and XS-XL (Bikini)
- Price: Starting at $32
- What it’s made of: 95% cotton, 5% spandex. Insert is 100% cotton fleece.
- Good to know: Comes with a removable cotton insert for absorption. Thicker inserts can be used for even more protection.
- Good for: Backup protection or very light leaks
- Absorbency: 1.2 tsp
- Styles: Brief, Bikini, Thong
- Sizes: XS-3XL (Brief), XS-XL (Bikini), XS (Thong)
- Price: Starting at $32
- What it’s made of: 95% organic cotton, 5% spandex. Gusset is lined with PUL and organic cotton fleece.
- Good to know: With a lacy waistband, these leak-proof underwear don’t sacrifice form for function.
Knixwear
Why we love the brand: Knixwear is inspired by women’s bodies, shapes, and sizes, so their products come in a variety of sizes and styles. They make a variety of underwear that’s great for sports or just lounging around, with odor protection and overall comfort. We’re obviously partial to their leak-proof underwear line, which is great for athletes.
- Good for: Surge UI brought on by exercise
- Absorbency: 3 tsp.
- Styles: Bikini, Boyshort, Thong
- Sizes: S-2XL
- Price: $25
- What they’re made of: 77% nylon, 23% Lycra. Gusset is 86% cotton, 10% spandex, 4% carbon.
- Good to know: Stretch technology means these leak-proof underwear relax and stay comfortable while you’re active—and as an added bonus, no panty lines show through tight workout clothes.
- Good for: Light bladder leaks
- Absorbency: 3 tsp.
- Styles: Bikini, Boyshort, High-Rise, Thong
- Sizes: S-2XL
- Price: Starting at $25
- What they’re made of: 65% nylon, 35% spandex. Gusset is 86% cotton, 10% spandex, 4% carbon.
- Good to know: Fit more snugly—and with a bit less stretch—than Knixwear’s athletic line.
Modibodi
Why we love the brand: This company got its start in Australia in 2013 and has evolved into a go-to underwear brand. Embracing the fact that bodies are weird and leaky, Modibodi uses high-tech fabrics to create a variety of pee-proof panties and swimwear that everyone can feel good in. Super-slim (3 mm) liners incorporated into the underwear don’t make these underwear feel bulky.
SENSUAL HEAVY ABSORBENCY leak-proof underwear
- Good for: Light bladder leaks
- Absorbency: 3 tsp.
- Style: Hi-waist Bikini
- Sizes: 8-26
- Price: $30
- What it’s made of: Bamboo fabric
- Good to know: The padding is slim, and the leak-proof underwear is made from natural, odor-fighting bamboo, which feels silky and smooth.
MATERNITY LACE BOYLEG leak-proof underwear
- Good for: SUI brought on by pregnancy
- Absorbency: 1-2 tsp.
- Style: Boyshort
- Sizes: 10-22
- Price: $26
- What it’s made of: Bamboo fabric
- Good to know: These maternity leak-proof underwear are cute with a lace waistband, sit just below the hips, and are super-stretchy.
FYI: Each product we mention is independently chosen, and represents the views of the writer, not Motherfigure. If you buy something through our links, Motherfigure may earn an affiliate commission.