Is it Your Goldilocks Panty?
THINX first arrived in the period-panty world in 2014, and they’ve become one of the most well-known period panty brands since then. All the publicity they’ve gotten has probably helped: Fast Company named them one of the most innovative companies of 2017, and, before that, Time featured them on their list of the best inventions of 2015, along with the Hoverboard and Casper mattresses. Fast Company called THINX “vag-tastic,” possibly one of the highest compliments a free-bleed period panty biz can get!
THINX period underwear uses period-proof technology that neutralizes odors and discourages the growth of bacteria. They’re also made to be absorbent and sweat-wicking. The absorbent technology is in the crotch where a pad or pantyliner would normally go. It doesn’t go all the way up the back.
These panties are made in Sri Lanka in an award-winning facility that provides transportation, fitness sessions and free and subsidized meals to its employees. The facility also has a goal of being a zero-waste production by 2025. As part of their “pay it forward” philosophy, they’ve partnered with grassroots organizations to make period products accessible and affordable for students in both the U.S. and around the globe.
How THINX Period Panties Work
THINX absorbent tech is made up of four layers:
- Top layer: The soft cotton fabric that’s closest to your body is moisture-wicking. This layer is black in every pair of THINX so that it doesn’t show stains.
- Anti-odor layer: The fabric layer below the top has a thin coating of silver that stays put on the fabric and stops the spread of odor-causing bacteria.
- Absorbent layer: This is the cotton layer that is designed to hold up to two tampons worth of fluid. How much one of their panties will hold depends on the exact style of THINX panties you buy.
- Leak-resistant layer: This bottom layer is made of breathable PUL.
Absorbencies:
They come in four absorbency levels:
- Super light: Protection against spotting
- Light: Absorbs about 1 tampon’s worth of fluid
- Medium: Holds the same as about 1.5 tampons
- Heavy: Holds the equivalent of 2 tampons
THINX says that you can expect their period underwear to keep performing as expected for about two years, or 24 washes, if you care for them like this:
- When you take them off, rinse them out as soon as you can by hand.
- Wash them in cold water on delicate cycle with other delicate items. Don’t use bleach or fabric softener.
- Allow them to air dry.
THINX Period Panties Styles
Price range: $23 to $85
THINX menstrual underwear features three main collections for women:
- Classic styles: Hiphugger, Sport, Hi-Waist, Cheeky, Boyshort, Thong
- Organic Cotton styles: Cotton Brief, Cotton Bikini, Cotton Thong
- Activewear styles: Training Shorts, Leotard, Unitard
THINX (BTWN) is for preteens and teens, and has these styles:
- Brief
- Bikini
- Shorty
(1) Classic Styles
https://www.shethinx.com/collections/period-panties
The classic line is just like it sounds: menstrual undies with simple lines and clean designs. These menstrual panties will feel comfy and style-matched under any type of clothing from dressy to lounge.
(1.1) Hiphugger
THINX’s best-selling style is the Hiphugger. They’ve recently made it better by adding a more durable, yet comfortable, waistband. The Hiphugger provides full period-panty coverage with low legs.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Ocean, Dusk, Black, Beige
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $34
(1.2) Sport
THINX sport has wide and high leg holes so that you don’t chafe when you’re running around playing sports or working out. They don’t feature any lace trim. The sides have a seam on them, making them look like super-short and snug-fitting running shorts. Cute!
- Absorbency: Medium
- Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Ocean, Dusk, Black, Beige
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $32
(1.3) Hi-Waist
These period panties have a kind of pin-up girl vibe with their high waist and sexy sheer side panels. The high waist provides a little bit of tummy-control, not bad when you’re feeling bloated during your T.O.M.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Ocean, Black
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $38
(1.4) Cheeky
The Cheeky style is cut high in the back, so you don’t get visible panty lines. These are made for light days or for backup.
- Absorbency: Light
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Dusk, Black, Beige
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $30
(1.5) Boyshort
The boyshort looks kind of like bicycle shorts, but shorter. These are made for comfort and are popular for overnight wear, but you can wear them during the day, too.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XXS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Ocean, Dusk, Black, Beige
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $39
1.6 Thong
When you have your period, but you still want to wear a thong, this panty from THINX could be just what you need. This comfortable thong is best for use on days when you’re spotting or at the end of your cycle.
- Absorbency: Super light
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Black, Beige
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $24
(2) Organic Cotton Styles
https://www.shethinx.com/collections/cotton-period-panties
This line uses organic cotton in place of the nylon outer that’s in the other lines. The absorbent layer in the gusset is still made from regular cotton (not organic).
(2.1) Cotton Brief
This is a comfy and sporty-looking style that supplies full period protection. They have a mid-range waistband, low-cut legs and full coverage in the rear.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Ocean, Black, Grey
- Materials:
- Body: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $34
(2.2) Cotton Bikini
This design uses less fabric than the brief, with higher legs, a lower waist, and a little less coverage in the back.
- Absorbency: Medium
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Ocean, Black, Grey
- Materials:
- Body: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $32
(2.3) Cotton Thong
This skimpy design eliminates any chance of a visible panty line but still gives you some period protection. Wear them for spotting or as backup.
- Absorbency: Lightest
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Black, Grey
- Materials:
- Body: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $24
(3) Activewear
https://www.shethinx.com/collections/activewear
(3.1) Training Shorts
These are the short to wear if you want to feel protected and at ease when you have your period and want to get active. They’re also just right to wear when you’re lounging around.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Colors: Black
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $65
(3.2) Leotard
The THINX period-proof Leotard has sheer side panels and a crisscross back. You can wear this leotard for dance or gymnastics or as a fashion piece paired with a skirt or jeans. Feel secure against period leaks with the Leotard.
- Absorbency: Light
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colors: Black
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $60
(3.3) Unitard
This is a perfect all-in-one outfit for yoga or dance class. The Unitard supplies backup protection or security against spotting while allowing you freedom of movement. You can also wear it with street clothes, layered with something like a sweater on top.
- Absorbency: Lightest
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL
- Colors: Black
- Materials:
- Body: 89% nylon, 11% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $85
THINX (BTWN)
https://www.shethinx.com/pages/introducing-thinx-btwn
THINX (BTWN) are period undies for tweens. They use the same period-proof technology as all other THINX undies.
(1) THINX (BTWN) Brief
The brief is a classic sporty style with a higher waist.
- Absorbency: Medium
- Sizes: Youth 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16
- Colors: Beet Juice, Tidal Wave, Let’s Polka, New Moon, Mint Chip
- Materials:
- Body: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane, 80% polyester, 20% nylon
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $23
(2) THINX (BTWN) Bikini
The bikini has a low-rise waist and high-cut legs for ease of movement.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: Youth 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16
- Colors: Beet Juice, Tidal Wave,New Moon, Mint Chip
- Materials:
- Body: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane, 80% polyester, 20% nylon
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $23
(3) THINX (BTWN) Shorty
These have a somewhat higher waist and lower legs that resemble boyshorts. Some reviewers said they were a little snug in the legs, but others love them as is.
- Absorbency: Heavy
- Sizes: Youth 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16
- Colors: Beet Juice, Tidal Wave, New Moon, Mint Chip
- Materials:
- Body: 95% organic cotton, 5% elastane
- Gusset: 95% cotton, 5% elastane, 80% polyester, 20% nylon
- Liner: Breathable PUL
- Price: $23
THINX Period Panties Customer Reviews
The reviews for THINX are good across the board. The main gripe seems to be that the heavy absorbency THINX can take too long to dry, so you need to have a few pairs if you plan to wear them everyday during your period.
“Thinx are well suited for back-up, absolutely. They feel no different than underwear while being worn…They would also be great for those spotty days…when it’s not enough to wear a cup but too much to go without a liner. Overnights? Excellent.” – Kim R., Dirtydiaperlaundry.com Review
“I’ve been a customer for years, and had to do my first return today. The customer service was phenomenal; hands-down the best I’ve ever received from a small business.” – Christy L.A., Facebook Review
“Bought these for my teenager and she LOVES them! We just ordered more the only downside is the price. She has never had a leak and she has a pretty heavy flow the first two days.” – Kim, Menstrualcupreviews.net Review
“Not impressed with the quality for the price.” – Ila A., Facebook Review
Final Say
THINX have been in the public eye for years now and subject to intense scrutiny by the public, and they seem to stand up to all that judging. They aren’t the cheapest period panties out there, but they have consistent quality and have improved their design to make them more durable. Lots of other brands have complaints about not being true to size, usually running too small, but THINX doesn’t have that problem. They’re comfortable, and they work as advertised to absorb and stop leaks. They’re also a company that’s eco-friendly and socially conscious. If you don’t mind spending a little bit more on your period undies, THINX are an excellent choice.