Always having the right gear and equipment in your backpack levels up your experience in any sport. Like only perfectly fitted gloves can help you throw the best punches; only a correctly chosen groin guard can ensure your genitals are protected.
The right boxing groin guard for you is the one that covers your genitals, sits snugly in place, and allows natural movement to your body without a pinch of itch. To ensure this, you must buy a groin protector made from durable materials like hard plastic or leather that can absorb forceful hits and an ideally applied foam padding to disperse the force. Modern boxing groin guards come in pairs with jockstraps or compression shorts to cater to every boxer and provide a personalized experience.
What are Groin Guards? Why are they Used in Boxing?
Boxers can train every part of their body to endure pain, but not the groin area. That is why every combat sport necessitates wearing appropriate groin guards in professional competitions and sparring training. These are specialized shorts made from durable materials like leather and foam padding with a hard plastic cup to protect your private parts. Groin guards sit atop your lower abdominal and genital region as a protective shield against accidental below-the-belt blows. Although the cups don’t prevent all of the pain, they do alleviate the danger of any serious or permanent injuries. The hard plastic cup and the leather material of the groin protectors endure the hit, and the foam padding disperses the force across your crotch, reducing extensive pain in a single region.
One intentional or accidental low blow to your unprotected groin can cause severe pain, internal bleeding, nerve damage, and, at worse, infertility in men. With such high risks, only those not concerned about preserving their future offspring will not wear a boxing groin guard.
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Types of Groin Protecting Guards in Boxing
While the male groin area is more prone to injury, the female anatomy is also sensitive and demands equal protection. Leading boxing equipment manufacturers and suppliers design groin guards for men and women to accommodate extensive movements during boxing competitions.
Men’s Groin Guards
The actual protection for your groin area, the boxing groin guard for men, consists of a durable hard plastic or steel cup topped with leather and foam padding that goes up to your waist. The cup’s design holds the male private parts in place during intense movements and prevents them from getting exposed. Boxing groin guards for men are usually bulkier due to the extra padding required to protect your testicles.
Women’s Groin Guards
Female boxers use the same type of groin guards used by men but with a slightly different design to cater to female anatomy. Women’s groin guards are designed to protect the pelvic region, mainly the lower abdomen and genital area. The guard is typically smaller and more ergonomic and does not require the protruding cup structure found in men’s guards. Instead, it uses padding and coverage that fits closely to the body to protect the external and internal reproductive organs.
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Groin Guard
Like any other apparel, these shields for your future also come in different styles, sizes, and fits, making it confusing to choose the right one. Check for the below given factors to find the perfect groin protection that not just performs, but lasts extended periods.
Info: Generally, your groin guard size is the same as your waist size, with slight variations in brand sizes.
Material Selection
When choosing the material for your boxing groin guards, you must maintain a perfect balance between comfort and protection. Considering your comfort, you can choose between the following:
- Leather Groin Guards with Foam Padding: Leading groin guard manufacturers and suppliers engineer their protective gear to the highest quality and functionality standards. Leather is known for its durability, flexibility, and long-lasting comfort, which, when matched with foam or gel padding, makes high-end groin guards that can endure the heaviest blows and stay in shape for several months. Leather naturally molds over time, adopting to your body’s shape, which ensures a custom fit and enhanced comfort as you continue to use it.
- Synthetic PU Leather Groin Guards: For someone looking for high-end comfort and durability at a lower cost than authentic leather groin protectors, synthetic leather is the perfect option. While not as long lasting and molding as pure leather, PU leather groin guards offer the best protection for beginners and are resistant to wear and tear. The best thing about these guards is their light weight which can improve mobility and reduce fatigue during long training sessions.
So, if you’re a professional fighter looking for the best gear, put a little extra burden on your pocket to ensure prime safety with leather groin guards. For casual fighters and beginners, synthetic leather groin guards provide the perfect balance. High-density foam or gel padding in both types ensures cushioning while maintaining flexibility.
Fit and Comfort
Boxing involves several intense movements only a focused mind can perform and counter. A loose-fitted or ill-sized groin guard will restrict your movements and cause irritation during competition. Follow the below instructions to ensure buying an ideally sized no-foul protector that provides complete protection, stays secure, and prevents chafing:
- Measure your Waist: As mentioned, your groin guard size is generally your regular waist size. Use a gauge tape to measure around your waist snugly but not too tight.
- Ensure Correct Cup Size: Modern groin guards come with hard plastic cups built in. Place the cup centered atop your genitals and check if it perfectly covers the area, disallowing any extra space for unnecessary movements. The cup should also have thick foam padding on the borders that comes in contact with your body.
- Check the Straps Size: Wear the groin guard like your regular shorts. The waist is made from leather (Synthetic or Original) on the front area to offer protection, while an elastic strap is attached to ensure a custom fit. Two elastic or nylon straps pass over your hips to keep the front pouch in place. Ensure that both the waist and back straps are custom fit to adjust to your size, not too loose that your genitals are exposed during competition, nor too tight to disallow natural movements.
If any of the above points show a red signal, immediately replace the groin guard with a perfectly sized one.
Protection and Coverage
While genitals are the major area of coverage for the groin guard, many newer models are designed to protect your lower abdomen and kidneys from unintentional hits during sparring.
- Lower Abdomen and Hip Coverage: Some groin guards extend their protection area beyond the groin to cover the lower abdomen and hips, ensuring that the boxer is protected from strikes that hit just above the genitals but still pose a risk.
- Kidney Protection: Higher-end models of boxing groin guards include kidney protection through additional padding that wraps around the lower back, guarding vital organs from significant damage. While this extra coverage can make the guard bulkier, it is especially beneficial during intense bouts where body shots are common.
Among these protection options, you may choose the one that fits your physique perfectly and allows natural body movement. One thing to check is the padding; ensure that the additional coverage area is padded with foam or gel padding for the best shock absorption and dispersion.
Breathability and Flexibility
Boxing sessions can be intense, with fighters often spending extended periods in training or competition. Without proper airflow, the area under the groin guard can become hot and sweaty, leading to discomfort, irritation, and rashes. To cater to longer durations, your groin guard must have ventilation atop the premium materials.
Many modern groin guards for boxers have air vents or perforations in the protective cup to allow airflow, reduce heat buildup, and make the guard more comfortable to wear over extended periods. Check for this feature before buying a groin guard to avoid irritation or infection.
How to Choose Between Different Styles of Groin Protection?
Some people feel comfortable in zipper jeans while others prefer the button closure; some prefer wearing belts while others don’t. Same is the case with boxing groin guards. Different brands and manufacturers design no foul protectors in customized styles while maintaining the major functionalities.
- Velcro strips
- Lace-up closures
- Elastic straps
Although it is upon personal comfort and style preferences to choose the best closure style, lace-up closures are the most long lasting and offer the best custom fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Groin Guards Go Over or Under the Boxing Shorts?
The best practice is to wear groin guards directly on your body, below the boxing shorts to it to stay in place and provide prime protection. Wearing above the shorts might cause the groin guard to slip from its position.
Can a Poorly Fitting Groin Guard Cause Injury during Boxing?
A groin guard that doesn’t fit properly can shift during movement, exposing sensitive areas to potential injury.
Are Groin Guards Uncomfortable?
Groin guards can feel uncomfortable if they are not fitted correctly. A perfectly sized guard should feel snug and allow you to move freely without discomfort.
How are Female Groin Guards Different from Male Guards?
Women’s groin guards are designed to protect the lower abdomen and genital area. Instead of the protruding cup structure found in men’s guards, female guards use padding and coverage to protect the external and internal reproductive organs.
Why are Boxing Groin Guards So Big?
Boxing groin guards are large, providing complete protection for the groin and lower abdomen. The size helps absorb and distribute impact from punches or kicks, preventing serious injuries.
What Materials are Best for Groin Guards?
Hard plastic, steel, or polycarbonate cups offer the most protection, while soft foam or gel padding on the inside provides the best shock absorption.