More than 50% of older Americans, as well as over 200 million people worldwide struggle with incontinence, a medical term used to describe the loss of control of bowel movements that may result in embarrassing involuntary leakage. Incontinence can refer to both loss of control of the release of fecal or urinary material.
There are many solutions available to support those dealing with incontinence issues, including products such as absorbent pads, briefs, diapers and underwear.
What is Incontinence Underwear?
Instead of fastening an absorbent pad onto your underwear, incontinence underwear is designed to be worn much like regular underwear under clothing. You pull them on and then, when ready, take them off and either dispose of them or rewash them for another use if the product type allows.
There is a range of incontinence underwear that varies according to incontinence levels, from light to heavy, with different absorption power.
What Features Should You Consider?
There are many types of incontinence underwear being sold online, but when choosing the best fit for you, there are several features you should look out for. Depending on the severity of the condition, consider incontinence underwear that caters to bladder leakage, include tear-away sides, high absorbency power, leak barriers around the legs, odor control, an elastic waistband and soft breathable materials.
The function of the underwear, which is to absorb and prevent leakage of unwanted bowel movements or bladder leakage, should also offer simple application and comfort for the wearer.
Functional Features of Incontinence Underwear to Look For
Absorbency Power
The most straightforward feature that many already know to look for is the absorbency power of the incontinence underwear depending on your leakage levels.
The best underwear for heavy incontinence should be made of multi-layered materials that quickly and effectively absorb liquids before they seep into your skin, keeping you clean and dry.
Leg Leakage Barriers
Besides looking for underwear featuring proper materials that keep your skin dry, the best underwear for heavy incontinence should come with barriers around the legs where the underwear is fastened to prevent any leakage of unwanted material out of the leg openings.
Given that you will be moving your body around in different positions other than standing (sitting, leaning, bending over etc.), the leg openings of the underwear are a particularly vulnerable spot that gives way to leaks, so finding underwear that includes leak barrier cuffs is key.
Large Range of Sizing
Finally, in order for your incontinence underwear to fulfill its function perfectly, you need to find the product available in a wide range of sizes, from extra small all the way to a 3X large. Most incontinence underwear is sold with this measurement system (small, medium, etc.), which may make it difficult to find your right size.
A medium in one brand could be a large in another, and that it is important to find the product in a wide range of sizes, to give space for trial and error processes until you find the right fit. You also want to find options for more discreet wear of the underwear (less bulky appearance), if that is something you want.
Incontinence Underwear Practical/Comfortable Features to Look For
Elastic Waistband/Tear-away Sides
The best incontinence underwear for heavy leaks should be one that is practical to take on and off. An elastic waistband makes for a comfortable fit around the waist, and also allows the underwear to pull off easily without any awkwardness.
Underwear including tear-away sides adds another layer of comfort when dressing and undressing, as unfastening the sides makes it faster to take off soiled underwear that you cannot wait to get off.
Breathable and Soft Material
The underwear will be in contact with areas with sensitive skin for a long time during your day, so you want to choose one that is soft and moisture-wicking. Rough materials can cause friction and irritate your skin, especially with the mix of material of the underwear plus the leakage in the layers.
In addition, given that this will be worn under clothing for long durations, you want your incontinence underwear to be made of breathable materials, to reduce the heat and humidity created by the layers of dressing around those sensitive areas.
Our Top Picks for the Best Incontinence Underwear for Women
1. Prevail Daily Underwear for Women
The Prevail Daily Pull-up works best for women with moderate or mild urinary incontinence. They come with strategically placed absorbent pads that provide additional protection against leakage.
This protective underwear also includes a breathable barrier that controls odors and MaxSorb Gel technology that keeps your skin dry.
Other features:
- Made with soft cloth-like material for enhanced comfort.
- Includes Maxsorb™ gel technology to absorb wetness and lock it away from the body.
- Includes the Omni Odor Guard® to prevent odors.
2. Tranquility Premium OverNight™ Incontinence Underwear
Tranquility Premium OverNight™ Incontinence Underwear is easily one of the top-rated options for the best incontinence underwear for women.
Its heavy absorbent peach mat core offers maximum protection for urinary and bowel incontinence.
This underwear locks away liquid that results in dryness, neutralizes urine pH, and reduces odor while protecting sensitive and delicate skin from moisture damage.
The cuff guards offer an additional layer to protect against leakage, allowing extended time between changes. It is available in various sizes, from XS to 2XL.
Other features:
- Breathable sides.
- Full-rise waist panel for a more balanced fit.
- Tear-away side seams that allow quick and easy removal.
3. TENA® Super Protection, Overnight Underwear
TENA Super Protection Overnight is non-reusable underwear from TENA that is perfect for women, especially those who experience heavy leakage at night.
The excellent quality material prevents leakage while providing the comfort your regular underwear offers.
Other features:
- Body-close fit, which directs the liquids away from the skin.
- A wider pad at the bottom for increased absorbency.
- Available in larger sizes, including XL.
4. Attends Underwear
Attends underwear comes with breathable side panels, a soft inner liner, and an elegant design that ensures excellent comfort.
It has a triple-tier moisture-locking system that provides outstanding performance and protection against leakage while managing odor and promoting skin wellness.
The flexible soft and comfy flex tabs clip anywhere for a tailored fitting.
Other features:
- ConfidenceCuff protection.
- Excellent absorbency core.
- Exceptional softness.
- Odor protection.
5. Prevail Per-Fit Daily Underwear for Women
Prevail Per-Fit Daily Underwear works perfectly for protection and comfort. In addition, the product provides additional absorbency for long-lasting freshness.
The 360° breathable, cloth-like material helps you remain relaxed and comfortable by permitting air circulation. Prevail Per-Fit is available in Small, Medium, X, and XL sizes.
Other features:
- QuickWick with MaxSoft™ to keep moisture away from your skin fast.
- Comfort-shape that curve to your body for a more discreet fit.
- Odor Guard™ to avoid odors before they begin.
6. Depend Fit-Flex Pull-Up For Women
Depend Fit-Flex Pull-up provides excellent protection against moderate to heavy incontinence. It protects against bladder leaks or minor bowel voids and is perfect for postpartum recovery. Its fit-flex fabric contains form-fitting Lycra that allows a perfect fit.
Other features:
- Polymers to prevent odors.
- A discreet design and a neutral color.
Our Top Picks for the Best Incontinence Underwear for Men
1. Tranquility Premium OverNight™ Incontinence Underwear
Tranquility Premium OverNight™ Incontinence Underwear is easily one of the top-rated options for the best incontinence underwear for women.
Its heavy absorbent peach mat core offers maximum protection for urinary and bowel incontinence.
This underwear locks away liquid that results in dryness, neutralizes urine pH, and reduces odor while protecting sensitive and delicate skin from moisture damage.
The cuff guards offer an additional layer to protect against leakage, allowing extended time between changes. It is available in various sizes, from XS to 2XL.
Other features:
- Breathable sides.
- Full-rise waist panel for a more balanced fit.
- Tear-away side seams that allow quick and easy removal.
2. TENA® Classic Protective Underwear
TENA Classic Protective Underwear is one of the most popular options for the best incontinence underwear for men.
This underwear is a pull-on style with tear away seams, moderate absorbency, and features strong odor control while protecting sensitive and delicate skin from moisture damage.
This product is available in sizes medium to XL.
Other features:
- Breathable material.
- Body-close fit.
- Tear-away side seams that allow quick and easy removal.
3. Prevail Per-Fit Daily Underwear
Prevail Per-Fit Daily Underwear works perfectly for protection and comfort. In addition, the heavy absorbency is known to be one of the best among it's competitors.
The 360° breathable zones allows air to circulate, improving comfort for the wear over longer periods of time. Prevail Per-Fit is available from medium to XL sizes.
Other features:
- QuickWick with MaxSoft™ to keep moisture away from your skin fast.
- Comfort-shape that curve to your body for a more discreet fit.
- Odor Guard™ to avoid odors before they begin.
4. McKesson Ultra Underwear
The McKesson Ultra Underwear has an excellent absorbent core and an external wicking layer and is known to be a great option for incontinence underwear for men.
The moisture-wicking material helps to control odor and draw wetness away from your skin while preventing leakage, and the inner leg cuffs deliver added leak protection.
This protective underwear also has a fast-dry formula design that utilizes cross-linking technology to maintain exceptional dryness.
Other features:
- More comfortable shape.
- Anti-leak guards for an additional level of protection.
- Pull-up design appearances and textures like regular underwear.
- Available in sizes from small to 2XL.
5. CardinalHealth Underwear SURE CARE™ Plus
The Cardinal Health Underwear SURE CARE Plus offers heavy absorbency and tear away side panels for easy removal and disposal. The cloth-like moisture barrier protects against leaks and keeps clothing and bedding dry. This stretchable material is form fitting, allowing a snug and secure fit for the wearer.
This product is available in sizes small/medium, large, and XL.
Other features:
- Odor control.
- Anatomical fit.
- Tear away sides for easy removal.
Should You Consider Washable Underwear for Heavy Incontinence?
Many who manage this condition prefer using washable incontinence underwear over disposable ones. This is due to many reasons, with the main reasons being that they help cut down on waste and are a cost-friendly way to help with incontinence over longer periods of time.
Washable incontinence underwear looks even more like underwear and has a less bulky and exposing appearance compared to disposable incontinence underwear. This makes them more discreet and undetectable in public, keeping their wearer confident and comfortable.
Washable underwear can also be cost-effective, given that you do not need to always restock on your disposable underwear; you can just throw them in the laundry and reuse them once they are clean. Their reusability is also more environmentally friendly, reducing your waste and carbon footprint.
Finally, they are more comfortable, seeing as their material resembles that of normal underwear, which would feel softer and more breathable on the skin compared to the heavier products.
The only con, however, is if you are looking for the best incontinence underwear for heavy leakage, cloth washable underwear may not be for you. They are often less absorbent than disposable underwear, designed for those who are dealing with lighter leakage, and are usually not suitable for fecal incontinence.
The Best Rated Incontinence Underwear for Heavy Leakage
Forbes Health listed the top ten best rated incontinence underwear for heavy leakage, and the top three were: in first place, the Abena Abri-Form Premium Incontinence Briefs, in second place the Mckesson Ultra Underwear, and finally in third place were the McKesson Ultra Briefs.
The Forbes Health editorial team curated this list of rankings based on data they collected on more than 50 products, which factor in “price, sizes available, absorbency, adjustability and more.” The Abena adult diapers ranked in first place due to their offering of three absorbency levels and tab closures that are fitting for both men and women. They also have a cloth-like backsheet and breathable side panel.
The McKesson Ultra Underwear, as well as McKesson Ultra Briefs were chosen for their tab closures that keep the underwear fitted to prevent heavy leakage, and odor control alongside material that absorbs wetness and reduces the pH of urine.
All the incontinence products mentioned indeed align with the best features we mentioned above, including soft breathable material, rapid absorption, inner leg barriers, tear-away seams and a comfortable stretch waistband.
For more information and tips for getting the right products for your needs, check out our guide on how to find the best adult diapers.
Shopping Online with WellBefore
There are many reasons to shop online for your incontinence products! We offer fast and discreet shipping, in addition to carrying a wide selection of incontinence underwear options suited to all body types.
The range of underwear for heavy incontinence are great for mobile adults, where you'll find a number of unisex options as well as incontinence underwear for women and men.
The National Association for Continence has estimated that up to 80% of those suffering from incontinence are using the wrong products for their condition. At WellBefore, we strive to provide the opposite.
Shop our available options online, and feel free to contact our customer service team for more information to help find the right products for you.