We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Apparel and Gear Fashion We Tested the Top Period Swimsuits—These Are the Only Ones You Can Trust Go with the flow while you float. By Gabrielle Kassel Updated on April 1, 2024 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Our top picks Reviews What to Know About Period Swimwear FAQ Why Trust Shape Shape / Tamara Staples If you're a person-with-a-period, you know how much it sucks when your cycle syncs up with a long-awaited beach trip, the triathlon you've been training for, or an important swim meet. After all, not only do you have to manage premenstrual symptoms, but you also have to worry about leaking through your suit or having a tampon string make a cameo appearance. Behold another way: Period swimwear. It uses the same liquid-locking technology as period underwear (and other period-protective clothing). Slide on a swim-safe period bikini or one-piece, and the ultra-absorbent lining works overtime to absorb the period blood while you swim. So which period swimwear should you get and where can you find them? Well, that all depends on your style, as well as how heavy your flow is. We tested 9 different period swimwear products in our New York lab, and we evaluated them on quality, absorbency, value, feel, and even odor. Currently, we're still testing these products with our long-term, real-world test protocols — but considering summer is *checks watch* basically here, we're sharing the results of our lab tests so you can start shopping. Ahead, we wax poetic about the winners in each category, plus share exactly how to buy them. The TL;DR on the Best Period Swimwear Savvi Wear Menstrual Leak Proof High Waisted Bikini Bottom is budget-friendly and works well for medium-flow days. The Knix Leakproof High Rise Bikini Bottom is stylish yet able to absorb an impressive three tampons worth of blood. The fast-absorbing Knixteen Period Swim Sport One-Piece is a great option for teens on a swim team or other dedicated swimmers and divers. Our Top Picks Best Period Swimwear Overall: Savvi Wear Period Swimwear High Waisted Bottoms at Amazon ($29) Jump to Review Best Period Swimwear Bikini Bottoms: Knix Leakproof High Rise Bikini Bottom at Knix (See Price) Jump to Review Best Period Swimwear for Teens: Knixteen Period Swim Sport One-Piece Swimsuit - Medium Absorbency at Knixteen.com (See Price) Jump to Review Best Period Swimwear Overall Savvi Wear Period Swimwear High Waisted Bottoms Savvi Wear View On Amazon $29 View On Savviwear.co Why We Like It: Absorbent, affordable, and available in a variety of sizes, these high-waisted bottoms are a great option for menstruators across body sizes, budgets, and flows. It's Worth Noting: Two words: Tummy tanline. Promised Absorbency: Holds up to 2-2.5 tampon’s worth of liquids | Sizes Available: 3XS-3XL Our pick for the best period swimwear checked all of our boxes. These bottoms hold more than two tampons’ worth of blood, making them optimal for medium-flow days. Despite how much blood these bottoms hold, they feel incredibly light when on — silky, smooth, and totally not scratchy. The most notable feature of Savvi Wear Menstrual Leak Proof High Waisted Bikini Bottom, however, is their high-waisted design. Made to come up even higher than your belly button, these are a good option for menstruators who bloat in the heat, as well as those who hate the skimpy seat-showing cut of most bottoms on the market these days. Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Tamara Staples Best Period Swimwear Bikini Bottoms Knix Leakproof High Rise Bikini Bottom Knix View On Knix Why We Like It: These chic high-waisted bottoms hold an impressive three tampons’ worth of blood! It's Worth Noting: It takes a hot second (or 5) for the liner in these bottoms to absorb your blood. So, you may feel a bit wet for a bit. Promised Absorbency: Absorbs 3 teaspoons of blood | Sizes Available: XS-4XL Fashionistas, this pair of bikini bottoms is for you. Truly, given how stylish these high-waisted pairs are, you might be tempted to wear them even when you’re not menstruating. They are designed to come up just above your belly button and feature a band at the top that is equal parts supportive and stylish. FTR: This supportive band is nothing short of magic. It somehow manages to support without suffocating, yet is still tight enough that we expect the bottoms to stay perfectly in place during our long-term tests. In other words, these swimwear bottoms are great for sports, play, and swimming during your period. Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Tamara Staples Best Period Swimwear for Teens Knixteen Period Swim Sport One-Piece Swimsuit - Medium Absorbency Knixteen View On Knixteen.com Why We Like It: Built for teens on swim team, this one-piece is here to absorb your flow while you front crawl your way through the water. It's Worth Noting: Because it doesn’t have built-in breast support, this suit is better for small-chested swimmers. Promised Absorbency: Holds up to 3 pads’ worth of blood | Sizes Available: XXS-XXL While this suit is marketed toward teens, we’ll be honest: Those of us who are currently testing it have left our teenage years far behind. If you need a sports swimsuit and you have a smaller chest, you might be able to make this swimsuit work. According to the size guide, the medium is equivalent to an adult pants size of 4 to 8. With a racerback cut and chlorine-resistant fabric, this period swimwear one-piece is here to absorb your blood on your more-athletic occasions — and that stands even if you have a medium flow! This suit holds up to three pads’ worth of blood. And, not only does it absorb liquid, but it absorbs it rapidly. During testing, we were impressed by how quickly the gusset gulped up the liquid we poured onto it. Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Jessica Juliao Shape / Tamara Staples Shape / Jessica Juliao What to Know About Period Swimwear Period swimwear type: First, figure out if you’d prefer a one-piece or two-piece. Generally speaking, a one-piece is best for water sports. If you prefer a two-piece, you’ll also want to think about what bikini tops you currently have (if any). Period bikini bottoms are sold as standalone pieces, so you’ll have to put in the extra leg work of finding a swimsuit top. You'll also need to consider if you want a full-coverage high-rise or medium-coverage bikini-cut. (Unsurprisingly, there is very little period swimwear available in thong or cheeky cuts). Promised absorbency: If your plan is to forgo your current menstrual products in favor of period swimwear, you need to make sure that the pair you pick are as absorbent as a day’s worth of menstrual products! If, for example, you’re someone who changes their tampon every two hours and you typically go to the beach for half a day, you’ll want to make sure the bottoms you choose can absorb at least two to three tampons worth of blood. Meanwhile, if you have a lighter flow, you’ll be able to get away with buying bottoms that absorb one tampon or pad’s worth of blood. Sizing: Good news: All the suits we included on this list are available in a wide variety of sizes. Most fit true to size, but if you have a larger chest you may need to size up. Ditto goes if you are buying a period-proof one-piece and have a particularly long torso. Shape / Jessica Juliao Frequently Asked Questions Do period swimsuits really work? Ultimately, how well periods swimsuits work will depend on the period swimwear in question. However, yes, all of the period swimsuits included on this list effectively and efficiently absorb period blood, keeping it from leaking through to the other size, seeping onto your towel, or spreading into the water. Do you wear a pad with period swimwear? No, you cannot not wear a traditional menstrual pad with period swimwear. For starters, menstrual pads aren’t waterproof. Hop in the water and the pad will soak up the ocean or pool water, making it too saturated for your flow. Second, because of their design. Most pads secure into your underwear by locking around the gusset. Wear a pad with your bikini bottoms and you’ll be able to see the little sticky tabs sticking out of the crotch. You also likely won’t be able to wear a panty liner with most period swimwear. Adhesive typically does not stick well to the fabric that makes up the gusset of period swimwear. How long can I wear period swimwear? Given that we all have different flows and different designs have different absorbencies, there is no one size fits all answer. Figure out how long you can wear the suit you purchased by looking at the absorbence online, thinking about how often you typically need to change your tampon or pad, then doing a little mental math. You can maximize how long you can wear a particular pair by pairing the bottoms with an insertive menstrual product like a disc, tampon, or cup. Why Trust Shape Gabrielle Kassel (she/her) is a freelance wellness journalist with nearly a decade of experience writing about sexual health products, exercise equipment, workout gear. In addition to Shape, her work has appeared in publications such as Health, SELF, Women's Health, Men’s Health, Greatist, Bustle, and more. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit