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Knowing how to pick the right incontinence item can be a tough task if you don't know where to begin. There are so many different things that we need to consider, such as the quality of the item, the cost, and if it suits your specific needs. In this article, we’ll be taking a good look at the most common wearable incontinence products, who might use them and what their benefits are. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll be feeling a lot more confident about what you should be wearing and why. 

We’re incontinence experts. We live, breathe and pee incontinence products. From wearables to PPE, we’ve got everything you need to live your best life with dignity. So, let’s crack on shall we?

Should I wear incontinence pads or nappies?

Choosing between incontinence pads and nappies will depend on your specific needs, as well as the level of incontinence you're experiencing. Pads and nappies are very different products in the way that they’re worn, but both can be used to achieve the same goal: quickly absorbing urine and securing against faeces.

Like most things, disposable incontinence pads and adult nappies both come with their own sets of benefits. So, let’s break things down. 

What’s an adult nappy?

Adult nappies are also sometimes known as adult diapers or slips. Different websites or suppliers might refer to them as different things, but if you see ‘slip’ or ‘diaper’ you’ll be looking at an adult nappy. They’re designed for maximum absorbency and coverage. Their fully enclosed build means you’ll get superior leakage protection. They offer similar absorbency levels to pads, but the fully enclosed design can make some people feel less anxious knowing they’re fully protected. 

Who might wear adult nappies?

Adult nappies aren’t really designed for discretion. They’re very much a practical product, so they’re ideal for people who aren’t necessarily trying to keep their incontinence a secret. If you have moderate or severe incontinence issues, these are a great choice. They’re also a good pick for people who have difficulty standing or walking. Nappies can be beneficial for people with dementia or other mental health issues, as their high absorbency and protection simplify daily life. 

Benefits of wearing an adult nappy

Absorbency: Adult nappies are highly absorbent, making them suitable for heavy incontinence or overnight use. The best nappies usually feature market-leading incontinence tech like the Vivactive Triple Layer Lock™ system, which quickly absorbs and locks away moisture, keeping you dry and fresh.

Secure Fit: Adjustable tabs provide a snug and secure fit. They’re also used to easily remove, bundle and dispose of the nappy once it’s full.

Leak Protection: Adult nappies are designed from the ground up to prevent leaks. Nobody wants wet clothes or soiled bedding. A good nappy will come with features like hydrophobic leg cuffs to give you a close fit to your body, protecting your skin from urine and faecal nasties. 

So, to sum up, adult nappies are an excellent option if you need a combination of high absorbency and maximum coverage due to moderate to heavy incontinence. They offer a high level of leakage control and a secure fit thanks to their adjustable tabs. However, they can be bulkier than other wearable incontinence products. 

What’s an incontinence pad?

The term 'incontinence pads' encompasses two main types: large-shaped pads and discreet pads. Unlike nappies, discreet pads are positioned inside your underwear and held in place by adhesive strips. Large-shaped pads however, are a heavy-duty option. They are usually paired with fixation pants to hold them in place and provide extra security. We will go over some more of the differences below as despite having a similar name, they’re really quite different in their application and absorbency levels. 

Large Shaped Pads: 

As I mentioned before, large-shaped pads are a heavy-duty option, for big leaks. Their huge absorption capabilities and traditionally bulky design mean they’re geared mostly toward people with long-term incontinence. They’re quite versatile in the way that they’re applied making them perfect for professional carers or loved ones that need a solution for someone else. 

Benefits of wearing a large shaped incontinence pad

These ones are for big leaks: Large-shaped pads can get to some seriously high absorbency levels, so if the worst happens, you’re totally covered. 

Wetness indicator: Some large-shaped incontinence pads feature a convenient wetness indicator on the outside to help let you know when the pad needs changing. This can be a big help for carers or loved ones who are helping to look after someone experiencing incontinence. 

Leg cuffs for maximum security: Vivactive is serious about leak security. Each of our pads features reinforced hydrophobic leg cuffs that provide twice the protection against leaks compared to some other equivalent products. 

Work in tandem with fixation pants: This is both a positive and a negative, so we’ll cover the positives here and then the negatives in the next section. By combining large shaped pads with a reliable, reusable fixation pant, you’ll ensure your pad is kept securely in place at all times for maximum protection. 

Discreet Pads: 

Discreet pads are designed with a bit more subtlety and are usually much smaller than large-shaped pads, fitting inside your regular underwear. Their slimmer profile means they have a lower absorbency level, so these are a great choice for people experiencing smaller leaks. Where they fit nicely inside your regular underwear, they’re great for people that are still mobile and living an active lifestyle. If you’ve got a slightly leaky bladder (after childbirth for example) then you probably won’t need a massive bulky pad or nappy. 

Benefits of wearing a discreet incontinence pad

Comfortable and discreet: Where smaller incontinence pads can be used with your regular underwear, you get the comfort that you’re used to as well as keeping the routine of wearing your own underwear. Their small size means you’re afforded maximum discretion and it’s unlikely anyone will know you’re wearing an incontinence product underneath your clothes. 

Convenience: They’re easy to change. So, if you happen to have an accident while you’re out and about you can just pop it out and switch it in for a new one. Additionally, their size means they can be disposed of in small toilet bins easily and discreetly. Nobody will ever know!

Ample choice: Pads come in a big variety of absorbency levels and sizes, so you can pick the right ones for any situation. If you know there’s not going to be an accessible toilet for a while, opt for a higher absorbency. If you know you’re going somewhere with plenty of opportunities to change your pad, then you’ll probably get away with a smaller absorbency.

Cost-effective: The smaller, more discreet incontinence pads are generally more cost-effective compared to disposable pants or adult nappies. You can buy them in larger quantities, providing a budget-friendly option for people who need to change pads regularly. 

Let's talk disposable incontinence pants

We haven’t touched on disposable pants yet, but they’re an integral part of any incontinence range. They’re versatile, highly absorbent and fit just like regular underwear. The way they’re designed means they’re generally pretty discreet, but they’re also capable of rapidly absorbing large amounts of urine. Just like the other wearable products we’ve talked about, we should probably cover off the basics first. 

What are disposable incontinence pants? 

Incontinence pants offer a convenient and discreet option for managing incontinence. They’re designed to fit like regular underwear, providing a secure and comfortable fit. You pull them up and put them on the same as you would regular pants/briefs, but these feature a super-absorbent pad that soaks up any liquids you can throw at it. You can get multiple uses from the same pant and once it’s full, you simply tear the sides, pack up and dispose. 

Who might wear incontinence pants?

Disposable incontinence pants are geared mostly for people experiencing moderate to heavy leaks. The way they’re fitted provides leak protection over a greater area. Add to this, extra protection from technologies such as Vivactive’s anti-leak cuffs and you’ll unlock twice the protection whether you’re standing, sitting or lying down. Looking and fitting just like regular underwear means you get an extra layer of discretion, nobody will ever know you’re wearing them! 

Benefits of disposable incontinence pants

Comfort: Vivactive’s disposable pants provide a comfortable, snug fit. They’re made of a soft, cotton-feel, breathable material that’s kind to your skin and dermatologically tested. The material promotes airflow and with an enriching hydrating layer; prevents irritation and nourishes the skin. 

Secure: Anti-leak cuffs, odour control technology, elasticated waist/legs and a triple layer lock system all combine to provide an incontinence experience that’s totally secure and protected from unwanted leaks. Disposable pants come with a built in pad, so you don’t need to worry about how it’s positioned, you just pull-up and crack on with your day.

Convenience: Disposable incontinence pants come ready to use, you simply open the pack and pop them on like you would a regular set of underwear. Once they’re full or you’re ready to take them off, you simply tear at the sides and put them in the bin. 

Discretion: Disposable pull-up pants look and fit just like regular underwear. Their discreet design means the days of bulky pants rustling around making you feel self conscious are well and truly in the past. 

Absorbency: They usually provide a moderate to high level of absorbency compared to your everyday disposable pads. The benefit of high absorbency combined with all of the other benefits above make them an all-in-one comfort/practical solution for leak protection. 

Which incontinence items should I use?

The answer is a matter of personal preference but we have a range of incontinence products for every need. Hopefully using the in-depth information from this article you’ll be able to form your own opinion on what’s going to suit you best. It’s one of the best things about shopping online, having the time to look at every item in detail so you can make an informed choice.