Wearever

The good news for people with bladder control problems is that there are lots of products that offer comfort and the ability to live life normally. But the cost of disposable products can add up quickly, and green-minded consumers have concerns about single-use products and adding to landfills. Thrifty and eco-focused people with bladder issues may prefer absorbent washable cloth undergarments that are designed for varying degrees of incontinence.

That’s where Wearever comes in. The brand is owned by North Carolina-based Prime Life Fibers, a company that makes absorbent cloth for underwear and bedding. Owner Bob Deerin started out by importing washable incontinence garments from Europe, where they were more popular than in the US, and ended up working with a local mill to keep costs down while delivering comfortable reusable products.

Product Descriptions:

Wearever makes lines of underwear for women and men with bladder incontinence plus bed pads and a swim undergarment designed for teens and adults with bowel incontinence. All of the company’s underwear styles feature sewn-in pads that absorb moisture and neutralize odors.

Women’s underwear come in 9 styles, including waist-high cotton briefs, seamless hipsters, and satin, floral, and lace-trimmed designs. A seamless shaper with a tummy control panel is also available. Available sizes vary by style; overall they range from a size 5 (for a 33-35” hip) to size 18 (for a 63-65” hip).

Wearever makes classic briefs for men with three different levels of absorbency and boxer briefs with light-to-moderate absorbency. All 4 men’s styles are available in size small (for a 30-32” waist) through size 3X (for a 46-48” waist). Most styles for men and women are available in at least 2 and sometimes 3 colors.

Washable bed pads combine quilted cloth tops with waterproof backing for comfortable naps and nights. Wearever also sells Buster Brown all-cotton diabetic socks in ankle- and knee-high styles for women and in a loose-fit top style for women and men.

Pros:

Because Wearever’s underwear is made to last through 200 or more washings, users can save hundreds of dollars a year on the cost of disposable incontinence products. Eco-minded shoppers may prefer washable incontinence garments because they reduce the number of disposable items going to the landfill.

Wearever’s styles look like typical underwear so they won’t stand out when users are changing clothes at the gym, trying on clothing in stores, or in other situations (date night, perhaps) where underwear might be visible to others.

Cons:

Wearever undergarments, except for its swim garment, are designed for bladder incontinence only. Only the absorbent pad is waterproof, so users must change underpants when the pad becomes saturated to avoid leakage.

Fine print:

Items are delivered within 5 business days of ordering. Shoppers can purchase online, by phone, or via mail. Check payments must clear before orders are shipped. Returns are accepted within 2 weeks of purchase for unopened merchandise ordered domestically. Opened packages and international orders are not returnable.

Cost:

Wearever women’s panties range from $13 to $18 per pair; the seamless shaper is $27. Men’s brief prices range from $16 to $25 per pair. Diabetic socks cost between $9 and $16 per pair, and bed pads cost between $11 and $20. Sosecure swim diapers cost $50 each. All 6-pack orders ship for free. There is no sales tax for orders purchased outside of North Carolina.

Best for…

Seniors or caregivers for seniors with light to severe bladder incontinence who want the cost savings of cloth over disposable incontinence products; seniors and caregivers with easy access to a washer and dryer; fashion-conscious seniors who prefer to wear traditional-looking underwear.