Gear for everyposition, fromfront row to back three.
Buying guides for boots, balls, headguards, mouthguards, padding, training equipment and kit, starting with the laws on what is allowed, your position and the pitch you play on.
Find gear by position and game
Boots, balls, protection, training and kit, for every format from mini rugby to senior fifteens.
Rugby boots
Boots by position and pitch
Rugby balls
Match, training and youth balls
Protective gear
Headguards, mouthguards and padding
Training equipment
Tackle bags, shields and scrum machines
Kit & apparel
Jerseys, shorts, socks and base layers
Sevens, league & touch
Sevens, rugby league, touch and tag
Youth, coaching & referees
Mini rugby, coaches and referees
Conditioning & recovery
Strength, conditioning and recovery
Know what the laws allow
- 01
Rugby Ball Sizes by Age: Size 3, 4 and 5 Explained
Size 5 is the full-size ball used by adults and older teenagers.
- 02
Rugby Boots by Position: Forwards vs Backs and Stud Types
Forwards need grip and stability for scrums and rucks, so their boots usually have a stiffer build, ankle support and an eight-stud soft-ground sole with screw-in metal studs.
- 03
Rugby Mouthguards: Boil-and-Bite vs Custom-Fitted
A mouthguard protects teeth, lips and jaw in contact.
- 04
Tackle Bags and Tackle Shields: A Buying Guide for Clubs
Tackle bags are upright foam cylinders for practicing tackle technique, and tackle shields are handheld pads used to absorb carries and hits.
- 05
Touch vs Tag Rugby: Rules, Gear and Who Each Suits
Touch rugby (also called touch football) is a non-contact game where a defender touches the ball carrier instead of tackling, and the attacking team usually has six touches before possession changes.
- 06
World Rugby Regulation 12: Studs, Headguards and Padding Rules
World Rugby Regulation 12 sets what players may wear.
Rugby Equipment questions, answered
What size rugby ball does an adult use?
Size 5, the full-size ball used in senior union, league and sevens.
Read: Rugby Ball Sizes by Age →Can I wear soccer boots for rugby?
Many backs do, if the studs comply with rugby rules. Forwards usually need sturdier rugby-specific boots for scrummaging grip.
Read: Rugby Boots by Position →Are mouthguards required in rugby?
Many unions and competitions require them, especially for youth players. Check your union's rules.
Read: Rugby Mouthguards →What is the difference between a tackle bag and a tackle shield?
A tackle bag stands on its own and is tackled to the ground. A tackle shield is held by a player to absorb contact.
Read: Tackle Bags and Tackle Shields →How many players are on a touch rugby team?
Six on the field in standard touch, with substitutes rolling on and off.
Read: Touch vs Tag Rugby →How long can rugby studs be?
No longer than 21 millimeters under World Rugby Regulation 12.
Read: World Rugby Regulation 12 →Laws and fit first
We check boots, headguards and padding against World Rugby Regulation 12 before recommending them.
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
The rugby equipment index
- 01Rugby bootsForward and back boots, soft-ground and firm-ground studs, artificial-grass boots, wide fits and youth boots.1 page
- 02Rugby ballsMatch and training balls, sizes 3 to 5 by age, touch and tag balls, kicking tees and ball care.1 page
- 03Protective gearScrum caps and headguards, mouthguards, shoulder pads and protective vests, compression and supports.2 pages
- 04Training equipmentTackle bags and shields, rucking pads, scrum machines, contact suits, agility gear and kicking tees.1 page
- 05Kit & apparelRugby jerseys, shorts, socks, base layers, training wear, team kit and club ordering.0 pages
- 06Sevens, league & touchGear and rules differences for sevens, rugby league, touch rugby, tag rugby and beach rugby.1 page
- 07Youth, coaching & refereesYouth and mini rugby gear, coaching equipment and resources, referee kit and club equipment.0 pages
- 08Conditioning & recoveryRugby strength and conditioning equipment, GPS vests, recovery tools and preseason fitness gear.0 pages