Men understand that getting hit below the belt is a very unpleasant experience. Not only is it painful, but groin injuries can be especially serious. That’s why most male athletes who play contact sports have invested in the athletic cup since the turn of the 20th century. However, with recent advancements in protective sporting equipment, modern cups are much different than they were 100-plus years ago.
Today’s athletic cups are lightweight and designed to protect the testicl*s from impact during a game. Despite these benefits, shopping for cups can be difficult, especially if you’re a parent. What size should you look for? What materials are more protective than others? With this in mind, let’s dive into these questions so you can find the one that’s right for you and learn everything you ever wanted to know about athletic cups.
MATERIALS
Back in the day, most athletic cups were made of perforated steel. While this offered great protection, they weren’t exactly comfortable. Now, things have largely changed. While some brands offer lightweight plastic cups with steel shields, most are made with tough polymers or carbon fiber. These materials help shield and transfer shock away from the groin.
For added comfort, most athletic cups have a gel pad surrounding the edges to prevent the polymers from pinching or digging into the skin. This is great because the padding helps combat irritation and chaffing during movement.
In addition, most cups are machine washable, but always check the packaging to make sure. If the style you buy is not, you can wash it in a tub or sink filled with hot water and laundry detergent or antibacterial soap. Allow the cup to soak before scrubbing it with a fresh sponge or dish cloth. Be sure to air dry it after washing.
SIZING
Many brands make it easy to pick out the correct size. All you really need to know is your waist size. Boys’ athletic cups range from about 19˝ to 30˝ while men’s cups range from 28˝ to about 46˝. Check out this chart below to find out what size cup is best for you:
SUPPORT
Most brands that sell athletic cups also sell undergarment supporters that help keep your cup from moving around during an activity. The three main types of supporters include compression shorts/briefs, jockstraps and impact shorts.
Compression shorts and compression briefs are form-fitting underwear that offer extreme comfort. In the front, they feature a pocket that is able to securely hold an athletic cup. These are great for wearing under most uniform bottoms.
Jockstraps consist of a pocket for your cup and a connected waist band as well as retention straps, which wrap around under your backside. With the rise of compression shorts, jockstraps seem to becoming less popular, as compression shorts can be much more comfortable.
Impact shorts not only have a pocket for your cup, but pockets for hip guards and thigh guards. These are great for athletes who play high-impact sports like hockey or rugby. They tend to run more expensive than the other two options, but the protection can’t be beat.
Protecting your groin is very important, of course, so don’t be embarrassed to ask a coach or a store associate if you still have any unanswered questions pertaining to athletic cups. When the game starts to get personal, make sure you’re properly protected.
FAQs
Select your cup based on your waist size.
As an additional guideline, pee wee sizes are usually for boys aged 5-7, youth sizes typically fit boys aged 8-12, teen sizes are for boys aged 13-17, and adult sizes are for men 18 and older.
How do you know what size athletic cup to buy? ›
1. Figure out the right size
| Waist size | Sports range | Sports cup size |
|---|
| 19 to 22 inches | Peewee | Extra small |
| 22 to 28 inches | Youth | Small |
| 28 to 30 inches | Teen | Medium |
| 30 to 46 inches | Adult | Large |
Apr 14, 2023
Choosing the correct athletic cup is determined by body mass, meaning youth or adult, age and how it feels on your body.
- Select the size of athletic cup that you want. ...
- Choose a jock strap based on size. ...
- Put on a pair of compression shorts.
Select your cup based on your waist size.
As an additional guideline, pee wee sizes are usually for boys aged 5-7, youth sizes typically fit boys aged 8-12, teen sizes are for boys aged 13-17, and adult sizes are for men 18 and older.
How tight should an athletic cup be? ›
For a cup to work, it must fit tightly against the body. Choose a supporter with a comfortable but secure-fitting waistband, and leg straps tight enough to prevent rolling or twisting. Compression shorts should also be chosen based on waist size. They should be snug but not uncomfortable.
What size cup do I use? ›
Take your bust measurement (usually the bigger number) and subtract your band measurement. This number corresponds with your cup size. If your bust measurement and band measurement are the same number, you're an AA cup.
Can you wear an athletic cup all day? ›
Recently, athletes have begun to ask if they should wear it all day to keep their parts in place or if they should toss it to the side when they're done at the gym. You can definitely wear a supporter all day.
Do NFL players wear athletic cups? ›
A cup is not required as an item of equipment in football. It's optional, just like rib guards or knee stockings. Every player is solely responsible for determining whether or not they require a cup; the referee will not check whether or not a player is wearing one before a match.
Are cups one size fits all? ›
No. There are a few companies that do offer one size of cup, but it does not fit all. Because everyone is different, each person will have a different experience with any given cup. While some companies offer a small or a large size, there are other companies that may offer even more size options.
What is the difference between hard and soft athletic cups? ›
Soft cups are not designed to take kicks, hard hits, or fast-moving objects. Hard cups are but come in many forms, materials and even shapes.
But, it is hard to know at what age young boys should start wearing a cup. Most youth baseball leagues recommend that cups be worn at every age group, however, once your son reaches elementary school, the athletic cup often is required equipment.
How do you wash an athletic cup? ›
In addition, most cups are machine washable, but always check the packaging to make sure. If the style you buy is not, you can wash it in a tub or sink filled with hot water and laundry detergent or antibacterial soap. Allow the cup to soak before scrubbing it with a fresh sponge or dish cloth.
What sports need an athletic cup? ›
Who Should Wear Them. Protective cups should be the norm for hard-hitting sports with speedy objects, such as hockey pucks. Cups are also necessary in hockey, football, baseball, rugby, lacrosse, soccer, mixed martial arts and other contact sports.
What size cup does a 12 year old boy need? ›
FIND YOUR SIZE
| Size | AGE |
|---|
| SMALL | 9 & YOUNGER |
| MEDIUM | 10 TO 14 |
| LARGE | 15 & YOUNGER |
| X-LARGE | 15 & OLDER |
1 more rowAgain, the general recommendation is eight to 12 hours. So you can wear them when you're sleeping or all day long. That being said, if there's any leakage, or if you're experiencing a heavy flow, Dr. Roskin recommends taking it out sooner to empty and clean it.
At what age should my son wear a cup for baseball? ›
No parent wants to see their son injured on the field. But, it is hard to know at what age young boys should start wearing a cup. Most youth baseball leagues recommend that cups be worn at every age group, however, once your son reaches elementary school, the athletic cup often is required equipment.
