High Waist vs Sky Rise: Understanding Thunderpants Rise Options
By Thunderpants - New Zealand made | Published: 2026-09-10
Category: Comparisons
Compare Thunderpants high waist and sky rise options, including the high waist swim pant, so you can choose the rise that fits your body and your day.
Quick answer
Choose Sky Rise if you want an extra high waist that sits on your natural waist and tapers in at the top for all-day hold. Choose the high waist swim pant if you need a swim set that stays put, but check sizes first because the Mushrooms bikini is a set and limited. Both are comfortable; the trade-off is coverage and hold versus swim-specific fabric and availability.
Thunderpants makes rise options that solve different problems. Sky Rise is an extra high waisted version of the originals, cut to sit high on your natural waist and taper in at the top. The high waist swim pant is part of a swim set, made from regenerated nylon printed with water based inks in Auckland.
This comparison uses the supplied catalog facts to explain who each rise suits, what you trade away, and how to pick a size without guessing. If you are deciding between a high waist underwear vs mid rise feel, the key is where you want the waistband to sit and how much hold you want through the day.
How the two rises differ on the body
Sky Rise Hot Pink is described as an extra high waisted version of the originals. It is a very comfortable full brief that sits high on your natural waist and tapers in at the top, so it stays where it is meant to all day long. That taper is the main difference from a mid rise: instead of sitting below the belly, it anchors higher and holds its place.

The high waist swim pant appears in the Swim High Waist Bikini Mushrooms set. It is sold as a combo of the Original Swim Crop and High Waist Swim Pants in the same size, so you cannot split the sizes. The fabric is regenerated nylon printed at Auckland Fabric Printers using water based inks. Thunderpants notes they are not sure if it will last as long as other swimwear, which is an honest limitation to weigh.
- Sky Rise is underwear-first: full brief coverage with a tapered high waist.
- The Mushrooms bikini is swim-first: a matched set with a high waist pant and crop.
Fabric and care trade-offs
Sky Rise uses the same everyday cotton feel Thunderpants is known for, which makes it a practical choice for daily wear and easy washing. The trade-off is that it is not a swim fabric, so it is not the right pick for swimming or heavy sweat sessions where you want quick-drying nylon.
The high waist swim pant uses regenerated nylon, which is durable and comfortable like the underwear, but the brand itself flags uncertainty about long-term longevity. That does not mean it will fail early; it means you should treat it as a swim piece with a realistic lifespan and follow the care instructions rather than expecting indefinite wear.
- Choose Sky Rise for everyday cotton comfort and predictable care.
- Choose the swim set for water, but accept the brand's longevity caveat.
Sizing and availability realities
Sky Rise Hot Pink comes in sizes XS through 3XL, which maps to a broad range of bodies. The product notes a size chart from 6-8 up through larger sizes, so you can match your usual Thunderpants size. Because it is a full brief with a tapered top, if you are between sizes and want a firmer hold, take the smaller size; if you want less compression at the waist, take the larger.
The Swim High Waist Bikini Mushrooms is limited in sizes and sold only as a set. Thunderpants says they do not have enough to offer separates, so if your crop size and pant size differ, this set may not work for you. That is a real limitation, not a flaw in the design, and it is the main reason to consider a different swim top or bottom if you need mixed sizing.
- Check the size chart before ordering Sky Rise; the taper changes how it feels.
- For the Mushrooms set, confirm your size is available and that one size works for both pieces.
How to decide for your day
If you want a high waist underwear vs mid rise comparison in practice, think about where you want the band to sit. Mid rise sits lower and can feel less restrictive; Sky Rise sits on your natural waist and tapers, which gives more coverage and hold. For bloating days, long days out, or under dresses, that higher anchor is often more comfortable because it does not roll down.
For swimming, the high waist swim pant gives you the same high-waist coverage in a swim-specific fabric. Pair it with the included Original Swim Crop, or use the set as your main two-piece. If you need a different crop fit, look at the Ngawi Swim Crop Black, which has more room up to at least a DD+ cup and a firm underband, but note it is a separate top and not part of the Mushrooms set.
- Pick Sky Rise for daily wear, travel, and layering under clothes.
- Pick the high waist swim pant for pool or beach days when you want matched coverage.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Sky Rise hold vs mid rise ease: Sky Rise sits higher and tapers, which gives more coverage and hold than a mid rise, but some people prefer a lower band for less compression. Choose Sky Rise if you want all-day stay-put coverage.
- Swim set convenience vs size flexibility: The Mushrooms bikini is a matched set in one size, so it is easy to buy but impossible to split if your top and bottom sizes differ. Check the size chart carefully; if you need mixed sizes, choose separates.
- Swim fabric performance vs longevity caveat: Regenerated nylon is durable and comfortable for swimming, but Thunderpants states they are not sure it will last as long as other swimwear. Treat it as a swim piece with a realistic lifespan and follow care instructions.
Catalog facts that matter
- Sky Rise Hot Pink: An extra high waisted version of the originals that sits high on your natural waist and tapers in at the top. The taper is what keeps it from rolling down, so it stays put all day without constant adjusting.
- Swim High Waist Bikini Mushrooms - limited sizes: A combo of the Original Swim Crop and High Waist Swim Pants sold in the same size as a set, made from regenerated nylon printed in Auckland with water based inks. You get a matched high waist swim look, but you cannot mix sizes, so it only works if one size fits both pieces.
- Ngawi Swim Crop Black: Has more room up to at least a DD+ cup and a firm underband for underbust smoothing, but no special cup support. If the Mushrooms set crop does not fit your cup size, this separate top is a better match for larger busts.
Which rise should you choose?
Best for
- Anyone who wants a high waist that sits on the natural waist and stays put all day.
- Swimmers who want a matched high waist bikini set with a crop and pant.
- People who prefer full brief coverage and a tapered top over a mid rise.
Not for
- Anyone who needs to mix sizes between top and bottom, since the Mushrooms set is sold as one size.
- People who prefer a lower, mid rise waistband that sits below the belly.
- Shoppers who need guaranteed long-term swimwear longevity, because the brand flags uncertainty.
Sky Rise and the high waist swim pant both deliver high-waist coverage, but they solve different needs. Pick Sky Rise for everyday cotton comfort and a tapered, stay-put fit. Pick the Mushrooms set when you want a matched swim look in regenerated nylon, and be honest with yourself about the one-size set and the longevity caveat. If you need a different cup fit, the Ngawi Swim Crop Black is the separate top to consider.



