Best Football Girdle
Quality football girdle is essential for stability and protection. It's a part of a player's wardrobe people don't really talk about even though it's as important. Girdles protect and provide stability in the lower body. This is crucial because football is a contact sport that tends to get quite violent at times. However, girdles should limit your mobility while protecting you. For this reason, you must choose a quality model that fits you in every way. A quality girdle has pads on the tailbone, hips, and thighs. These pads are built-in, so they don’t move around as you play. Still, finding a suitable model tends to be tricky just because so many are available on the market. They differ in style, mobility, durability, and overall quality. Take a moment to read the article below as we discuss the best football girdles and how to choose one for you.
Best Football Girdles
CHAMPRO Adult Tri-Flex
These come in several sizes for you to choose from some of which are quite large. Also, you can choose between a black model and a white one.
The girdle features the Tri-Flex cushion system for superior flexibility and protection. It keeps all your critical areas protected without affecting your mobility and flexibility.
On top of that, these feature a low-profile Tri-Flex ventilation hip pads which rise right above the waist. The pad system is contoured, ventilated, and it features hard plastic shock plates for ultimate protection.
The hip and tight pads, as well as the tailbone pad, are built-in so you don’t have to use any extra pads. These high-compression girdles are made of polyester/spandex Dri-Gear moisture management fabric for increased mobility, comfort, and flexibility.
The pads aren’t the thickest, but the CHAMPRO Adult Tri-Flex allows you to add extra padding if you want to.
Pros:
Integrated pads
Compression fit
Comfortable waistband
Cons:
The pads aren’t as thick
Cramer Thunder 7 Pad Football Girdle
These feature seven integrated pads permanently attached for ultimate protection. The girdle is made with 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex and Polyester mesh crotch panel. The materials are all moisture-wicking and anti-microbial.
The hip, knee and tight pads are integrated and made with closed-cell Spider Web Eva foam. Its spandex elastomer waistband measures two inches and is comfortable enough for long-hour games.
The hip pad coverage protects you from potential injuries without affecting your athletic performance in any way. The girdles don’t limit your mobility or flexibility.
For some added tight protection, the Cramer added the reinforced high-impact interior plastic shells. This model comes in several color options and combinations. On top of that, there are a few sizes as well, so make sure to consult with the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
Pros:
Integrated pads
Easy to put on and take off
Great impact absorption
Cons:
Not the most durable stitching
Alleson Adult Core
These are made with 84% nylon and 16% spandex compression fabric. It has moisture-management features for more comfort, especially during extended games.
The girdle also contains 90% polyester and 10% spandex stretch mesh for some added mobility and comfort.
It has vented EVA pads providing lightweight protection. These are also breathable and flexible, allowing you to move freely without feeling the tight girdle.
Its hip pads go all the way up to the top of the waistband. This protects you against high-hip injuries and hip pointers.
Though it includes knee pads, you can remove them in case you maybe want to use another type. It allows you to customize the girdle with any pads, or not wear any at all.
These stretch easily but aren’t as flexible as other girdles in the market. In other words, the model runs somewhat tight.
Pros:
Strong waistband
Integrated pads
Reliable foam technology
Cons:
These run tight
NIKE Men's Base Layer Training Tights
We’ve all heard of Nike and witnessed their quality over the years. These girdles are a part of Nike’s Hyperstrong collection. It’s a seven-pad girdle with unique technologies and advanced padding.
It’s made with 90% polyester and 10% spandex for mobility, flexibility, and durability even in the case of frequent use. It features the Dri-FIT technology that wicks sweat and helps you stay comfortable and dry at all times.
The compressive fit wears tightly to your body while the flat seams reduce irritation. There’s no chafing, which is especially important if you’re practicing every day and for hours on end.
Its waistband is elastic and helps with the overall fit. It’s comfortable and provides a snug fit with all the sizes. Also, the girdle comes in several colors and combinations to fit your style.
Pros:
Features seven pads
Absorbs sweat
Available as long pants as well
Cons:
Tailbone padding could be bigger
McDavid Hex Integrated Football Girdle Shorts
These are among the best models currently available in the market. The polyester design features spandex, but you’ll notice the shorts aren’t as bulky and big most girdles are.
Its moisture-management technology wicks away the moisture to keep you dry and comfortable. The patterns are hexagonal and not as bulky, so you might not feel them. Still, they’re efficient in protecting you during high-impact.
These have a tight fit but remain comfortable without being too tight in any parts. The shorts follow your body shape while the pads look stylish and sleek.
They’re lightweight and ideal for long-hour practice and games. In most cases, they’re the best for players in speed positions because they don’t limit your mobility and flexibility.
This McDavid model is designed for adult and youth players, and it comes in three different colors.
Pros:
Lightweight
Moisture-wicking
Great for speed positions
Cons:
A bit pricey
FPGU7 Champro Man Up 7 Pad Girdle
If you’re a fan of Champro girdle, you might want to check this 7-pad model. It features the well-known quality and technologies being one of the most comfortable girdles on the market.
The shorts are designed from high-compression polyester, which is among the best materials for girdles. On top of that, it has some Spandex incorporated into the design for flexibility and enhanced fit.
The brand’s Dri-Gear technology helps absorb moisture keeping you dry and comfortable during long-hour games and practices. Plus, the Tri-Flex cushion system provides supreme padding and helps protect you during games.
The pads are soft and comfortable, but they’re also absorbing high-impact. Its overall fit is quite tight and close to your body, molding, and creating enough ventilation to keep you comfortable.
These come in several sizes ranging from those suitable for youth to some extra-large pieces.
Pros:
Seven-pad design
Moisture-wicking
Comfortable fit
Cons:
Might tear at stitches
Under Armour Men's 6-Pad Football Girdle Pants
Under Armour stands out as one of the best and most popular brands today. Its 6-pad football girdle is made from various fibers ensuring comfortable wear and the right weight.
Its HeatGear technology is incorporated into the fabrics, so the pants have excellent heat control. This allows you to use them in different weather and climate conditions.
What provides such a comfortable fit is the 4-way stretch design. Not many brands use it although it allows the girdle to conform around your body for a great fit. Such a fit, along with shock-absorbing padding, makes the pants ideal for long-hour use.
Its six pads are thin, so the overall design isn’t as bulky as it tends to be with other models. This helps your ability to move freely and quickly. They’re versatile, allowing you to use them for other sports just as well.
Pros:
Several sizes available
Great ventilation and moisture-wicking
Anti-odor technology
Cons:
They run a bit small
Rawlings Men's F3500P Football Pants
You can tell that these look quite a bit different than the rest on this list. They’re designed differently but are equally efficient when it comes to protect and provide flexibility and comfort.
The pants have an elastic waistband with a belt that’s built-in for ultimate support. It also has built-in pads in the knee, thighs, hips and spine areas.
They come in black and white as well as several sizes for you to choose from. They’re easy to put on and take off because they’re moisture-wicking and don’t stick to your skin.
Plus, these pants are quite easy to maintain. They’re durable, so you can machine wash them with similar colors. You can also tumble dry, but make sure to remove them as soon as they’re dry. Because they’re made of such flexible materials, the pants don’t require any ironing.
Pros:
Several sizes available
Unique waist/belt support
Built-in pads
Cons:
Sizes run small
Sports Unlimited Adult 7 Pad Integrated Football Girdle
If you’ve been searching for football girdle, you’ve probably also heard of Sports Unlimited. The brand has some unique football pants that differ in padding, ventilation, and overall fit. These 7-pad adult girdles come in several sizes.
The 7-pad protection is featured in hips, knees, thighs, and tailbone. Each pad is strong and efficient in protecting you from impact, but also quite comfortable and lightweight.
Its flexible foam padding is designed to flex and move along with your body. As a result, the pants are comfortable and don’t limit your mobility and quickness.
This model also has breathable, ventilated foam in its mesh panels. It’s what allows you to use the pants in warm days and for extended periods.
They come in black and black/white combination for you to choose depending on the rest of your equipment.
Pros:
Breathable
Flexible padding
Comfortable fit
Cons:
Thin material
Adams High Rise Varsity All-in-One Football Girdle
These high-rise pants come in white and grey color only. However, several sizes are available, ranging from small to 3X-large.
They feature integrated thigh, spine, and hip pads that are permanently sawn in. This helps with durability as well security since it’s unlikely the pads would move or tear.
For ventilation, the pants come with perforated pads providing comfort during long-hour use. This is especially useful in warm temperatures.
Adams included unique antimicrobial treatment that’s efficient in reducing odors. On top of that, the pants are machine washable, so you can clean and fresh them whenever you want.
These are made with 88% polyester and 12% spandex for flexibility and comfort. It’s a durable combination that’s quite resistant to wear and tear.
Pros:
Well-ventilated
Flexible and comfortable
Antimicrobial
Cons:
Non-removable pads
What to look for – Buyer’s Guide
Buying your first football girdle isn’t always as simple because the market is packed with different models. You should know what to look for in order to get the best-fitting pants.
Still, keep in mind that everyone’s needs and preferences differ and what might work for someone else might not work as well for you.
Materials
Choosing the right material has been among the most challenging tasks when it comes to buying football girdle. Your pants should be flexible yet durable and enduring since you’ll probably put them through some rough moments.
The most common options are nylon and polyester, though cotton is one of the most popular choices for its overall durability and comfort.
Spandex is another common choice because it allows your girdle to stretch more. Football pants that contain spandex usually conform around the body with more ease. Luckily, some brands use up to four different stretch materials for ultimate comfort and flexibility.
Moisture-Wicking
You should consider moisture-wicking materials regardless of how much you’re actually sweating during games and practices. Sweating while playing can actually affect the quality of your performance.
To avoid this, you should go for pants that wick moisture and help you stay dry. Look for any additional technology included that you think might help if you sweat.
Bacteria are not only dangerous for you but can also ruin your girdle. Luckily, most quality pants have antimicrobial properties to prevent the growth of bacteria. This is critical if you play frequently and for several hours at the time.
Padding
Padding is critical as it’s what’s protecting you during high-impact. The reason you buy girdle is to protect yourself, so make sure to only consider a model with sufficient padding in the critical areas.
The first thing you should do is think about how much padding you need and where. The more padding means more protection, so this isn’t something you should overlook. Still, be careful because too much padding results in a bulky fit that might be uncomfortable.
Plastic is the most affordable option, but it might make you feel somewhat bulky. EVA foam is another option that seems a bit more popular since it’s shock-absorbing and not as bulky.
Ventilation
Ventilation is quite important since it improves comfort, especially during extended periods. In most cases, football girdles feature mesh vents incorporated to allow optimal ventilation.
It’s what cools you down during long-hour games and practices, so it’s a feature you should take seriously.
Seams
Seams aren’t something people tend to think about. In most cases, players don’t pay attention to this until it’s too late.
If a girdle has standard seams, those might cause abrasions and irritation. To avoid this, try to look for a girdle with flat seams since those are more comfortable and less irritating.
Versatility
If you’re playing multiple sports, you might want to consider a versatile model you can use in all of them. Lightweight and comfortable girdle is suitable for both football and basketball, so you don’t have to buy two separate models.
Sizing
Football shorts should be tight-fitting, but still comfortable and flexible. They shouldn’t limit your mobility and ability to move swiftly and quickly.
Most brands offer several sizes of each of their girdle models. In most cases, they also provide sizing charts allowing you to figure out which size would suit you the best.
Girdles are usually ergonomically designed, so having the right size is crucial for their performance. Finding the right size might be a bit tricky, which is why you should always consult with the sizing charts.
Maintenance
It’s quite normal for your pants and the rest of the equipment to get dirty after each game. Washing the pads by hand is a bit tedious, so you might want to consider those that are machine washable.
It’s much easier to wash them in a machine while it also saves you quite some time. While some can be tumble-dried, most pads can just air dry outside.
In most cases, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to washing and drying the particular girdle and pads you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do girdles come with pocket cups?
A pocket cup is one of the essential features you should look for. Luckily, most models come with insert cups for protection, but still, it varies from brand to brand.
Is a girdle necessary for football?
Though there aren’t any rules stating you must use girdle for football, most experts and pros recommend it. Most games are now more physical than ever, while the players are also stronger than they used to be.
For this reason, you should consider girdles to keep you protected, especially if you often play for hours on end.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a football player, you’ve probably at least heard of how important a quality girdle is. Not only it protects all your critical areas, but it helps with comfort and mobility.
Girdles are much more convenient than simple shorts, especially if you’re playing multiple sports where protective pads might come in handy.
Luckily, girdles are quite popular among professional players, so pretty much every major brand has come out with some. We’ve included the best that the market has to offer when it comes to durability and performance.
Use the information from our buyer’s guide to choose one of the football girdles we reviewed. We tried to keep our list versatile, so there’s definitely something for everyone.
