Topping Guide
Reusable Pad Topping Guide
The topping is the fabric that sits against your skin. It affects how your reusable pad feels, how quickly fluid is taken into the core and how the pad looks after washing.
At TCS-eco, you can choose from three main topping fabrics: Cotton Jersey, Bamboo Velour and Minky. There is no single best option for everyone. The right choice comes down to the feel you prefer, your flow, how you use your pads and whether you like a more natural or stay-dry finish.
Cotton Jersey
Cotton Jersey is soft, breathable and available in a huge choice of prints.
It has a familiar fabric feel, similar to soft clothing or underwear, making it a popular choice for people who prefer natural fibres against their skin. Cotton Jersey is comfortable for everyday use and gives you the widest choice of colours and designs.
Cotton Jersey absorbs fluid into the core beneath it, but it may not feel as dry on the surface as Minky after a heavier gush of flow. It is a lovely choice for lighter flow, regular daytime wear or anyone who prefers a soft, natural fabric feel.
Choose Cotton Jersey when you want:
- A soft, natural-feeling fabric against your skin
- The widest choice of prints and colours
- A comfortable option for lighter flow or regular daytime wear
Shop Cotton Jersey reusable pads
Bamboo Velour
Bamboo Velour is soft, plush and highly absorbent. It has a luxurious velvety feel and is a favourite for customers who want maximum softness and comfort.
It absorbs fluid quickly and feels beautifully gentle against the skin. Bamboo Velour is particularly popular for people who find disposable pads irritating, prefer a softer surface or simply want a more luxurious reusable pad experience.
Because Bamboo Velour is a natural absorbent fabric, it can feel damp after a heavier gush before the core has fully drawn fluid away. This is completely normal and does not mean the pad is leaking.
Choose Bamboo Velour when you want:
- A soft, plush and luxurious fabric feel
- Rapid absorbency
- A comfortable option for sensitive skin or everyday comfort
Shop Bamboo Velour reusable pads
Minky
Minky is a smooth, soft polyester fabric with a stay-dry feel. It is designed to move fluid through to the absorbent core while helping the surface feel drier for longer.
Minky is a popular choice for heavier flow, overnight use and bladder leaks because it is hard-wearing, stain-resistant and gives a smoother, lower-profile finish than velour. It is also the longest-lasting topping option and is ideal for people who want their pads to stay looking fresh after repeated washing.
Minky may not be the best choice for people who prefer only natural fibres against their skin, but for those who like a stay-dry finish, it is an excellent everyday option.
Choose Minky when you want:
- A smoother, stay-dry feel
- A hard-wearing, stain-resistant topping
- A great option for heavier flow, overnight wear or bladder leaks
Which Topping Is Best for Heavy Flow?
Your topping is only one part of your pad’s performance. Heavy flow protection comes mainly from choosing the right absorbent core, pad length, width and backing.
For heavier flow, many customers choose Minky for its stay-dry feel, paired with Heavy or Night absorbency and waterproof PUL fleece backing. Bamboo Velour can also work beautifully for heavy flow when paired with the right core, especially for customers who prioritise softness.
Read our Pad Core and Absorbency Guide to compare Liner, Regular, Heavy, Night and Confidence absorbencies.
Which Topping Is Best for Bladder Leaks?
For bladder leaks, Minky is often the most practical topping because it is hard-wearing, stain-resistant and designed to feel drier against the skin.
Pair it with waterproof PUL fleece backing and the absorbency level that suits your needs.
Read our Reusable Pads for Bladder Leaks Guide.
Complete Your Pad Choice
Choosing your topping is just one part of building a reusable pad that works for you.
Use our guides to choose your:
Explore our Reusable Pad Starter Packs, Build Your Stash collection or create your own reusable pads.