Glossary

Not sure exactly what all these terms mean? This might help. I’m including pictures of pads here for reference. They are linked to the site they are taken from. If you would like a picture removed, please let me know and I’ll remove it immediately.

AIO – All-in-One

These are pads that have the absorbent layers sewn together, so that you can just put the pad into your underpants as is – much like a disposable pad. You don’t need to add anything to it. Here this term refers to a waterproofed pad, or one with a “water resistant” layer such as wool or fleece.

Non-Waterproofed AIO
As above, but does not have any waterproofing at all, only absorbent layers.

Pantyliner

These are lighter absorbency pads that have no waterproofing, and are generally short in length and thin. Usually used on spotting, mid cycle, cup backup or very light flow days. Basically they are a less absorbent version of a Non-Waterproofed AIO.

Pocket Pad

These are a 2 part system, where you have an “envelope”, “case”, “holder” in the normal pad shape (usually winged) that is usually made from just 2 layers of fabric. They have a one piece top with a back made from 2 overlapping halves. This gives a space to insert the absorbent inserts into, to give the pad it’s absorbency. These can come with more than one insert for use on heavier days. You change the whole pad with this style. They may be all natural fibres or contain synthetics, however they are generally not waterproofed.

Base + Insert

These are a 2 part system, where the absorbent inserts sit on top of the “holder” or “base”. The Base is generally a winged pad shape, which can be waterproof or not. The inserts on this style can be replaced while the same holder is worn. Some styles allow for more than one insert to be used at the same time to increase absorbency.

Fold Up Pad

A pad that obtains its absorbency by the fact that it has a section of fabric that you fold over to give the multiple layers of absorbency. Which allows the pad to be unfolded for washing. This style may have the folded part against the underpants with a single piece top, or it may have the folded part going against your body, and may allow for refolding to give a clean surface of the pad in light flow use. May contain waterproofing or may not.

Boostable

These look similar to an All-in-one pad, and have some absorbency themselves, but the pad can have an extra “booster” placed under the pad to increase the absorbency – like you might need for heavy days or night use. This booster may snap to the underside of the pad, or it might slip into a special band etc. on the underside of the pad. It also may simply be placed between the pad and your underpants, with the pad holding it in place. The boosters may or may not have waterproofing. This is different from a pocket pad, as the pocket part of a pocket pad (generally) has very little absorbency itself and relies on the inserts for its absorbency, where the boostable pad can function as a pad on its own and simply has its absorbency “boosted” by use of the boosters. It is also different to base+insert style, as the inserts sit on top in that style, where the boosters for a boostable pad do not touch the skin.

Thong/G-String

These are pads or pantyliners designed to be worn with “thong”, “g-string” or other styled underpants that have no back. They are a more triangle shape to account for the shape of the underpants they are worn with. These can be winged or wingless depending on the type, and they may also be AIO, Non-waterproofed, Pocket or any other style.