What Is a Wrestling Uniform Called? Wrestling Singlets Guide

What is a wrestling uniform called? A wrestling uniform is called a singlet, a one-piece, tight-fitting outfit made of spandex, lycra, or nylon that covers the torso and upper thighs while leaving the arms and legs free to move. It’s the standard uniform across high school, college, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling worldwide.

If you’ve heard people call it a “wrestling outfit,” “wrestling unitard,” or even an “onesie,” they’re all referring to the same garment. But when it comes to the official wrestling uniform name, singlet is the correct competitive term, and it’s the word every wrestler, coach, and official uses.

So the short answer to what is a wrestling uniform called is simple: a singlet. Below, this guide covers everything else you actually need to know: what a singlet is and why it’s designed this way, the three official cuts, the rules under USA Wrestling, NFHS, and NCAA, what colors competitors wear, what goes underneath, and how to choose or order the right one.

What Is a Wrestling Singlet?

One reason people ask what is a wrestling uniform called is that “singlet” isn’t an obvious word outside of the wrestling community. A wrestling singlet is a one-piece, sleeveless athletic garment engineered for one purpose: to give wrestlers full freedom of movement without giving an opponent any loose fabric to grab. The form-fitting cut also lets the referee clearly see body position, contact with the mat, and pinning combinations during scoring.

Singlets are typically constructed from a four-way-stretch blend of spandex (also called elastane) and either polyester, nylon, or lycra. The fabric stretches in every direction, returns to shape, wicks moisture, and resists tearing under the friction of mat contact.

The basic anatomy of a singlet:

• Shoulder straps that hold the garment in place during scrambles and inversions
• A torso panel that fits snugly across the chest, back, and stomach
• Leg openings cut at the upper thigh, with elastic grippers in higher-end models to prevent ride-up
• A unified one-piece construction with no separate top and bottom (though two-piece versions now exist, covered below)

Why Is the Wrestling Outfit Called a Singlet?

The word “singlet” comes from the British term for a sleeveless undershirt, itself derived from “single” because it’s one layer rather than the doubled-up garments common in earlier athletic wear. When the NCAA approved the modern one-piece wrestling uniform in the late 1960s after banning shirtless wrestling, the name stuck.

Before singlets became standard, wrestlers competed in a mix of trunks, tights, sleeveless shirts, or three-piece combinations. The singlet replaced all of that with a single streamlined garment that addressed every regulatory and functional concern at once. Today’s custom wrestling uniforms follow the same core design principles while using modern sublimated fabrics, advanced stretch blends, and team-specific branding that weren’t possible fifty years ago.

The Three Cuts of Wrestling Singlets

Once you’ve settled what is a wrestling uniform called, the next practical question most wrestlers have is which cut of singlet to wear. Singlets are produced in three distinct cuts, and the cut you choose depends on your level of competition and personal preference.

High Cut (Full Cut)

The high cut is the most common style in high school and collegiate folkstyle wrestling. The fabric extends up close to the armpits and across more of the chest, providing maximum coverage. It’s the cut you’ll see most often at NCAA championships and at the international and Olympic levels.

FILA Cut

Named for the international wrestling federation that became United World Wrestling (UWW), the FILA cut sits between the high and low cuts. It exposes more skin along the sides than the high cut but doesn’t drop as low as a low-cut singlet. It’s a popular middle-ground choice for freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers.

Low Cut

The low cut uses minimal fabric, with deep openings at the chest, sides, and back. It looks closer to a pair of compression briefs with stretch suspenders. Check your rule book before ordering a low cut for competition.

Singlet vs. Unitard vs. Onesie: What’s the Difference?

People outside the sport often confuse these terms. Here’s the clean distinction:

A singlet is the wrestling-specific garment described above: sleeveless, mid-thigh length, designed for grappling.

A unitard is a broader category of one-piece form-fitting garments worn in gymnastics, dance, and acrobatics. Unitards typically extend down the legs to the ankle and may include long sleeves. All singlets are technically a type of unitard, but not all unitards are singlets.

An “onesie” is informal slang and not a real category of competitive athletic wear. If someone calls a wrestling singlet an onesie, they’re not familiar with the sport.

What Colors Do Wrestlers Wear When Competing?

If the answer to what is a wrestling uniform called is “a singlet,” the very next question most people have is what color it should be. What colors do wrestlers wear when competing depends entirely on the level of competition:

International freestyle and Greco-Roman: Wrestlers must be ready to wear either red or blue, assigned by officials before the match. Most international competitors own a reversible singlet (red on one side, blue on the other) to satisfy this requirement with a single garment.

High school and college folkstyle: Wrestlers wear their team colors. When two opposing wrestlers wear similar colors, one is assigned a colored anklet (or in older rules, a bib) so officials can clearly distinguish them during scoring.

Tournament considerations: When designing custom team singlets, picking colors that contrast cleanly against the most common opponent colors in your conference reduces how often your wrestlers will be asked to wear an identifying anklet.

USA Wrestling and NFHS Singlet Rules (High School)

Knowing what is a wrestling uniform called is half the picture; understanding the rules that govern how it’s worn is the other half. USA Wrestling, the national governing body, follows international UWW rules for freestyle and Greco-Roman events, and the core USA Wrestling singlet rules are aligned with those international standards. The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) governs scholastic competition and publishes the rules for sanctioned high school matches.

Key NFHS singlet requirements:

• The singlet must adequately cover the torso from shoulder straps down to the upper thigh
• Singlets must be in school or team colors and free of inappropriate language or graphics
• Officials must be able to distinguish the two competing wrestlers; a colored anklet is used when colors are too similar
• Since the 2017-18 season, high school wrestlers may wear a two-piece uniform, a form-fitted compression shirt with compression shorts or shorts designed for wrestling, instead of the singlet. Check your state association.
• Compression shorts worn under a traditional singlet can go past the leg opening, but they must be tight fitting and cannot go below the knee
• Female wrestlers must wear a sports bra that completely covers the breasts beneath the singlet

Source: NFHS rule change via state associations (HHSAA release 2017-05-02, MPSSAA), checked 2026-10-22.

Source for the shorts rule: NFHS Rules Changes 2023 to 2024, Rule 4-1-1a, checked October 31, 2026.

Always check your state athletic association’s most recent rule book before ordering uniforms. Small variations exist between states, and NFHS rules are updated annually.

NCAA Wrestling Singlet Regulations (College)

NCAA wrestling regulations cover singlet coverage, school identification, and undergarments at the collegiate level:

• Singlets must display the institution’s name, abbreviation, or recognized logo
• Numbers are not typically required (unlike most other NCAA sports)
• Since 2019-20, college wrestlers may wear a singlet, a form-fitting shirt with shorts, or a form-fitting shirt with loose shorts designed for wrestling. Check the current NCAA rule book.
• Compression shorts and tights worn underneath must comply with visibility and color rules
• Some institutions allow full-length tights under singlets in cold-environment competition

Source: NCAA.com, ‘Wrestlers can compete in special shorts next season’, June 26, 2019; check the current NCAA wrestling rule book.

UWW International Wrestling Singlet Rules (Olympic and World Championship Level)

United World Wrestling (UWW) governs international freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, and continental championships. UWW rules are stricter and more uniform than NFHS or NCAA because international competition uses a single, globally applied standard.

Key UWW singlet requirements:

• Wrestlers must bring both a red singlet and a blue singlet (or a reversible red/blue singlet); the color is assigned by bracket position before each match
• The singlet must be non-transparent and made from UWW-approved stretch fabric
• Country code and athlete’s last name must be visible on the back of the singlet, in specified sizes
• Advertising and sponsor logos are tightly regulated in size, number, and placement
• All singlets are inspected before competition; non-compliant gear disqualifies the wrestler from that bout

If you’re outfitting a program that competes internationally, buy UWW-compliant singlets from the start rather than trying to adapt scholastic gear.

Prohibited Items and Uniform Violations

Across NFHS, NCAA, and UWW competition, certain items are prohibited during matches. These rules exist for safety and fairness:

• Jewelry of any kind, including religious items (medical-alert bracelets are the narrow exception with proper documentation)
• Hard objects such as unpadded casts, rigid braces, or anything that could injure an opponent
• Lubricants, oils, or grease applied to skin or singlet that would prevent an opponent from securing a grip
• Excessive taping without a medical note and referee pre-approval
• Modified or altered equipment that hasn’t been approved by officials

Penalty structure for uniform violations typically escalates: a verbal warning for minor issues, a one-point deduction for repeat offenses, and forfeiture for safety violations or refusal to correct. Athletes with medical or religious accommodations should secure documentation and notify tournament officials in advance rather than arriving at the weigh-in hoping for an exception.

What Do Wrestlers Wear Under Their Singlets?

This is one of the most-asked questions about wrestling, and the answer is more flexible than people assume. High school rules require an undergarment under the singlet that completely covers the buttocks and groin; the type is up to the wrestler, and other levels set their own rules.

Common options include:

• Compression shorts: the most popular modern choice, providing coverage and comfort without bunching
• Jockstrap with athletic cup: common for younger wrestlers and required by some youth programs
• Briefs or boxer-briefs: permitted but less common at higher levels
• Nothing underneath: not allowed in high school, where NFHS rules require an undergarment that covers the buttocks and groin; check the rule book for other events

For female wrestlers, a sports bra is standard, and additional compression undergarments are common. For youth wrestlers, parents and coaches typically require compression shorts or a jockstrap-and-cup combination as a baseline expectation regardless of league rules.

Wrestling Singlet Materials and Construction

Quality wrestling singlets share a specific set of material characteristics:

Four-way stretch fabric: the singlet must move with the wrestler in every direction, including deep shots, sprawls, bridges, and inversions. A fabric that only stretches two ways will restrict motion or distort under load.

Spandex/elastane content: typically 8 to 20 percent spandex blended with polyester or nylon (Hamco’s custom singlet is 92 percent polyester, 8 percent spandex). Higher spandex percentages give better stretch and recovery; the synthetic backing provides durability.

Moisture-wicking treatment: pulls sweat away from the skin and dries quickly, preventing the singlet from becoming heavy or slippery during long matches.

Flatlock stitching: seams sewn flat against the inside of the garment to prevent chafing and reduce weak points that can split under stress.

Sublimated graphics: the gold standard for custom designs. Sublimation infuses dye directly into the fabric fibers, so there is no print layer to crack or peel on logos, names, or color blocks. Screen-printed designs on stretch fabric can crack because the ink layer cannot flex with the material.

Women’s Wrestling Singlets

Women’s wrestling is the fastest-growing segment of the sport, and women’s-cut singlets are now produced by every major manufacturer. A women’s-cut singlet is contoured for a different body shape than a men’s cut: a more shaped torso, adjusted shoulder strap geometry, and a fit through the hips designed for athletic female bodies rather than scaled-down men’s patterns.

The two-piece uniform (a form-fitted compression shirt with compression shorts or wrestling shorts) is also legal under NFHS and NCAA rules for every wrestler; see the rules sections above.

For design inspiration specifically tailored to women’s wrestling programs, see our collection of women’s wrestling singlet design ideas.

How to Size a Wrestling Singlet

Singlet sizing is based on a combination of body weight and chest measurement, and a precise fit matters more than in almost any other athletic garment.

A singlet that’s too small restricts breathing, limits range of motion, and can fail coverage requirements during scrambles. A singlet that’s too large bunches at the torso and gives opponents loose fabric to grip, a real competitive disadvantage.

Wrestling Singlet Size Chart

Brands vary, but the guide below reflects a typical adult size range. Always verify against the specific manufacturer’s chart before ordering.

Size	Weight (lbs)	Chest (in)	Waist (in)	Height
XS	100–115	30–32	26–28	5’2″–5’4″
S	116–130	33–35	28–30	5’4″–5’6″
M	131–150	36–38	30–32	5’6″–5’9″
L	151–175	39–41	33–35	5’9″–6’0″
XL	176–200	42–44	36–38	6’0″–6’2″
2XL	201–230	45–47	39–41	6’2″–6’4″
3XL	231+	48–50	42–44	6’4″+

Youth singlets use their own sizing scale, typically keyed to weight classes starting at 55 lbs.

Sizing tips

• Use the manufacturer’s specific size chart, as they vary between brands
• Measure chest, waist, and hips before ordering
• Account for muscle mass rather than street-clothes size; wrestlers often size up from their everyday shirt size
• For youth wrestlers, fit to current measurements rather than sizing up for growth. A singlet that fits properly now performs better than a roomy one that lasts two seasons
• Order new singlets well before the first competition and have wrestlers test them in practice; never debut a brand-new singlet in a match

Wrestling Singlet Brands and Price Ranges

Before ordering, it helps to know what the market looks like. The wrestling singlet space is dominated by a handful of established manufacturers plus a growing number of custom suppliers.

The brands you’ll encounter most:

• ASICS
• Cliff Keen Athletic
• Adidas
• Matman
• Brute
• Custom team specialists (like HAMCO Sports): full sublimation, no-minimum ordering

Typical price ranges for a single singlet:

Tier	Price	What You Get	Best For
Entry	$25–$40	Basic fabric, limited colors, off-the-shelf	Beginners, practice singlets
Mid	$41–$65	Better fabric, more design options	Regular competition
Premium	$66–$90	Advanced materials, full custom sublimation	Serious competitors, team kits
Elite	$91–$150	Top-tier fabric, reinforced construction, full customization	Elite athletes, flagship team gear

Custom team orders typically come in at the Mid to Premium tier per unit, with the per-piece price dropping at higher volumes.

To order custom team singlets with no minimum order, see our custom wrestling singlets page.

Custom Wrestling Singlets for Teams

Once you’ve sorted out the regulatory and sizing fundamentals, the question becomes how to design a singlet that represents your program well.

Custom wrestling singlets differ from generic catalog options in three meaningful ways: they carry your team’s specific colors and identity, they’re sublimated, so the graphics are dyed into the fabric, and they create the visual cohesion that distinguishes a serious program on competition film and team photos.

Effective custom designs follow a few practical principles. Bold color blocking reads better than fine detail because the singlet stretches asymmetrically across different body types. Team name and school identifier should sit prominently across the chest where cameras and officials see it most. Always review a mockup on a fitted figure (or have a sample wrestler try one on) before approving a full team order, since designs that look sharp on a flat mockup sometimes distort when stretched across an athlete’s torso.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a wrestling uniform called? 

A wrestling uniform is called a singlet. It’s a one-piece, tight-fitting garment made of spandex or lycra that’s worn in folkstyle, freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestling at every level from youth through Olympic competition.

Are shorts allowed under wrestling singlets? 

Yes. Compression shorts are permitted under singlets in high school and USA Wrestling events, with limits. In high school, shorts that go past the singlet leg must be tight fitting and cannot go below the knee (NFHS Rule 4-1-1a). In freestyle and Greco-Roman, the USA Wrestling rule book, 2027 edition, bans any undergarment visible below the singlet. Both checked October 31, 2026. For college, check the current NCAA rule book.

What colors do wrestlers wear in international competition? 

Red and blue. International freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers must be prepared to wear either color, assigned by officials before each match. Most own a reversible singlet to handle both assignments with one garment.

Is a wrestling singlet the same as a unitard? 

A singlet is a specific type of unitard designed for wrestling. The wrestling singlet ends at mid-thigh and is sleeveless; general-purpose unitards (gymnastics, dance) often extend to the ankles and may have sleeves.

Can wrestlers wear a two-piece uniform instead of a singlet? 

Yes. Since the 2017-18 season, high school wrestlers may wear a two-piece uniform (a form-fitted compression shirt with compression shorts or shorts designed for wrestling) instead of the singlet, and NCAA rules have allowed a shirt-and-shorts option since 2019-20. Check your state association or the current NCAA rule book.

How long do custom wrestling singlets last? 

Care decides how long a singlet looks new. Wash in cold water, turn the garment inside out before washing, and skip the dryer’s high-heat setting to preserve the elastic fibers and graphics.

For a full breakdown of washing, drying, and storage techniques that protect sublimated graphics, see our wrestling singlet care guide.

Can I order a single custom singlet, or do I need a full team order? 

It depends on the manufacturer. Some require team minimums; others (like HAMCO Sports) have no minimum, which makes individual replacement singlets and starter orders for new programs straightforward.

Final Word

So the next time someone asks what is a wrestling uniform called, you can give them the one-word answer (singlet) and, if they’re curious, the full context. Despite its simple appearance, the wrestling singlet is one of the most carefully engineered garments in competitive sport. Every element, from the cut and the fabric to the colors and the stitching, exists to satisfy a specific competitive or regulatory function.

Whether you’re a new wrestler trying to understand what to wear, a parent ordering your child’s first singlet, or a coach outfitting an entire program, the right singlet is the one that fits your level of competition, your governing body’s rules, and your athlete’s body, in that order.