Rugby training tops for the training ground - contact tops, drill tops and short sleeve training shirts for men. Whether you need a lightweight contact top for warm-up an
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Contact Tops, Drill Tops and Training Tops - What's the Difference?
The terminology can be confusing because brands use different names for similar products. Here's how they break down.
A contact top is a lightweight, crew-neck training top built specifically for rugby - the crew neck removes any collar or hood that could get grabbed in contact situations. They're water-resistant rather than waterproof, cut the wind, and sit close to the body without restricting movement. They're what most players pull on over a base layer for training and warm-up.
A drill top is essentially the same garment described differently - some brands, Canterbury in particular, use "drill top" as their product name for the contact top. If you're searching for Canterbury drill tops or Macron drill tops, you're looking for the same category of product.
A training top is typically a short-sleeve, close-fitting branded rugby top - breathable, lightweight and built to move with you through hard sessions. Think of it as a step down from a contact top in terms of durability for contact situations, but the right choice for conditioning work, skills sessions and general training where you want something more durable than a plain t-shirt.
Short Sleeve vs Long Sleeve Rugby Training Tops
Short sleeve training tops are the standard choice year-round. When the temperature drops, most players layer a base layer underneath rather than reaching for a long sleeve top - or pull a hoodie on before and after the session. The short sleeve training top stays on regardless of the weather.
Waterproof Training Tops
If you're specifically looking for a waterproof outer layer for training in heavy rain, that's covered on our rugby jackets page - contact tops and drill tops are water-resistant rather than waterproof. The distinction matters if you train on exposed pitches in winter.
Rugby Training Tops by Brand
Canterbury produce the most widely used training tops at club level in the UK. Their Evader and Drill Top ranges are staples across amateur rugby. Macron produce strong training options for clubs and players who prefer their range, and their training tops sit well alongside Macron match kits. VX3 also produce some excellent value contact tops. Use the brand filter above to browse by manufacturer.
