Jockstraps provide support and stability for men’s genitalia during sports or strenuous activities. They have elastic waistbands and leg bands, with some including a protective cup. Jockstraps date back to the late 19th century and have evolved into modern jockey-style underwear. Some men still wear traditional jockstraps for sports, while others prefer jockey briefs or boxer briefs.
An athletic jockstrap or supporter is an undergarment that many men wear while playing sports or doing other strenuous activities. The main purpose of a traditional jockstrap is to provide stability and support for the wearer’s genitalia. Without a jockstrap or other form of supportive underwear, a man could experience painful tearing or stretching of the testicles, for example. An athletic buff suspends the wearer’s genitalia securely, minimizing shifting under stress. This is why many physical education instructors strongly urge their male students to wear jockstraps in addition to any other protective or compression gear.
Jockstraps have elastic waistbands similar to other men’s underwear, but the front pocket is designed to provide a very snug fit. The user places their legs through two elastic bands, which are not attached to the waist. The wearer may have the option of placing a plastic protective cup in a special pouch built into the front of certain types of jockstraps. Others may wear bike shorts, wrestling units, or compression shorts over sports support. The padded jockstrap not only provides protection against chafing, but also provides modesty for the wearer.
The term jockstrap dates back to the late 19th century, when various sportswear designers produced the first supportive undergarments for “cyclists,” cyclists who often suffered twisting injuries while riding city streets. Other athletes soon discovered the advantages of wearing jockey straps, and the name was shortened over time to the modern jockstrap. The concept of wearing protective pieces over one’s genitals dates back to medieval pieces and ancient loincloths, but these devices were not necessarily suitable for sporting events.
Some men prefer to wear jockstraps under baggy boxer shorts to reduce chafing and avoid the dangers of “free range.” In response to this demand for more supportive underwear, men’s underwear manufacturers have introduced jockey style underwear. Modern underwear or jockey briefs feature the same type of support and compression as traditional jockstraps. The most traditional form of jockey undergarment is perhaps the so-called off-white tight, a white cotton brief with an elastic band and two leg openings for the wearer. Form-fitting whiteys provide full front and back coverage, as well as the same supportive qualities of traditional jockstraps.
Other styles of jockey underwear include the boxer brief, a brief with extended leg holes, and the bike short, a compression undergarment with a mid-thigh leg cut. With the success of jockey-style undergarments, many men have largely abandoned the routine use of a supportive support strap, unless it is considered an essential part of a sports uniform. Some physical education instructors may also require the use of a jockstrap to prevent injury during school-sponsored competitions or sports classes.
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