American Football Apparel Guide & Buying Guide
What Football Clothing Do You Need for Practice, Game Day, Tackle & Flag Football?
What American Football clothing do you actually need? Is a jersey and a pair of football pants enough? What should you wear underneath your shoulder pads? What is the difference between a girdle and All-in-One Gamepants? And which clothing works best in hot weather, cold conditions, practice or on game day?
Especially when you are new to American Football, choosing the right clothing can seem confusing at first. Football apparel is not simply a jersey and a pair of sports pants. In tackle football, your clothing has to work together with shoulder pads, lower-body protection and additional protective equipment. Flag football, on the other hand, has very different clothing requirements.
In this American Football Apparel Guide, we explain the most important garments, show you useful combinations and help you build your football clothing setup step by step.
If you already know what you are looking for, go directly to our American Football Clothing category. For a quick overview of all clothing sections, visit American Football Clothing – Overview.
What Is Included in American Football Clothing?
The clothing you need mainly depends on whether you play tackle football or flag football and which equipment your team provides.
Typical football clothing includes:
- football jersey or football shirt
- football pants or gamepants
- football girdle or another lower-body protection system
- All-in-One Gamepants where appropriate
- baselayers and performance underwear
- optional padded shirts
- football socks
- a football belt depending on the pants
- practice clothing
- team uniform and game-day apparel
In tackle football, all of these garments also need to work correctly with your protective equipment. Correct fit is therefore often even more important than with regular sportswear.
Football Clothing for Tackle Football
Tackle football involves extensive protective equipment. Your clothing needs to provide enough room for the equipment you use while still avoiding an unnecessarily loose fit.
A typical tackle football clothing setup may include:
- baselayer or performance shirt
- optional padded shirt
- shoulder pads
- football jersey
- football girdle or another lower-body protection system
- gamepants
- football socks
- football belt if required by the pants
With All-in-One Gamepants, a separate girdle and some individual lower-body pads can be replaced by an integrated pants system depending on the specific model.
Football Clothing for Flag Football
Flag football has different clothing requirements. Traditional shoulder pads and the extensive protective equipment used in tackle football are normally not worn.
This means other features become more important:
- low weight
- high freedom of movement
- breathable materials
- a close or controlled fit
- freely accessible flags
- no unnecessarily loose clothing around the flag belt
Find suitable products in our Flag Football Clothing section.
Football Jersey – Practice Jersey or Game Jersey?
The football jersey is one of the most important parts of the uniform. In tackle football, it is normally worn over the shoulder pads. That is why you cannot simply use your regular T-shirt size as a reference.
Practice Jersey
Practice jerseys are primarily designed for regular football training. Function, freedom of movement, durability and easy handling are the main priorities.
A good practice jersey should:
- fit over your shoulder pads
- provide enough freedom of movement
- not interfere unnecessarily with blocking or tackling
- withstand regular practice sessions
- have a cut that matches your intended use
Game Jersey
With a game jersey, team appearance becomes just as important as function. Colors, player numbers, logos and potentially player names form an important part of the uniform.
Game jerseys can also be cut closer to the body than basic practice jerseys. The important thing is that they still work correctly with your shoulder pads.
Browse our current selection under American Football Jerseys & Football Shirts.
For more detailed buying advice, visit our Football Jersey Guide.
Which Football Pants Do You Need?
There are several different football pants systems. The first important question is: Do you want the protective padding integrated into the pants or do you want to keep the pants and padding separate?
The main systems are:
- gamepants without integrated pads
- All-in-One Gamepants
- gamepants combined with a football girdle
- gamepants combined with separate football pads
Gamepants without Integrated Pads
Traditional football gamepants without permanently integrated padding provide a high level of flexibility. You can wear them over a football girdle or combine them with a suitable separate pad system.
This system can be particularly useful if you:
- want to use several different outer football pants
- want to choose your protection separately
- already own a football girdle
- prefer a highly flexible equipment setup
Suitable models can be found under American Football Pants & Gamepants.
What Are All-in-One Gamepants?
With All-in-One Gamepants, several pads are already integrated into the football pants. Depending on the model, the system may include protection for the hips, thighs, knees and tailbone.
The major advantage is simplicity. Instead of assembling several individual components, you put on one pair of pants with the relevant pads already integrated.
All-in-One Gamepants can be particularly attractive for:
- football beginners
- kids and youth players
- players who want to manage fewer separate equipment pieces
- practice and game-day setups where simple handling is a priority
Browse the selection under All-in-One Gamepants.
What Is a Football Girdle?
A football girdle is a close-fitting padded compression garment worn underneath separate football gamepants.
Depending on the model, padding may be integrated around areas such as:
- hips
- thighs
- tailbone
- knees
The major advantage is that protection and outer football pants remain separate. You can combine the same girdle with different compatible gamepants as long as the size and cut work together.
Browse our current models under Football Girdles & Padded Compression Shorts.
All-in-One Gamepants, Girdle or Separate Pads?
Which lower-body protection system fits you best depends on your priorities.
All-in-One Gamepants
A strong choice if you want the simplest possible complete system.
Girdle + Gamepants
A good balance between simple handling and flexibility.
Separate Pads + Gamepants
Especially useful if you want maximum freedom to select individual protection components.
We compare these three systems in detail in our Football Pants Comparison – All-in-One, Girdle or Separate Pads.
What Is Football Protective Clothing?
Football protective clothing includes garments with additional protective padding integrated directly into the clothing.
The main examples are:
- padded shirts
- football girdles
- padded compression shorts and pants
- All-in-One Gamepants
Find these sections together under Football Protective Clothing.
If you first want to understand the different protection systems in more detail, read our Football Protective Clothing Guide.
Padded Shirt or Regular Performance Shirt?
These two types of clothing are often confused, but they serve different purposes.
Regular Performance Shirt / Baselayer
A baselayer is close-fitting performance clothing and does not necessarily contain protective padding. Depending on the material, it may help with moisture management or provide an additional clothing layer in cold weather.
Padded Shirt
A padded shirt contains integrated protective padding. Depending on the model, these pads may provide additional coverage around areas such as the ribs, back, chest or shoulders.
Padded shirts do not automatically replace traditional shoulder pads in tackle football.
Browse our current selection under Padded Football Shirts.
What Is a Football Baselayer?
A baselayer is the close-fitting first clothing layer worn underneath your football equipment.
Typical baselayer products can include:
- compression shirts
- long-sleeve performance shirts
- short-sleeve performance shirts
- compression shorts
- long performance tights
- thermal underwear for cold conditions
A baselayer should fit close to the body without unnecessarily restricting your movement.
Suitable products can be found under Football Underwear & Baselayers.
What Do You Wear Under Shoulder Pads?
Depending on the weather, your personal preference and whether you want additional protection, several different garments can be worn underneath shoulder pads.
Common options include:
- a lightweight baselayer
- a compression shirt
- a padded shirt
- a suitable long-sleeve baselayer in cold weather
The important thing is that the additional clothing does not change the correct fit of your shoulder pads.
If your shoulder pads suddenly feel too tight, move out of position or no longer sit correctly because of additional layers, you should reconsider your clothing setup.
What Do You Wear Under Football Pants?
That depends on your lower-body protection system.
Gamepants + Girdle
With this setup, the padded girdle is worn directly underneath the outer football pants.
All-in-One Gamepants
With this system, several pads are already integrated into the pants. An additional padded girdle for the same protective areas is therefore not automatically required.
Gamepants + Separate Pads
With traditional modular systems, the required pads can be combined separately with compatible football pants.
For a direct comparison of the different options, visit our Football Pants Comparison.
Football Socks – More Than Just Part of the Uniform
Socks are also part of the complete football outfit. In addition to team appearance, length, fit and personal comfort can all matter.
Depending on the uniform, players may use long football socks or football tubes.
Browse our selection under American Football Socks & Tubes.
When Do You Need a Football Belt?
Some gamepants use their own closure system, while others are secured with a separate football belt.
When buying football pants, check:
- whether a belt is required
- whether a belt is already included
- which belt width or construction works with the pants
Suitable options can be found under American Football Belts.
Practice Wear or Game-Day Clothing?
Practice and games can place different demands on your football clothing.
Practice Wear
During training, the main priorities are often:
- durability
- freedom of movement
- easy care
- regular use
- function rather than elaborate team appearance
A typical practice clothing setup may include a practice jersey, football pants, a girdle or another lower-body protection system, baselayer and football socks.
Game Day
On game day, the clothing also needs to match the official team uniform. Factors such as the following become more important:
- team colors
- player number
- team logos
- player name where required
- matching gamepants
- coordinated socks
Many players therefore use separate practice jerseys and game jerseys.
What Football Clothing Do You Need in Hot Weather?
High temperatures can create significant additional heat underneath a helmet and shoulder pads. Lightweight, breathable and moisture-managing materials can therefore be particularly useful.
In warm conditions, consider:
- lightweight baselayers
- breathable performance fabrics
- mesh sections
- avoiding unnecessary clothing layers
- sufficient freedom of movement
Your protective equipment still needs to fit correctly in hot weather. Do not remove required protective components simply for additional comfort.
What Football Clothing Do You Need in Cold Weather?
A layering system can be useful in cold conditions.
A possible tackle football setup may include:
- long close-fitting baselayer
- an additional performance layer where appropriate
- football protective equipment
- football jersey
- gamepants
Additional clothing should fit close and functionally so that it does not bunch underneath the pads or change the fit of your protective equipment.
Football Clothing in Rain
When playing in rain, parts of your football equipment will inevitably become wet. Functional materials and proper care after practice or games are therefore especially important.
After use:
- remove wet clothing from your football bag
- follow the manufacturer's care instructions
- allow garments to dry completely
- inspect and dry your protective equipment as well
Leaving wet football clothing inside a closed sports bag for a long period is not a good solution.
Which Football Clothing Fits Which Position?
There is no fixed clothing rule for individual positions. However, different positions may prioritize different features.
Wide Receiver
Receivers need a high degree of freedom of movement and often prefer as little unnecessary bulk as possible. Close-fitting clothing and streamlined protection systems can therefore be attractive.
Defensive Back
Defensive backs need to perform backpedals, rapid changes of direction and sprints freely. Clothing should therefore not be unnecessarily loose or heavy.
Running Back
Running backs combine fast cuts with frequent contact. A lower-body system that keeps the pads as stable as possible during movement is therefore especially important.
Linebacker
Linebackers need both mobility and a stable protection setup. Clothing and padding should support this balance.
Offensive Line & Defensive Line
Linemen frequently move from a low football stance and experience contact on almost every play. Jerseys and pants should therefore provide sufficient mobility even with deeply bent arms, hips and knees.
Quarterback
Quarterbacks require free movement around the shoulders, arms and hips. Additional clothing layers and protection should not unnecessarily interfere with the throwing motion.
Football Clothing for Beginners – What Do You Need First?
If you are just starting American Football, you do not need to buy every possible clothing option immediately.
First clarify:
- Which equipment does your club provide?
- Which team clothing is mandatory?
- Do you need to buy your own practice jersey and game jersey?
- Which lower-body protection system does your team use?
- Are gamepants provided?
- Do you need your own girdle or All-in-One Gamepants?
- Which color do your pants and socks need to be?
For many beginners, the basic personal clothing setup includes a jersey, pants system, baselayer and socks. The exact combination depends heavily on your team.
American Football Clothing for Kids & Youth Players
Correct current sizing is especially important for kids and youth players. This is particularly true for clothing with integrated padding.
A girdle or pair of All-in-One Gamepants should not be purchased several sizes too large simply so that a child can grow into it. The pads need to sit over the correct areas of the body.
For youth players, check especially:
- position of the knee pads
- position of the thigh pads
- position of the hip pads
- fit over or underneath the shoulder pads
- freedom of movement
- size regularly as the player grows
Browse our dedicated selection under Football Clothing for Kids & Youth Players.
How Should Football Clothing Fit?
The ideal fit depends on the individual garment.
Jersey
In tackle football, the jersey needs to fit over the shoulder pads and still provide enough freedom of movement.
Baselayer
It should fit close to the body without unnecessarily restricting movement.
Padded Shirt
It needs a close fit so that the integrated pads remain as close as possible to their intended positions.
Girdle
It should fit snugly enough to minimize unnecessary pad movement.
All-in-One Gamepants
The waistband is not the only important point. Knee, thigh and hip pads need to sit over the intended areas of the body.
Gamepants over a Girdle
The outer pants need enough room for the girdle while still avoiding an unnecessarily loose fit.
Always Test Football Clothing While Moving
A jersey or pair of football pants should not only fit while you are standing still.
During a fitting, test typical football movements:
- football stance
- deep knee bend
- sprint steps
- lateral movement
- changes of direction
- raising your arms fully
- throwing motion
- catching motion
Integrated pads can appear correctly positioned while standing and then shift significantly during movement. Dynamic fit testing is therefore especially important.
Which Materials Are Useful for Football Clothing?
Many football garments use synthetic performance materials. Which material combination is suitable depends on the specific product.
When comparing garments, consider features such as:
- stretch
- breathability
- fabric weight
- mesh panels
- reinforced areas
- elastic cuffs and waistbands
- flat or low-profile seams
- integrated padding
The specific product description and size chart are therefore more useful than general assumptions about one particular fabric.
How Do You Wash American Football Clothing?
Football clothing is exposed to sweat, dirt, artificial turf and regular physical contact. There is still no single washing instruction that applies to every jersey, girdle or pair of All-in-One Gamepants.
As a general rule:
- follow the care label
- remove wet or sweaty clothing from your bag quickly
- handle removable pads according to the manufacturer's instructions
- close hook-and-loop fasteners where appropriate
- do not automatically use a high washing temperature
- follow the manufacturer's drying instructions
Care requirements can vary significantly for padded football clothing because different products use different pad materials and constructions.
When Should Football Clothing Be Replaced?
With regular football clothing, material wear is often the main factor. With protective clothing, correct pad positioning is also important.
Inspect regularly:
- seams
- elastic areas
- waistbands
- pad pockets
- integrated padding
- heavily stretched materials
- damaged fasteners
- fit after changes in body size
If integrated pads no longer sit correctly, the garment should be checked even if the outside still appears to be in good condition.
American Football Team Uniforms
For clubs and teams, football clothing goes beyond individual products. Jerseys, gamepants, colors, player numbers and logos need to be combined into a consistent team uniform.
When planning a uniform, consider:
- home and away colors
- jersey color
- gamepant color
- player numbers
- team logos
- player names
- socks
- availability for future replacement orders and new players
Find more information under American Football Uniforms & Teamwear.
Your Football Clothing Setup – Quick Decision Guide
You Need a Jersey?
You Need Regular Football Pants?
You Want the Pads Integrated into the Pants?
You Want a Padded Compression Layer?
You Want Additional Upper-Body Protection?
You Need Performance Underwear?
→ Football Underwear & Baselayers
You Need Socks or Belts?
You Need Clothing for Kids or Youth Players?
→ Football Clothing for Kids & Youth Players
You Play Flag Football?
More Football Clothing Guides
This guide gives you the complete overview. For individual topics, use our specialist guides:
- Football Jersey Guide – jersey types, fit and intended use
- Football Pants Comparison – All-in-One vs. girdle vs. separate pads
- Football Protective Clothing Guide – padded shirts, girdles and protection explained
FAQ – American Football Clothing
What clothing do you need for American Football?
Typical football clothing includes a jersey, football pants or gamepants, lower-body protection, socks and, depending on your setup, a baselayer, girdle or padded shirt. In tackle football, the clothing also needs to work correctly with shoulder pads and other protective equipment.
What do you wear underneath a football jersey?
In tackle football, the jersey is normally worn over the shoulder pads. Depending on your setup, you may wear a baselayer or padded shirt underneath the shoulder pads.
What do you wear underneath shoulder pads?
Common options include close-fitting baselayers, compression shirts and padded shirts. The important thing is that the additional layer does not interfere with the fit of your shoulder pads.
What do you wear underneath football pants?
That depends on the system. A football girdle can be worn underneath normal gamepants, while All-in-One Gamepants already contain several integrated pads.
Do you need special pants for American Football?
For tackle football, you should use pants that are compatible with your lower-body protection system. This can be All-in-One Gamepants or traditional football pants combined with a girdle or separate pads.
What are All-in-One Gamepants?
All-in-One Gamepants are football pants with several protective pads already integrated. Typical systems may cover the hips, thighs, knees and tailbone.
What is a football girdle?
A football girdle is a close-fitting padded compression garment. It is normally worn underneath separate football gamepants.
Which is better – a girdle or All-in-One Gamepants?
All-in-One Gamepants are particularly simple to use. A girdle provides more flexibility because the protective layer and outer football pants remain separate. The better choice depends on your individual setup.
What is a football baselayer?
A baselayer is the close-fitting first clothing layer worn underneath football equipment. It does not necessarily contain protective padding and may be designed as compression wear or a thermal layer.
Is a padded shirt the same as a baselayer?
No. A padded shirt contains integrated padding zones. A regular baselayer is performance clothing and does not necessarily include protective padding.
Does a padded shirt replace shoulder pads?
No. A padded shirt provides additional protection and does not automatically replace the traditional shoulder pads used in tackle football.
What size football jersey do I need?
In tackle football, the jersey needs to fit over your shoulder pads. Choose the size together with the shoulder pads you actually use and follow the manufacturer's size chart.
How tight should a football girdle fit?
A girdle should fit close to the body so that the integrated pads remain as stable as possible. At the same time, it should not unnecessarily restrict your movement.
How should All-in-One football pants fit?
The waistband is only one part of the fit. Knee, thigh and hip pads need to sit over the correct areas of the body and should remain as close as possible to those positions during movement.
Which football clothing is useful for beginners?
That depends heavily on what equipment your club provides. A typical personal setup can include a jersey, suitable football pants system, baselayer and socks. Ask your coach about team requirements before buying.
What clothing do you need for flag football?
Flag football focuses on lightweight, mobile clothing and freely accessible flags. Traditional tackle shoulder pads and extensive lower-body protection are normally not used.
What football clothing should I wear in winter?
A close-fitting long-sleeve baselayer can be useful in cold weather. Additional clothing should not cause your shoulder pads or other protective equipment to fit incorrectly.
What football clothing is suitable for hot weather?
Lightweight, breathable performance fabrics and avoiding unnecessary clothing layers can be useful in warm conditions. Required protective equipment still needs to remain complete and correctly fitted.
Do linemen need different football clothing than receivers?
Not necessarily. The position can affect priorities. Receivers often focus on freedom of movement and low bulk, while linemen should pay particular attention to clothing and protection that remain comfortable in a low football stance.
How do you wash football clothing?
Always follow the care label for the specific garment. Care requirements can vary significantly when integrated pads are involved. Wet or sweaty clothing should be removed from your football bag as soon as possible after practice or games.
Where can I buy American Football clothing?
You can find jerseys, football pants, protective clothing, baselayers, socks and other football apparel in our American Football Clothing category.
