GladRags Reusable Cotton Pads and Pantyliners Review

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Written by Leigh Matthews, BA Hons, H.Dip. NT

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Leigh Matthews, BA Hons, H.Dip. NT

Sustainability Expert

Leigh Matthews is a sustainability expert and long time vegan. Her work on solar policy has been published in Canada's National Observer.

Updated:

GladRags, like Lunapads, have been around since 1993 and are a socially responsible, innovative, and trusted brand for all your menstrual needs. Based in Portland, Oregon, GladRags offer pads, liners, and their XO Flo menstrual cup to “provide menstruators of all types with body-friendly, versatile options that they can rely on for years”.

Our Rating: 5 / 5 (See: How Leaf Score is calculated)

Leaf Score
Table of Contents
  1. Product Highlights
  2. Overview
  3. GladRags vs. Lunapads

Product Highlights

  • Pads are breathable and highly absorbent, and are reusable for around 5 years (although often much longer)
  • Pantyliners provide excellent back-up protection alongside internal period products or on lighter flow days
  • Company packages their products using recycled, recyclable, and/or biodegradable materials
Country of Origin:USA
Certifications:B Corp
Leaping Bunny

Overview

GladRags became a certified B Corporation in 2012 and is transparent about their environmental reports. They package their products using recycled, recyclable, and/or biodegradable materials, and use organic cotton in many of their products. They manufacture their products in the U.S. and state clearly on their website that they will never move labor overseas.

See also: The best non-toxic period products

GladRags is a Leaping Bunny Certified Cruelty-Free company, meaning that their products are not tested on animals. Their awards and accolades include the 2013 Natural Child World’s Eco-Excellence Most Sustainable Award, and they were a Top 10 Finalist in Green America’s first People & Planet Award (2012). GladRags have also partnered with PERIOD, an organization committed to donating reusable menstrual products to people in need in the U.S. They also donate a minimum of 1% of profits to non-profit organizations such as UnTabooed.

As for their products, they offer breathable, highly absorbent, cotton pads that are reusable for around 5 years (although often much longer). Unlike Lunapads elastic holding system where inserts sit on top of the pad, GladRags use an envelope system to secure inserts inside a pad holder. This holder then clips around underwear, which makes for a more secure system overall. It’s also easy to stuff the pad holder with multiple inserts for heavier flow days or post-partum or incontinence coverage. The downside is that the pad exterior gets soiled each time you use it, so you might want to wash the pad holder as well as the inserts. With Lunapads, you can simply wash the inserts and keep using the underlying pad. 

For overnight protection, Glad Rags Night Holder is your best bet (View Price on Walmart). This pad is approximately 14” long and 3” wide at the middle and features a layer of absorbent terry cloth, providing better coverage and absorption while you sleep. The night pad is also useful as a post-partum pad, for individuals with a larger body and/or a heavier flow.

The Day Pads are approximately 9” long and 2 ½” wide when snapped closed. They are available undyed and in a range of colors. Each Day Pad includes one holder and two inserts. By itself, the pad is similar to a pantyliner, with one insert it’s similar to a disposable maxi pad, and with two inserts it’s like a maxi pad plus. The 3-pack offers the best value for your money (View Price on Walmart).

GladRags also offer Pantyliners (View Price on Walmart) that are easy to use, comfortable and breathable, and provide excellent back-up protection alongside internal period products or on lighter flow days. The pantyliners have wings to help them stay put and come in two sizes, as Day and Plus sizes, which are great overnight. The Plus is approximately 8.5″ long and 3″ wide (when snapped closed) and the Regular Day pantyliner is approximately 6 3/4″ long by 2 3/4″ wide (when snapped closed). The wings are also a slightly different shape, due to the length difference, but that doesn’t appear to make much difference in terms of how they stay put. The pantyliners are an all-in-one product and, unlike the Pads, do not have the envelope for inserts.

GladRags vs. Lunapads

GladRags and Lunapads (View Price on Amazon) are pretty much neck and neck in terms of quality, longevity, and social commitments. And both of these brands are heads above every other company in this field (so far). The only real differences between the two sets of products are the holding systems for pads: Lunapads inserts sit on top of a pad and are held with elastic; GladRags use an envelope system to hold inserts inside the pad holder. For new users, it may be best to purchase a single pad from each company to see which system works best for you.

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