Depend is sold as a family of products rather than one item, and the names on the pack (Fit-Flex, Silhouette, Night Defense, shields) each point to a different job. This guide maps each name to the product type behind it, so you can settle on a type first and then choose a size and absorbency from the product page.
How the line is organized
A Depend title carries several facts at once: the line name, the product type, who it is cut for and, on many listings, an absorbency word. Take Depend Fit-Flex Maximum Underwear for Women, X-Large, Blush, 26 Count. Fit-Flex is the line name, Maximum is the absorbency, Underwear for Women is the type and cut, X-Large is the size, Blush is the colour and 26 Count is the number in the pack.
This table shows how the names in the titles line up with product types.
| Name in the title | Product type | Listed for |
|---|---|---|
| Fit-Flex | Pull-on underwear | Women and men |
| Fresh Protection | Pull-on incontinence underwear | Women and men |
| Silhouette | Underwear | Women |
| Night Defense | Overnight underwear | Women and men |
| Shields | Shaped pad worn inside your own underwear | Men |
Real Fit is another Depend name you may see on store shelves. Read any name that is not in this table the same way: type, cut, absorbency and size in the title, then the product page for the rest.
Everyday pull-on underwear for men and for women
Pull-on underwear is worn like regular underwear. You step into it and pull it up, with no tabs to fasten. Fit-Flex titles name the cut (for Women or for Men), the size and the colour, such as Blush in the women's examples and Grey in the men's. One option for men is Depend Fit-Flex Maximum Underwear for Men, Small/Medium, Grey, 19 Count.
The same size can come in more than one pack count, such as 19 and 32. If you buy by the box, compare the count on each page along with the current price, not the size of the carton.
Fresh Protection is a second underwear name listed for both women and men, with Maximum in the titles. The titles alone do not say how it differs from Fit-Flex, so compare the two product pages for the description, the count and the size chart.
Closer-fitting styles for under clothing
Silhouette is the Depend name the manufacturer positions for a closer fit under clothing. The titles list it for women, in sizes such as Small and Large. One title states Maximum and another does not state an absorbency, so open the product page and read the description before you order.
Fit under clothing depends a great deal on size. A pair that is too large can bunch under fitted clothing, and one that is too small can pinch at the waist. Measure first instead of guessing from your usual clothing size.
Overnight underwear
Night Defense is the overnight underwear name. Titles list it for men (Large and X-Large, Grey) and for women (Medium and Large, Blush). Some titles spell the word Overnite instead of Overnight. The line name, Night Defense, is the same in both.
Overnight products are made for hours in bed, so read the page for fit and absorbency details and think about how you sleep. Pack counts differ widely between overnight listings (12, 14 and 60 all appear in the titles), so check the count before you compare prices. One option for women is Depend Night Defense Overnight Underwear for Women, Medium, Blush, 60 Count. If you also want to protect the sheets, an underpad is a separate layer that some households add.
Guards and shields for men
Guards and shields are shaped pads for men. They do not replace underwear. They go inside your own snug-fitting underwear, so follow the instructions on the pack for how to position and attach one.
The title tells you the absorbency. Depend Shields for Men, Light Absorbency, 58 Count states light absorbency in its title. Guards is the name on another male-shaped pad in the line, so read the absorbency on each listing instead of assuming it from the name.
If a pad keeps shifting or leaks around its edges, a pull-on style with the absorbent layer built in may suit you better.
Tab-style protection
Tab-style briefs open flat and close with tabs at the hips instead of pulling on, which matters when changes happen lying down or with a helper. The Depend names mapped in this guide are underwear and shields, so do not assume a Depend listing has tabs unless its title or description says so.
If tabs are what you need, lines such as Attends, TENA and Abena include tab-style briefs, and you can browse them in the Incontinence Products collection. Check the size chart again when you move to a different line, because a size name does not carry over.
Choosing a size and absorbency within the line
- Measure first. Size labels such as Small/Medium, Large, X-Large and XXL are the manufacturer's, so check the chart on the pack or use our sizing guide.
- Match the type to the time of day: underwear or a shield for daytime, overnight underwear for bed.
- Read the absorbency word on the listing. Light and Maximum are the manufacturer's labels, so compare them within Depend and not against other brands.
- Try a smaller pack first when you are new to a style.
If leaks are new, sudden or getting heavier, check with a doctor, nurse or pharmacist, who can also talk through product choices.
Shop this guide
- Poise Ultra Thin Incontinence Pads, Postpartum, 3 Drop, Light Absorbency, Regular Length, 144 Count (3 Packs of 48) (ships via Amazon)
- Poise Incontinence Pads for Women, 7 Drop, Ultra Absorbency, Long Length, 78 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Depend Fit-Flex Maximum Underwear for Women, X-Large, Blush, 26 Count (ships via Amazon)
- Depend Fresh Protection Incontinence Underwear for Men, Maximum, Large, 72 Count (ships via Amazon)
- See all: Adult Incontinence
Prices are on each product page. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more within Canada.
Common questions
Are Depend products made for both men and women?
The titles say for Women or for Men, and shields are listed for men. Read the cut in the title and choose the one that suits the person who will wear it.
Can I use a shield by day and overnight underwear at night?
Yes, the types can be mixed. A shield goes inside your own underwear and Night Defense is a complete garment, so each has its own fit to check: your underwear needs to be snug enough to hold a shield, and overnight underwear is chosen from the size chart.
Does the colour in the title change the product?
Blush, Grey and Pink are colour names. A colour does not tell you the size or the absorbency, so read those words separately in the title.
Not sure which Depend style fits? Send us a note through the contact page and we will help you narrow it down.