How to Choose a Groin Guard

There are three basic types available on the market. Each is installed differently and offers a different level of protection.

A cup is a hard or gel-filled insert shaped like a shell that is placed in a special pocket in athletic underwear, compression shorts, or a jockstrap. The cup itself protects the genitals; a strap or underwear holds it in place.

Advantages: low cost, high versatility (compatible with various types of belts/shorts), easy replacement and disinfection of the insert.
Disadvantages: may slip without proper underwear; beginners sometimes don’t know how to put it on correctly.
Suitable for: karate, judo, BJJ, and sports where direct attacks to the groin are not very intense.

Specific products from the ACRA Sport lineup:

• RDX CX Polygel Groin Cup – a polygel cup that stays in place.
• RDX CX Polygel Groin Protector – a popular alternative in the same price range.
• RDX NB Gray PVC Groin Protector – a rigid PVC cup, an option for those who prefer a harder material.
• RDX 1N Gel Groin Cup – a gel layer for greater impact absorption.
• RDX 1R Gel Groin Cup – polymer with evenly distributed gel padding, compatible with most boxers.

A jockstrap is a fabric strap with a built-in gel or foam pad. It is worn directly against the body like underwear—no additional pouches or shorts are necessary. Its anatomical shape and elastic waistband ensure stability during movement.

Advantages: easy to put on, stays in place, suitable for wearing under any training shorts.
Disadvantages: the entire piece must be washed as underwear; the insert and fabric portion cannot be separated.
Suitable for: beginners, grappling training, or sports involving moderate contact.

Specific products from the ACRA Sport lineup:

• RDX H1 Jockstrap with Gel Pad, White
• RDX H1 FULL Jockstrap with gel pad, black

A full groin guard combines a hard polymer or metal shell for maximum strength with fabric or elastic straps that hold it securely in place. Most models protect not only the genitals but also the lower abdomen. These groin guards are worn over underwear or shorts.

Advantages: highest level of protection; the rigid shell withstands even strong blows; stable support system.
Disadvantages: higher price; bulkier; may get in the way during ground work in grappling.
Suitable for: boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA sparring, and competitions where groin strikes are intense or permitted.

Specific products from the ACRA Sport lineup:

• RDX REX F6 KARA Groin Guard, matte black – Maya Hide leather, Max-Shock foam, polymer shell.
• RDX R1 Groin Guard for Martial Arts – steel-reinforced cups for maximum strength.
• RDX AURA PLUS T-17 Groin Guard – premium Maya Hide Kalix Skin.
• RDX T-15 Matte Black Plus Groin Guard – a lightweight and comfortable model for contact sports.
• RDX APEX Abdo Groin Guard with CE Certification – LumeX technology, CE certified, for demanding athletes.
• RDX L1 Mark Pro MMA Training Groin Guard CE Certified – professional MMA groin guard with CE certification, top-tier protection.

This is the most important criterion. Different combat sports have different requirements:

• Boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai: intense direct strikes and kicks to the groin are common—choose a full-coverage groin guard with a hard shell, ideally with abdominal padding.
• MMA: Freedom of movement during ground work is also important. Avoid overly bulky protectors; a full-coverage, low-profile protector or an H1 FULL jockstrap is suitable.
• Karate, judo, BJJ: While groin contact is prohibited, accidental strikes do occur—a high-quality cup or jockstrap with an insert will suffice.
• Beginners: A jockstrap with a gel pad is ideal—it’s inexpensive, easy to put on, and provides sufficient protection for training with punch pads and a heavy bag.

The protective properties depend on the material of both the core and the outer shell:

• Plastic (polymer, PVC): lightweight, durable, affordable. Suitable for basic-level training.
• Metal (steel): maximum strength, typical for Muay Thai and professional competition. Heavier and less comfortable during prolonged wear.
• Gel (polygel, bio gel): excellent shock absorption, evenly distributes the force of impact, more comfortable than hard plastic.
• Foam + shell combination: a compromise between comfort and protection—offered by premium RDX models (Max-Shock Equilibrium Foam, LumeX).

The protective insert (cup) itself is generally one-size-fits-all. The size is chosen based on the strap or fabric portion of the jockstrap:

• S – waist circumference approximately 71–81 cm
• M – waist circumference approximately 81–91 cm
• L – waist circumference approximately 91–101 cm
• XL – waist circumference approximately 101–111 cm

Always measure your waist circumference and compare it to the manufacturer’s size chart. The protector must fit snugly—it should not twist or slip, but it should not feel uncomfortably tight either.

Beginner / recreational training: RDX H1 Groin Guard with gel insert

Advanced boxer / kickboxer: RDX REX F6 KARA Groin Guard or RDX T-15 Matte Black Plus

MMA / Sparring: RDX R1 Groin Guard with Steel Reinforcement

Competitive Athlete / Professional: RDX APEX Abdo CE or RDX L1 Mark Pro CE

Karate / BJJ / Grappling: RDX CX Polygel Groin Cup or RDX 1N Gel Groin Cup

✔ Wear a groin guard from your very first training session, not just during sparring. Accidental kicks to the groin can happen even when working with pads or a punching bag.

✔ Put on your groin guard correctly: the pad/shell must fully cover the genital area and the lower abdomen; the strap or fabric portion must fit snugly around the hips without applying too much pressure.

✔ Check the position before every training session—the protector may shift after you take off and put on your shorts.

✔ Hygiene: Wash fabric jockstraps after every training session (30–40 °C). Wash plastic or gel inserts with warm soapy water and let them air dry. Do not machine wash or tumble dry the inserts.

✔ Don’t choose a groin guard based solely on price. A cheap, unpadded model isn’t sufficient for sparring. An investment of 800–1,000 CZK is a reasonable compromise for athletes who train regularly.

✔ For grappling and ground fighting, choose a lower-profile protector—models with an overhanging front shell can get in the way or injure your opponent during a fall.

✔ Test your mobility immediately after putting them on: kneel down, jump up, and kick to the side. If the shin guards slip or feel tight, choose a different size or type.