My period journey has been pretty linear:
As it turns out, I stopped leveling up my period game too soon.
Reusable period products—the kind that don’t block up your toilet’s S-bend or suffocate landfills—are big business now.
Not only can they save over 9,000 tampons from ending up in landfill in your lifetime, they’ll also help reduce the number of underwear we ruin by bleeding through them in any given cycle.
Not convinced? Yeah, to be fair, neither was I.
So I loaded up on a few pairs of Knix—enough to get me through a full period—and gave myself a crash course in relying in nothing but period underwear. Keep reading this Knix underwear review to hear how it started and how it’s going.
How It Started
Apparently, we lose between 40 and 60 ml of blood during our period. I’m fairly certain I am hovering over the top end of that scale. Days 2 and 3 of my period typically mean I can’t make any sudden movements or sneeze too hard, lest I end up with a Code Red situation and a backwards shuffle to the bathroom.
So. Here’s what I ordered: One Heavy Flow Period Kit containing
For funsies, I also ordered a Knixy Lace Leakproof bikini and a Classic Leakproof bikini. The range is pretty inclusive (Small to 3XL) and there are enough colors to keep you cute—just keep in mind that you will see the blood in the gusset if you don’t go with black.
I was committed to doing this whole experiment properly—no tampons, no backup pad, no period products of any kind other than the Knix period underwear I bought.
Day 1
Day 1 was easy. This is my ‘Is It Actually Starting Or What?’ day, so I threw on the classic Knix leakproof bikini and called it a day. Since my period typically announces itself loudly in the middle of night 1, I chose the super-absorbent Dream Short for overnight—it holds around 4 tsp of blood (or the equivalent of 4 regular tampons).
Day 2
Here’s my first realization: I have spent the last 15 period-having years being largely hands-off with my menstrual cycle. Unlike with tampon use, when everything is conveniently held internally where I don’t even have to see it, my morning shower looks a little like a crime scene. It’s not a complaint, surprisingly.
I feel a little more connected to my own body, knowing exactly how much period blood I actually make (hint: it’s really not that much).
The Dream Short didn’t leak, twist, or bunch overnight, and easily absorbed everything my uterus had to throw at it. I didn’t notice any odor, and after a quick rinse, I throw them in a wash bag for a cold cycle (no softener or bleach, ladies!).
It’s time to test-drive my first pair of Knix Super Leakproof High Rise. They’re surprisingly comfortable, snug, and lightweight, and I’ve got to admit: I’m a little scared. I’ve packed an extra pair in my handbag, I’m wearing my blackest pants to work, and here goes nothing…
Day 3
The rest of day 2 was, in 2 words, a breeze. The Knix Super Leakproof High Rise can hold the equivalent of 8 regular tampons. They’ve got a 9” extended gusset for front bleeders, and they are incredibly light. I’ve scoured every inch of the Knix website and I still don’t understand where these things are keeping a full day’s worth of blood.
A couple of thoughts leading into night 3 (again, I’ll be wearing my freshly washed and dried Dream Shorts):
Day 4-6
On a good cycle, my period is winding down on day 5. The Super Leakproof high-waisted period underwear and the Dream Shorts have easily proven themselves for comfort, breathability, security, and just plain doing their job—so it’s time to move on to my last trial pair: the Knixy lace leakproof bikini.
The Knixy is a little different from the rest of the Knix lines:
This medium absorbency pair did a good job on the last day of my cycle, with the same dry feel and comfortable 4-way flexibility.
How It’s Going
Before we move forward, there’s some stuff you should know:
In short: it’s going great. A waste-free period isn’t just better for the environment—it’s better for me as a human body, too. I feel healthier in my girl-parts, I feel better how I’m contributing to this planet, and I feel more comfortable as I go about my day.
I’ve tried a few reusable period products since my first pair of Knix, and Knix definitely take the cake for absorbency and streamlining. Even some of the period undies my peeps claim are Holy Grail are too bulky, compared to Knix.
Quick Glance
No. Knix have a low-profile gusset that is super-absorbent, doesn’t bunch, doesn’t twist, and doesn’t stick to your inner thighs like a pad.
The pairs I got for my heavy days didn’t leak, but I strongly recommend choosing the right pair for your flow.
Of course, there was more odor than I’d notice from a tampon-only period—but then I’d be contending with the risk of leaks, discomfort, UTIs, and a risk of TSS. Compared to a pad-only period, the odor was nowhere near as noticeable.
The Verdict
If you’ve been floating the idea of ditching disposable period products—do it. Do it now. My periods are easier, more comfortable, and I’m more connected to my body since I made the switch away from tampons and pads.
There’s a bit of a learning curve as you get used to seeing your own blood and hand-rinsing your underwear, but if you’ve ever had an embarassing period leak in your life—and who hasn’t?—the switch is well worth the adjustment.
Have I convinced you to try Knix period underwear? You can check out my favorite set here.
References
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/09/how-tampons-pads-became-unsustainable-story-of-plastic/
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/period-cost-lifetime_n_7258780/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/how-much-blood-do-you-lose-on-your-period/
- https://knix.com/collections/leakproof-period-underwear-kits/products/heavy-flow-period-kit/
- https://knix.com/collections/period-underwear/
