I expected to rank Menvault #2. The price made me suspicious.
Fourteen months on from surgery, I've been through most of what's on this list. I know what a shifted guard feels like by hour two. I know what a side leak looks like on light grey trousers.
So I wore these for a week. Golf, a four-hour drive, two full working days, one overnight.
They held. On one heavier morning I felt some warmth, but nothing got through to my trousers. For light to moderate leaks, these handled it.
Here's what the guards on this list can't do: cover where men actually leak. Tena and Depend put everything in one strip down the middle. Menvault builds protection into the front, inner leg sides, and back, which is where leaks actually go depending on how you're moving. I noticed the difference in practice.
They also come with a separate washable guard you can slip in for extra protection on heavier days, or leave out when you don't need it. Doesn't bunch, doesn't shift. No other product on this list gives you that flexibility.
The fabric is OEKO-TEX certified bamboo, which means it's been independently tested for harmful substances, rather than just marketed as "natural". It deals with odour better than any disposable pad I've used, killing bacteria at the source instead of masking it. After a full day out, it simply wasn't a concern.
Wash them with your normal load. I've been rotating 4 pairs for months. Still snug, still absorbing like day one. At £79.95 for a 4-pack, the upfront cost is what made me suspicious in the first place. Three months in, rotating 4 pairs, I haven't bought a disposable since. The sums aren't close.
Downsides: Only comes in three colours — black, navy, and grey.
I feel like myself again. The active bloke I was before all this started. That's what I paid for.
Thanks for this review @Gary Dickson. I'm about a year post-surgery and honestly so glad I tried Menvault instead of sticking with disposables. I was getting through 2 to 3 Depend Guards a day and the cost was mounting up fast. Switched to the Menvault boxer briefs about 3 months ago and haven't looked back. They handle my moderate leaks throughout the day no problem, and I actually feel like I'm wearing normal underwear again. My wife says I seem more confident too, which counts for a lot. The reusable side of it means I'm saving probably £40 to £50 a month compared to what I was spending on disposables. If you're on the fence, I'd say go for it. They're not miracle workers, but they're a world better than living in disposable pads.
Good insights and a helpful comparison. 7 months out from RALP dealing with moderate stress incontinence. I was using another brand of guards but decided to try Menvault boxer briefs around month 4. Really glad I made the switch. I coach so I'm on my feet all day, and these hold up through a full 8-hour shift without any bother. What surprised me was how normal they feel compared to wearing a pad. My only regret is not trying them sooner. Would have saved me a few hundred quid. Definitely worth it if you're after something reusable that works. Chin up, lads.
Are Menvault boxer briefs easy to wash? Because others were not...
Hi @James, yes, I just wash them cold or warm with regular detergent. Line dry, they dry very quickly. I have been using them for over a year now and they still work great.
54 years old, 5 weeks post-RALP. Still in the heavier leakage phase but my urologist says things should improve significantly around month 3. Found this article while researching because I flatly refuse to spend the next year in adult nappies. Ordered a 4-pack to try. Will report back. But reading through these comments already made me feel less alone in this than I have since surgery. Didn't realise how many men are going through the same thing.
Using Menvault for 6 months now. Wife has no idea they're any different from my regular underwear. That's exactly what I needed.
Something nobody seems to mention: how do the Menvault briefs look under suit trousers? I wear a suit to the office and that was my main hesitation. Zero issue. Completely flat, no visible line, nothing. My colleagues have no idea and that's all I needed. Getting back to normal at work after surgery did more for my head than I expected.
Do they work for overnight protection? And second, do they hold moderate leaks?
@Frank Yes, I wear them at night too. They give me peace of mind, and honestly my wife likes them better than what I was using before haha. They handle moderate leaks really well. If you're dealing with really heavy incontinence though, you might want to look at Depend incontinence underwear instead.
Quick question before I order — how does the sizing run? I'm usually a 34 waist but I'm between sizes with most brands. Last thing I want is to order and have them not fit properly.
@Mike good question. In my experience they run true to size, but if you're between sizes I'd go up — you want them snug enough to stay in place without being uncomfortable. There's a size guide on the product page worth checking. And they have the money back guarantee so if it's not right you can sort it out without being out of pocket.
How many pairs do I need?
@George I started with 4 pairs to try them out — that's enough to get through the week if you're washing every couple of days. Once I knew they worked I picked up a few more so I always have clean ones ready without thinking about it. They have a money back guarantee so starting with 4 is zero risk.
I'll be honest. I was fairly cynical about these. Figured it was marketing aimed at men going through a rough patch. Bought them anyway because I was fed up with pads shifting about all day. That was 4 months ago. I was wrong. They stay in place, they're comfortable, and from the outside they look completely normal. Still doing my physio and improving slowly, but in the meantime these have made daily life a lot more manageable. Glad I ignored my own cynicism.
I hate these posts as a glimpse of my future. I love these posts for getting me ready for it. Very helpful!!