Recommended groin protection?

[Chai.]

Currently looking for groin protection for airsoft. I know people say it is very rare that it can happen to be hit in that area but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Looking online, someone mentioned crash slider shorts: https://www.bzpaintball.co.uk/hk-army-crash-slide-shorts

I see there is some padding around the groin area on these.

Anyone else have any recommendations?

[Rickwales]

They'd have to be a bloody good shot to get my small todger. 

 

Seriously tho, it's not a bad idea. I bet it would bloody hurt, and I'd hate to disappoint my wife. 😆 

[ButcherBill]

TBH I don't think anyone needs one in airsoft unless there's a fetish club booking, but... go full stitch counter and get one of these 

 https://www.surplusandlost.co.uk/product/british-army-surplus-pelvic-protection-mtp-codpiece-ballistic-groin/#:~:text=Home / Combat Kit / Protection /,Surplus Pelvic Protection MTP Codpiece Ballistic Groin

[Austeyr]

I use one of these (Albeit more for looks than its intended purpose but not having to worry about the jewels is nice!), it velcros to your plate carrier - There's also clones on AliExpress that have poppers that can loop through molle. They're relatively cheap and protect well!

 

[Nick G]

I use a cricket box . It'd be an unlucky shot that hit the nadgers , but it does happen now and then .

[Tommikka]

 

 

 

I wouldn’t bother 

 

Slide shorts are primarily designed to provide padding around the hip and thighs for abrasion when sliding (hence the name) Many if not all current designs will have groin padding 

If you’re going to be diving around then they are worth it, otherwise it’s another layer to get you hot & sweaty - especially as they are likely to be worn as an extra layer on top of your underwear and under your trousers 

 

Baggy trousers perform the job without adding to what you wear, and easily absorb impact

 

 

 

Bear in mind that airsoft BBs are fired at maximums of either 1.3 or 2.5 joules, which compared to paintballs maximum of 12ft lbs / 16.3 joules 

 

 

There is the added difference that paintballs are a larger frangible sphere vs airsofts small solid sphere which means the burst of a paintball disperses energy.   

I have been shot a lot, I enjoy the adrenaline that comes with that (also a painkiller in itself) 

BBs are a short sting, paintballs are more of a slap.

I’ve also taken more dick shots than I would like - in photography paintball designed baggy trousers do the job fine - a padded groin that is loose and baggy.  

For CQB play I opt for a box in cricket shorts (they make me feel enclosed, but when you’re being shot at from a couple of feet away on the stairs they help! 

 

Paintball tournament referees typically wear a towel hung from their trousers which deals with absorbing impact, I’ve considered that when photographing but don’t need it when trousers are baggy, and as a photographer I’m not in the middle of the field but on the boundary. (On practice / training days I would often go into the middle of the field for photo opportunities, and may be laid or squatting directly in line of shot, but still didn’t need that level of crotch protection)

 

 

……..,

Protect your eyes,  protect your fingers with gloves, your ankles with supporting boots.

For your body loose clothing does the job

 

Unless you are a diver & slider I would not bother with slide shorts, but perhaps look at paintball trousers that have some thicker padding at areas such as knees, thighs & crotch 

 

 

 

** note that I write in English, therefore I say trousers, they generally get listed in American English as paintball pants

 

Avoid the tight skinny jean types of paintball trousers - they look stupid and don’t have the padding  , also beware of “paintball training trousers / training pants” as they may be thinner and lighter without the padding 

 

When you look up paintball trousers you will see scary higher prices (compare those shorts at £55 to trousers at £100 / £150)

Shop around, particularly for late season sales and last years range etc - or even better look up eBay and vinted 

Another option is workwear trousers - check out your local DIY or trade counter and see what they have in heavy duty work trousers that provide multi layer / padded zones etc 

[Davet]

Cricket box, simple and cheap. Been glad of mine on a number of occasions.

[The_Lord_Poncho]

I've been hit there few times - one shot even generated t a blood blister! I still wouldn't bother faffing about with specific protection though.