The 20 best period products for working out, according to professional athletes

For a pad that won’t quit until you do, opt for U by Kotex Teen with wings and overnight absorbency that lasts several hours. “Personally, I don't wear tampons because I find pads more comfortable while playing soccer,” says Ines Delhomelle, a League1 semi-professional soccer player. “I currently use the U by Kotex Teen Overnight pads because they fit perfectly and are really absorbent. They don't come off when I run or jump and they make me more confident overall."

For a lightweight option that serves as backup for a tampon, opt for these Always liners with adhesive anti-bunch technology (read: you won’t have to fidget with them while on the court, track or ice). They claim to be five times more absorbent than their thinner counterparts from the same Always line. “I liked them because I couldn’t feel them when I played hockey,” says Jaymee Shell, a respirology fellow at a Canadian university and former varsity hockey player. She says she only had to change them every six hours and they were great for supporting lighter periods associated with her intrauterine device (IUD).

If you're looking for zero-waste period care options, washable and reusable pads can help you cut back on period trash. Made with 100% cotton fabric, these GladRags are best for moderate flow days, with the absorbency of a standard pad. They snap shut around your underwear to hold secure and are machine washable for easy cleaning.

Certified personal trainer, dancer, runner and all-around fitness enthusiast, Marissa Miller has been using tampons with cardboard applicators her whole life, from high school basketball practice to long-distance running in adulthood. "While these cardboard Tampax tampons may not be as trendy as their Pearl counterparts, their cardboard applicator features ridges that prevent slipping during insertion," says Miller. "Thanks to their form-fitting technology, they never slide out of place when I’m working out."

If you often find that menstrual products irritate your body, Horwitz suggests trying out an organic product free from things like dyes or scents. If you really want to do your due diligence, Dr. Nathaniel DeNicola, a board-certified OB/GYN and Chief Medical Officer at Caduceus in Southern California, says there are certain phrases to look for. “Fragrance free is a better label than unscented,” says DeNicola. “Unscented products typically have extra scents added to them to cancel out the scents. It's actually a higher burden of toxic chemicals.” These Lola tampons are made with 100% organic cotton and free from chlorine bleach and other chemical additives. Plus, their paper wrapper is recyclable and compostable.

Designed by female athletes who are also Stanford engineers, Sequel's tampons have a unique spiral design made to trap fluid in it's grooves for better absorption and less leakage. It's also the official tampon provider for the USL Super League division of women's professional soccer.

Diva Cups have become so ubiquitous when it comes to menstrual care, they’re basically what Kleenex is to tissue. Entrust your DivaCup to get you through your next workout with its durable yet comfortable medical-grade silicone material that collects (not absorbs!) liquid and lasts up to 12 hours. This version, Model 1, is suitable for folks ages 19 to 34 who have not yet given birth vaginally, so simply select your correct category to find the perfect fit for you. 

Another reason to consider ditching traditional tampons: They’re not sustainable. “Tampons are an enormous source of plastic waste,” says DeNicola. "If you think about it, half the population for half their life could be using this product. That’s a lot of waste, right?” With its buttery-soft silicone material that’ll ensure you don’t feel a thing, the Saalt soft menstrual cup is an editor favorite. This small version is designed uniquely for first-time cup users, and it serves the function of two to three tampons.

"Whether I’m spotting or a couple days into a heavy flow, there’s no product I trust more during a heavy training session than Knix’s leak-proof shorts," says Miller. "While I wasn’t bleeding heavily on my wedding day, they did do wonders in collecting sweat (and light spotting) under my wedding dress." These shorts are fully compressive allowing for a greater flow of movement, feature a non-slip supportive waistband and are completely opaque (read: squat-proof). Still need a backup pad or tampon? Use the discrete side pockets to have them on hand. 

These leak-proof briefs from Proof are proof you don’t need to obliterate a pair of perfectly fine underwear in the name of your period. Thanks to the brand’s Leak-Loc technology, each pair (including this practical and classic brief) holds up to five tampons or 10 teaspoons of liquid while fighting odors and moisture. They boast a modest silhouette that provides ample coverage during high-intensity activity, and they come in sizes XS to XXL.

While you can’t technically free bleed in InvisiWear mid-rise underwear, they’re athlete-approved for their snug fit and quick-drying properties. “I am hooked on the Lululemon InvisiWear underwear,” says Hoar. "I love the extra coverage and comfortability when I need to wear a pad or tampon during my period. I also appreciate both the sweat-wicking materials and that they’re seamless. I never have to worry about panty lines.” They come in sizes XS to XXL and eight skin tone and neutral shades to stay undetectable.

Made with five layers for maximum absorption, these Goat Union briefs should be able to hold the same as four to five tampons, for comfort and coverage on even your heaviest days. Perfect for pairing with sweatpants or joggers, you'll be able to tackle your favorite workouts with more peace of mind.

This set of stretchy Saalt underwear is made to move with you. From pilates and yoga classes to jogs and weight lifting sessions, these mid-rise briefs have the same absorbency as four tampons. And for when you need to clean up your stash, give these a wash in Saalt's concentrated wash formulated specifically for period underwear.