The secret is out — THINX (a period underwear brand) isn’t the feminist utopian company they claimed to be. Miki Agrawal, founder and former CEO, was accused of mistreating employees in various ways; one employee has even come forward to accuse her of unwelcome sexual advances.
Miki responded to the accusations with no apology or accountability by throwing her hands in the air to essentially say “I was working super hard and not paying attention.” PACII has been quietly taking a stance against THINX since last summer by no longer promoting any of its products.
We originally came out against the company in May 2016 by sharing the stories of bloggers and influencers who had been lied to about their referral program. While we could have (and desperately wanted to), say more about the company and why we couldn’t support them, we decided to hold back. It was already incredibly hard to come forward against a company that the outside world was heaping boundless praise upon as the savior of all menstruators and the taboo-busting Jesus of period products. Sadly, we had multiple people in the industry tell us things in confidence that confirmed the “off” feelings we had about the company’s founder all along.
Now that there is public evidence to support the “icky” feelings we had about their marketing that used feminism and transgender issues as stepping stones for marketing success we are here to help you find alternative brands worth your hard-earned dollar bills. Of course, we want you to have the best, most comfortable protection. If that’s Thix, that’s Thinx, but in full transparency, we are pretty much on team #anythingbutTHINX and hope this list will help you find your new favorite period underwear.
We also have a new Period Underwear Buying Guide & Comparison Chart to help you out!
Period Underwear Brands To Consider
No, THINX didn’t invent the modern period panty (despite their many claims). Aisle (formerly Lunapads) did — which can be documented as far back as 2002. THINX, who launched a Kickstarter in 2013, just had the seed money and marketing prowess to have their product make headlines while claiming and taking credit for a product they didn’t invent. Meanwhile, Aisle has kept on trucking and innovating its own underwear offerings.
What We Love About Aisle Period Underwear: They come in a boxer brief style, and if you love that lacy look they offer that, too. Some versions even offer loops that secure an additional cloth liner/cloth pad that can be changed out if you want to use them full-time. Their underwear uses 100% organic cotton for absorbency.
What We Love About Aisle: Other than inventing modern period underwear Aisle is a socially and environmentally conscious company that puts its money and actions where its mouth is. Aisle went through the rigorous work of being B Corps certified, and they invested an incredible amount of heart, time, energy, and money into being a truly size and gender-inclusive brand. They have been supporting NGOs since at least 2000, and I have so much respect for the way they don’t use their work for clout. You can read more about their efforts and what your purchases support here.
Size Range Offered: XS-3XL
Styles Available: Boxer Brief, Brief, Bikini, Hipster (various colors and materials)
Price Range: $40+
Where to Buy: PeriodAisle.com
Aisle is Made in Canada
What We Love About Saalt Period Underwear: The color and design of these period underwear are exquisite. They are lightweight and come in a variety of shapes to meet most needs. They do not offer a period boxer, but they are one of the few with a thong!
What We Love About Saalt: Saalt cares about intentional design, listening to what the community needs, and acting on it! They started with a single cup available in two sizes and have grown to include a softer cup for those with sensitives and a specially sized cup for those who are younger (teens!) or more petite.
Size Range Offered: XS-3XL
Styles Available: High Waist Brief, Hipsters (2 Varieties), Thong, & Bikini XS-2XL (various colors and materials)
Price Range: $29+
Where to Buy: Saalt.com
Saalt is Ethically made in Sri Lanka
What We Love About WUKA Period Pants: They buck traditional lace designs and come in gender-neutral styles that anyone can appreciate and feel comfortable and confident in.
What We Love About WUKA: WUKA is registered with the Vegan Society, they eco-friendly fabrics, and are committed to their ethical foundations and being socially responsible.
Size Range Offered: XS-XL
Styles Available: Bikini, Brief, & matching Bralette available
Price Range: $25.00+
Where to Buy: Wuka.co.uk
WUKA Designed in UK and Made in China
What We Love About Dear Kates Products: The brand offers its products in sizes up to 3X!
What We Love About Dear Kates: We love their website presentation and the many styles they offer, but we do wish we knew more about the company itself. Their website is pretty bare about the company and its technology. We reached out to ask about any additional chemicals added to the fabrics made with “Underlux technology” and are waiting to hear back.
Size Range Offered: XS-3XL
Styles Available: Hipster, Thong, Brief style cuts available in Basic, Fancy, and Sport designs in a wide range of color options.
Other Products: Yoga Pants with their Underlux technology and Bralets to coordinate with underwear selections.
Price Range: $32-$44 per underwear. Bralets $48 and Yoga Pants $99-$109
Where to Buy: DearKates.com
Dear Kates Made in USA
What We Love About EvaWear Stain Free Period Underwear: They made a seamless option, and all varieties are budget-friendly. What We Love About EvaWear: This is a no-frills kind of brand without a social justice agenda or cause. You’re here to buy affordable period underwear, period.
Size Range Offered: XS-XL
Styles Available: Hipster, Brief, Bikini, Boxer Brief
Price Range: $18.95+
Where to Buy: Amazon.com
EvaWear Made in China
What We Love About Lilova Period Proof Underwear: While they don’t offer a boxer, we love the simple black designs with optional color accents that look sexy but not overly frilly
What We Love About Lilova: They offer one of the best size ranges on the market
Size Range Offered: XS-3X
Styles Available: Thong, Bikini, Hipster, Hip-Hugger, High-Waist
Price Range: $24.00+
Where to Buy: Lilova.com
Lilova Made In China
21 Responses
WUKA (wake up kick ass) is a UK company that do period pants and they’re great. they also have a fantastic policy that if you try them out and don’t like them you can return them!
Pantyprop/Rubylove’s underwear didn’t work for me – all four of the bundle I order leaked despite their many claims of “leakproof” plaster all over their site and social media. They also delete negative feedback on their page and block customers. Really research before buying online!!!
What about companies in the UK? As I am tired of paying custom fees.
Hi Femtis and Taynie are great and european
I love my Lunapanties!
Thanks for the info about sizes for younger women. Looking for options for my tiny, ballet dancing young teen! Would really like a comparison of modibodi as well. I like the wool options.
Hesta Organic also makes period panties, and they’re based in Cali.
Modibodi is an Australian brand of period undies that also makes maternity singlet tops with absorbent cups to eliminate the need for breast pads. Good for those who are suffering from bad exchange rates with the US dollar!
But those are not vegan.
are all the brands listed above vegan?
It looks like Modibodi have now released a vegan line 🙂 https://www.modibodi.com/product-category/vegan/
I bought their products and wish I hadn’t. They work ok, except for the smell, but I just wish I’d saved my $$ for something else. Their politics are atrocious, and they have even gone from pretty, feminine underwear, to more masculine looks just to appease the transgender community. Which is insane because there is no reason they can’t cater to EVERYONE. Isn’t that what inclusions and tolerance is all about??
I realize most period panty company is going to be left leaning, but they are flat out, over the top NUTS!!
I’ve been against this company from the start. I could not believe so many would buy into their demonstrably false claim about being the first innovation in, was it, 70 years. I contacted several outlets about the truth behind these claims, and nobody cared because it was easier to buy into the pretense of this horrible public figure.
I’m not finding the website for the evawear panties.
I tried both eva and panty prop. I found the panty prop , but not eva. I already purchased panty prop, they have super options built-in
There are lots of other Period Panties alternatives out there, check out Yaioa Discovery Panties Post and you will see a detailed list of Options and Variations