Football is an exciting, high-impact sport that necessitates extra protection. One essential piece of protective football gear is a set of hip pads. If you want to complete your football equipment with hip pads, check out this buying guide to find the right ones.
Find your football hip pads
- Best padded girdle for performance: Under Armour GameDay 5-Pad Compression Girdle
- Best seven-pad girdle: CHAMPRO Man-Up 7-Pad Integrated Adult Football Girdle
- Best moisture-wicking padded girdle: McDavid Compression Padded Shorts with Hex Pads
- Best machine-washable padded girdle: TUOY Padded Compression Short Football Girdle
- Best lightweight padded girdle: Sports Unlimited Omaha Integrated Football Girdle
- Best football girdle with high-rise hip pads: Adams High Rise All-in-One Football Girdle
- Best value padded girdle: Exxact Sports Rebel 5-Pad Adult Football Girdle
- Best anti-microbial padded girdle: Cramer Classic 5-Pad Football Girdle
- Best padded girdle with cup pocket: CHAMPRO Tri-Flex Integrated Adult Football Girdle
- Best slotted hip pad set: Schutt Sports HD Hip and Tailbone 3-Piece Football Pad Set
- Best slip-in hip pads: G-Form Slip-In Hip Pads
- Best lightweight pad set: Authentic Sports Catalyst Pro Football Pad Set
- Best integrated football pants: Cramer Football Game Pants
- Best youth football girdle: Schutt ProTech Varsity All-in-One Football Girdle
- Best integrated youth football pants: Adidas Youth Climalite Audible Football Pants
How to choose football hip pads
Check out these tips to find the proper hip protection for playing gridiron football.
Type
There are two main options when it comes to football hip protection. The most common type of hip pad is part of an integrated girdle. These compression shorts also feature thigh and tailbone pads, and some have knee protection. The hip pads and other padding are sewn into flexible compression shorts, allowing players to move easily while staying protected.
Slip-in hip pads are the second most common option for hip protection. These hip pads are ergonomically shaped to fit players’ hips and either slide in or attach to slots in the fabric of a football girdle.
You could also choose traditional football game day pads with integrated padding. This padding option is typically bulkier than other hip pad options but offers complete coverage protection.
Protection
No matter which style of hip pad you choose, look for a high-quality product that can help keep you safe. The best football pads are made from durable foam that absorbs the impact of hard hits and falls. By choosing a product from a trusted manufacturer and reading reviews, you can best determine the level of protection each set of hip pads offers.
Flexibility
Finding a balance between safety and performance can be challenging in full-contact sports such as football. The more padding a player has, the harder it can be for them to move freely. By selecting ergonomically shaped pads that move with your body, you can help reduce the impact of padding on your performance.
Breathability
Staying comfortable throughout a practice or game is essential for playing at your best. With breathable, moisture-wicking pads, you can stay drier and feel better on the field. Breathability, along with anti-microbial material, also helps reduce odor.
15 hip pads for every football player
Approximately 10% of all football injuries are hip injuries. With one of these options, you can help prevent long-lasting hip damage and play with confidence.
1. Under Armour GameDay 5-Pad Compression Girdle
- Best padded girdle for performance
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Youth and adult sizes S to 3XL
These GameDay football shorts combine performance fabric from Under Armour and McDavid’s FlexAir padding for the ultimate integrated pad protection system. This five-pad football girdle has multi-directional flex padding that protects players’ hips, thighs, and tailbones without limiting their range of motion. In addition, the shorts feature Under Armour’s Moisture Transfer System, which wicks away sweat, and mesh panels for additional ventilation.
2. CHAMPRO Man-Up 7-Pad Integrated Adult Football Girdle
- Best seven-pad girdle
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Adult sizes S to 3XL
The bestselling CHAMPRO Man-Up integrated football girdle is another excellent option for protecting your hips while playing football. This seven-pad girdle has a built-in tail pad, knee pads, hip pads, and hard shell thigh guards for complete lower body protection. There is even a cup pocket where athletes can insert their own cups for added security. The CHAMPRO Man-Up football girdle is made from a poly-spandex blend with four-way stretch and high compression.
3. McDavid Compression Padded Shorts with Hex Pads
- Best moisture-wicking padded girdle
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Adult sizes S to 3XL
The McDavid Hex Pad compression shorts are a multi-sport padding option perfect for football players. These padded compression shorts have hex foam pads that contour to players’ hips, tailbones, and thighs without restricting motion. They feature comfortable flatlock seams and are moisture-wicking and breathable thanks to McDavid’s hDc Moisture Technology. After practice, you can easily machine wash these shorts so you’re always fresh on the field.
4. TUOY Padded Compression Short Football Girdle
- Best machine-washable padded girdle
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Adult sizes S to 3X
For padding technology that absorbs over 95% of impact, check out the TUOY contact sport compression shorts. These field-tested compression shorts have 9mm foam padding on the thighs, hips, and tailbone for superior lower body protection. They are also made from a breathable fabric blend that helps keep you cool on hot days and warm in cold weather. The TUOY football girdle also stays in place while you move and is conveniently machine washable.
5. Sports Unlimited Omaha Integrated Football Girdle
- Best lightweight padded girdle
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Adult sizes S to 4X
Protective gear that won’t wear you down is essential for playing your best. The Sports Unlimited Omaha football girdle is a lightweight solution designed to be worn under football pants. It’s made from high-quality compression fabric with added padding around the hips, thighs, knees, and tailbone for keeping gridiron players safe. There is also a cup pocket, so players looking for extra protection can add a cup.
6. Adams High Rise All-in-One Football Girdle
- Best football girdle with high-rise hip pads
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Adult sizes S to XXL
The Adams High-Rise football girdle offers all-in-one protection for players’ lower bodies. It has integrated spine and thigh pads along with full high-rise hip pads. These pads are perforated for better ventilation and sewn into anti-microbial performance fabric. This football girdle also offers compression stretch that moves with your body and helps prevent strain and sore muscles.
7. Exxact Sports Rebel 5-Pad Adult Football Girdle
- Best value padded girdle
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Adult sizes S to 4X
The Exxact Sports Rebel football girdle is another excellent selection with integrated hip, thigh, and tailbone pads. This football girdle is made from high-quality compression material for a secure and comfortable fit. There is a cup pocket for optional crotch protection, and the hip and tail pads are perforated for breathability. These compression shorts also have a plush inner lining and a wide elastic waistband for long-term comfort.
8. Cramer Classic 5-Pad Football Girdle
- Best anti-microbial padded girdle
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Adult sizes S to XL
The Cramer Classic five-pad girdle is specially designed to keep players comfortable while offering protection from injury. This girdle features perforated EVA pads at the tailbone and on the hips for breathable security and hard plastic at the thighs for extra protection. The shorts are made from an anti-microbial and moisture-wicking polyester and spandex blend with an elastomer waistband.
9. CHAMPRO Tri-Flex Integrated Adult Football Girdle
- Best padded girdle with cup pocket
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Adult sizes S to 4XL
The CHAMPRO Tri-Flex girdle is a comfortable padding option that moves with players’ bodies. Featuring low-profile pads, this girdle is incredibly flexible for a better range of motion on the field. The contoured thigh pads have rigid plastic shock plates, while the ventilated hip pads rise above the waist for added protection. This football girdle is also made from four-way stretch fabric and features an optional cup pocket.
10. Schutt Sports HD Hip and Tailbone 3-Piece Football Pad Set
- Best slotted hip pad set
- Slotted hip pads and tailbone pad
- One size
If you’re looking for a simple set of slotted hip pads, the Schutt Sports HD set is a great choice. This three-pad set includes two slotted hip pads and a slotted tailbone pad you can attach with a belt or slip into a football girdle. They’re made from high-density EVA foam with quilted channels on the back for added airflow behind the pads.
11. G-Form Slip-In Hip Pads
- Best slip-in hip pads
- Slip-in football hip pads
- Two sizes: S/M and L/XL
Players looking for a low-profile solution for hip protection should consider these slip-in pads by G-Form. The lightweight pads are made from SmartFlex material that hardens on impact yet stays flexible while you move. In addition, silicone grippers on the back of each pad keep them from shifting inside your girdle pocket, and they’re ventilated for added comfort and dryness.
12. Authentic Sports Catalyst Pro Football Pad Set
- Best lightweight pad set
- Slotted hip pads and tailbone pad
- One size
Check out the Authentic Sports Catalyst Pro pad set for simple, lightweight protection for your hips and tailbone. This three-pad set includes two slotted hip pads and a slotted tailbone pad that players can easily slip onto a belt or into a football girdle. The pads are specially molded to fit players’ bodes ergonomically and have a textured backside for added breathability.
13. Cramer Football Game Pants
- Best integrated football pants
- Classic football pants with seven pads
- One youth size and adult sizes S to XXL
The Cramer seven-pad football pants are a timeless option for football padding. They have sewn-in EVA foam padding that protects players’ hips, knees, and tailbones and removable thigh pads with a high-impact plastic interior. In addition, the high-rise hip padding is ideal for protecting the iliac crest from hip pointers. These classic game-day pants also have a lace-up fly and tunnel belt and come in multiple team colors.
14. Schutt ProTech Varsity All-in-One Football Girdle
- Best youth football girdle
- Compression football girdle with integrated pads
- Youth and varsity sizes S to 2X
Parents and youth football players alike will love the Schutt ProTech padded football girdle. This compression girdle has high-rise hip pads for complete coverage protection and durable thigh and tailbone pads. The shorts are made from performance stretch fabric that moves with players’ bodies and has anti-microbial properties for odor protection. In addition, the ProTech girdle is machine washable and dryer safe for easy care.
15. Adidas Youth Climalite Audible Football Pants
- Best integrated youth football pants
- Classic padded football pants
- Youth sizes S to XL
Young football players need all the protection they can get. Luckily, the Adidas Climalite Audible football pants have large integrated pads for excellent hip, thigh, knee, and tailbone protection. In addition, the pants are made from a stretchy, sweat-wicking material to maximize comfort and range of motion. The Climalite Audible pants are also fully machine washable, so your little gridiron champ can arrive at every practice and game smelling fresh.
From integrated girdles to slip-in pads, comfortable and reliable hip protection is available for every football player.
Should I wear hip pads for football?
Hip pads are essential for youth, high school, and college football players to stay safe and adhere to game rules. By wearing hip pads, players can reduce their injury risk and play more confidently.
Do NFL players wear hip pads?
While hip pads are required in most football leagues, they aren’t required in the NFL. According to league rules, NFL players must wear helmets and shoulder, thigh, and knee pads.
