Wednesday 7 October 2015

Battle of the PADS


Heh, I've been planning to do a this post for.... so long! But somehow I just allowed 101 other posts to overtake this plan and so, here it is finally. 
Sorry, foodie-guys, this is going to be a ladies-only post. 

The prices of these pads are... well, about the same so I won't be comparing them base on their prices. Okay, I admit. I can't remember their exact prices. Heh! 
So now, let's start off the list with the one of the pad I absolutely love right now. 



Name & Variant: Kotex Luxe and Kotex Soft & Smooth
Comfort: 4.5/5
Absorbency: 4.5/5 
Overall Personal Likability: 4.5/5

Previously, Kotex was never ever on my radar but ever since their (very sucessful) revamp, they've officially clinched my favourite pad spot. Made ultra thin, but with a 'curvy' surface, it gives a way better fit to our body to prevent having the pad bunching up, which results in leaks. You'll be happy to know that the overnight pads go up to 38cm long, which should be sufficient to prevent back leaks even though it's not the longest night pad available in the market. Even though Soft & Smooth variant is supposed to be softer and smoother than Luxe, I actually do not feel that much of a difference between both variants during usage. Both variants also have equally high absorbency rates so it really doesn't matter which variant you chose. They're equally good.


Name & Variant: Laurier Super Slimguard
Comfort: 3/5
Absorbency: 4.5/5 
Overall Personal Likability: 3/5

Okay, so it claims to be the number 1, thinnest pad in the market with the maximum (which reads best?) absorbency in 1mm. I have to admit, this was my favourite pad in the market until Kotex revamped themselves sucessfully. What made me really disappointed in them was that instead of improving themselves when Kotex started 'challenging' their number 1 position, Laurier just started a bloggers' campaign to tell how brand x (which was obviously Kotex) is just not comparable to them. Having tried both pads, I know those points of focus were either bullsh*t or they really didn't matter much. That's when Laurier Super Slimguard totally disappeared from the pad section in my wardrobe. 

Name & Variant: Stayfree Ultra Thin 
Comfort: 3.5/5
Absorbency: 2.5/5 
Overall Personal Likability: 2.5/5

I believe this brand of sanitary pad is not part of the popular clique in the market, and their quality and efficacy is really average but I've repurchased this for quite some time as they come in 25cm length as compared to the usual 24cm offered by most other brands.


Name & Variant: Sofy Comfort Nite & Chao Shou Shui 
Comfort: 4/5
Absorbency: 3.5/5 
Overall Personal Likability: 4/5

With their overnight pads ranging from 35cm to 42cm, Sofy still tops the list of the longest overnight pads available in the market. Even though Sofy doesn't provide the quick absorbency rate of Kotex, they're still one of my favourite overnight pads (be it Comfort Night or Chao Shou Shui) because it's really quite impossible to experience overnight leakages when the pad itself (the 41 and 42cm) extends beyond your undies. And with all the fanciful side gathers and extended back wings/flaps that made this almost like an adult diaper, you'll need some hardcore sleep-tumbling skills in order to get overnight leakages. 


Name & Variant: Sofy Compact
Comfort: 3.5/5
Absorbency: 2.5/5 
Overall Personal Likability: 3/5

Frankly speaking, I've just started trying this variant of Sofy's day pad, attracted not to the pink packaging, but by how small and compact these 24cm long day pads are. Made to less than half the width of a typical pad packaging, you can easily stuff this anywhere. Front pockets, back pockets, purse, pouch, or even clutch it in your hands.... Okay, maybe not that.
These pads are made almost paper thin with a thicken section in the middle for better fit. Although they're not that fantastic in terms of comfort and absorbency, the high level of convenience due to such small and compact packaging makes this a highly possible repurchase. 

Name & Variant: Adore Comfort All Days
Comfort: 4/5
Absorbency: 2.5/5 
Overall Personal Likability: 3.5/5

Kudos to Adore for coming up with such a weekend-getaway friendly packaging. In just 1 small packet, you'll get day pads, overnight pads, and light days pads. Although not scoring very well in the absorbency factor, Adore has some awesome odour control properties, keeping the dreaded "menstrual blood stench" at bay for hours with an extremely soft and smooth pad surface for better comfort. However, the pad's wings could have been better engineered to do its job properly instead of contributing to side leaks. Personally, I'll choose to stick away those flaps onto the back of the pad itself than to secure them the right way.
And due to the anti-bacterial and amazing odour control properties, Adore will make the best choice as a light days pad where absorbency is not much of a governing factor but comfort and odour is always an issue.
Name & Variant: Whisper Ultra
Comfort: 2/5
Absorbency: 3/5 
Overall Personal Likability: 2/5

When I was young and just started out using sanitary pads, Whisper used to be THE pad to have. Perhaps it was due to a higher price tag compared to the rest available in the market during those days, which gave a "high-class" feeling. But now having tried so many brands, Whisper is definitely the brand I'll not choose to use, mainly due to the dry netted surface, which is really uncomfortable on our skin. There also a couple of times when it gave me diaper sanitary pad rash when the weather was a little too hot. 
Name & Variant: UU Care Anti-Bacterial & Cool Techology
Comfort: 4/5
Absorbency: 2.5/5 
Overall Personal Likability: 3.5/5

With the anti-bacterial variant really similar to Adore, I shall touch on the Cool Technology variant. And let me tell you, it's really cooling for the first few minutes of wearing it. However, the magic loses its touch too soon and it's reduced to just a very soft and comfortable pad. 
The softness of the pad also contributed to its downfall as the ends of the pad is prone to tearing if you didn't peel it off at the correct angle. I also came to notice, on couple of occasions of heavy flow, that these UU care pads tend to give you under-leaking issue. Yes, not back leaks, not side leaks, but under leaks, meaning it leaked from the underside of the pads at the front tips where there's no adhesive material. Kind of weird, but that's what happened. 

So this concludes my humble list of sanitary pads - yes or no. Feel free to share your favourite brand and variant with me in the comment box below.

Till then,
Mia Foo

18 comments:

  1. It is very informative post, thanks for sharing.
    GlamupGirls

    ReplyDelete
  2. I agree with you about our misconception on whisper, really hate the material used hahaha
    http://popiahc.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am familiar with very few of the brands mentioned above except for Stayfree, Kotex and Whisper. I agree with what you wrote about whisper. I love using "Always Sanitary Pads"!!

    http://lamodeeternelleetc.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm a loyal user of Kotex Luxe.. for me it's a bit pricey but it's worth it. Also the pads inside are packed in a different neon colors sooo it's a plus... for me <3


    www.laagankaayo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha, yup I should have added in that Kotex is the prettiest pad I've encountered by far, too.

      Delete
  5. kotex is always my favourite becos the cotton is soft..and libresse for the u-shape at the back..

    ReplyDelete
  6. i always using charm, its so many issues about pads.
    it does freaking me out and carefully to use it :(

    ReplyDelete
  7. I used to be a fan of whisper until it gives me rashes during the last day of the period. Shifting to Charmee hoping it is comfortable as Whisper gave during first 2 days.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Good to know your review. We unfortunately have very few of the brands that you mentioned in India.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I would like to try the Kotex one, but I use the one from Cosway which is really comfortable too =)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I don't use pads and tampons are the only way for me. I couldn't imagine using pads again, just the thought make me feel sick. But this is a great list for people who use them and I know people can struggle to find the right style to suit them.

    ReplyDelete
  11. i haven't heard of any of these brands before or seen them here. i don't use pads myself

    ReplyDelete
  12. We do have a few that you have mentioned in India and yes I've used them too. I have moved onto the cotton ones as the gel ones give me rashes :(

    - Chaithra - Style.. A Pastiche

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have tried sofy, stayfree and whisper... others are yet to try! Seems Laurier got the best rating according to you, might gonna give this one a try next time.

    ReplyDelete
  14. This sure is a very informative and valuable post for all girls.
    - Heena, www.iCynosure.in

    ReplyDelete
  15. Very true regarding the uu care pantyliner. The one with cooling technology (20 in a pack) is fine though and controls odour well

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Very Nice Blog I Have Read Your Post It Is Very Informative And Useful Thanks For Posting And Sharing With Us And Your Writting Style Is Very Nice.
    Our certified Organic Pads , panty liners, and tampons are naturally absorbent, safe, comfortable and hypoallergenic to provide comfort and protection you can trust.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hey,
    Nice post thanks for sharing. I recently use Laiqa's organic sanitary napkins. My friend suggested me these pads and really these pads are best.. very soft, comfortable and have a higher absorbency.I think you should try this.

    ReplyDelete