What Do Wrestlers Wear Under Their Singlets: We Seek Beneath

Do you sometimes wonder why wrestlers show up in skin-tight singlets and not less-revealing attire? What do wrestlers wear under their singlets?

You're not alone because a singlet is one item that most fans never understand or love.

Well…

Wrestlers wear singlets because the rules require a uniform that is safe and fair in a full-contact sport, and a tight, smooth one-piece does that job well.

Here is what you need to know, whether you're an aspiring wrestler or a fan. Let's start with the question everyone asks:

Are Singlets Necessary?

Yes, they are, and for the following reasons.

No Grasping Or Grabbing

A singlet fits tight to the skin, so an opponent can't grab a handful of it the way they could with a T-shirt.

That helps both wrestlers, because it reduces accidental or deliberate clothing grabs that can lead to a penalty.

No Embarrassing Moments

In loose clothing, a scramble can pull an opponent's shorts or shirt out of place.

A one-piece singlet is very hard to pull off by accident.

Unmatched Slip

Singlets are usually made of a smooth stretch blend such as spandex (Lycra) with nylon or polyester. The slick surface is hard to grip, even when the wrestler is sweaty.

Reduces The Risk Of Finger Injury

A skin-tight singlet has no loose fabric, zippers, or buttons, so fingers are less likely to get caught in clothing.

The tight fit also lets the referee see the wrestlers' positions clearly when making calls.

As the referee circles the wrestlers during a match, it's possible to see where the hands, arms, and legs are so that wrestlers can't try illegal maneuvers.

What's Under A Wrestling Singlet?

Wrestlers may wear:

• A brief
• Jock strap
• Protective cups
• Compression shorts
• Nothing

A jock strap ensures the freedom to engage in the sport without the fear of revealing your body or what may happen if an opponent hits your groin. You can wear a protective cup inside the jockstrap or do away with the jockstrap and wear a protective cup with compression shorts or directly under the singlet.

Some wrestlers wear cups to protect the groin from knees and scrambles. Many skip them, though, because a cup can shift during grappling and cause discomfort or injury.

Another protection measure is wearing compression shorts under a singlet to prevent any reveal should a singlet be torn during the match and also give you another layer of protection.

Some wrestlers wear nothing underneath. What you can wear depends on personal preference and your league's rules. Female wrestlers typically wear a sports bra under the singlet.

U.S. high school rules from the NFHS say any undergarment that extends past the singlet's inseam must be tight-fitting, a single solid color, and no longer than the knee.

You must have noted that wrestling singlets have different designs. Let's look at singlet types.

High Cut

This traditional design is the kind you see on an Olympic athlete. It sits high on an athlete's body, and that's where it gets this name. The top resembles a full vest, covering the chest and near the arms. Most female wrestlers wear such wrestling singlets.

FILA Cut

It's almost like a high-cut singlet but covers less of the armpit and neck area.

Low Cut

It's more revealing than the other two above, as you see most of the chest, the sides, and the back. The neckline starts from the mid-stomach area, and the straps run over the shoulders and cross on the back.

It looks more like shorts with shoulder straps. Low-cut singlets are not allowed in many amateur competitions; you are more likely to see them in pro wrestling entertainment, where the Big Show wore one.

United World Wrestling governs Olympic-style wrestling. Its competitors, from amateurs to professional wrestlers on the international circuit, must follow detailed limits on how low a singlet can be cut and how long its legs can be.

U.S. high school rules require a singlet cut no lower than the armpits in front and back.

When The Singlet Story Began

The singlet is not new. In U.S. school and college wrestling it replaced older outfits of tights and trunks during the mid-1900s.

Full-length tights under a singlet are still allowed in high school wrestling, though few wrestlers wear them today.

Additional accessories to complete a wrestler's uniform are:

Elbow And Knee Pads

These knee pads offer protection in case of a fall or friction.

Wrestling Shoes

They're lightweight for quick movement, give grip on the mat, and support the ankles.

Headgear & Mouthguard

Wrestling headgear is an ear or face guard. U.S. high school rules require rigid, padded ear guards with a locking strap. Many wrestlers also wear a mouthguard to protect the teeth, especially with braces.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do you have to wear singlets in wrestling?

We've discussed some of the reasons above, including that this skin-tight uniform prevents an opponent from accidentally or intentionally grabbing you. Additionally, a single-piece wrestling uniform prevents the embarrassment of accidentally revealing yourself in a match.

Based on rule changes between 2019 and 2021, teams can wear a two-piece comprising form-fitting wrestling shorts and a top.

Can you wear tights under a singlet?

It depends on the organization. U.S. high school rules allow full-length tights with stirrups under a one-piece singlet.

Why is a Singlet Controversial?

A singlet is revealing, and many wrestlers feel self-conscious in it. That is why some organizations now allow a two-piece uniform of compression shorts and a fitted top.

On the practical side, the singlet does its job: it is safe, hard to grab, and lets referees see the action.

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Conclusion

The singlet replaced older wrestling outfits decades ago and remains the standard uniform.

Despite the controversy, its purpose makes sense: it reduces illegal grabbing and the risk of injury for both wrestlers.

That begs the question, what do wrestlers wear under their singlets? Some wear nothing, a jockstrap or a brief. It's a wrestler's choice as long as what they wear is within the rules of this martial arts sport.

Sources

• Wrestling Uniform Rules, National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)