Good training kit does three things: it lets you move freely, it moves sweat away from your skin so you do not get cold and clammy, and it stands up to being washed after every session. Most club and training ranges from Nike, adidas, Stanno and Joma are made from lightweight polyester for exactly that reason.
For yourself, choose by activity and weather: a short sleeve training top and shorts for most of the year, a quarter zip midlayer and tracksuit bottoms for cold sessions, and a waterproof or padded coat for standing on the touchline. For a team, the main job is getting sizes right across a squad and keeping colours consistent from one order to the next.
Sizing is where kit orders most often go wrong, especially for juniors, so measure before you order.
Fabrics and what the names mean
Most performance kit uses polyester or a polyester blend with some elastane for stretch. Brands give their fabric technologies their own names:
- Nike Dri-FIT is Nike’s name for its moisture-wicking polyester fabric, designed to move sweat to the surface where it can evaporate.
- adidas AEROREADY is adidas’s name for its moisture-managing fabric.
- Other teamwear brands such as Stanno and Joma also make most training tops from lightweight polyester; the product description lists the fabric.
Cotton is comfortable for warming up and leisure, but it holds sweat and dries slowly, so it is a poor choice for the main training layer on cold days.
Building a training kit
| Layer | Purpose | Typical items |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Next to the skin, moves sweat away | Training tee, base layer, compression shorts |
| Mid | Warmth while moving | Quarter zip midlayer, drill top, sweatshirt |
| Outer | Wind and rain | Rain jacket, all weather jacket, padded coach coat |
| Legs | Movement and warmth | Shorts, tech pants, tracksuit bottoms |
| Extras | Comfort and safety | Socks, base layer leggings, gloves, bag |
You can compare training tops, midlayers and tracksuits in the Nike, adidas, Stanno and Joma ranges.
Sizing adults and juniors
- Use the brand’s chart. Chest and waist measurements differ between brands; a Nike medium and a Joma medium may not match.
- Check the cut. Some training tops are slim fit and sit close to the body; others are regular. Slim fits often feel a size smaller.
- Check men’s, women’s and unisex. Many team ranges have a women’s cut marked (W) and a men’s or unisex cut marked (M). Women’s cuts are usually narrower at the shoulders and shaped at the waist.
- Juniors grow fast. Junior sizes are usually given by age range or by chest and height. Measure the child and pick the size that fits now, with a little room, rather than buying two sizes up; very loose kit flaps and can catch.
- Leave room for layers in jackets and midlayers.
Ordering kit for a team or school
- Collect sizes before ordering, ideally by measuring rather than asking.
- Order a range of sizes for trying, if the shop allows returns, before placing a large order.
- Check colours by product code. Brand colour names can change between seasons, and a slightly different red will show next to older kit.
- Plan for printing or embroidery. Personalised items usually cannot be returned, so get sizes confirmed first.
- Check stock and delivery dates before season deadlines; team colours in less common sizes can run out.
- Keep a few spares in popular sizes for new players.
Many teamwear lines stay in a brand’s range for several seasons, which makes it easier to add players later. Check the model name and number (for example “Academy 21” or “Pride”) when reordering.
Washing technical sportswear
- Follow the care label. Most polyester kit washes at 30 or 40 °C.
- Turn kit inside out to protect printed numbers, badges and the fabric surface.
- Skip fabric softener on wicking fabrics; it leaves a coating on the fibres.
- Do not tumble dry printed kit on high heat; heat can crack or lift prints.
- Wash soon after use. Sweaty kit left in a bag smells and can stain.
- Close zips and Velcro so they do not snag other items.
Quick checklist
- Polyester or wicking fabric for the main training layer.
- A midlayer and outer layer for cold or wet sessions.
- Brand size chart checked; slim fits noted.
- Women’s, men’s and junior cuts chosen correctly.
- Team colours matched by product code.
- Sizes confirmed before printing or embroidery.
- Washed inside out, cool, without fabric softener.
Common questions
What does Dri-FIT mean?
It is Nike’s name for its moisture-wicking polyester fabric. It is designed to pull sweat away from the skin to the outer surface where it can evaporate, so you stay drier while training.
Should I buy junior kit a size up?
A little room is sensible, but buying two sizes up usually means kit that is too long and loose, which is uncomfortable and can catch. Measure the child and choose the size that fits now with a small margin.
Can I mix kit from different brands?
Yes, for training. For matchday kit, clubs and leagues may have rules on colours and numbering, so check with the club before buying. For converting shoe sizes between brands and countries, see the shoe size guide.
