The best period shorts and leakproof leggings for worry-free workouts, as tested by our panel

First came period pants, promising to save both pennies and the planet while making pads a thing of the past. Now, there's another addition to the menstrual market. Presenting period activewear: shorts and leggings with built-in protection to keep you moving through your cycle.

In a UK-wide poll of 2,000 women conducted by Populus, 54% of participants said they stopped exercising due to their menstrual cycle, while a worrying study by Adidas revealed that one in four teenage girls drop out of sports, citing worries about period leakage as the main reason. That shouldn’t have to be the case.

Happily, more and more brands, including the likes of Modibodi and Adidas, are branching out into the world of period-proof activewear, meaning no more sacking off the gym when Aunt Flo comes knocking (unless you want to, that is). It’s easy to see the appeal, but does it actually work?

The Women’s Health Lab team set aside their usual gym attire and pulled on these new-gen garments while on their flow to find out. Here are their top picks:

What is period activewear?

The best period leggings and shorts look just like regular activewear at first glance, but these high-tech designs are made from seamless, sweat-wicking fabric and feature an absorbent gusset or integrated period pants to absorb blood, prevent leaks and neutralise odours. They’re uber subtle, with no obvious bulk or padding — from the outside, you’d be none the wiser.

Capable of holding anywhere between one to five tampons’ worth of blood, some styles prevent the need for any sort of protection entirely (don't stress, we've tested these thoroughly), while others are designed to be worn alongside sanitary products.

How to wash period leggings and shorts

You’ll be pleased to know that period activewear isn’t particularly high maintenance. Simply rinse after use, then add to a wash and you’re good to wear it again and again.

Most brands recommend mixing them in with a dark wash on a 30℃ to 40℃ cycle, but check the instructions on the product first.

Hot tip: Steer clear of fabric softener as this can affect the absorbency levels, and put your leggings or shorts into a delicates bag to help them last longer.

It is okay to exercise during your period?

Claire Nevinson, superintendent pharmacist for Boots UK no less, reckons there’s no physical reason why working out should be off the cards during your TOTM. In fact, it could help alleviate symptoms.

'It can be tempting to take time off from exercise during your period, but it offers huge physical and mental benefits,' she says. 'Studies suggest it reduces the amount of prostaglandin, the hormone responsible for inflammation and uterine cramps, in the lining of your womb.

'It also produces endorphins, particularly during aerobic exercise, which block pain receptors and can help reduce the sensation of cramps.'

Of course, it’s important to listen to your body, she adds. If you’re feeling bloated, crampy and sapped of energy, there’s absolutely no shame in burying yourself under blankets on the sofa. However, if you do feel like rolling out your yoga mat or hitting up the gym, then go for it!

Ultimately, it’s about making exercise work for your menstrual cycle. 'Hormones fluctuate, meaning certain exercises could suit different stages,' explains Nevinson. 'Due to a potential slump in energy during menstruation, low-intensity aerobic exercises such as swimming, yoga strength training and light cardio could be easier on the body than endurance activities like cardio and HIIT.'

If you regularly experience menstrual cramps and are concerned about your periods, do consult your pharmacist or GP.

Women's Health Lab approved

Our panel put period-proof leggings and shorts from leading brands through a range of workouts over the course of their period to see how they coped with both sweaty and non-sweaty activities.

They rated the period activewear on design, comfort and performance, including how easy they were to get on and off, how the material felt against their skin and, crucially, how well they protected against leaks. They also considered how active and free they felt while wearing them and how easy they were to wash.

In the Women’s Health Lab, our experts measured how much liquid each pair was able to hold, timed how long it took to be fully absorbed and measured surface wetness post-absorption. They also noted if any shrinkage occurred after washing.

The best period shorts and leggings for 2023