Training tops Nike
This page brings together training shirts Nike designed for rugby: technical t-shirts, long-sleeved tops, and half-zip drill tops, worn from warm-up to passing drills. The brand with the swoosh, former kit supplier to the French national team and partner of the Springboks, uses its Dri-FIT technology to wick away sweat and keep the player dry until the end of the session.
The training shirts by Nike.
From Blue Ribbon Sports to the France XV
Founded in 1964 by coach Bill Bowerman and his former athlete Phil Knight under the name of Blue Ribbon Sports, the company became Nike in 1971, in tribute to the Greek goddess of victory. That same year, graphic design student Carolyn Davidson created the Swoosh, that comma that symbolizes movement. In rugby, the brand dressed the France XV until 2012: the 2007 World Cup held in France and the 2011 final against the All Blacks were played in its colours.
The other brands
Training jerseys also come in:
All training jerseys are gathered on the training jerseys page.
Dri-FIT: how the fabric keeps the player dry
The Dri-FIT is made from a polyester microfibre with very fine threads, designed to create a breathable fabric. Its inner surface, water-repellent, drives sweat to the fabric's surface, where it spreads and evaporates quickly instead of soaking the jersey. For a training jersey Nike, the benefit is clear: the top remains light throughout the session, doesn't stick to the skin during speed exercises, and cools the player less during recovery moments or when receiving instructions from the coach.
Drill top or short sleeves: which top for which session
The drill top, a long-sleeved top with a half-zip, is the piece for cooler sessions: you open it during exertion, zip it up during instructions, and its high collar protects the neck from the wind. The training t-shirt with short sleeves takes over as temperatures rise and remains the natural choice for contact sessions, where a zipper has no place. Many players combine the two: short sleeves underneath, drill top over the top during warm-up, removed at the time of matches.
Good deals
Good bargains can be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and sent out in 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the end-of-year holidays, the winter sales, the French Days of spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school.
Frequently asked questions
Does Nike still kit out a major rugby nation?
Yes, South Africa. The brand rejoined the Springboks in July 2023, after an initial collaboration from 1996 to 2003, and the world champions were crowned in France a few months later with the swoosh on their chests.
Does a Dri-FIT jersey survive the tumble dryer?
Better to avoid it: the heat from the drum wears out the microfibre and may alter the printed logos. Washing at thirty degrees, inside out, followed by drying on a hanger is enough, as the fabric dries very quickly anyway.
Do Nike jerseys run small?
Some so-called slim cuts fit tighter across the chest and arms than standard cuts. Players with broad shoulders, often forwards, should check the indicated cut and consider taking a size up if in doubt.
Can you customise a Nike training jersey?
Yes, polyester allows for heat-pressed customization, provided the indicated temperature is respected to avoid marking the fabric. Clubs often add initials or a number for identifying each jersey after the session.
How many training jerseys should you have per week?
For two or three training sessions a week, two tops are usually enough, since a washed microfibre in the evening is dry by the next day. A third one, with long sleeves, comes in handy as soon as winter sets in.
