WUKA Period Pants Comparison || Basics, Perform, Ultimate, Repurpose Review
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Are you struggling to decide which type of period pants to buy?
As a growing sustainable brand in the UK, WUKA now has multiple styles to choose from… but how do you know which one to buy?
Switching to period pants can feel overwhelming when you’re new to reusable menstrual products so to help you on your journey, I’ve created a comparison guide with my personal review of all the WUKA period undies I’ve tried and tested.
Reusable products are a bigger upfront cost, but when you consider buying disposable pads or tampons every month for the rest of your life, it feels like a logical investment.
Obviously, in the cost of living crisis, not everyone is in a position to invest all at once. In fact, many people choose to buy one or two pairs a month instead - whatever time frame suits their individual circumstances.
Deciding on the brand, the model, and the size, while factoring in your individual budget means it can be hard to get started with period pants but once you work out what you like, you won’t look back.
Quality over quantity
There are loads of period undies on the market now - even some fast fashion brands are jumping on the bandwagon by mass-producing cheap period products. While this feels ideal to people on a tight budget, not all menstrual underwear is made the same and you’re more likely to risk a leak. As the saying goes - you get what you pay for.
In my experience, it is better to save and buy better-quality period pants over a longer period of time than to buy lots of cheap mass-produced underwear that is more likely to leak.
I want to make it easier for you to switch from disposable products by comparing and reviewing four different styles of WUKA period pants in one blog post.
COMING UP
What are period undies?
Why choose WUKA?
Review of WUKA period pants: 4 different styles
- WUKA BASICS™
- WUKA Perform
- WUKA Ultimate
- WUKA RepurposeFAQ about period pants
- Washing your period pants
UPDATE: WUKA has given me a discount code to share with my readers - use LAZY10 for 10% off
1. What are period pants?
Period pants look like regular underwear with an absorbent section in the middle that soaks up and contains menstrual blood. It’s a bit like a built-in sanitary pad but more comfortable. Period knickers are cleaned in the washing machine and remove the need for disposable products, like tampons, that are made of plastic and contain toxic chemicals.
2. Why choose WUKA?
“WUKA stands for Wake Up Kick Ass because we believe that nothing should hold you back on your period. ”
WUKA is a small business in the UK that has been empowering women since 2017. My favourite thing about them is they use models with real bodies of different sizes and colours.
I have so much respect for companies that don’t airbrush their models (why is this still a thing in 2023?). Seeing stretch marks, body fat, and normal imperfections on a model is like a breath of fresh air.
WUKA’s CEO and co-founder, Ruby Raut, grew up in Nepal where shame and stigma surround menstruation and many women have traumatic experiences. Ruby’s knowledge combined with her education in environmental science led to the creation of WUKA.
Alongside campaigning to end the tax on period pants and normalising menstruation, WUKA has donated thousands of period pants to important charities. Some of the organisations they support provide menstrual products to refugees, homeless people, young girls in poverty, and women overseas in countries like Nepal.
So yeah, you can probably get cheaper period pants in Primark, but that's because they use child labour and pay poverty wages to their garment workers.
3. Review of WUKA period pants: 4 different styles
Wuka basics™ period pants
Material: BCI cotton
Flow: Medium or heavy (hipster), light flow (thong)
Styles: Hipster, thong
Sizing: XXS - 6XL
Cost: £12+
Ideal for:
WUKA Basics period pants are the cheapest option so are suitable for people on a budget. They are similar to ordinary knickers in style which makes them one of the most popular reusable period products out there. They have a high gusset so they don’t leak and can be used at night.
The material:
WUKA Basics are a little thicker than normal knickers but are much more comfortable than sanitary pads. They are made from cotton so there isn’t much stretch.
Sizing:
The lack of stretch means they’re a little tight in my usual size so I’d recommend sizing up in this style.
WUKA Basics Hipster Review:
[I’m a size 12 (38 inch hips) and wearing a large.]
✅Good quality/durable
✅Easy to wash (can be washed at 40)
✅Most cost-effective
✅ No leaks
❌Not organic or recycled
❌Cotton is easier to stain (this can be prevented by adjusting your wash routine)
I’ve been wearing WUKA Basics medium for over a year and a half and the containment is excellent - I’ve never had a leak. I have regular flow periods and have no issues wearing these all night.
The quality of Basics is great They wash and dry well, though are more prone to staining than the synthetic options. The printed letters (which say the size and flow on the fabric instead of a label) have faded but this doesn’t affect use. They are on the cheaper end of the spectrum so I used them to bulk up my stash of period pants even though I prefer high-waisted underwear because of my shape. They are my go-to underwear for nighttime.
They do size up quite small so I’d recommend going up a size if you don’t want them to be too snug.
Wuka perform
Material: Seamless recycled nylon with a cotton gusset
Flow: Light, medium, heavy
Styles: Midi brief, swim bikini brief, period leggings, shorts, swimming costume
Sizing: XXS - 6XL
Cost: £19.99+
Ideal for:
WUKA Perform has been designed for people who want (or need) to stay active during their period. The only exercise I do is chasing two young kids around the house but these are my favourite type because they are seamless. As they are thin and have no VPL, these period undies are perfect for the gym, or under tight trousers, however, I wouldn’t use them at nighttime unless you’re having a light day or are coming off. WUKA also sell swimwear you can wear when you’re menstruating.
Material:
They are made from recycled plastic which is much better for the environment than normal polyester due to the fact it keeps waste out of landfills. The recycled nylon is silky soft, thin, light, and seamless.
Sizing:
I’m typically a size 12 in trousers and I bought WUKA Perform in 2 sizes (medium and large) and found the bigger size a bit loose on my bum. Despite being slightly loose, the large is comfortable and I still wear them but the medium is definitely a better fit for me so I wouldn’t size up in this style. I think Perform stretch a bit after washing too.
My Review of WUKA Perform Midi brief:
[I’m size 12 and wearing a medium]
✅Very comfortable
✅Lightweight - doesn’t show under clothes
✅Ideal for people with sensory processing issues (that are okay with synthetic material)
✅ No leaks during the day
✅ Eco-friendly (recycled material)
❌Less durable
❌Expensive
These are my favourite of all WUKA’s period pants because I love the light, seamless feel and find them more comfortable than all other WUKA styles. They are snug in a good way and hold in my wobbly bits. The downside to this material is it is not as durable as cotton, so you must follow WUKA’s washing instructions and not tumble dry them. My partner accidentally tumble-dried mine a couple of times and this impacted the stitching and they now have a hole in the side where I pull them up. Luckily I can still use them but it’s unfortunate due to the cost.
I’m autistic and sometimes I can only wear seamless underwear due to having sensory issues, so WUKA perform is an essential item for my monthly cycle.
WUKA ultimate
Material: Tencel™️
Flow: Super heavy, heavy, medium, light
Styles: High waist, midi brief, bikini, boxers
Sizing: XXS - 6XL
Cost: £17.99+
Ideal for:
WUKA’s Ultimate period pants are the most eco-friendly style. Made from Tencel, a European fabric that, unlike regular cotton, doesn’t require pesticides or large amounts of water to grow. The WUKA Ultimate range includes super-heavy undies that are designed for people with conditions like endometriosis or for postpartum bleeding.
Material:
Tencel is 3 times softer than cotton and is naturally stretchier. Some styles of ultimate have mesh or lace panels. While there is no stretch in the mesh panels, the front section is very stretchy. This is to make them suitable for postpartum or bloated tummies. I haven’t tried all the styles of Ultimate but I imagine that the ones without side panels are more comfortable.
Sizing:
Even though there is an extra stretch at the front, the period pants with mesh feel snug fitting so I’d recommend sizing up.
Disclaimer - I was gifted a pair of these when I had my second baby in 2020, but it wasn’t for this article which I’m under no obligation to write.
wUKA Ultimate (Super heavy High waist) review
✅Suitable for heavy bleeding
✅High gusset makes it good for nighttime
✅Suitable for postpartum or endometriosis
✅ Eco-friendly material
❌Very bulky
❌Expensive
I usually turn to my super heavy period pants at night during the heaviest point of my cycle and they haven’t let me down yet. I was originally gifted these for postpartum bleeding shortly after my second child was born in 2020. I chose the high-waisted style because I’d had a c-section and they didn’t irritate the scar. They are pretty bulky so you have to be mindful about what you’re wearing, but they aren’t uncomfortable and the high gusset means no leaks.
The mesh panels look nice, but I imagine knickers would be more comfortable without them. Unfortunately, after a year, the mesh has developed a ladder. This doesn’t affect the product's effectiveness but it isn’t ideal if you’ve spent a lot of money on them. Tencel is one of my favourite fabrics so the Ultimate midi-briefs are on ‘try next’ list.
EDIT - I have recently tried WUKA’s Ultimate midi brief and they are amazing! They are so soft and comfortable, with a good amount of stretch. I much prefer them to Basics. I have them in a large and they are a perfect fit.
WUKA re-purpose
Material: Recycled fast fashion fabric (nylon with cotton gusset)
Flow: heavy, medium, light
Styles: french cut bikini, thong, high waist
Sizing: XS - 6XL
Cost: £9.99+
Ideal for:
This style of period pants is suitable for the gym, or leggings as there is no VPL but it is not suitable for night times due to the shape you will risk having a leak.
Material:
The material is stretchy and comfortable and I’ve had no quality issues with them. The top band looks nice, but it is a little bit rough and I find that it can irritate my sensitive skin sometimes. I do still wear them as the seamless feel is lovely - like you’re not wearing underwear. But if your skin is easily irritated by labels or seams, then the top band might bother you.
Sizing:
I found these to be true to size. I wear a size 12 on the bottom and I'm happy with the medium (which is 12-14 on the size chart)
WUKA Re-Purpose (French Cut) Review
[I’m size 12 wearing a medium]
✅No VPL
✅Stylish
✅Eco-friendly (reusing fabric waste)
✅ Cheaper option
❌Band may be irritable
❌Currently limited styles/flows
I love that WUKA has reused existing fabric waste for its re-purpose collection. The french cut style is comfortable, silky, and extremely lightweight - it sometimes feels like I’m not wearing underwear. Due to my large hip dips, I don’t find the bikini flatters my individual body shape, so I’d like to try the high-waisted option next. Seamless material is my favourite, so I had to invest in a few pairs. I prefer the Perform range to the Re-Purpose range due to the slightly rough texture of the mesh waistband but keep in mind that I’m autistic and more sensitive than the average person.
4. FAQ about period pants
Do period pants work?
Yes, they work well. Period pants are like regular underwear with a built-in absorbent core that is more comfortable than a sanitary pad. I’ve been using period pants for two years and they’ve never leaked or caused me any health or hygiene issues.
How do you wash WUKA period pants?
Once you take them off or at the end of the day, rinse your period pants in the sink or the shower to prevent staining. Wash your period pants in the machine at 40 degrees with your normal detergent and other clothes. Hang them out to dry.
Step 1 - rinse used period pants in the sink or shower.
Step 2 - squeeze out excess water and then put them in a wet bag until it’s time to wash them.
Step 3 - Make sure your main wash is at least 40 degrees and is a long wash cycle
Step 4 - Hang period pants out to dry properly.
Do period pants smell?
Period pants shouldn’t smell. The top layer of fabric in the gusset absorbs the blood and the inner layer has antibacterial properties to prevent bacteria growth so there shouldn’t be any odour. If your period pants do start to smell while you’re wearing them it means it’s time to change them. If they smell after they’ve been washed then you need to adjust your wash routine or clean your washing machine.
Do WUKA period pants contain chemicals?
No, WUKA is non-toxic. It does not add antibacterial chemicals to its period underwear.
Do WUKA period pants contain PFAs?
No, WUKA say its period pants do not contain PFAs, also known as forever
chemicals.
How long can you wear WUKA period pants?
The recommended maximum time to wear WUKA period pants is 8-12 hours for hygiene reasons, but it will depend on your flow and the type of undies you’re wearing. If you have very heavy periods or issues with bacteria then you may need to change them more often.
Before you go…
I found it stressful trying to work out the sizing when I first transitioned to reusable period underwear so I wanted to show what the products look like on a real body in case it’s helpful to someone else. It would be great if you could share the WUKA pants you’ve tried and your body size in the comments below to help other readers.
It would also mean a lot if you could tap the red arrow in the bottom corner to share this post with your friends.
Have a great day!
Sophie