How to Wear a Jockstrap

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Last Updated: May 8, 2024 Fact Checked

A jockstrap consists of a waistband, usually elastic, as well as a support pouch for the genitals. They were developed almost 150 years ago for bicyclists. Nowadays, they are used for support and comfort during a variety of sports, often with the addition of a cup for added protection. Increasingly, fashion jockstraps are also worn as an everyday replacement for more traditional underwear.

Things You Should Know

Choose a jockstrap that's snug enough to support your genitals but loose enough to not chafe.
Get a cup-style jockstrap if you play a sport with plenty of speeding projectiles, like hockey, football, and soccer.
Wear a comfortable jockstrap as a stylish alternative to your usual underwear.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Wearing a Jockstrap for Sports

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A jockstrap is recommended for any sport that requires running, such as track and field or basketball. For contact sports or sports involving fast-moving balls, a cup is also recommended.
You will want to consider waist size and pouch comfort. The jockstrap should be tight enough to lift and hold the penis and testicles close to the body, out of the way during movement, but not too tight, as chafing can contribute to jock itch.

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Decide if you will be wearing a cup. A cup is a hard molded piece of plastic or metal that fits inside of a pouch in the jock strap.^{[1]
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Research source} They are recommended for any sport involving contact or speeding projectiles, such as hockey, soccer, baseball, football, or mixed martial arts. Some men wear a cup-jockstrap in daily wear, not just when playing sports, to augment their masculine appearance.
- Many athletes are reluctant to wear cups, particularly in football,^{[2]
  X
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source} but consider that more than half of all testicular injuries occur during sports and ^{[3]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
  
  Go to source} testicular torsion and testicular rupture can lead to losing a testicle.
Gain guidance lacking from father figures. "Not having a present father or mentors growing up left me clueless about even basic things like jockstraps. Asking another guy felt too awkward. I appreciated how this article filled those knowledge gaps no one talks about, covering proper fit, sports protection, fashion choices, and more. The visuals also helped demystify things. Content like this supports youth without supportive role models." - Randy M.

Find the right fit for your lifestyle. "I was embarrassed by the visible jockstrap lines under my slim jeans. Unsure what options might work better, I found great tips here on stealthier fabrics and contours appropriate for tight pants. The recommendations like snug pouches and multiple slim straps solved my fashion woe without the shame of asking male friends. I'm set for subtle but stylish support!" - Anthony O.

Overcome barriers to essential discussions. "Even into adulthood, there's a lingering taboo around men openly discussing health topics like athletic cups and underwear. We're expected to just figure these things out alone. This judgment-free guide felt like a safe space to learn about options I was hesitant to ask anyone face-to-face about. The straightforward talk empowers guys to get informed without shame." - Aiden M.

Cut through embarrassment for clear advice. "When I realized I needed guidance on jockstraps but felt weird breaching the subject with friends, this tutorial offered the perfect solution. Without any preamble, it jumped straight into no-nonsense guidance on sport and fashion choices, proper fit, and care. Short, shame-free, and functional — exactly what boys need but can't request out loud." - Kelvin R.

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Choose your cup. Many cups are sport specific, so you’ll need to know the sport you are going to use it for.^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} You will want to consider both comfort and the degree of protection the cup offers.
- For a cup to work, it must fit tightly against the body. You will want to make sure your jockstrap is tight enough to prevent the cup from rolling or twisting.
- Look for cups with cushioned edges. A hard edge will just transfer the force of the blow to the pelvic area. A soft edge provides better cushioning during impact.^{[5]
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  Cleveland Clinic
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  Go to source}
- For really fast moving sports like lacrosse or baseball, consider a titanium cup.^{[6]
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  Cleveland Clinic
  Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
  
  Go to source}
Consider wearing compression shorts over your cup-jockstrap if you think the cup- jockstrap fits too loose and does not hold the cup tight enough against your body. Compression shorts offer similar support as a jockstrap, and some compression shorts come with a pouch designed to hold a protective cup, but many compression shorts that have a pouch do not hold the cup tight against the body. It is better to wear a cup in a cup-jockstrap and then wear tight fitting compression shorts over the cup-jockstrap to hold the cup firmly in place and tight against the body. In many sports such as football, compression shorts are now preferred by many athletes. But remember always that the cup must be held firmly in place and tight against the body for it function properly.^{[7]
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Michigan Medicine
The University of Michigan's medical center, which provides patient care, supports research, and educates the public on health topics

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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Wearing a Jockstrap for Fashion

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Increasingly, men are turning to jockstraps as an everyday form of underwear due to their comfort and attractiveness.
Jockstraps are usually sized by waist. You will want to try several to make sure your genitals are also comfortable. Unlike in sports, you do not need to worry about how close they hold your genitals to your body. Pick a jockstrap that you find most comfortable.
Fashion jockstraps don’t just come in the typical waist band, pouch and two straps style that typifies sports jockstraps. Some have thicker straps or multiple straps, while others have more material to help shape your buttocks.
Like other kinds of underwear, fashion jockstraps come in a variety of materials: cotton, mesh, silk and even fur!^{[8]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

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Fashion jockstraps come in a variety of shapes, including snug, contour and natural.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} Some even come with plastic cups for “aesthetic enhancement.”
35% of men say they buy their underwear in order to show off the brand peeking out from the waist of their pants. Consider popular fashion brands like Jack Adams, Nasty Pig, N2N, Modus Vivendi, Pump! And Baskit.^{[10]
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PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

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Warning

Especially for jockstraps worn during sports, be sure to wash them after every use to avoid jock itch. You can wash a jockstrap in the washing machine. If using a cup, wash it with soap and water after each use.