Football Girdles for Every Position and Level
A football girdle keeps pads securely in place through every cut, block, and tackle, making it a go-to choice for players at all levels who want protection without sacrificing speed. Sports Unlimited stocks football girdles and padded compression shorts from Nike, Riddell, and our own Sports Unlimited line, sized for youth and adult athletes.
Youth Football Girdles: Designed for younger athletes, these girdles provide a lightweight fit built for smaller frames. The Sports Unlimited Youth 5 Pad Integrated Football Girdle 2.0 and Sports Unlimited Omaha Youth 7 Pad Integrated Football Girdle offer reliable lower-body protection in a low-profile build that holds up through long practices.
Adult Football Girdles: High school and college players face harder hits and longer seasons. The Sports Unlimited Adult 5 Pad Integrated Football Girdle 2.0 and Nike Pro HyperStrong Men's Football Girdle add denser padding and a snug compression fit for competitive play.
5-Pad and 7-Pad Football Girdles
The pad count tells you how much lower-body coverage a girdle provides. Most builds include hip protection with tailbone and thigh pads built into the shell, with coverage increasing depending on the model. Choose the configuration based on position and the level of contact you expect.
5-Pad Girdle: A 5-pad football girdle is the standard girdle build, with two hip pads, a tailbone pad, and two thigh pads. The Sports Unlimited Adult 5 Pad Integrated Football Girdle 2.0 covers the core impact zones and works well for skill positions that prioritize mobility.
7-Pad Girdle: A 7-pad girdle adds two knee pads to the standard girdle, giving players additional padding for fuller lower-body coverage. The Sports Unlimited Adult 7 Pad Integrated Football Girdle - Flex Thigh Pads and Sports Unlimited Omaha Adult 7 Pad Integrated Football Girdle suit linemen and other skilled players who take repeated contact at the thigh and knee.
Hard and Flex Thigh Pads
Thigh pads come in two styles, and the right pick depends on how much protection and flexibility a player wants.
Hard Thigh Pads: Hard-shell thigh guards spread impact across a rigid plate for maximum protection at the point of contact. The Sports Unlimited Adult 7 Pad Integrated Football Girdle - Hard Thigh Pads pairs that coverage with built-in padding at the hips and tailbone pads at the seat.
Flex Thigh Pads: Flex pads bend with the leg for a more natural range of motion. The Sports Unlimited Adult 7 Pad Integrated Football Girdle - Flex Thigh Pads gives skill players cushioning that moves with them.
Padded Compression Shorts and Tights
Not every player needs a full football girdle. Padded compression shorts and tights offer targeted lower-body protection in a lighter, more flexible layer, ideal for players who want minimal bulk without sacrificing coverage.
Padded Football Shorts: The Nike Pro HyperStrong Men's Padded Football Shorts 2.0 and Nike Pro HyperStrong Boom Men's Football Shorts integrate hip, thigh, and tailbone padding into a compression short design for players who want protection without a full pad set.
Hardplate Shorts and Tights: For a firmer layer of protection, the Nike Pro Hyperstrong Hardplate Men's Football Shorts 2.0 and Hardplate Football Tights 2.0 feature a hard-plate shell over the thighs. The Nike Pro HyperStrong Men's 3/4 Length Football Tights extend compression coverage down the leg, while the Nike Pro Hyperstrong Youth Hardplate Football Shorts 2.0 bring the same protection to younger players.
Choosing the Right Football Girdle
A few key features determine which football girdle is best.
Fit and Compression: The right girdle sits snug against the body so the pads stay put. A compression fit made from moisture-wicking fabric also pulls moisture off the skin and moves with the athlete instead of bunching, which adds comfort over a long game.
Cup Pocket: Some girdles include a built-in cup pocket that holds a protective cup in place. Check product details if that protection is needed for the position.
Pad Configuration: Hip and tailbone pads come standard on every girdle. A 5-pad girdle provides lighter coverage, while a 7-pad girdle adds knee protection for more complete coverage. Linemen often prefer the extra padding, while skill players typically choose a lighter setup.
Top Football Girdle Brands
Sports Unlimited carries the brands that players and coaches trust.
Sports Unlimited: Our own line, including the Omaha integrated girdles, delivers a full, lightweight pad set at a lower price point, with youth and adult sizing across 5-pad and 7-pad builds.
Nike: The Nike Pro HyperStrong line pairs padded compression shorts and tights with a tailored compression fit preferred by skill players.
Riddell: The Riddell Adult Power Wt Padded Football Girdle brings a trusted helmet-and-pads brand to the girdle category.
Why Buy Football Girdles From Sports Unlimited?
Sports Unlimited has outfitted players, coaches, and teams since 1983.
In Stock and Ready to Ship: Every girdle is in stock and ships the same day when ordered before 3 p.m. ET. Many orders qualify for free two-day shipping, so your gear arrives before game day.
Sizing Help When You Need It: Our girdles fit players across skill levels, and a quick measurement points most players to the right option. Use the size chart on each product page to match measurements to the right fit before you purchase, or reach out to our team for a recommendation.
Complete Your Setup: Sports Unlimited is your one-stop shop for football gear and protective equipment. Pair your girdle with football pants, shoulder pads, and other game-day gear to finish the setup, backed by free two-day shipping on qualifying orders.