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What Are the Different Types of Sports Underwear?

Dan Cavallari
Dan Cavallari

Sports underwear may be designed for a specific sport, or it may be designed more generically for several types of athletic activities. Generally speaking, sports underwear can be divided into two categories: lightweight summer underwear and heavier winter weight underwear. The garments may include both tops and bottoms, and the materials used to construct the underwear can vary according to the type of sport and the requirements for movement, warmth, cooling, wicking, and so on. The cost of the underwear can vary as well, especially if the underwear has special features that may require extra material.

Very often, sports underwear is designed to be breathable. This means the fabrics are moisture-wicking. Synthetic materials are often used to allow moisture to escape, keeping the skin dry and comfortable during athletic activities. In warm weather, this can prevent chafing and overheating, and in cool weather, it can prevent a drop in body temperature. Moisture wicking materials are usually lightweight synthetics that fit close to the skin, which is good for avoiding a bunching up of materials that can lead to chafing. Synthetic sports underwear does have a tendency to collect body odor quickly, however, and this may linger even after the garments have been washed numerous times.

Some baseball players wear sliding shorts for added protection in games.
Some baseball players wear sliding shorts for added protection in games.

Sometimes the sports underwear is designed for a specific sport. Baseball sliding shorts, for example, are meant to be worn as underwear, but they are also designed to protect the user from cuts and scrapes after sliding into a base. Underwear designed for males may even include a pouch in which a protective cup can be inserted for additional safety. These types of shorts are sometimes considered compression shorts because they fit tightly against the body and can even help support the muscles of the legs.

Some male athletes wear underwear that allows for the placement of a protective cup.
Some male athletes wear underwear that allows for the placement of a protective cup.

Cold weather sports require heavier weight sports underwear that are moisture-wicking for comfort and thicker for warmth. Sometimes the underwear is even designed for wind resistance; this is useful for high speed sports such as skiing. The underwear used for winter sports is full-length, meaning sleeves extend down to the wrists and pant legs down to the ankles. Natural fibers can be used for such underwear, but synthetics are usually preferred because synthetic fabrics tend to be comfortable and quick-drying. The garments can then be dried out and re-used without the need of a washer and dryer. Backpackers and mountaineers benefit from such convenience, since they are likely to be away from such amenities for extended periods of time.

Discussion Comments

whiteplane

If you are going to get serious about riding a bike for long distances, you really have to wear padded riding shorts.

These are special made shorts that have two pieces of padding in the butt. As any rider will tell you, even if you have the greatest seat in the world your butt is going to get sore on a long ride. Adding a little extra padding goes a long way.

You can find these shorts in most sports and bikes stores. They are relatively inexpensive and they also offer all the normal advantages of bike shorts. I think they are really a must have for serious riders.

truman12

I am a man, and for my money the best sports underwear are boxer briefs.

They stay tight to the skin so they won't bunch up under your shorts and pants. They are also tight to provide a little "support" as you are running around. Finally, since they catch and absorb a lot of the sweat coming off your back, your legs do not get as sweaty and you don't have that unpleasant feeling of sweat trickling down your legs.

The greatest part is that they are cheap and easy to find. There is nothing special about this type of underwear, it just works really well.

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    • Some baseball players wear sliding shorts for added protection in games.
      By: llandrea
      Some baseball players wear sliding shorts for added protection in games.
    • Some male athletes wear underwear that allows for the placement of a protective cup.
      By: ILYA AKINSHIN
      Some male athletes wear underwear that allows for the placement of a protective cup.
    • Sports underwear may be designed for a specific sport.
      By: ViewApart
      Sports underwear may be designed for a specific sport.