Ask any coach and they'll tell you the same thing: you can't train well if you're cold, soaked or overheating. Match kit gets all the attention, but training wear is what your squad actually lives in — three or four sessions a week, in car parks, on wet 3G pitches and under floodlights in the middle of a British winter. Get it right and players turn up, warm up properly and look like one club. Get it wrong and half the squad is shivering in cotton hoodies that soak up the rain.
This guide breaks club training wear down layer by layer, so you know what each piece does, which fabrics to look for, and how to build a range that works from freezing January right through to warm pre-season evenings.
Think in layers, not garments
The trick to kitting out a club for the UK climate is to stop thinking about single items and start thinking about a layering system. Each layer has a job. Players add or remove layers depending on the weather and the intensity of the session, and because everything is in your club colours, they still look uniform whether it's one layer or three. Here's how the system works from the skin outwards.
1. The base layer
The base layer sits against the skin and its only job is to move sweat away from the body — "moisture-wicking" or "moisture management" on a spec sheet means exactly this. Look for lightweight polyester or poly-elastane fabrics that stretch and dry fast. Avoid cotton here: it soaks up sweat and rain and holds it against the skin, which is why a cotton t-shirt feels clammy and cold by the end of a session. Base-layer tops (and leggings for colder sports) are the foundation your whole training kit is built on.
2. The training top
This is the workhorse layer most players train in. Short or long-sleeve performance tops, drill tops and quarter-zip tops in breathable, quick-drying fabric keep players comfortable during the active part of a session. Quarter-zip and half-zip designs are popular because a player can open the neck to dump heat during a hard drill and zip it back up during a water break. This is also the layer sponsors and crests are most often seen on, so it's worth branding well.
3. The mid-layer
When the temperature drops, a mid-layer traps warmth without adding bulk. Think brushed-back fleece quarter-zips, midweight sweatshirts and lightweight padded gilets. Players wear these for warm-ups and cool-downs and peel them off once they're moving. A good mid-layer is the difference between a productive January session and everyone standing around with their hands in their sleeves.
4. The outer layer
The outer layer defends against the two things that end UK sessions early: rain and wind. A showerproof or waterproof rain jacket with taped seams keeps players dry, while a padded bench jacket or "stadium" coat keeps substitutes and coaches warm on the touchline. If you only add one outer layer, make it a rain jacket — it's the piece that keeps training on when the forecast says otherwise.
5. Tracksuits and travel wear
Finally, the tracksuit ties the whole range together. A matching jacket and bottoms is what players arrive and leave in, wear to away fixtures, and pull on over kit for presentations and team photos. It's the most visible "club uniform" piece off the pitch, so it carries your branding into every car park, service station and clubhouse you visit. Add holdall kit bags and beanies to finish the look.
What to brand — and how
Training wear is prime branding real estate because it's worn far more often than match kit. Most clubs put the crest on the left chest, the club or sponsor name across the back or between the shoulders, and player initials or numbers on sleeves or hems. On heavier garments like jackets, mid-layers and bags, embroidery gives a premium, hard-wearing finish. On lightweight, stretchy base layers and training tops, print or heat transfer sits lighter and moves with the fabric. Not sure which to use? Our team advises the best method per garment — you can read more on our embroidery and printing pages.
Building your range on a budget
You don't have to buy everything at once. If funds are tight, order in this priority:
- Training tops — the piece players use every session.
- A mid-layer — the biggest comfort upgrade for UK autumn and winter.
- Rain jackets — protect sessions from the weather.
- Tracksuits and bags — the finishing touch for travel and presentation.
Ordering for the whole squad in one go almost always works out cheaper per item than dribbling out small top-ups, and it keeps everything colour-matched. Because we hold your setup on file, you can still reorder mid-season for new players and the new pieces will match the rest of the squad.
Sizing a whole club
Multi-age clubs are our bread and butter. We handle junior and senior sizing on the same order, so you can kit out the under-8s and the first team in one go. A quick tip: run a sizing session where every player tries a sample garment before you finalise numbers. It takes an evening and saves the headache of swaps later — training garments are often slim, athletic fits, so a player's training-top size isn't always their everyday size.
Frequently asked questions
Is training wear different from match kit?
Yes. Match kit is designed to league specifications for playing in, while training wear is a broader system of tops, layers and outerwear for the sessions around match day. Most clubs colour-match the two so everything looks consistent. For match kit specifically, see our teamwear range.
What fabric should training wear be?
Performance polyester or poly-elastane blends for anything worn while active — they wick sweat and dry quickly. Save cotton-rich garments for casual, off-pitch wear like leisure hoodies.
How many training tops does each player need?
Two is the sweet spot for clubs training two or three times a week — one to wear while the other is in the wash. Keepers and players in muddy positions often want a third.
Can we add sponsors to training wear?
Definitely. Training wear is seen more often than match kit, so it's excellent value for sponsors. We can position multiple logos across the range and keep them consistent on every garment.
How long does an order take?
After you approve your digital proof, orders are typically produced and dispatched within 7–14 working days. Tell us your season start or tournament date and we'll prioritise where we can.
Ready to kit out your squad?
Send your sport, colours, quantities and design ideas to promo@centralcustom.co.uk, or request a quote through our teamwear page, and we'll help you build a training range that keeps your club training in comfort all season.
