October 26th, 2010
03:41 PM ET

'Blast boxers' aim to curb 'life-changing' wounds

Blast boxers cost $86 and protect important soldier parts, their maker says.

Military officials in a number of European countries are testing “blast boxers,” armored underwear that protect the groin from shrapnel, according to the garments' manufacturer.

BCB International, a Cardiff, Wales-based manufacturer of military and survival products, says the shorts could help reduce “life-changing” injuries to the genitalia and colon - the type caused by roadside bombs in Afghanistan.

The “blast boxers” can stop a projectile moving at 230 meters per second (about the speed of a small handgun bullet), according to the company’s website. Besides protecting the genitals, the shorts also are designed to protect the femoral artery, which, if punctured, can cause rapid blood loss and a quick death.

The protective zones of the boxers are made from Aramid fabric, the same kind of fabric sold under the trade name Kevlar. Lightweight mesh compromises the rest of the garments.

BCB says the boxers have been worn on a 10-mile run “without causing undue discomfort,” but it recommends wearing them over other underwear.

The “blast boxers” sells for about $86 each on the company’s website.

“All soldiers asked whom have recently returned from Afghanistan, confirmed that had the Blast Boxers been available for them, despite the added burden, they would have all, to a man, worn them,” the company says on its website.

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Filed under: Military • Mine accidents • Wales • War
soundoff (106 Responses)
  1. Jack

    I'll bet Bill Clinton wished he had this when he had to face Hillary for the first time after the Monica Lewinski news broke.

    October 27, 2010 at 11:38 am | Report abuse |
  2. bob

    How was this not the very next thing invented after guns?

    October 27, 2010 at 11:52 am | Report abuse |
  3. Arthur

    .Um.....Have you editors ever heard of the word "comprises" vice "compromises"? 😉

    October 27, 2010 at 12:06 pm | Report abuse |
  4. poopoopants

    The real question is will these stop an EXPLOSION from the INSIDE out?!

    October 27, 2010 at 12:07 pm | Report abuse |
  5. gman

    This article suck donkey ****. Where the heck is the link to purchase them? If you had half a brain you'd put one on the article somewhere.

    October 27, 2010 at 12:34 pm | Report abuse |
  6. Brian

    Ok so it stops a projectile moving at 230 meters per second from penetrating, but that is still going to be one hell of a kick to the balls lol

    October 27, 2010 at 12:36 pm | Report abuse |
  7. yuri

    A cup,like athletes wear, ventilated and made up of the rigid kevlar used in the helmets would seem to be a better solution. and two strips running down the inside of the leg covering the femoral. Just my 2 cents.

    October 27, 2010 at 12:37 pm | Report abuse |
  8. SVG

    Lose a limb or your head but save the groins

    October 27, 2010 at 12:37 pm | Report abuse |
    • Geez

      So you think armor should be one piece? You can wear a vest and boxers at the same time (dare I say you can even put more layers on than that?)

      October 27, 2010 at 1:06 pm | Report abuse |
  9. hjs3

    Is that with an open fly?

    October 27, 2010 at 12:42 pm | Report abuse |
  10. mike d

    think that's supposed to be comprises not compromises.

    October 27, 2010 at 12:44 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Josh

    Ask any guy who had his d!(% or his b@!!s blown off in combat, if he would have spent $89 to have prevented it.

    October 27, 2010 at 1:13 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Bubba

    These here underpants seem like a purty good idear....need something better to protect Big Jim and the Twins... I hope that the back of these under britches also provide adequate protection – from the inside out... Cause there always some serious methane explosions comin out the back door after eating some of Granny's homeade bean casserole... Git er done.!

    October 27, 2010 at 1:30 pm | Report abuse |
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