This page presents the puffer jackets and parkas Force XV, when the brand offers them, for players, coaches, and managers who spend their weekends by the pitch. Coming from rugby, the French brand dresses players and clubs; we detail here what to expect from a puffer jacket or a parka on the sidelines and how to choose your size.
Warm on the bench.
Force XV is a French brand dedicated to rugby. Its catalogue is primarily aimed at players and clubs, featuring teamwear, the outfits in a team's colours worn by players, coaches, and volunteers. The name itself refers to rugby's fifteen-player format and the strength of the pack. In this context, the puffer jacket and parka aren't fashion items but workwear: the clothes you put on after warming up, on the bench, or during the long hours of a youth tournament in the middle of winter, when the wait between matches chills everyone.
The puffers and parkas also come in different brands:
The entire selection is available on the puffers and parkas page.
By the rugby field, the bench parka has become a classic. Long, often down to the knee, it is worn over the match kit: substitutes stay warm and step onto the pitch with their muscles still ready. Its full-length zip, backed by a flap, allows it to be removed in seconds when it’s time to play. The high collar and hood protect the neck, and the padded lining insulates from the cold seat. For a coach, who remains still throughout a match, it's the most useful piece of winter gear.
A club puffer or parka should be chosen with a bit of room: it needs to fit over training gear without restricting the arms. So you take your usual size if the jacket is loose, a size up if it is fitted. For cleaning, zip up all fasteners and Velcro, turn the garment inside out, and wash it at thirty degrees on a delicate cycle, without fabric softener that clumps the filling fibres. Drying at low temperature, with two drying balls, restores the fluffiness; a club logo printed on should never go directly under the iron.
Great bargains can be found in the promotions, clearance, sales, and Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections. Items shipped within 24 hours are prepared and sent off in that timeframe. The year's key moments follow a consistent order: the Black Friday at the end of autumn, the holiday season, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, then the summer sales and back-to-school.
You measure your chest under the arms, with the tape measure horizontal, then compare it to the manufacturer's chart. For a parka meant to cover multiple layers, you should choose the size that exceeds your measurement by a few centimetres.
The Roman numeral fifteen refers to the number of players in a rugby XV team, the most common format of the game. The word force evokes the strength of the forwards, at the heart of this sport's identity.
Bench parkas are long, but their zipper often unfastens from the bottom thanks to a double slider. You can then open it a few centimetres to regain full freedom of movement on the stairs in the stands.
A lightweight puffer worn between matches and then removed during play prevents the child from getting cold while waiting. You should choose one with a hood and keep a spare dry layer in the bag.
The coach stays upright for long periods and remains still: a long parka that covers the lower back and thighs offers better protection from the wind. A short puffer is more suitable for someone who is moving constantly along the touchline.