Nike is joining the crowded race to win period-proof clothes — and they've got an undeniable edge over the competition
- Nike has unveiled Leak Protection: Period, an absorbent liner that protects against period leaks.
- The product is made from a proprietary material. It will debut in the Nike One Short.
Nike has joined the growing list of companies introducing period-proof clothing, but with the added edge of being one of the corporate giants in the increasingly crowded field.
The nearly $50 billion company on Thursday unveiled a new product line called Nike Leak Protection: Period. The product is a thin absorbent liner designed to prevent period leaks. It will debut in April in the silhouette of the Nike One Short, but with a built-in brief. The product, when needed, will also will be worn on soccer fields this summer during the Women's World Cup as part of the Nike Pro Short, an under-layer commonly worn under uniforms of players on Nike sponsored teams.
Clothing designed to prevent leaks has become more popular in recent years, with high-profile companies like Thinx releasing products such as leak-prevention underwear and other clothing items. But Nike's global distribution and its ability to perform expensive testing could give it an advantage.
Nike's testing prior to release focused on ensuring the product gave more protection to women wearing tampons, pads, or cups. Its product line combines a two-layer, laminated piece of material that absorbs, wicks, and holds blood with a membrane that works to prevent leaks.
"Fear of bleed-through is real — and not just through the teen years, but through the entire journey of menstruation," said Lisa Gibson, a Nike senior project manager in Apparel Innovation, in a press release.
Nike has been focused on evolving its women's business for several years, but it's growing slower than the overall business.
In its most recent fiscal year, which ended May 31, 2022, Nike's sales increased 5% to $46.7 billion. The company's women's wholesale business grew 1% to $8.3 billion. The company's men's business grew 2% to $18.8 billion.