The present invention provides protective underwear including shorts and removable absorbent inserts that can be pulled away from and attached to the shorts while the shorts are pulled down but not completely removed. This allows a soiled insert to be removed, and a clean replacement insert to be installed, without having to remove the person's pants and shoes. The assembled protective underwear also looks like normal underwear from the outside and is sufficiently less bulky than a traditional adult diaper allowing it to be effectively concealed when worn under most clothing. This improvement in discreetness and convenience can make a major difference to the user, such as child or adult hoping to reduce potential embarrassment while maintain maximum levels of activity.