Rugby Kit
Rugby boots are arguably one of the most important items in your rugby kit. Whether being used for training or matches, you need to know your way around the boots, the different styles available and when to wear different types.
Our blog, Choosing the Right Rugby Boot, covers the make up of different rugby boots in more detail, but in general:
- There are 2 types; Soft Ground & Firm Ground, in 6 stud and 8 stud designs
- SG boots are for when you are playing on wetter ground, and FG are for drier, harder pitches
- Boots should be chosen dependent on playing position, ground surface and how many studs you need.
There are so many different areas to consider when buying rugby clothing. These include:
- T shirts
- Shorts
- Jackets
- Hoodies
- Sub Suits
- Training items (such as bibs, bottoms and tops)
- Socks
What you need to buy depends partly on the position you play, the amount of time you spend playing, and whether you also want to invest in fan clothing such as England Rugby or British & Irish Lions apparel to wear outside of training/matches.
If you are buying for your child, then junior sizing for most items is also available.
Protective Equipment
Protective equipment is split into the following categories:
- Head/face protection – items such as mouth guards and head guards fit into this category, to protect against head and mouth injuries.
- Body protection – items such as body armour, back supports and padded shorts are specially made to protect vulnerable areas such as the abdomen, back, knees, crotch and shoulders
- Hand/arm protection – rugby gloves are designed to both protect the hands and fingers from injury and also improve your catching skills, as they have extra grip on the palms and fingers.
The items you may need from this section may depend on your playing position, so best to check with your coach/trainer before buying.
Rugby Training
You’ll be spending a fair amount of your time training, so to aid performance and make sure you’re on top of your game, you may need to invest in the following:
Training balls can either be purchased in multipacks (usually by the person who runs the club) or as standalone items for individuals to practice in their own time. You may not need to buy your own training ball, but if you do, there are a range of different models from brands such as Gilbert and Rhino to consider.
You’ll need a bag to carry everything in. You may not need a massive bag (these tend to be used by coaches or trainers who need to pack a lot more in) but a good sized duffle can be useful to carry everything from spare clothing, balls, boots and your first aid kit.
If you don’t need such a large bag, then you can also buy rugby backpacks which are more convenient if you are walking to matches or training.
First Aid Kit
If you do decide you want to carry your own first aid kit, make sure the one you buy has essentials such as plasters, antiseptic wipes, bandages, waterproof dressings, a cold pack, swabs and a foil blanket.
Additional Extras
As well as items like boots, balls and actual kit, you’re likely going to need some additional extras such as:
- A large towel, for drying off in wet conditions or after a heavy training session/match. Microfibre is handy for quick drying.
- Spare studs for your boots (make sure you buy the right ones that are compatible with your boots). You may also need a stud key/wrench.
- A water bottle (or 2!)
- Wrist bands (for wiping sweat away from your face)
- Sock holders, to keep your socks up