The right training kit keeps you comfortable through a full session — warm enough in winter, breathable in summer, and durable enough to survive contact drills and muddy pitches. Here are the best options across every category of rugby training wear.
Training Shorts
1. Canterbury Club Short (Best Club Training Short)
The most widely worn training short at UK club level. Canterbury’s Club Short is durable, comfortable and available in a good range of colours. The fabric is lightweight and quick-drying — ideal for training sessions that end with a cold sprint to the changing room. Available in adult and junior sizes.
Price range: £18–£28
2. Under Armour HeatGear Shorts (Best for Summer Training)
Under Armour’s HeatGear compression shorts are popular with backs and fitness-focused players. The tight fit reduces muscle fatigue and the fabric manages sweat well during running-heavy sessions. Many players wear them under shorts or on their own for gym work and pre-season fitness training.
Price range: £20–£35
Training Tops
3. Canterbury Vapodri Training Top (Best Training Top)
Canterbury’s Vapodri training top is light, breathable and built to last. It is the standard training shirt at hundreds of clubs across the UK — available in club colours and in plain versions for individual purchase. The fabric dries quickly after hard contact sessions which makes it ideal for training two or three times per week.
Price range: £22–£35
4. Rhino Training Vest (Best for Summer/Fitness)
A lightweight training vest from Rhino — good for warm weather sessions, pre-season fitness work, and gym sessions. Affordable, durable and available in a range of colours. Often used as a bib layer over a base layer in autumn training.
Price range: £14–£22
Hoodies & Warm-Up Tops
5. Canterbury Waimak Hoody (Best Training Hoody)
The Waimak is one of Canterbury’s most popular off-pitch pieces — worn at training warm-ups, in the changing room and travelling to matches. It is warm enough for cold mornings without being heavy, and the kangaroo pocket is useful for hands and a phone during warm-up drills. A staple at most UK rugby clubs.
Price range: £40–£60
6. Under Armour Fleece Hoodie (Best Budget Warm-Up)
A reliable fleece hoodie for pre-training warm-ups and post-match cool-downs. Under Armour’s fleece range is widely available, consistently well-made, and tends to be cheaper than Canterbury’s equivalent. A practical choice for players who want a good-quality warm-up top without the brand premium.
Price range: £30–£50
Training Balls
7. Gilbert Quartz Rugby Ball (Best Training Ball)
The Gilbert Quartz is the most popular training ball in the UK. It is durable enough for regular use, holds its shape well and is suitable for all positions and age groups. Available in size 3 (juniors), size 4 (youth) and size 5 (adult). A good all-weather training ball that does not require a pump top-up every session.
Price range: £15–£25
What to Wear for Different Training Sessions
| Session type | Recommended kit |
|---|---|
| Summer pre-season fitness | Lightweight shorts, training vest, low-cut trainers |
| Autumn contact sessions | Training shorts, training top, base layer if cold |
| Winter full-contact | Base layer, training top, shorts, cold weather socks |
| Gym / strength training | Compression shorts or leggings, training top |
For winter training kit, see the cold weather gear guide. For base layers and thermal options, that page covers what to wear under your training top when temperatures drop.