Sliding Shorts

Sliding shorts are compression shorts worn under baseball or softball pants, with padding on the hips and thighs to protect against bruises, scrapes and “strawberries” when sliding. They also support the muscles and keep your uniform from bunching. Shop men’s, women’s, boys’ and girls’ sliding shorts.

Padded sliding shorts, like the Mizuno Aero Vented Padded Sliding Short or Marucci Elite Padded, add foam padding on the hips and thighs for maximum protection. Compression shorts, like the Rawlings Compression Short, are thinner and lighter, offering support and a cup pocket with little or no padding. Players who slide often should go padded.

Many do. Models like the Easton Adult Sliding Shorts with Cup, Under Armour Boy’s Utility Slider with Cup and Mizuno Padded Sliding Short G3 with Cup include a protective cup. Others have a cup pocket only, so you can add your own from our player protection collection.

A cage cup, like the one included with some Rawlings compression shorts, has a vented, open design that lets air flow through while still offering hard-shell protection. It’s lighter and cooler than a traditional solid cup, a popular choice in hot weather.

Many fastpitch leagues recommend pelvic protection for catchers and infielders. Girls’ sliding shorts with a pelvic protector, like the Girl’s Compression Jill Short with Cup, offer a cup designed for girls. Check with your coach or league for requirements.

Snug, like a second skin, so the padding stays in place on the hips and thighs when sliding. If they’re loose, the pads shift and offer less protection. Choose your regular waist size, and check the brand’s size chart, especially for cup sizing between youth and adult.

We carry sliding shorts from Under Armour, Mizuno, Easton, Nike, Rawlings, Louisville Slugger, Rip-It and Marucci.