With so many choices available, and sometimes so few choices in the stores near you, what ARE the best options?

1. ALL boys, regardless of age, should wear a jockstrap and/or cup for EVERY practice and game!

2. Cups should be REQUIRED for all sports with fast moving objects, i.e. balls, elbows, feet, bicycles.  So for BASEBALL, SOCCER, HOCKEY, LACROSSE, RUGBY, FOOTBALL, Mountain Biking, Martial Arts, Racquetball, etc..., cups should be worn.

3. Jockstrap with or without cup should be the BASE LAYER.  It goes on first, comes off last.

4. OPTIONAL: Compression shorts, boxer briefs, sliding shorts, etc... can be worn OVER the jockstrap

WHAT BRAND/STYLE SHOULD WE BUY?

1. Some really great brands, and really not so-great brands are out there. From my experience as a guy, a father of boys and a coach, there are only a few that seem comfortable, really do the job, and hold up to the wear and tear.

* Jockstrap (no cup pocket) *

a)  BIKE Performance Cotton 2" waistband jockstrap is highly recommended.  These have been discontinued, but are still available on Amazon and Ebay.  They come in Black and White.  The 3" waistband version is also highly recommended.  A New brand GYM has taken the place of Bike, using same styles and suppliers.

b) Shock Doctor athletic supporter without cup pocket - @2" waistband, white

c) Classic Bike jockstrap with 3" waistband - new-old stock ones are available on ebay and Amazon.  Classic support!

* Jockstrap WITH cup pocket *

a) Shock Doctor athletic supporter with cup pocket - Hands Down, the best supporter out there.  PLUS, this can be worn with or WITHOUT a cup - so protection for ANY sport or activity!  Sometimes these run a bit small, so check the sizing, or go with a size up.

b) XO Pro SmartFit athletic supporter with cup pocket - These may be discontinued.  Available in black or white with a 3" waistband, merged with McDavid and Shock Doctor in 2016.

* Athletic Cups *

a) Shock Doctor UltraCarbon cup - more rigid on the outer point of the cup, but shaped and sized to fit more comfortably than other brands. Flexible and very effective.  Some are fluorescent orange and black, others mostly white with the colored accents.

b) XO ProCup - becoming harder to find. Very comfortable and flexible. Colors vary by size: red, blue, green...

c) McDavid - these are generally sized bigger.  So if you want/need more room, or want to show a bigger cup bulge, check these out.  Still comfortable, flexible and provide great coverage and protection. Brighter colors like orange and green.

d) Battle Sport Nutty Buddy - Great coverage, but pricey.  Have to use their supporter or compression shorts to fit the unique cup.

e) Shock Doctor Aircore Hard Cup - lighter than other cups, but provides great protection. Also available with waistband and straps attached, ONE Piece and washable!

-Avoid-

a) Avoid the classic original styled cups. Some people like them, but most boys will not!  If you want them to wear a cup, stay away from these!

b) Tuck-under or contour cups - These don't provide the coverage the "banana" style cups recommended above do.  They don't have the space to adequately fit most guys, of any age, and just fit weird!

c) Cheap cups with no padding around edges that push against the skin.  Sometimes these are included with sliding shorts or compression shorts as an added "value", but are not very good cups

* Compression Shorts *

a) Shock Doctor UltraPro Compression Shorts - while I still believe a jockstrap with cup is the best at properly protecting, the Shock Doctor UltraPro compression shorts are not a bad alternative.  They have a "floating" cup pocket inside (attached at top of shorts), with a small version of straps holding the pouch in place so the cup doesn't wander.  These are comfortable and do an adequate job of protection.

b) XO SmartJoc compression shorts - These also have a floating cup pocket inside, which are then attached to the shorts by a single strap that ties into the back of the shorts.  No riding up your rear or anything.

* Other Alternatives *

- Loose Hockey Jock Shorts - These are loose mesh shorts made for hockey, so they have velcro to attach hockey socks, but they also have a jockstrap with cup pocket BUILT IN!  Again, some are great, others not.

a) Shock Doctor Ultra Loose hockey Jock - Great Shock Doctor athletic supporter inside. Very comfortable

b) Under Armour loose Hockey Jock - Very comfortable, but the pouch is a bit too long for proper fit.

c) Warrior Nutt Hutt loose Hockey Jock - has drawstring to adjust fit of waist. Very comfortable

d) Reebok Hockey Jock pants - pants/leggings with jockstrap with cup pocket and straps built in.  Hard to find.