A jockstrap (also known as a jock, strap, cup, supporter, or athletic supporter) is an undergarment for protecting the testes and penis during contact sports, or other vigorous physical activity. A jockstrap consists of a waistband (usually elastic), like “The Edward” with a support pouch for the genitalia and two elastic straps affixed to the base of the pouch and to the left and right sides of the waistband at the hip.
The pouch, in some varieties, may be fitted with a pocket to hold an abdominal guard (impact resistant cup, box) to protect the testicles and the penis from injury. These are available in some of our swimwear to give a fuller and smoother look when wearing, such as “The Ivan”.
The word jockstrap has purportedly been in use at least since 1891, a likely contraction of "jockey strap", as the garment was first designed for bicycle-riding messengers and delivery men, or 'bike jockeys'. The Bike Jockey Strap was the first jockstrap manufactured in America in 1874, Jockey meaning 'rider', primarily a race horse rider, has been in use since 1670.
So if it’s cycling you are into then you may want to check out some of our breathable mesh Jockstraps like “The Sebastian” or “The Omar” Jockey itself is the diminutive form of the Scots nickname Jock (for John) as Jackie is for the English nickname Jack. The nicknames Jack and Jackie, Jock and Jockey have been used generically for 'man, fellow, boy, common man'. From the period c.1650–c.1850, 'jock' was used as slang for penis. The more recent American slang term 'jock', meaning an athlete, is traced to 1959 and is itself derived from 'jockstrap'.
The jockstrap was invented in 1874 by C. F. Bennett of a Chicago sporting goods company, Sharp & Smith, to provide comfort and support for bicycle jockeys working the cobblestone streets of Boston. In 1897 Bennett's newly formed Bike Web Company patented and began mass-producing the Bike Jockey Strap.It looked a little like “The Edward” but I doubt it was Blue. The Bike Web Company later became known as the Bike Company. Bike, until 2003, was a stand-alone company. In that year, the company and its trademarks were purchased by Russell Athletic. Russell Athletic continued to produce jockstraps using the Bike brand and logos until 2017 when they retired the brand. Russell had become a Fruit-of-the-Loom subsidiary, and Fruit-of-the-Loom is owned by and part of Berkshire Hathaway.
The jockstrap was also influential in early 20th-century medicine with the invention of the Heidelberg Electric Belt, (which we probably won’t be stocking) which is a low-voltage electric powered jockstrap that claimed to cure kidney disorders, insomnia, erectile dysfunction, and other ailments.
Today, jockstraps are still worn mostly by adolescent and adult men for sports, weightlifting, medical purposes. Jockstraps have also become popular as a form of lingerie for men, particularly among gay and bisexual men. They are available in many different designs, colors, and variations, like “The Vinny” which is a unique 2 strap jockstrap.
Jockstraps are fairly consistent in design with variations appearing in details like width of waistband and fabrics. “The Raj” is a good example of some of the different designs available from. Some jockstraps are designed for specific sports: Swim jocks, for example, have a narrow waistband, and hockey jocks sometimes have adjustable elastic straps and garter clips that hold hockey socks in place while the bulky goalie protector has genital and abdominal foam padding.
Jockstraps are made in other materials as fetish wear. ”The Josepf” is made with mesh and gives the wear a breathable and transparent front, and “The Emiliano” is made with a lace effect mesh that is also breathable and transparent.
Alternatives to jockstraps include the jock brief, or support briefs, like “The Luis” which have the wide waistband of a jockstrap combined with a full seat and are made of an elastic supportive material.
A thong style strap, sometimes called a dance belt, much like “The Mark” has one narrow elastic strap attached to the bottom of the pouch, passing between the legs and attaching to the waistband at the middle of the back.
A strapless garment, called a jock sock, a slingshot, modesty cup or privacy pouch like “The Link” has only an elasticated pouch that holds the genitals from the front. Some men wear these on the beach while actors may wear them to cover themselves while filming sex or nudity scenes from behind or just below the waist to give the appearance that they are naked, when in fact they are wearing one of these.
Sourced from Wikipedia
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