If you’ve heard of period panties before, you’re one step ahead of where I was just over a month ago when Amy passed along this pair for me to try. Nonetheless, once I read about what they can really do, I anticipated my next period with probably the most excitement I’ve been able to muster since I was 11 waiting for the first one (you know, back in the days where it was just a thing you were supposed to get and all the other girls were getting theirs.) Then you have it and realize what a completely uncomfortable inconvenience it is, at the best of times. 25 years and lots of ups and downs figuring out the best feminine products for my body later, enter THINX.

“THINX is made up of four bits of tech that makes ‘em anti-microbial, moisture-wicking, absorbent, and leak-resistant.” Ok, you say, but how are they REALLY? I checked the flow suggestions on the packaging and first used them as a backup on a heavy flow day in lieu of a panty liner along with my regular tampons. All was well! I took it up a notch.

Next, I jumped off the deep end and really put put them to the test. At the heaviest point in my cycle, I wore them for a few hours at the at a birthday party for my cousin’s sweet daughter, and continued to wear them a few more hours while we drove north from Massachusetts to Maine (sleeping children = no bathroom breaks). Maximum leak potential reached! It was the kind of day where you find you’ve bled through every time you use in the bathroom, and THINX stood up to the test. I had already leaked through my tampon once before I began my long drive home, thankfully with no discernible difference in how dry the panties felt. During the car ride, I got that dreaded “I KNOW I’m leaking” feeling, but as any Mama reading this will agree, you DO NOT stop your car for any reason when your kids are actually asleep on a long journey. I reminded myself this style of THINX can hold up to 2 regular tampons of blood and just drove on. They continued to feel comfortable, and I really didn’t notice any difference in the dryness or thickness as they continued to do their absorbing magic. By the end of the day, because of the travel leaking, I would say they were nearing their max volume. They began to feel just a bit damp for the first time all day and I changed over to regular panties with a liner pad. Long day over, I washed them and hung them to dry as recommended, and a few days later wore them again. They washed really well and played backup to tampons during a long work day.

The fit of the Sport cut is a little lower than I usually prefer my panties, so I would buy their high-waisted or hip-hugger style, or perhaps even try out their new Organic cotton brief style for my next pair. I usually buy a medium and these are a large, but the waist was perfectly comfortable and stayed up well, although I do find they have a little bit of extra room in the leg openings in this size. Overall, I have to say I love the comfort and convenience of period panties, and I LOVE that I’m creating less waste during my period by using fewer disposable products. Personally, I think I need 2 or 3 more pairs… or realistically with my laundry routine, 5-6 pairs total so I can just rinse them and not do extra laundry while I have my period 😉

Have you tried Thinx? What has been your experience? We’d love to hear your experiences!