Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 1, 2026

Protective gear in sports

Personal protective equipment serves an integral role in maintaining the safety of an athlete participating in a sport. The usage and development of protective gear in sports has evolved through time, and continues to advance over time. Many sports league or professional sports mandate the provision and usage of protective gear for athletes in the sport. Usage of protective gear is also mandated in college athletics and occasionally in amateur sports.

Last revised
Jun 1, 2026
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A maximum-safety protective gear for multiple sports training source ↗
Soft-type equipment for family sports and weekend activities source ↗
A full-body protective gear variant source ↗

Personal protective equipment serves an integral role in maintaining the safety of an athlete participating in a sport. The usage and development of protective gear in sports has evolved through time, and continues to advance over time. Many sports league or professional sports mandate the provision and usage of protective gear for athletes in the sport. Usage of protective gear is also mandated in college athletics and occasionally in amateur sports.1

jock strap source ↗
  • Protective sports glasses or sports goggles, which are also available with prescription lenses.
  • jockstrap (optional)
  • Bowling Gloves optional
  • pole harness
  • Clothes
  • Club(s)
  • Glove(s) (Not necessary and usually only worn on the opposite to dominant hand)
National Hockey League goaltender wearing the required PPE to play. source ↗

3

In Squash: Goggles to protect the eyes from the ball

All Optional:

  • Mouthguard
  • Underguards (pads)
  • Headguard
References

References