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.

[Chev Chelios]

Shock Doctor 329 Jockstrap. I was surprised how comfortable they are. Wore it for 8 hours to "bed it in" and I forgot it was on. Can remove and fit the protective insert while wearing the Jockstrap so doubles as a gas mag worming pouch in the winter between games 

[rj1986]

Do people just run into buildings, cock and balls first or something?

 

I've been hit in that region and the clothing takes 99% of the impact

[Tackle]

I've been hit there are few times, but to be fair when its as big as mine, that was always gonna happen😜

Yeah, its not pleasant, but neither is taking  an up close burst up the inside of your thigh, or across your lower back/kidneys.

Unless your planning on doing the whole bomb suit & minigun loadout, surely finding a balance of kit that doesn't restrict you, cause heatstroke or discomfort, & generally affects your ability to play is paramount, offset by the rare chance of a stray bb to the 🌭.

Sports cup, or maybe a dangler pouch worn low should do the job ?

[The_Lord_Poncho]

14 minutes ago, rj1986 said:

Do people just run into buildings, cock and balls first or something?

No - that would be silly. Circling it above the head, before lassoing the objective is where it is at.

[Galvatron]

I took a nut shot but I found wearing a sports cup was much worse as it dug into my thighs and groin.

 

I make do with a dangler pouch at the bottom of my plate carrier.

 

I agree with Tommikka about going baggy if you can. Unfortunately with my proportions, there's no such thing as baggy for me without getting it tailored.

[Chai.]

15 hours ago, Davet said:

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

@Davet Was looking at these, don't they cause issues when prone?

3 hours ago, Chev Chelios said:

Shock Doctor 329 Jockstrap. I was surprised how comfortable they are. Wore it for 8 hours to "bed it in" and I forgot it was on. Can remove and fit the protective insert while wearing the Jockstrap so doubles as a gas mag worming pouch in the winter between games 

@Chev Chelios Does it become uncomfortable when going prone?

Edited yesterday at 14:23 by Chai.

[Chai.]

18 hours ago, Tommikka said:

 

 

 

 

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 

@Tommikka - Thank you for the suggestions Tomm! Are these any brands for trousers you recommend? (Paintball and non paintball)

Just did a quick search on paintball trousers and doesn't seem that there are long trousers with padding around thighs, I only see the shorts.

[Austeyr]

3 hours ago, rj1986 said:

run into buildings, cock and balls

 

It's psychological warfare

[Enid_Puceflange]

3 minutes ago, Austeyr said:

 

It's psychological warfare

 

[Chev Chelios]

1 hour ago, Chai. said:

@Chev Chelios Does it become uncomfortable when going prone?

 

If you had a massive cock and balls maybe (so its fine for me) they are made with MMA in mind so work well in all sorts of positions.  

[Miêu Anh-Nguyễn]

Why not try stuffing a knee pad into the crotch ?

I think it's not only effective but also looks pretty.

[Col1]

Genuine Army Issue Pelvic Protection Tier 2 Ballistic Groin Armour MTP Camo 
 

stick that into eBay mate or google 

[Tommikka]

8 hours ago, Chai. said:

@Tommikka - Thank you for the suggestions Tomm! Are these any brands for trousers you recommend? (Paintball and non paintball)

Just did a quick search on paintball trousers and doesn't seem that there are long trousers with padding around thighs, I only see the shorts.

I don’t think that the most ‘modern’ designs go for as much padding with some trends towards ‘jogger’ style, and in some cases they may be less likely to advertise features as ‘padding’ due to some of the more serious tournament rule wording on clothing, eg you can wear two layers of clothing which includes counting the bounce vest and/or slide shorts - if it’s a thick quilted materiel on the trousers then that’s just hard wearing materiel and not extra soft padding to promote bounce rather than bursting paintballs 

 

My ‘best’ ones don’t appear to be on the market anymore, and at the time a few years back were highly pricey at £200+ or even more- but I didn’t pay that - I won a pair in a raffle.  I also would not have chosen the colour scheme which was (supposed to be) very white but for me was promptly stained by dirt & grass

 

They were low slung in the crotch, combined with thick quilted material plus a extra front panel to clip across and another internal crotch panel of foam like materiel 

 

 

Thick all over for general padding, extra layers at the crotch, stretchy in areas and didn’t let in the wet when Knealt on wet astroturf or muddy puddles

 

No endorsement on any of the following but a search of the Laysick name should show a few similar looking designs with extra crotch,  Angel can cover some old school designs,  Dye, Empire & exalt have some handy ones but beware of too lightweight and joggers 

 

Anthrax can be useful, and if you can handle Photoshop you can get fully / partial custom design prints 

(Ask for templates, do your own design and unless you use their consultancy design they don’t much different to just buying new off the shelf

https://www.anthraxpaintball.com/custom-paintball-pants
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Cannonfodder]

Just one thing to bear in mind, the more padding you wear the less heat is able to escape so you could easily find yourself overheating, especially in warmer weather

[Chai.]

13 hours ago, Tommikka said:

I don’t think that the most ‘modern’ designs go for as much padding with some trends towards ‘jogger’ style, and in some cases they may be less likely to advertise features as ‘padding’ due to some of the more serious tournament rule wording on clothing, eg you can wear two layers of clothing which includes counting the bounce vest and/or slide shorts - if it’s a thick quilted materiel on the trousers then that’s just hard wearing materiel and not extra soft padding to promote bounce rather than bursting paintballs 

 

My ‘best’ ones don’t appear to be on the market anymore, and at the time a few years back were highly pricey at £200+ or even more- but I didn’t pay that - I won a pair in a raffle.  I also would not have chosen the colour scheme which was (supposed to be) very white but for me was promptly stained by dirt & grass

 

They were low slung in the crotch, combined with thick quilted material plus a extra front panel to clip across and another internal crotch panel of foam like materiel 

 

 

Thick all over for general padding, extra layers at the crotch, stretchy in areas and didn’t let in the wet when Knealt on wet astroturf or muddy puddles

 

No endorsement on any of the following but a search of the Laysick name should show a few similar looking designs with extra crotch,  Angel can cover some old school designs,  Dye, Empire & exalt have some handy ones but beware of too lightweight and joggers 

 

Anthrax can be useful, and if you can handle Photoshop you can get fully / partial custom design prints 

(Ask for templates, do your own design and unless you use their consultancy design they don’t much different to just buying new off the shelf

https://www.anthraxpaintball.com/custom-paintball-pants
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

@Tommikka - Just had a search of Laysick, is this company still around as cant find any available trousers apart from two Ebay listings?

Did a bit more of a search and looks like theres not really much option for thick trousers in the airsoft/paintball range. I may need to do some more digging around this as this would be the last thing I need to start skirmishing as I know which face mask I am getting.

The only thing I can think of is getting airsoft trousers and have slide shorts underneath/joggers and slide shorts underneath.

@Tommikka - All these trousers I see sort similar to this without any padding:

https://www.airsoftzone.co.uk/gen-2-elite-tactical-trousers-with-knee-pads-v-cam-black-viper-tactical.html

[Chev Chelios]

1 hour ago, Chai. said:

I may need to do some more digging around this as this would be the last thing I need to start skirmishing as I know which face mask I am getting.

 

You have not even been yet? Would wait to buy more than the mandatory protection until you have been at least once, some people don't mind being shot in the dick, you could be a dick shot enjoyer and not even know it. 

[Davet]

On 04/09/2025 at 15:23, Chai. said:

@Davet Was looking at these, don't they cause issues when prone?

Can’t say it’s really ever bothered me. I’d much rather wear a box than the ex-military pelvic protector some are suggesting, I wore one regularly - like wearing inflexible, thick nappy pants, chafed everywhere. Better than losing your Frank & Beans to an IED though I suppose.