Thunderpants organic cotton and spandex fabric is super stretchy, comfy and easy-fit. There’s no nasty, scratchy elastic that digs in. They are the ultimate comfy, easy-fit undie. The flat fronted original, hipster and sky rise styles all have the same fit through the leg and butt varying in height. The hipster is low waisted, the original sits around the navel and the sky rise is high waisted. The flat fronted boxer is a hipster fit with a short boy leg. See the size guide below to help you choose the right size. If you happen to fall between the measurements, don’t panic! We recommend going up rather than down a size.....they will last longer and be more comfortable if not stretched too far. The swimwear also follows this standard New Zealand sizing.
This chart includes all styles in the adult range that are not a pouch front but does not include the Cotton Drill A line skirts whose size chart is included in the product description.
XS
S
M
L
XL
2XL
3XL
6 - 8
8 - 10
12 - 14
16 -18
20 - 22
24 - 26
28 - 30
bust cm
67-77
77-87
87-97
97-107
107-117
117-127
127-137
waist cm
62-72
72-82
82-92
92-102
102-112
112-122
122-132
hip cm
76-86
86-96
96-106
106-116
116-126
126-136
136-146
bust inches
26-30
30-34
34-38
38-42
42-46
46-50
50-54
waist inches
24-28
28-32
32-36
36-40
40-44
44-48
48-52
hip inches
30-34
34-38
38-42
42-46
46-50
50-54
54-58
Flat Fronted Hipster vs Original/Sky Rise?
These styles are exactly the same in every way except the hipster is shorter in the waist than the original or sky rise. Those of us that have a bit of a tummy roll may wish to choose the original or sky high style as they cover the tummy.
Pouch fronted Boxer vs Brief?
The pouch front boxer is the closer fit option. If you like everything snug with a fitted boxer leg then opt for the boxer. For those that prefer a looser fit, stick with the brief.
XS
S
M
L
XL
2XL
cm
60 - 70
70 - 80
80 - 90
90 - 100
100 - 110
110 - 120
inches
24 - 28
28 - 32
32 - 36
36 - 40
40 - 44
44 - 48
What about the kids?
This guide is based on many years of Thunderpants sales. As all children are different we suggest you go with your own intuition a little here. Thunderpants are very accommodating and tend to grow with your child so some children will wear their small undies well into the medium size range. Remember when your child outgrows the children's range they can move into the smaller adults sizes.
children
small
medium
large
age
2 - 4 years
5 - 7 years
8 - 10 years
NB: PICTURES SHOW PREVIOUSLY SOLD PAIRS AS AN IDEA ONLY. EACH PAIR IS UNIQUE.
Here at Thunderpants we are constantly trying to create less waste, so enter the Patchwork Pants. These pants are a glorious mix & match of all the bits of fabric not quite big enough for normal use and potentially sewn up with leftover thread colours not currently in use. We can't take pictures of each combination, so it's a 'You get what you get & you don't get upset' situation. We think any slightly unfavourable colour combination is more than made up for by the feel-good properties of planet saving !
The fit is the same as your usual Thunderpants with extra design lines and thinner banding for a more elegant look.
NB: SOLD INDIVIDUALLY - the picture shows some possible variants.
Based on our Original Thunderpants style first made in 1995! These are a flat fronted style with a soft gusset made from the same soft fabric as the outer garment. If you require extra room in the front you may want to look at our Pouch Fronted garments.
XS
6- 8
S
8-10
M
12-14
L
16-18
XL
20-22
2XL
24-26
3XL
28-30
waist cm
62-72
72-82
82-92
92-102
102-112
112-122
122-132
hip cm
76-86
86-96
96-106
106-116
116-126
126-136
136-146
leg band cm
39-68
41-70
43-72
45-75
49-79
54-84
60-90
waist inches
24-28
28-32
32-36
36-40
40-44
44-48
48-52
hip inches
30-34
34-38
38-42
42-46
46-50
50-54
54-58
leg band inches
15-26
16-27
17-28
18-29
19-31
21-33
23-35
Fit
Fabric
Care
The original comfy undies that don't go up your bum. This very comfortable full brief sits in the natural crease at the top of the leg and just under the navel. Thunderpants are cut with enough fabric to cover your rear end and the comfy bands hold them in place so even the most active folk will no longer need to readjust their underwear.
The Thunderpants fabric is 90% cotton and 10% spandex to give it that super comfy, soft stretchy feel. The waist and leg bands are constructed in the same, lovely fabric eliminating the need for the addition of nasty, grippy elastic and adding to the enjoyment of your Thunderpants experience. All the garments are made locally and lovingly in New Zealand.
To preserve the vibrant colours and life of the fabric we suggest you do not soak or bleach your Thunderpants items. Use a gentle detergent in a cold machine wash and dry your Thunderpants on the line, not in the drier.
Your Thunderpants are not only super comfy but they are designed to withstand some pretty staunch stuff, so get into them and get on out there!
I am a fussy person.
I only buy Thunderpants.
I LOVE them of course.
I have my first pair of patchworks.
They are the BEST.
The shape seems slightly different and the fit is better.
They NEVER slide down.
I just wish I could get the perfect bra.
I fall out of the top of my bras when bending over gardening.
I…
- fall out of the bras
- the thunderpants creep down, but
only sometimes and probably when they are too old.
Keep up your fantastic work.
Do NOT close down ever or for at least 30 years as hopefully I will be dead.
Thank you a million times.
I am working toward all my undies being thundies. I love the comfort aesthetic, durability and supporting local. Can not recommend these highly enough. ❤❤❤
I absolutely love my patchwork thunders! I was converted many years ago with a pair of sausage thingies which are still going strong. Have gifted several pairs and now getting some for my beau 😉
Love my Thunderpants, love them, love them, love them ❤️ Great quality, extremely comfy, last forever and made in a wonderfully ethical company. Thank you gorgeous team. I feel woman wearing them. Invincible 🙃
Store owner replied:
Kia ora Sarah, Patchwork undies are made from all our offcuts that are too small to make a whole garment. This helps us be a zero waste as we can possibly be, they are a lucky dip situation as they are fiddly to make & cost us more to produce and all unique, it would be super time consuming to photograph them and list the individually. You can return any unworn pairs for a refund. The Team @ TPHQ
I already love the patchwork versions - so much more fun and interesting than one colour. Thunderpants quickly corrected a delivery error - 4xL sent instead of 4xXL. Now I know for sure i have the right size. So comfy.
One suggestion - I never know what size I'm supposed to be, so I take a guess every time i order. It's so irregular that I never remember. It would be great to have the size on the label.
Store owner replied:
Kia ora Ceedee thanks so much for your great review we love the patchwork pants so much too! There should be a size label inside every pair of pants, it isn’t on the brand label it is a second label either underneath the TP label or further down the side seam. Ngā mihi The Team @ TPHQ
Love the surprise element when these arrive - always a joy to see purposeful use of offcuts.
Will only ever now buy Thunderpants again. Comfortable, great craftsmanship and look fantastic. These are my favourites and are looking forward to building my collection.
I love my Thunderpants. They are bright, colourful and comfortable. They are a bit thicker and stiffer
than what I am used to but I can see them feeling a bit more flexible after a few washes.
I refuse to buy any other undies now, Thunderpants are fantastic, comfortable, easy to wash, last for ages and I love how eco-friendly and inclusive the business is.
I don't know why this pair decided to slide down but they do.I where a lot of dresses so find myself hitching up my Thunderpants from the sides etc.
Luv the other 2 pairs.
Store owner replied:
Kia ora Tui,Thanks for taking the time to review Thunderpants. It seems you may have received an incorrectly labelled pair or some sort of issue? When you place the offending pair on top of the other pairs is it a different size ?The best initial port of call if you are ever unhappy with your Thunderpants purchase is directly to us so we have the opportunity to rectify the issue for you rather than go straight to the review process.They are cut and sewn in a small factory in Carterton by humans so there are always the chance of anomalies within the process. We want you to be happy in your Thunderpants so look forward to helping you out with this issue.
Definitely my favorite item. The patchwork pants don't seem to wear thin in the same way the single piece thundies do over time.
Great fabric and designs and they actually stay where they’re supposed to. I have no time for uncomfortable underwear. No creeping, no bunching, no riding up. Just comfy, quality undies doing their job. Thank you!
I first purchased thunderpants when I was working in retail 12 odd years ago. I loved them. So when I found them on line I just had to more. They are the only undies I will wear.
I've loved them for years but just wish that the gusset went a couple of centimetres further up the back. that would double up on the area that seems to wear out first.
So exciting to receive mystery patchwork pants in the mail, mere days after ordering and in biodegradable packaging. Thanks Thunderpants for your respectful, top notch service.
I am a fussy person.
I only buy Thunderpants.
I LOVE them of course.
I have my first pair of patchworks.
They are the BEST.
The shape seems slightly different and the fit is better.
They NEVER slide down.
I just wish I could get the perfect bra.
I fall out of the top of my bras when bending over gardening.
I…
- fall out of the bras
- the thunderpants creep down, but
only sometimes and probably when they are too old.
Keep up your fantastic work.
Do NOT close down ever or for at least 30 years as hopefully I will be dead.
Thank you a million times.
I am working toward all my undies being thundies. I love the comfort aesthetic, durability and supporting local. Can not recommend these highly enough. ❤❤❤
I absolutely love my patchwork thunders! I was converted many years ago with a pair of sausage thingies which are still going strong. Have gifted several pairs and now getting some for my beau 😉
Love my Thunderpants, love them, love them, love them ❤️ Great quality, extremely comfy, last forever and made in a wonderfully ethical company. Thank you gorgeous team. I feel woman wearing them. Invincible 🙃
Store owner replied:
Kia ora Sarah, Patchwork undies are made from all our offcuts that are too small to make a whole garment. This helps us be a zero waste as we can possibly be, they are a lucky dip situation as they are fiddly to make & cost us more to produce and all unique, it would be super time consuming to photograph them and list the individually. You can return any unworn pairs for a refund. The Team @ TPHQ
I already love the patchwork versions - so much more fun and interesting than one colour. Thunderpants quickly corrected a delivery error - 4xL sent instead of 4xXL. Now I know for sure i have the right size. So comfy.
One suggestion - I never know what size I'm supposed to be, so I take a guess every time i order. It's so irregular that I never remember. It would be great to have the size on the label.
Store owner replied:
Kia ora Ceedee thanks so much for your great review we love the patchwork pants so much too! There should be a size label inside every pair of pants, it isn’t on the brand label it is a second label either underneath the TP label or further down the side seam. Ngā mihi The Team @ TPHQ
Love the surprise element when these arrive - always a joy to see purposeful use of offcuts.
Will only ever now buy Thunderpants again. Comfortable, great craftsmanship and look fantastic. These are my favourites and are looking forward to building my collection.
I love my Thunderpants. They are bright, colourful and comfortable. They are a bit thicker and stiffer
than what I am used to but I can see them feeling a bit more flexible after a few washes.
I refuse to buy any other undies now, Thunderpants are fantastic, comfortable, easy to wash, last for ages and I love how eco-friendly and inclusive the business is.
I don't know why this pair decided to slide down but they do.I where a lot of dresses so find myself hitching up my Thunderpants from the sides etc.
Luv the other 2 pairs.
Store owner replied:
Kia ora Tui,Thanks for taking the time to review Thunderpants. It seems you may have received an incorrectly labelled pair or some sort of issue? When you place the offending pair on top of the other pairs is it a different size ?The best initial port of call if you are ever unhappy with your Thunderpants purchase is directly to us so we have the opportunity to rectify the issue for you rather than go straight to the review process.They are cut and sewn in a small factory in Carterton by humans so there are always the chance of anomalies within the process. We want you to be happy in your Thunderpants so look forward to helping you out with this issue.
Definitely my favorite item. The patchwork pants don't seem to wear thin in the same way the single piece thundies do over time.
Great fabric and designs and they actually stay where they’re supposed to. I have no time for uncomfortable underwear. No creeping, no bunching, no riding up. Just comfy, quality undies doing their job. Thank you!
I first purchased thunderpants when I was working in retail 12 odd years ago. I loved them. So when I found them on line I just had to more. They are the only undies I will wear.
I've loved them for years but just wish that the gusset went a couple of centimetres further up the back. that would double up on the area that seems to wear out first.
So exciting to receive mystery patchwork pants in the mail, mere days after ordering and in biodegradable packaging. Thanks Thunderpants for your respectful, top notch service.
