History of Football Pants
Football players have been wearing padded pants since the 1880s. Original football pants were made from canvas, with padding just focused around the knees and thighs. Just before 1900, padding was extended to the hips. Through the years, the design of football pants has largely remained constant, but the material has changed. Wool and canvas were swapped for nylon, as well as other synthetic materials. These innovative materials improved ventilation, keeping players warm in cold weather and cool during hot, humid summer practices. Today, football pants are lightweight and designed to enhance mobility, reduce friction and maximize comfort.
Football Pants Sizing Guide
To ensure that your pants’ padding aligns in all the right places, it's important that you get the sizing of your football pants right. The best way to do this is to measure your waist. Use a tape measure to find the circumference of your torso, being sure to measure above your hip bone. Adult football pants range from XS to 3XL, starting at 24" and ending at 50", though different brands will vary (make sure you check the size chart for the brand you’re interested in). Youth football pants function in a similar way, ranging from XS to XXL. The smallest starting size is 21" and the largest is 32".
Best Football Pants
Rawlings football pants are some of the best, offering complete padding throughout the spine, hips, knees, and thighs. Manufactured from 100% polyester with an elastic waist, they're a very comfortable choice. Champro boasts sewn in pads that will never move out of place as well as ventilated pockets for extra comfort. Other popular brands include Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour, all of which are known for their wide range of sports gear. Most brands offer both youth and adult sizes.