Whether to wear boxers or briefs is the age-old question, but a third option, the jockstrap, is mostly overlooked. Jockstraps have been around since the 19th century, originally called the 'bicycle jockey', designed as upfront support for cyclists when pedalling over cobblestoned streets, and later used by men to protect themselves during contact sports.
Since then jockstraps have been reclaimed by the gay community, worn as a fashion accessory or a kink. However, jockstraps have a wide audience with men of all sexualities wearing a strap for sports, as part of their lifestyle or just to comfortably keep everything in place! This guide features a top ten of our favourite jockstraps available across Amazon, eBay and ASOS, for a functional pouch that'll have you looking and feeling your best.
You may have worn a jockstrap before or you might be totally new to the concept, but either way, it can help to have a strong idea of exactly what you're looking for. In this guide, we'll touch upon when and why you might want to wear a jockstrap, the style, size, and materials it will be made from, and how whether you'd like one or a multipack.
As mentioned above, jockstraps are worn for various purposes and reasons, so think about where you'll wear yours before buying. If it'll be worn during sports or exercise, consider buying a jockstrap specifically designed for athletics or including features such as a wide, stretchy belt for both support and ease of movement and a pouch made of a supportive yet breathable fabric.
For a fashion or lifestyle buy, it's all about your personal preferences and what makes you feel good, and there are lots of options out there for jockstraps in bright colours and designs. For jocks to impress, think Calvin Klein or Diesel, as any high calibre brand is often featured on the material.
A jockstrap can also keep you feeling supported day-to-day and there are products that make perfect basics featuring subtle designs in black, bottle green, or white. Branding may not be as important to you when looking for everyday underwear but comfort will be, and there are plenty of reasonably priced and form-fitting jockstraps on sites like ASOS.
The standard jockstrap design features a belt around your waist connected to a pouch, with straps on either side of your hips that connect underneath your rear. The standard style is popular because it offers unparalleled support, freedom, and comfort, but there are a couple of other variations on the style which may be of interest too.
The 'brief jock' is a jockstrap that is shaped like a pair of briefs on the front, instead of the classic and more compact pouch, which also has the usual straps on either side that connect underneath and leaves your seat bare. This could be a good option if you're new to wearing a jockstrap and want something a little more familiar, but regular jockstrap wearers might find the extra coverage to be restrictive.
Another option is the thonged back jock. Slightly blurring the line between a standard jockstrap and a thong, it has the belt and compact pouch but a thong strap to the back. Some will find it more comfortable and others more annoying, but thonged back jocks are usually more simply designed and affordable if you choose to go for that option.
One of the many great things about the jockstrap is that being a piece of sports equipment, it usually comes in a very inclusive and wide range of sizes. ASOS are some of the best when it comes to inclusive sizing, offering men's underwear from 2XS-4XL, and Amazon generally goes from small to XXL too.
Accessible and inclusive, wearing a jockstrap works for all shapes and sizes. We think this is a really helpful factor when it comes to choosing a strap for support.
There are many different materials used to make jockstraps such as; cotton, polyester, polyamide, nylon, rubber, and elastane. Many options are made from a blend of 95% cotton and elastane, which perfectly combines the hypoallergenic, breathable qualities of cotton with a bit of stretch and flexibility.
For a natural and more sustainable option go for organic cotton or BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton which strives to make cotton production better for the people who produce it and better for the environment it grows in.
Sports-focused jockstraps are often made from blends with can include polyester, polyamide, nylon, or rubber. Polyamide is durable and stretchy, nylon is strong and tough yet lightweight, whereas polyester is moisture resistant and breathable — so all three synthetics make good fabrics for sports. Rubber is sometimes used in fabric blends that make the pouch, as it provides a more protective material.
If you're new to the game, you're probably in the market for just one jockstrap, so you can take the time to get used to the style and feel. However, if you're already sold on its benefits it's relatively easy to find multipacks of three, four or more across eCommerce sites.
Buying a multipack can make your purchase cheaper and better value, especially for sports-focused jockstraps that are more expensive than the basic, everyday ones. Another benefit of being a multipack is that they often come in assorted colours, to add a bit of fun to regular wear.
Now we've got the important points out of the way, it's time to take a look at our top ten favourite jockstraps. From a Nike strap or a classic pair from Calvin Klein to picks from Arjen Kroos or JOCKMAIL, we're sure you'll find a jockstrap to suit match your needs.
£7.00
Best Suited To | Everyday wear |
---|---|
Style | Brief jock |
Sizes Available | 2XS-XL |
Material(s) | 92% polyester, 8% elastane |
Quantity | 1 |
3 Pack
£15.00
Best Suited To | Everyday wear |
---|---|
Style | Thong jock |
Sizes Available | 2XS-XL |
Material(s) | 95% cotton, 5% elastane |
Quantity | 3 |
£9.50
Best Suited To | Fashion, lifestyle |
---|---|
Style | Low rise, supportive pouch |
Sizes Available | S-XXL |
Material(s) | 95% cotton, 5% elastane |
Quantity | 1 |
£6.00
Best Suited To | Everyday wear, lifestyle |
---|---|
Style | Standard, leg straps |
Sizes Available | 2XS-4XL |
Material(s) | 95% cotton, 5% elastane |
Quantity | 1 |
4 Pack
£15.99
Best Suited To | Everyday, lifestyle, sports |
---|---|
Style | Standard, stretchy |
Sizes Available | M-XXL |
Material(s) | 95% cotton, 5% elastane |
Quantity | 4 |
£7.80
Best Suited To | Lifestyle, sports |
---|---|
Style | Wide belt, snug fit |
Sizes Available | M-XXL |
Material(s) | 67% polyamide, 20% cotton, 13% elastane |
Quantity | 1 |
3 Pack
£31.00
Best Suited To | Fashion, lifestyle, everyday |
---|---|
Style | Snug fit |
Sizes Available | S-XXL |
Material(s) | - |
Quantity | 3 |
£10.99
Best Suited To | Sports, lifestyle |
---|---|
Style | Wide waistband, supportive |
Sizes Available | S-XL |
Material(s) | Polyester, nylon, rubber, cotton |
Quantity | 1 |
3 Pack
£27.00
Best Suited To | Everyday, sports, lifestyle, fashion |
---|---|
Style | Stretchy, snug fit |
Sizes Available | XS-XL |
Material(s) | 95% cotton, 5% elastane |
Quantity | 3 |
£26.00
Best Suited To | Fashion, lifestyle, everyday |
---|---|
Style | Stretchy, snug fit |
Sizes Available | S-XL |
Material(s) | 91% polyamide, 9% elastane |
Quantity | 1 |
Image | 1 ![]() Calvin Klein | 2 ![]() Nike | 3 ![]() Arjen Kroos | 4 ![]() Diesel | 5 ![]() JOCKMAIL | 6 ![]() Summer Code | 7 ![]() ASOS DESIGN | 8 ![]() Arjen Kroos | 9 ![]() ASOS DESIGN | 10 ![]() ASOS DESIGN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Contrast Waistband Jockstrap | Cotton Stretch Jockstraps | Athletic Supporter Jockstrap | Umbr-Jocky Boxer Briefs | Athletic Jockstrap | Cotton Jockstrap | Jockstrap With Leg Strap | Low Rise Jockstrap | Jockstraps | Brief Jock |
Features | Cool, Clean and Stylish | A Set of High-Quality, Sporty Basics | Well Equipped for Sports, Exercise and Fitness | A Go-to Brand for Underwear With Sex Appeal | Boasting Stretch, Good Moisture Absorption and Quick Drying | Summer Stripes Made With Sports in Mind | A Strappy Little Number in Black | Breathable Cotton With Excellent Moisture Wicking Abilities | Responsibly Made From BCI Cotton | A Brief Style Jockstrap in Monochrome Print |
Price | £26.00 | £27.00 | £10.99 | £31.00 | £7.80 | £15.99 | £6.00 | £9.50 | £15.00 | £7.00 |
Best Suited To | Fashion, lifestyle, everyday | Everyday, sports, lifestyle, fashion | Sports, lifestyle | Fashion, lifestyle, everyday | Lifestyle, sports | Everyday, lifestyle, sports | Everyday wear, lifestyle | Fashion, lifestyle | Everyday wear | Everyday wear |
Style | Stretchy, snug fit | Stretchy, snug fit | Wide waistband, supportive | Snug fit | Wide belt, snug fit | Standard, stretchy | Standard, leg straps | Low rise, supportive pouch | Thong jock | Brief jock |
Sizes Available | S-XL | XS-XL | S-XL | S-XXL | M-XXL | M-XXL | 2XS-4XL | S-XXL | 2XS-XL | 2XS-XL |
Material(s) | 91% polyamide, 9% elastane | 95% cotton, 5% elastane | Polyester, nylon, rubber, cotton | - | 67% polyamide, 20% cotton, 13% elastane | 95% cotton, 5% elastane | 95% cotton, 5% elastane | 95% cotton, 5% elastane | 95% cotton, 5% elastane | 92% polyester, 8% elastane |
Quantity | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Link |
If you're here because you're on the lookout for the best sports and fitness items, then you've indeed come to the right place. We've ranked some other great athletics-related products for maximum gains, at the gym, on the field, or in the ring!
Whether you're casually browsing the internet or purposely looking for the perfect jockstrap, we hope we've found this article useful and enlightening. You may have thought of the jockstrap as a niche item, but as you can see, it's actually a versatile underwear choice to help you level up your sports performance, everyday comfort or just to feel great.
Household goods
PC and cameras
Home appliances and electronics
Cosmetics and skincare
Health
Food and drinks
Kitchen supplies
Clothing
Shoes
Accessories
Kids and baby
Interior and furniture
Hobbies
Outdoor
DIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Pets
Books, CDs, DVDs
Games
Cars and motorcycles
Gifts
Housing equipment and renovation
Travel
Smartphones and mobile phones
Music
Smartphone applications