Article: Incontinence Pads, Pull-Up Pants, or All-in-ones: Which Is Right for You?
Incontinence Pads, Pull-Up Pants, or All-in-ones: Which Is Right for You?
Choosing an incontinence product can feel confusing, especially when you are buying protection for the first time. With incontinence pads, pull-up pants, all-in-ones and several different absorbency levels available, how do you know which option will provide the right balance of comfort, discretion and protection?
The best product is not necessarily the one with the highest absorbency. It is the one that fits properly, suits your level of leakage and works with your daily routine.
In this guide, we explain the differences between the main types of adult incontinence protection and help you decide which may be most suitable for you or someone you care for.
Understanding your incontinence needs
Before choosing a product, think about when leakage happens and how much protection you are likely to need.
Consider the following questions:
- Do you experience occasional drops, small leaks or a complete emptying of the bladder?
- Does leakage happen during the day, at night or both?
- Can you use the toilet independently?
- Are you able to stand and change the product yourself?
- Will a family member or professional carer help with changing?
- Do you need protection mainly at home, while sleeping or while out and about?
- Have you experienced leaks around the legs or waist with previous products?
Your answers can help you narrow down the most suitable product style.
Incontinence products can make everyday life more manageable, but they do not treat the underlying cause of bladder or bowel leakage. The NHS recommends speaking to a GP if you are experiencing urinary incontinence so that the cause can be assessed and suitable treatment or support can be discussed.
What are incontinence pads?
Incontinence pads are absorbent products designed to be worn inside close-fitting underwear or specialist fixation pants. They are available in different shapes, lengths, and absorbency levels.
Some products are designed for occasional light leaks, while larger shaped pads can provide support for moderate or heavier incontinence.
Incontinence pads may be suitable for:
- Occasional drips or small bladder leaks
- Stress incontinence when coughing, laughing, exercising or lifting
- People who want a slim and discreet product
- People who can change the pad independently
- Daytime use when a lighter product is preferred
- People who do not need full waist-to-waist protection
Light pads can often be worn inside ordinary close-fitting underwear. Larger shaped pads should be held securely against the body using suitable fixation pants or snug-fitting underwear. A loose pad can move out of position, reducing its effectiveness and increasing the risk of leakage.
Advantage of incontinence pads
Discreet protection: Light pads can fit comfortably under everyday clothing.
Easy to carry: Individually wrapped products can be kept in a handbag, travel bag or changing kit.
Simple to change: Only the pad needs to be removed rather than the entire team of underwear.
Different absorbency choices: You can choose protection according to the amount and frequency of leakage.
Things to consider
Pads need to remain close to the body to work properly. Ordinary loose underwear, boxer shorts or poorly fitting fixation pants may allow the pad to move.
Using two pads together is generally not recommended. The waterproof backing of one pad can prevent liquid from reaching the second pad, potentially causing leakage rather than providing additional protection.
For light bladder leaks, Novamed's Bamboo Light Incontinence Pads provide a slim option with a soft top layer and individually wrapped design.
What are pull-up incontinence pants?
Pull-up pants are disposable absorbent products worn in a similar way to ordinary underwear. They provide protection around the waist, front, back and legs and can be pulled up and down when using the toilet.
They are sometimes described as adult pull-up pants, disposable incontinence underwear or adult nappies, although many people prefer the term incontinence pants.
Pull-up pants may be suitable for:
- Light to moderate bladder leakage
- People who are mobile and active
- People who can stand and dress independently
- Individuals who still use the toilet
- People who prefer an underwear-style product
- Day trips, shopping, work and social activities
- Those who want more coverage than a small pad provides
Pull-up pants can be particularly useful for someone who wants to maintain an independent toileting routine. They can be lowered and raised like normal underwear rather than removed completely.
Advantages of pull-up pants
Familiar design: They look and feel closer to ordinary underwear
Suitable for active lifestyles: The elasticated waist and leg openings allow the product to move with the body.
Greater coverage: Pull-ups provide protection around the front, back and sides than a small insert pad.
Easy disposal: Many disposable pants have tear-away side seams, allowing them to be removed without taking off trousers or shoes completely.
Discreet under clothing: A properly fitted pull-up can be worn beneath many types of everyday clothing.
Novamed Pull-Up Pants are available in sizes Medium, Large and Extra Large. They include elasticated leg openings and leakage barriers and are designed for men and women.
Things to consider
Pull-up may not be the easiest option for someone who has limited mobility or needs assistance with every change. Putting on a fresh pair many require trousers and footwear to be removed unless the person can dress independently.
They may also be suitable for very heavy leakage if a more absorbent and adjustable product is required.
Correct sizing is essential. Pants that are too large may leave gaps around the waist or legs, while pants that are too small may feel uncomfortable and fail to position the absorbent area correctly.
What are all-in-one incontinence products?
All-in-ones are highly absorbent body-worn products that wrap around the hips and fasten at the sides using adjustable tapes.
They are also commonly called incontinence slips, adult briefs or adult nappies. Unlike pull-up pants, they do not need to be pulled over the feed and up the legs.
All-in-ones may be suitable for:
- Moderate to heavy bladder leakage
- Bowel incontinence
- Overnight protection
- People with reduced mobility
- People who spend long periods sitting or lying down
- Individuals receiving help from a carer
- Situations where a secure and adjustable fit is needed
- People who find pull-up pants difficult to put on or remove
Guidance from the Bladder & Bowel Community describes all-in-one products as particularly suitable for heavier leakage, with side fastenings that help hold the product securely in position.
Advantages of all-in-ones
Higher absorbency: All-in-ones generally provide greater capacity than light pads and many pull-up pants.
Adjustable fit: Refastenable side tapes allow the product to be adjusted around the waist and legs.
Easier assisted changing: A person can often be changed while sitting, standing with support or lying down.
Suitable for overnight use: The additional coverage and absorbency can provide greater reassurance while sleeping.
Useful wetness indicators: The additional coverage and absorbency can provide greater reassurance while sleeping.
Novamed All-in-Ones are designed for moderate to heavy incontinence and feature an absorbent core, breathable material, leakage barriers and resealable fixation tapes. They are available from Medium to Extra Large.
Things to consider
All-in-ones can be bulkier than light pads or pull-up pants, particularly beneath close-fitting clothes. Taking time to position the product correctly and adjust the tapes evenly is important.
The highest absorbency is not always the most suitable choice. An unnecessarily bulky product may be uncomfortable, while an insufficiently absorbent one may need changing too frequently.
Incontinence pads, pull-up pants and all-in-one compared
| Product |
Often suitable for |
Main benefit |
Important consideration |
| Light or shaped incontinence pads | Light to moderate leakage | Slim, discreet and easy to change | Must be held close to the body |
| Pull-up pants | Light to moderate leakage and active users |
Worn like ordinary underwear | Correct waist and leg fit is essential |
| All-in-ones | Moderate to heavy leakage, overnight user or assisted care |
High protection with adjustable side tapes | Can feel bulkier under clothing |
These recommendations are general. The right product will depend on the individual's leakage, mobility, body shape, skin condition, and personal preferences.
Can you use different products during the day and at night?
Yes. Many people find that one product does not need to cover every situation.
For example, someone may wear:
- A light pad while at home during the day
- Pull-up pants while travelling or attending appointments
- An all-in-one for overnight protection
- An underpad on the bed or chair for additional reassurance
Using different products allows protection to match the activity and level of risk rather than wearing a heavy product throughout the entire day.
Keeping a small changing kit with spare protection, disposal bags, wipes and clean underwear can also make trips away from home feel more manageable.
What role do underpads play?
Underpads, also known as bed pads or chair pads, provide an additional protective layer for mattresses, chairs, sofas, wheelchairs and car seats.
They are not usually a replacement for correctly fitted body-worn protection. Instead they provide reassurance against unexpected leaks, particularly overnight or during longer periods of sitting.
Novamed Underpads measure 60 x 90 cm and include adhesive tabs on the corners to help keep the pad in position on suitable surfaces.
How to choose the correct size
Absorbency is only part of the decision. The correct size and fit are just as important.
To find the right size:
- Measure around the widest part of the hips and waist.
- Compare the measurement with the manufacturer's size chart.
- Check that the product sits closely around the legs without digging into the skin.
- Make sure there are no gaps around the waist or thighs.
- Open and position any internal barriers before use.
- Check the skin regularly for redness, rubbing or irritation.
Do not choose a larger size simply because you believe it will absorb more. Absorbency and sizing are separate. An oversized product may create gaps and increase the likelihood of leakage.
Signs that your current product may not be right
It may be time to review your protection if:
- Leakage regularly escapes around the legs or waist
- The product moves, twists or bunches
- Clothing or bedding is frequently wet
- The product becomes saturated much sooner than expected
- The waistband or leg opening leave painful marks
- The wearer feels restricted or uncomfortable
- The skin becomes persistently red, sore or irritated
- Changes are becoming unnecessarily difficult
- You are limiting activities because you do not trust the product
Before moving directly to a higher absorbency, check the size, fit and positioning. Leakage is often caused by a poorly fitting product rather than insufficient absorbency.
Try before buying a larger quantity
Finding the correct product can involve some trial and error. Body shape, mobility and personal comfort can make two people with similar levels of incontinence prefer different products.
Novamed offers free samples of selected pull-up pants, all-in-ones, underpads and Bamboo Light Incontinence Pads. Trying a sample can help you assess the fit, comfort and ease of changing before ordering a larger quantity. Novamed orders are delivered in discreet packaging throughout the UK.
The right protection should support your life
Living with incontinence should not mean giving up work, travel, exercise, social occasions or a good night's sleep.
As a general guide:
- Choose incontinence pads for lighter leaks and discreet everyday protection.
- Choose pull-up pants for underwear-style protection and independent, active living.
- Choose all-in-ones for heavier leakage, overnight use, reduced mobility or assisted changing.
- Add an underpad when extra protection is required for a bed, chair or other surface.
Most importantly, choose a product that fits securely, feels comfortable and supports the wearer's dignity and independence.
If incontinence is new, worsening, painful, or accompanied by blood in the urine, difficulty passing urine or other concerning symptoms, contact your GP. Continence products can help manage leakage, but medical advice may identify treatments that improve or resolve the underlying problems.
Live Comfortably. Live Confidently.
