Liner, Light, Regular, Maxi or Mighty? 

Choosing your first reusable cloth pad can feel a little confusing. With different lengths, shapes and absorbency levels available, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.

The good news? There isn't one absorbency that's right for everyone. Your flow can vary throughout your period, and you may find that you prefer different absorbencies for different days — or even different times of the day.

At The Crimson Bat, our pads come in five absorbency levels: Liner, Light, Regular, Maxi and Mighty. Here's what each one is designed for.

Liner

For very light flow, spotting or everyday use when you don't need much absorbency.

Our Liners are the lightest absorbency option and are ideal when you only need a little protection.

They're great for:

• Spotting
• Very light flow
• Discharge
• Everyday use
• The beginning or end of your period

If you don't need much absorbency but still want the comfort of a reusable pad, a Liner could be just what you're looking for.

Light

Suitable for lighter days and lighter menstrual flow.

Light pads offer more absorbency than a Liner while still being a good choice for lighter days.

They can be particularly useful at the start or end of your period, or whenever your flow is lighter.

Regular

A good everyday option for moderate flow.

Regular is a great all-rounder for those days when your flow is neither particularly light nor particularly heavy.

For many people, this can become their go-to absorbency for the middle of their period.

Maxi

Designed for heavier flow and times when you need more absorbency. Suitable for overnight use.

Maxi provides more absorbency for heavier menstrual flow and can also be a great choice when you're heading to bed and want additional protection.

A longer pad combined with higher absorbency can provide extra coverage and reassurance overnight.

Mighty

Our highest absorbency option, designed for very heavy flow and overnight use.

Mighty is for those times when you need maximum absorbency.

It's particularly suited to:

• Very heavy menstrual flow
• Overnight use
• Times when you want extra absorbency and coverage
• Postpartum bleeding, when you need a higher level of absorbency

If you regularly find yourself needing the most absorbent disposable pads available, Mighty may be a good place to start when looking at reusable options.

Which Absorbency Should I Choose?

The best absorbency for you will depend on your individual flow and how often you want to change your pad.

Your flow can also change throughout your period, so you don't necessarily need to use the same absorbency every day.

You might find that a typical period looks something like:

Liner → Light → Regular → Maxi → Light/Liner

Or you may need Maxi or Mighty for several days.

There's no right or wrong combination — it's about finding what works comfortably for you.

What About Pad Length?

It's important to remember that absorbency and pad length are two different things.

A longer pad isn't automatically more absorbent, and a shorter pad isn't necessarily less absorbent.

When choosing your pad, consider both:

Length — How much coverage do you want?

Absorbency — How much menstrual flow do you need the pad to hold?

You may prefer a longer pad for overnight use because it gives you additional coverage, even if you don't necessarily need the highest absorbency.

A Good Place to Start

If you're new to reusable cloth pads, a useful starting point is to look at the disposable pad you currently use.

Think about:

• What length do you normally use?
• What absorbency do you normally choose?
• Do you use different pads during the day and overnight?
• Do you need a higher absorbency on your heaviest days?

Cloth pads aren't a like-for-like equivalent to disposable pads, so the absorbency labels shouldn't be treated as an exact comparison. However, looking at what you already use can give you a useful starting point when choosing your first cloth pads.

You Don't Have to Get It Perfect

One of the best things about reusable cloth pads is that you can build a collection around your own period.

You might discover that you love a Regular for everyday wear but prefer a Maxi overnight. Or perhaps you're someone who needs a Mighty on your heaviest days but only a Light towards the end of your period.

It can take a little experimenting to find your favourites — and that's completely normal.

Liner, Light, Regular, Maxi or Mighty? There's no single right answer. Choose what suits your flow, your body and your day. 🖤

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