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The nights are drawing in, the clocks go back on Sunday 25 October, and training is about to get a lot colder. If your squad turns up in a mix of old hoodies, borrowed coats and whatever was on the radiator, here's how to fix it with custom training tops and track pants before the first frost.
Staying warm on a Tuesday night under the floodlights doesn't come from one big coat. It comes from layers. Get the system right and your players stay warm in the warm-up, cool enough in the drills, and dry when the rain comes sideways across the pitch. Get it matching, and your club looks the part every single session.
Our view: most clubs spend too much on jackets and too little on base layers. A £24 base layer under a good training top will do more for a cold player than a heavy coat they take off after ten minutes. Here's how to build a three-layer winter kit for your whole club, in that order.
Why layering beats one big coat
Training isn't a steady activity. Players stand still for instructions, sprint through a drill, then stand still again. A heavy coat is too hot once they're moving and comes off the moment they start, so they're cold for the rest of the session.
Layers let players adjust as they go. Add one at the start, take one off when the session gets going, and put it back on for the cool-down. Each of the three layers does a different job:
- Base layer: sits next to the skin, keeps players warm and moves sweat away from the body.
- Training top: the mid layer that adds warmth and does most of the work in the session.
- Outer layer: blocks wind and rain, and goes on for warm-ups, cool-downs and the walk back to the car.
"This was the first time we have used My Club Group and from start to finish it was an amazing process, the kits are amazing we bought a home kit then we were so happy with them we bought a 1/4 zip training jacket then an away kit which is due next week. We had amazing communication and Teddy who we dealt with couldn’t do enough I would highly recommend this company to anyone." - Scott
Layer 1: the base layer
This is the layer most players skip and the one that makes the biggest difference. A base layer should fit close to the body without feeling tight, and be made from a fabric that pulls sweat away from the skin (often called moisture-wicking). That matters in winter because damp skin gets cold fast once players stop moving.
Our custom base layer tops start at £24.00 each (excl. VAT), and there are base layer bottoms in the range too. Players can wear them under training tops all winter and under match kit on the coldest days, as long as your league's kit rules allow it.
Club tip: order base layers in your club colour. Most leagues have rules about undershirt and undershort colours on match day, and a matching colour keeps you on the right side of them.
Layer 2: football training tops
The training top is the workhorse of winter training, and it's the layer everyone sees. A good one is warm enough to wear on its own on a mild night, light enough to train hard in, and easy to wear under a jacket when the weather turns.
The most popular football training tops for clubs are:
- Custom Quarter zip top (£29.75, excl. VAT): the classic. Zip it up for warmth, then open it when the session heats up.
- Custom zip training top (£32.50, excl. VAT): a full-length zip, so it goes on and off over a base layer in seconds.
- Custom Hoodie (£29.75, excl. VAT): warm and comfortable for the walk in, warm-ups and travel. Available in full zip or no zip styles, with or without a pocket.
Our training tops are fully sublimated, so your design is part of the fabric rather than printed on top. That means no cracking and no fading, however many times they're washed. Your club badge, sponsor logos and player initials are all included in the price.
Layer 3: the outer layer
The outer layer keeps out the wind and rain. Players reach for it in the first ten minutes and the last ten, and coaches wear it for the whole session. Choose the weight that suits how your club trains:
- Custom Showerproof jacket (£37.50, excl. VAT): light and easy to train in, for drizzle and damp evenings.
- Custom Softshell jacket (£48.50, excl. VAT): blocks the wind, adds warmth and still moves with the player.
- Custom Winter softshell (£48.50, excl. VAT): a warmer version for the coldest months.
Make sure the jacket fits over a training top without restricting arm movement. If players can't lift their arms above their head in it, they'll take it off and get cold.
Don't forget the legs
Legs cool down fast between drills. Track pants (£29.75, excl. VAT) keep players warm through warm-ups and can come off for the main session, so they work like the other layers. We offer our track pants in two fits: skinny and regular.
Finishing touches: snoods, hats and gloves
Small extras help a lot when the temperature drops. A snood keeps the neck warm without the loose ends of a scarf, a beanie keeps the heat in during drills, and thin gloves keep hands comfortable.
For training, these are about comfort and common sense. For matches, check your league's rules first, because some competitions restrict what players can wear around the neck.
Contact Us to discuss custom accessories!
Kit for the touchline: coaches, volunteers and parents
Coaches, physios and volunteers stand still for 90 minutes in the cold, so they need more warmth than the players, not less. Here are three options:
- Custom Padded jacket (£45.00, excl. VAT): the warmest option for long sessions on the touchline.
- Custom Showerproof jacket (£37.50, excl. VAT): light and perfect for spectating in drizzle and on damp evenings.
- Custom Softshell jacket (£48.50, excl. VAT): blocks the wind, adds warmth and looks the part.
Matching staff jackets also make staff easy to spot on a busy training night, and they're a simple way to thank the people who give up their evenings for your club. Once your club has its own Club Shop (subject to qualification), parents and supporters can order the same jackets and hoodies for themselves.
Layering for junior players
Young players feel the cold faster and are less likely to say so. A few simple habits help:
- Ask juniors to arrive in all three layers and take them off as the session warms up.
- Keep a spare training top in the kit bag for the player who forgets theirs.
- Get layers back on as soon as the session ends, before the chat with parents.
- Buy with a little room to grow, so this winter's training top lasts into next season.
Our junior sports kit comes in the same designs as the adult sizes, so the whole club matches from the under-7s to the first team.
How Steve's Club got winter-ready
"From the first contact I was assisted in going through finalising the product and design of the logos and the process of placing an order. The order was delivered in the initial time frame which was great. The 1/4 zips that we ordered were great quality and true to size. Thanks to Dean and the rest of the team for a great service." - Steve R
Your winter training kit at a glance
| Layer | What it does | Options from our training range |
|---|---|---|
| Base layer | Keeps players warm and moves sweat away from the skin | Base layer top (from £24.00), base layer bottoms |
| Training top | Adds warmth and does most of the work in the session | Quarter zip top, custom zip training top, hoodie (£29.75) |
| Outer layer | Blocks wind and rain for warm-ups, cool-downs and coaches | Showerproof jacket (£37.50), softshell jacket (£48.50), winter softshell |
| Bottoms | Keeps legs warm in warm-ups and between drills | Track pants |
| Touchline | Keeps coaches and volunteers warm for the full session | Padded jacket (£45.00), showerproof jacket (£37.50), softshell jacket (£48.50) |
Prices are per item, excluding VAT, and include your badge, sponsor logos and player initials.
Build a matching winter range in four steps
1. Pick your layers. Start with base layers and a training top for every player, then add outer layers and staff jackets.
2. Design it once. Use our free online kit builder, or get a free design from our in-house team. Match your club colours, crest and sponsors across every item.
3. Order for the squad. Your first order has a minimum of 5 items. After that there's no minimum, so you can top up as new players join.
4. Let members order their own. With a free online club shop, players and parents order and pay for their own winter kit online (subject to qualification). No chasing sizes, no cash envelopes.
When to order
Custom training kit takes about 5 to 6 weeks from final design sign-off to delivery. Order in October and your squad will have their kit before the coldest weeks of December and January. Wait until the first frost and you'll be halfway through winter before the boxes arrive.
Once it arrives, a little care keeps it looking sharp all season. Our guide to caring for your kit covers washing and drying, and our Winter Gear Essentials round-up has more ideas for the cold months.
Get your club winter-ready
Design a matching winter training range for your whole club, from base layers to coaches' jackets. Free design, all-inclusive pricing, and your badge and sponsors on every item.
Design your training kit →
Not sure where to start? Get a free design and our designers will do it for you.
FAQs
What should footballers wear for winter training?
Three layers work best: a close-fitting base layer, a football training top such as a quarter zip, and a showerproof or softshell jacket. Add track pants, and a snood, hat and gloves on the coldest nights. Players can then add or remove layers as the session warms up and cools down.
What are the best football training tops for winter?
A quarter zip or full zip training top worn over a base layer. The zip lets players control their temperature during the session, and the top is light enough to wear under a jacket when it's wet or windy.
How many layers should you wear for training in the cold?
Usually two or three. On a mild evening, a base layer and a training top are enough. When it's cold, wet or windy, add an outer jacket for the warm-up, the cool-down and any time players are standing still.
Should base layers match the club kit colour?
For training, it's up to your club, but matching layers look sharper. For matches, many leagues have rules on undershirt and undershort colours, so ordering base layers in your club colour is the safest choice. Check your league's kit rules if you're unsure.
What is the minimum order for custom training kit?
At My Club Group, your first order has a minimum of 5 items. After that there's no minimum, so you can add new players or extra items whenever you need to.
How long does custom training kit take to arrive?
About 5 to 6 weeks from final design sign-off to delivery. For winter training kit, ordering in October means your squad has it before the coldest months.
