A leaky bladder isn’t exactly something most of us like talking about. Honestly, I started struggling with the issue a little earlier than some women. My pelvic floor muscles never really recovered after I had my first child, no matter how many exercises I did.

After I hit my 50s, the problem just kept getting worse. Eventually, I didn’t want to be the lady awkwardly shoving “incontinence pads” to the bottom of my shopping basket every time I went to the supermarket. So I started looking for alternatives.

My niece had told me all about these wonderful “period panties” she’d gotten online, and that got me thinking. If there’s something for menstruation, there must be something for bladder leaks too, right?

We have adaptive bras designed for older women, why not underwear too?

The good news? After a little digging, I found quite a few options. Here I’m going to tell you all about my favorites, so you can stock your wardrobe with panties you don’t need to worry about.

The Best Bladder Leak Underwear: What Matters

If you’re new to this (no one really gives you a checklist for incontinence shopping), don’t panic. Before I get into some of my top picks, here are a few tips on what I’d recommend looking for if you’re shopping for the top bladder leak underwear.

·         Actual absorbency: You don’t want to feel like you’re wearing a diaper, but it’s best to look for something that holds more than just a dribble. Most products will give you a basic idea of how much liquid they can hold, so double-check.

·         Reusable, not disposable: I’m done with disposables, personally. They’re expensive, bad for the environment, and they always feel terrible. I’d honestly recommend choosing something you can wash and reuse often.

·         Comfort: This should be obvious, but you don’t want scratchy material, anything itchy, or bands that ride up and fall down in equal measure. Breathable material can be pretty helpful too, particularly during the summer.

·         Easy to get on and off: This might sound like a weird feature to look for, but if like me, you have arthritis or issues with mobility at times, it matters. Some of the best options even come with handy “pull-on” loops.

So, now we’ve covered all that, let’s dive into some of the top contenders I’ve tried.

The Best Bladder Leak Underwear

Honestly, finding bladder leak underwear isn’t quite as tricky as it might seem. If you can find a company that sells adaptive apparel, or just clothes for older women, they probably offer leak-proof underwear too.

1.      Molasus Incontinence Underwear

★★★☆☆

Usually, when I’m struggling to find any kind of adaptive clothing for older women, Amazon is my first stop. It sells pretty much everything, including bladder leak underwear.

The option that stood out most to me was the Molasus Incontinence underwear, mainly because it had so many great reviews. Plus, you get a pack of three panties (in various colors), for less than $30. Overall, I think they’re pretty decent.

They fit well enough, and they don’t dig in anywhere, but the material isn’t very breathable. I’m also not a huge fan of how high the waist is. It felt like I was pulling my underwear up to my chin. The biggest problem is that they’re not very good at absorbing a lot of moisture.

They can handle small leaks, but that’s about it. After a few washes, they seem to lose all of their “sponge” capabilities and leave you with big, obvious wet patches.

2.      Thinx Hiphugger

★★★☆☆

Technically, the Thinx Hiphugger panties are supposed to be “menstrual underwear,” but I thought they’d probably work well for bladder leaks too. These undies are pretty expensive at around $30 a pair, but they look good, and they feel very comfortable on.

It’s really just like wearing a normal pair of underwear, made with organic cotton for plenty of breathability. The absorption levels are pretty good, much better than what you’d get from the Molasus incontinence underwear mentioned above.

The biggest issue I had with these panties was that they’re not incredibly durable. The lace waistband looks good, but it starts to fray pretty quickly after a couple of washes. I also noticed a lot of piling on the cotton material, which is a bit of a pain.

Still, they do look and feel good, particularly when paired with a great comfort bra for older ladies.

3.      Knix Ultra Leakproof High Rise

★★★★☆

I had high hopes for these. Knix is a brand I’ve seen around a lot, and they’ve got good reviews on a few different adaptive clothing forums. The underwear you get is expensive, but it looks high-end, like it’s made with futuristic material designed to give you more confidence.

The leak protection is fantastic. Knix’s leakproof panties can absorb up to 9 tampons’ worth of liquid, and there’s a special sort of seam around the legs to stop anything from dribbling through. The problem is that the seam is pretty uncomfortable, and it can start to dig in after a couple of hours of wear.

Plus, I’ll be honest, I didn’t feel great wearing these pants. They don’t look bulky or show up under your clothing, but it does feel like you’re wearing something medical-grade. They work, they’re reliable, and they’re easy to wash, but they’re not my favorite choice.

4.       Everdries Leakproof Underwear

★★★★☆

Now this was a surprise. I wasn’t expecting much when I ordered Everdries. The packaging looked like something out of a late-night infomercial, and the branding’s a bit clunky. But I was wrong to judge too quickly.

What I really like is that you get a full set of underwear with one purchase, not just one pair, five, ten, or fifteen. That makes it much easier to stock up. They come in all the colors of the rainbow, hold up to 4tsp of liquid, and they’re fully machine washable.

Plus, the material is soft, breathable, and quick drying. The only real downside is that once again, they feel like medical underwear, not standard panties. They’re also not that great at stopping leaks from dribbling down around your legs.

5.      Liberare Leakproof Underwear

★★★★★

Finally, we have my winner: Liberare’s leakproof underwear. I fell in love with Liberare a couple of years back after I tried one of their comfort bras for older women, the amazing Everyday Easy-On. If you haven’t tried it, you definitely should.

With the leakproof underwear, Liberare has taken everything they know about easy-on, comfortable bras and put it into a pair of reliable panties. For less than $20, you get a pair of briefs that feel and look incredible, just like standard underwear.

They can hold up to 4 tsp of liquid, just like the Everdries, but come with more coverage around the back, to help prevent unexpected dribbles. The liner is extra tall too. Plus, there’s no digging from the elastic waistband, no itchy or bulky material, and absolutely no tags.

Another great feature? They come with discrete pull-up loops, so it’s easier to get your underwear on and off if you’re struggling with mobility.

I absolutely love these panties, and can honestly say that I don’t regret buying a single pair (I’ve got about five sets to rotate in my wardrobe right now).

Don’t Have to Live in Fear of a Sneeze

I used to think I was stuck with pads or granny diapers forever. Now, I’ve discovered that there are products out there that really do work, and don’t make you feel like an infant or an ancient grandma.

I’m not saying underwear from companies like Liberare has changed my life. But I am saying it gave me a bit more confidence back. Honestly, that makes a big difference, and it’s something I think every woman like me really deserves.

If you’re sick of dreading every sneeze or hiding incontinence pads at the checkout counter, give these bladder leak panties a try. You won’t regret it.