guide
What to Wear Under a Wrestling Singlet (And What's Legal)
Quick answer: wear something snug that fully covers the groin and buttocks. Most wrestlers pick short compression shorts or tight briefs; boxer briefs work if they are form-fitting and short enough to stay under the singlet leg. Girls add a sports bra that fully covers the chest. High school rules (NFHS) require a suitable undergarment under a one-piece singlet, so "nothing" is not an option. Skip loose boxers, cotton T-shirts and anything with a drawstring.
It is one of the most repeated questions on wrestling forums every fall, usually from a freshman who just got handed a singlet or a parent who has never seen one up close: what do you wear under it? Nobody tells you at the first practice, and nobody wants to ask in the room.
The good news is the answer is simple, and it is mostly about two things: covering what the rules say must be covered, and wearing something that doesn't bunch, slide or show. Here is what experienced wrestlers wear, what the rulebook actually says, and how to pick the right layer for your kid.
What wrestlers actually wear under a singlet
Ask a room full of high school wrestlers and the answers land in the same three places.
| Option | Why wrestlers like it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Compression shorts | Hold everything in place, no lines through the singlet, stay put in a scramble. The most common pick. | Inseam longer than the singlet leg will peek out. Pick a short inseam or one that matches. |
| Tight briefs | Nothing to show below the singlet leg, minimal bulk. | Thin or worn-out briefs give less coverage, which matters most in light-coloured singlets. |
| Form-fitting boxer briefs | Comfortable, already in the drawer. | Loose or long boxer briefs ride up and bunch. Only works if they are genuinely snug. |
What doesn't work: loose boxers. The fabric folds up under a tight singlet, and after one takedown it is wadded around the hips. Wrestlers who try it once usually don't try it twice.
A lot of wrestlers settle on compression shorts because they do double duty: the same pair works at practice under fight shorts and under the singlet on match day. If that's the route, get a pair that fits like the singlet does, snug with no sag. Our men's compression shorts use a silicone waistband and flat-lock seams so they stay in place and don't rub.
What the rules say about undergarments
For high school, the National Federation of State High School Associations sets the uniform rules, and most states follow them. The NFHS uniform rule (Rule 4-1-1, as published in the 2023-24 wrestling rules changes) says, in plain terms:
- An undergarment is required. A suitable undergarment that completely covers the buttocks and groin area has to be worn under a one-piece singlet.
- Anything longer has to be tight. Any other undergarment that extends past the singlet's inseam must be tight-fitting and can't go below the knee.
- Full-length tights are allowed with the singlet, as long as they are form-fitted.
- Girls wear a sports bra. Female wrestlers in a one-piece singlet must wear a sports bra that completely covers the breasts. A compression shirt underneath is permitted but not required unless it is needed for full coverage.
Rules get revised, and your state association can add its own interpretations, so treat this as a starting point and check the current NFHS rulebook (or ask your coach or a referee) before the season. College wrestling follows the NCAA rulebook, and club, freestyle and Greco events follow USA Wrestling and UWW rules, which can differ. If your wrestler is new to the sport, our guide on what a wrestling singlet is covers the basics.
Compression shorts: picking the right length
The most common complaint about compression shorts under a singlet is that they show. That is almost always a length problem, not a product problem.
A singlet leg sits on the upper thigh. If the compression short's inseam runs longer than that, you get a band of a different colour peeking out below the singlet. It's legal as long as it's tight and stops above the knee, but plenty of wrestlers and coaches don't love the look, especially when the colours clash.
For reference, here is the inseam by size from our own compression short size chart:
| Size | 1/2 waist (in) | Inseam (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Youth S | 9 | 4 |
| Youth M | 10 | 5 |
| Youth L | 11 | 5 |
| Adult XS | 12 | 5 |
| Small | 12 | 6 |
| Medium | 13 | 6 |
| Large | 14 | 7 |
| XL | 15 | 7 |
| 2XL | 16 | 7 |
| 3XL | 17 | 8 |
Three practical tips:
- Size by the waist, not the inseam. A short that's too big at the waist rolls down in a scramble. Measure across the waist laid flat and compare to the 1/2 waist column.
- Match colours if they will show. If the shorts will peek out, a colour that matches the singlet looks intentional. Teams that order custom gear often order compression shorts in the same colours as the singlet for exactly this reason.
- Have two pairs. One for weigh-ins and the first session, one dry pair for the second day of a tournament.
Youth wrestlers can use the youth compression shorts, and the full size charts for every piece live on our men's and boys' wrestling size guide.
What girls wear under a singlet
Moms of first-year girls ask this every season, and the answer has two parts: a sports bra that fully covers the chest (required under NFHS rules) and a bottom layer that covers the groin and buttocks, usually compression shorts or snug briefs. Some girls also add a fitted compression top, which the rules allow but don't require unless it's needed for full coverage.
The bigger issue for girls is often the singlet itself. A boys' singlet cut on a men's pattern gaps at the chest and armholes, which is where most coverage worries come from. A singlet cut for a female frame fixes that before you even get to undergarments. Our Pro Series Women's Singlet and Pro Series Girls' Singlet are graded on their own patterns, and the women's sports bra and girls' compression shorts round out the layer underneath. Sizing for all of it is on the women's wrestling size guide.
Light-coloured singlets need the right layer most
Grey and white singlets have a reputation, and it is earned. Thin, light fabric that stretches tight over the body can turn see-through, especially under gym lights and once it's wet with sweat. That's the main reason the undergarment rule exists, and the main reason wrestlers end up embarrassed.
If your team runs a light singlet, two things help:
- A darker or patterned undergarment layer that doesn't show through as a hard line.
- A singlet that doesn't go thin when it stretches. We sublimate deeper into the fabric so colour holds when the singlet stretches over the body instead of turning light, without making the fabric heavy. A darker colourway or a busier sublimated design also helps a lot when you're choosing team colours.
What not to wear under a singlet
- Cotton T-shirts. They bunch, hold sweat and give an opponent something to grab. If a wrestler wants an upper layer, it should be a fitted compression top (check your state's rules for your level first), and for a two-piece uniform it's a compression top paired with fight shorts.
- Anything with a drawstring, zipper, snaps or pockets. They are a safety problem on the mat.
- Loose boxers or long, baggy shorts. They ride up, bunch and can end up below the singlet leg in a way that isn't tight-fitting.
- Nothing at all. Under NFHS rules that isn't legal, and it is a hygiene problem on a shared mat. Wash the singlet and the undergarment after every use and hang them to dry.
For more on fit, read our guide on how a wrestling singlet should fit. A singlet that's the right size stays in place, and so does everything under it.
Outfitting a whole team
Coaches who order singlets for the whole roster often add matching compression shorts and tops in the same order, so the undergarment matches the uniform and nobody shows up in mismatched gear. Every Compound order comes with free design mockups before anything is produced. Browse the full wrestling uniforms range, add quantities in our Quick Quote catalog, or request a custom quote and your rep will help you build the size run.
Frequently asked questions
Do you wear underwear under a wrestling singlet?
Yes. Under NFHS high school rules, a suitable undergarment that completely covers the buttocks and groin is required under a one-piece singlet. Most wrestlers wear compression shorts or tight briefs. Check your state association and the current rulebook for your level.
Are compression shorts allowed under a singlet?
Yes. Compression shorts are the most common choice. Under NFHS rules, any undergarment that extends past the singlet's inseam must be tight-fitting and must not go below the knee.
Can you wear boxer briefs under a wrestling singlet?
Snug, short boxer briefs work. Loose boxers do not: the fabric bunches under a tight singlet and rides up during matches.
What do girl wrestlers wear under a singlet?
A sports bra that fully covers the chest, which NFHS rules require, plus compression shorts or snug briefs. A fitted compression top is allowed but only required if it is needed for full coverage.
Can you wear a shirt under a wrestling singlet?
Not a cotton T-shirt. If a wrestler wants an upper layer, use a form-fitting compression top, and check your state's rules for your level before competition.