When you hear the phrase “cup check,” your mind might flash back to middle school gym class or awkward locker room moments. But on the latest episode of Brief Talk After Dark, we unpacked so much more than just nostalgia—we explored the surprising depth behind athletic cups and their place in queer culture, masculinity, and kink today.
This wasn’t just a one-note conversation about sportswear. It was an honest, funny, and gear-filled discussion with two amazing guests, Andrew and Alex, who brought their personal experiences, favorite gear stories, and a whole lot of insight into the mix.
From First Cups to Favorite Collectibles
The episode opens with a question that sparks immediate stories: “How did you first get into cups?”
For Andrew, it was sports. He recalled being a young kid playing baseball and MMA when his dad brought home his first cup and jock combo. For Alex and myself, it wasn’t about sports at all—we were the theater and choir kids. But something about that early exposure still left an impression. Alex joked, “As a little kid, I would’ve rather played in traffic than wear one. But then I became a teenager and thought, ‘This is kind of awesome.’”
I shared my own story—wearing cups not for protection, but because they made me feel confident. “I wore a cup to work at the bank,” I said in the episode. “It was my little secret confidence booster.”
The Evolution of Gear: From Flat Plastic to Bulletproof Armor
One of the most surprising parts of our conversation was the detail we got into about how cups have evolved. Back in the day, most cups were simple, flat, and uncomfortable. But today? There are curved designs, rubber edging, better materials, and even ballistic-level protection.
“There are companies now making $600 bulletproof cups,” Andrew noted, “with wild designs like knockoff Louis Vuitton prints and American flag themes.”
These aren’t just about function anymore—they’re about identity, self-expression, and sometimes pure indulgence. Many of us collect them the way some collect sneakers or watches.
Why We Still Love Cups—Even When Sports Don’t
One fascinating theme was the contradiction between how less common cups are in actual sports now, and how morevisible they are in fetish and queer spaces. “It used to be required for most contact sports,” Andrew said, “but now if you wear a cup in the locker room, you’re the weird one.”
And yet, there’s a growing online and in-person community of guys who wear them just for fun. Sometimes it’s nostalgic, sometimes it’s kink, and sometimes it’s about channeling a version of masculinity we didn’t get to access growing up.
As Alex said, “There’s something hypermasculine about boxing groin protectors. They’re huge, impossible to hide. It’s like, ‘my manhood is in your face.’”
We also talked about the crossover of kink culture, how cups blend into spandex, leather, wrestling singlets, and more. “There are no rules in kink anymore,” I said. “You can mix spandex, leather, and a cup—and just make it yours.”
Bulges, Confidence, and Connection
Let’s be honest—there’s an aesthetic element here too. As I admitted on the show, “What first drew me in was the bulge. I liked how it looked under jeans. It felt hot, powerful.”
But beyond that, cups provide a unique sense of comfort. There’s something about wearing one under your clothes that’s both private and exciting. Andrew put it perfectly: “You wear a cup out in public, and no one knows but you—and that’s the fun of it.”
Even more fun? Realizing you’re not alone. Sharing stories, swapping gear, and connecting with others who appreciate the same things—whether it’s for nostalgia, kink, or fashion—makes the experience even better.
Why This Episode Mattered
At its heart, Cup Check was about more than gear. It was about growing into who you are, reclaiming things you didn’t have access to growing up, and finding community around something as unexpected as a piece of molded plastic.
We had a lot of laughs, plenty of real talk, and a few “wait, you too?” moments. It reminded me why I started Brief Talk After Dark in the first place—to create space for conversations we don’t always get to have out loud.
Listen to the full episode of Cup Check now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you’ve ever worn a cup, collected them, or just wanted to understand the appeal—this one’s for you.
Have a favorite cup story or a wish list item? Let me know. And yes, we’re already planning a part two.
