The Foundation of Lower Body Protection
In modern football, speed is just as important as size. The days of bulky, shifting leg pads slowing down your skill players are gone. Today’s athletic directors and equipment managers are outfitting their rosters with lightweight, high-density compression girdles. Designed to fit like a second skin, these base layers lock protective padding precisely over the joints and muscles, preventing the pads from sliding out of place during a heavy tackle or a sharp cut.
Engineered for Speed, Safety, and Comfort
We stock specifically chosen girdles to ensure your players have the best combination of mobility and impact resistance:
- Integrated vs. Slotted Girdles: We offer both modern and traditional styles. Integrated girdles feature high-impact EVA foam pads permanently sewn into the fabric, making locker room prep incredibly fast. Slotted (Pocketed) girdles feature empty pockets, allowing players or equipment managers to slide in traditional hard-shell or foam pads of their choosing.
- 5-Pad and 7-Pad Systems: Our standard 5-pad girdles protect the two hips, the two thighs, and the tailbone, leaving the knees to be protected by pads inserted directly into the football pants. We also offer 7-pad girdles, which include extended compression legs with built-in knee pads for an all-in-one lower body solution.
- Compression & Recovery: Made from high-stretch poly-spandex blends, these garments provide true athletic compression. This helps increase blood flow, reduces muscle vibration and fatigue, and provides a moisture-wicking barrier that keeps the athlete dry under their heavy game pants.
- Built-in Cup Pockets: Most of our girdles feature an integrated front pocket to securely hold an athletic cup, eliminating the need for a separate jockstrap and streamlining the player's base layer.
Why Buy Your Game Day Gear From Morley Athletic
Since 1931, Morley Athletic has been a trusted family tradition and a leading supplier of premium team sports equipment for schools and universities. We understand the logistical challenge of outfitting a 60-man roster with properly sized, hygienic base layers. That’s why we offer volume discounts and proudly accept school purchase orders. When you shop with Morley Athletic, you are partnering with 95 years of expertise dedicated to keeping your athletes protected from the inside out.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between an Integrated Girdle and a Slotted Girdle?
An Integrated Girdle has the protective foam pads permanently sewn directly into the fabric. They are incredibly convenient because the player just pulls them on, and they can be thrown directly into the washing machine. A Slotted Girdle is just the compression short with empty pockets, requiring you to manually insert separate hip, tail, and thigh pads before use.
2. Should a player wear underwear beneath a football girdle?
Most modern compression girdles are designed to be worn as a base layer directly against the skin (much like compression underwear), and they usually feature an antimicrobial crotch and a pocket for an athletic cup. However, some players still prefer to wear standard athletic underwear beneath them for personal comfort.
3. Do football girdles include knee pads?
Standard 5-pad girdles do not include knee pads; the player must insert knee pads into the pockets of their outer football pants. If you want an all-in-one solution, you should purchase a 7-pad girdle, which extends further down the leg and includes sewn-in knee protection.
4. How do you wash an integrated football girdle?
To maximize the lifespan of the spandex and the EVA foam padding, integrated girdles should be machine washed in cold water on a gentle cycle. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners, as they break down the moisture-wicking properties of the fabric. It is highly recommended to air dry the girdles, but if you must use a dryer, use the lowest heat setting possible to prevent the foam pads from warping or melting.
5. Are these girdles legal for high school (NFHS) football?
Yes. As long as the girdle contains the required padding for the hips, tailbone, and thighs (and knee pads are present either in the girdle or the pants), they meet NFHS safety regulations for lower body protection.
6. Do you accept school purchase orders for player apparel?
Absolutely. Morley Athletic has worked directly with schools and universities for over nine decades. We happily accept school purchase orders. Athletic directors and equipment managers can easily submit a formal PO to purchase bulk girdles, practice jerseys, padded shirts, and mouthguards for their entire program.
