Waterproof Football Training Jackets: What to Look For

Tuesday night. Floodlights on. Rain coming sideways across the pitch. If half your squad turns up in borrowed coats and the other half in hoodies soaked through by the warm-up, it’s time to sort out the jackets.

That night isn’t rare. Last winter, southern England had 50% more rain than average, its seventh wettest winter since records began in 1836, according to the Met Office.

Here’s our view up front: most squads don’t need a fully waterproof jacket to train in. They need a light showerproof one that stays on all session, plus something warmer for the people who stand still. Put it in your club colours, with the same jacket from your youngest juniors to your adult squad, and your club looks like a team before a ball is kicked.

Waterproof vs showerproof: what’s the difference?

This is the first thing to get clear, because the two terms are often mixed up.

	Showerproof (water-resistant)	Waterproof
Keeps out	Light rain and drizzle	Heavy, sustained rain
How it works	Tightly woven fabric with a water-repellent finish, so rain beads and runs off	A waterproof coating or membrane, usually with taped seams so water cannot get through the stitching
Breathability	Usually lighter and more breathable	Can feel warmer and trap sweat during hard running, unless it is a breathable design
Best for	Active training, warm-ups, cool-downs, travel	Standing still in bad weather: coaches, subs, spectators

If you see a number like 5,000mm or 10,000mm on a jacket label, that’s its waterproof rating (known as hydrostatic head). The higher the number, the more water pressure the fabric can take before it lets rain in. Showerproof jackets usually don’t carry a rating at all.

To be upfront: the jackets in the Decathlon Club training range are showerproof, not fully waterproof. They’re built for training in light rain, with a water-repellent, wind-resistant polyester outer and a breathable mesh lining. For most squads that’s exactly what you want on a training night. Here’s why.

Why most squads are better off showerproof

Football training is stop-start. Players stand for instructions, sprint through a drill, then stand again. A heavy, fully waterproof shell keeps rain out, but it also keeps sweat in. Ten minutes into a session it comes off, gets dumped on the fence, and players spend the rest of the night cold and damp.

A lighter showerproof jacket stays on. It keeps light rain and wind off during the warm-up, breathes when the pace picks up, and goes straight back on for the cool-down and the walk to the car.

The touchline is different. Coaches, physios and subs stand still for most of a session, so warmth matters as much as rain protection. For them we’d choose a padded jacket. The Elite Padded Jacket is warm, padded and showerproof, and made for anyone who spends the session standing still. If your coaches face heavy, sustained rain every week, a fully waterproof shell over the top is worth having too.

What makes the best waterproof football training jacket?

Whatever level of rain protection you go for, the best football training jackets get the details right. For a club there’s one more test: can every age group wear the same jacket? Here’s what to check.

Fit: room for layers, without the bulk

In winter, the jacket is the outer layer. Players need room for a base layer and a training top underneath without the jacket flapping about when they run.

• Try it over layers. Size with a training top on, not over a T-shirt.
• Check the arms. Sleeves should cover the wrists when arms are stretched out in front.
• Don’t size up too far. One size up for layering is plenty. Any more and the jacket gets in the way.
• Use the size guide. Bespoke kit can’t be returned for the wrong size, so measure first. Our training wear size guide covers the showerproof jacket.

Hoods: fixed or tuck-away?

A hood is essential for coaches and handy for players on the walk in, but a hood bouncing on your back during drills soon gets annoying. A concealed hood that zips away into the collar gives you both. Our showerproof jacket has one, so it’s there when the rain arrives and out of the way when it doesn’t.

Zips, pockets and cuffs

• Full-length front zip. Easy on and off over boots and shin pads, and easy to open up when players warm up.
• Zipped pockets. Keys, phones and car park tickets stay put, even during a sprint warm-up.
• Adjustable cuffs. Keep wind and rain out of the sleeves and stop them slipping over hands.
• Lining. A mesh lining helps sweat move away from the skin, so players stay comfortable when the jacket stays on.

Children’s football training jackets: junior sizes

Junior players feel the cold quickly, and they’re the ones most likely to turn up in a school coat. A matching jacket solves that and makes young players feel part of the team.

• Check junior sizing is available. Our bespoke showerproof jacket comes in Men’s, Women’s and Junior sizes and fits, so one design can run from your youngest age group to your adult squads.
• Measure, don’t guess. Ask parents to measure chest size rather than going by age.
• Allow a little room to grow. One size up means the jacket lasts the season, and often the next one.
• Add initials. Thirty identical jackets on a muddy bench is a recipe for mix-ups. Initials on the chest send every jacket home with the right player.

Matching jackets with your club crest and initials

A matching jacket is one of the most visible things your club owns. It’s what parents see on the touchline and what players wear to away games. There are two ways to get one with Decathlon Club.

	Bespoke showerproof jacket	Elite Showerproof Jacket
Design	Your design: sublimated in your colours, or cut and sew	Set colourway, plain or with your club logo and initials
Price	From £37.50 (excl. VAT)	£37.80 plain; £42.80 with club logo and initials
Sizes	Men’s, Women’s and Junior	S to XXL
Minimum order	5 items on your first order, then no minimum	No minimum
Delivery	Made to order – 6 weeks delivery time from design sign-off	Under 10 days
Best for	Clubs that want jackets to match their kit, across junior and adult squads	Adult squads, coaches and committees who need jackets fast

Not sure which suits your club? Talk to our design team and we’ll help you choose, then mock up your jacket at no extra cost.

Bespoke: your colours, your design

With a sublimated jacket, the design is part of the fabric rather than printed on top, so you choose the colours, patterns and logo placement. Build it in the Kit Designer or let our in-house design team create it with you at no extra cost. It’s the route to take if you want training jackets that match your match kit and the rest of your training wear.

Elite: fast, simple, no minimum

The Elite Showerproof Jacket is ready to go. Choose plain, or add your club logo and individual initials for £5 extra per jacket. Add initials at checkout and we’ll ask for your logo once you’ve ordered. There’s also an Elite Padded Jacket (£49.50 plain, £54.50 with logo and initials) for coaches and anyone who spends the session standing still.

Look after it and it will look after you

Water-repellent finishes wear down over time, especially with frequent washing. To keep your jackets shedding rain for longer:

• Follow the care label and wash at a low temperature.
• Skip fabric softener, which can coat the fabric and stop rain beading off.
• Close zips before washing so they don’t snag the fabric.
• Hang to dry rather than leaving jackets screwed up in a kit bag.

For the rest of your cold-weather kit, from base layers to gloves, see our Winter Gear Essentials guide.

Quick checklist before you order

• Who is it for? Players training hard, or coaches standing still?
• Showerproof for active training, or something warmer for the touchline?
• Room for a training top underneath?
• A hood that tucks away?
• Zipped pockets and adjustable cuffs?
• Junior sizes for younger age groups?
• Club crest, colours and initials?
• Ordered in time for the worst of the winter weather?

Planning the rest of the season? Our Pre-Season Football Checklist covers everything else your club needs.

Kit out your club for wet training nights Showerproof jackets in your club colours from £37.50 (excl. VAT), in Men’s, Women’s and Junior sizes. Free design support, and no minimum after your first order. Design your club jacket → Need them quickly? Shop the Elite Showerproof Jacket, with no minimum order and delivery in under 10 days.

FAQs

What is the difference between a waterproof and a showerproof football training jacket?

A showerproof jacket uses tightly woven fabric with a water-repellent finish and keeps out light rain. A waterproof jacket has a waterproof coating or membrane, usually with taped seams, and keeps out heavy rain. Showerproof jackets are often lighter and more breathable, which suits active training.

Are Decathlon Club training jackets waterproof?

No. Our training jackets are showerproof, designed for training in light rain. They have a water-repellent, wind-resistant polyester outer and a breathable mesh lining.

Do coaches need a waterproof jacket?

Coaches stand still for most of a session, so warmth matters as much as rain protection. A padded jacket keeps them warm on the touchline. For weekly heavy rain, a fully waterproof shell over the top adds extra protection.

What should I look for in the best waterproof football training jacket?

Check the level of rain protection you need, room for layers underneath, a hood that tucks away, a full-length zip, zipped pockets and adjustable cuffs. For clubs, junior sizes and the option to add your crest and initials matter too.

Can I get children’s football training jackets with the club crest?

Yes. Our bespoke showerproof jacket comes in junior sizes and fits, designed in your club colours with your crest included.

Can I add initials to a training jacket?

Yes. The Elite Showerproof Jacket can include your club logo and individual initials for £5 extra per garment, with no minimum order.