The Best Incontinence Pads for Heavy Leakage

A guide to choosing the right incontinence pad for you

If you’ve ever experienced incontinence, you will know the importance of finding good, reliable products to manage urinary leaks effectively.

Incontinence pads make such a difference in your daily comfort and confidence, allowing you the freedom to go out without fear of wet patches on your clothes, and odours creeping out.

Disposable and reusable incontinence pads are designed to absorb urine leaks, protect your clothing, and keep you feeling dry and comfortable. But with so many options on the market, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming.

Bladder weakness absorbent pads come with a variety of features to suit different needs, such as varying absorbency levels, different lengths, and materials designed to be gentle on the skin. Choosing the right pee pad isn’t just about picking the most absorbent or cheapest option; it’s about finding the right balance between:

• comfort
• thickness
• protection
• practicality
• cost
• availability

Whether you’re dealing with light urine dribbles or more significant pee leakage, finding the right urinary incontinence pad can be a game-changer in your everyday life.

"A wise investment in our planet and your own comfort Responsive, caring and honest. That's the team! I bought some reusable incontinence pads as I've used reusable nappies and period pads for many years and I wanted to continue this ethos.

I was not disappointed with my cheeky purchase. I took the team's advice on the size and the fit is excellent. Using reusable pants means I have less irritation as well." Rachel, Jan '24 Trustpilot review 

What Are the Different Types of Incontinence Pads?

The two main types of incontinence pads are reusable and disposable.

Each type has its own set of benefits, and your choice will depend on your personal needs, lifestyle, and environmental considerations. You may lean more towards one type or like to have a selection of both.

Reusable incontinence pads are increasing in popularity, especially among people looking to reduce their environmental impact. Washable incontinence pads are designed to be reused and will last years. They increase in absorbency over the first few washes and are great for light to moderate incontinence.

Not only are they better for the environment, but they are kinder on your skin. Reusable bladder weakness pads are made from natural breathable fibres, which can reduce irritation and discomfort, especially for those with sensitive skin. They are cost-effective in the long run, saving you money over time.

They are very easy to use, just popper into your pants, rinse after use in running water and add to the washing machine alongside your everyday washing - no extra loads.

Disposable incontinence pads are still the go-to option for many people due to their assumed convenience. Their super absorbent polymers turn liquids into a gel so these are best for those with very heavy bladder leakage and heavy flow.

These are single use incontinence pads, and suit those who prefer not to deal with washing, but need to be restocked constantly. They come in a variety of absorbency levels and sizes, so you can find the perfect absorbency match for your needs. The downside is that they create more waste, which isn’t as environmentally friendly as their reusable counterparts and can contain many chemicals to increase their absorbency.

To help you navigate the incontinence market, we’ve rounded up six of the best incontinence pads for heavy leakage. We’ve chosen these products based on their high ratings, safety features, and the variety of sizes they offer, ensuring that there’s an option for everyone.

6 of The Best Incontinence Pads for Heavy Leakage

1. Always Discreet Incontinence Pads Long
2. Tena Comfort Extra Long Shaped Pads
3. Mini Vivi Washable Extra long Pads
4. Cheeky Fearless Heavy Pads
5. Cheeky Extra Long Pads
6. Cheeky Organic Non Slip Pads

1. Always Discreet Incontinence Pads Long

Designed with a super absorbent core that quickly locks away wetness and odour, keeping you feeling fresh and dry. With a thin, flexible design that moves with your body, they are discreet under clothing and offer reliable protection without sacrificing comfort. They will need to be disposed of in your household waste. Good for large volumes of urine.

Cost - £2.75 for 10

2. TENA Comfort Extra | Large shaped incontinence pad

These are useful for those who need more coverage. Large shaped pads designed for maximum comfort and protection, with a soft, breathable material that’s gentle on the skin. The pad’s shape ensures it stays in place, while the highly absorbent core quickly draws in moisture, providing long-lasting dryness. They’re ideal for overnight use or for those who require extra protection during the day. Perfect for full bladder voids and very heavy incontinence.

Cost - £11.74 for 40

3. Mini Vivi Washable Heavy Incontinence pad

This beautifully patterned reusable pad is extensively product tested for moderate urinary incontinence. With a jersey cotton top that is gentle next to the skin, they can be washed and reused multiple times. It’s designed to provide heavy-duty protection while being environmentally friendly. The pad’s slim design makes it easy to wear discreetly, and its high absorbency ensures you stay dry even during heavier leaks.

They boast a highly absorbent organic hemp/cotton blend core with a hidden PUL waterproof layer made with recycled plastics and a charcoal impregnated fleece backing to hold odours.

Non-wick wings to prevent damp thighs, UK made by people with chronic illnesses working from home.

Cost - £14 each

4. Cheeky Fearless Heavy pad

Just the same as our patterned mini vivi but in a plainer fabric allowing us to keep the cost lower. Approximately 33cm x 7cm. These washable pads were tested by an army of over 100 testers from an incontinence support group, to ensure maximum capacity and fast absorption.  Penny initially sold these through her own website Minivivi, however hand-making the pads to meet demand proved a struggle.  Penny reached out to Team Cheeky and together we are proud to present our collaboration,  Cheeky Fearless. 

For moderate incontinence.

Cost - £12.99

5.Cheeky Extra Long Pads

Our ultra long incontinence pads are designed to keep wetness away from your skin, giving the additional coverage you need for bladder leaks, ensuring you feel secure and confident every day.

The extended length provides greater security, reducing the risk of leaks and keeps you feeling comfortable during movement and sleep. 36cm x 15.5cm (approximately).

Won't contain a full bladder release. Great for moderate incontinence.

Cost - £8.49

6.Cheeky Organic Non Slip Pad

These reusable sanitary pads made with certified organic cotton, free from harmful chemicals, eco friendly, and are super absorbant, soft and perfect for sensitive skin, approximately 28cm x 6cm and have non-slip silicone lines on the back to help prevent any slipping and movement in your pants!

Great for light to moderate incontinence.

Cost - £6.99

Choosing the right incontinence pad is essential for managing heavy leakage effectively. Whether you prefer the convenience and high absorbency of disposable pads or the environmental and skin friendly benefits of reusable ones you can take control of your incontinence and get back to living your life with confidence.

If this blog was useful for you, have a read of more -

How to choose the right incontinence products

Navigating intimate relationships with incontinence

How to get rid of urine smells in pants

10 top tips on how to help urinary incontinence

The ultimate guide to reusable incontinence pads and pants

If you would like more information, please email the team or find us on the website chat function. We all use the products ourselves and LOVE to chat pee poo and periods. Nothing is TMI and we all love to overshare based on our own experiences.

About the Author: Kirstin on our customer services team loves spending her days helping customers with their reusable period product needs and advising cloth nappy using families. Kirstin lives with her three teenagers and loves walking and sea swimming year round in our beautiful bay.