Looking for the best shoulder pads for you this rugby season? You’re in the right place! In this guide, I list 5 of my top picks, some of which I’ve used myself.
Rugby union, sevens and league are tough sports – I suppose, if you’re looking for shoulder pads, you probably figured that out by now. As well as the usual equipment, like rugby boots, scrum caps and gum shields, you might also want to consider a pair of shoulder pads for added protection when taking collisions (of which there are many).
I’ve played rugby for almost 20 years, so I can vouch for the need to wear shoulder pads. In this complete guide, we review the best rugby shoulder pads on the market, including options for men, women, backs and forwards. Oh, and they’re all available to buy online!
In this guide:
- Best Shoulder Pads for Rugby Overall
- Best Shoulder Pads for Women
- Best Rugby Shoulder Pads for Backs
- Best Shoulder Pads for Forwards
5 Best Shoulder Pads for Rugby in 2026
Here are our top-rated shoulder pads (under armour padding). To help you choose the right option for you, we’ve included images and a short description of the pros and cons.
Optimum Inferno Rugby Protective Top Shoulder Pads
The Optimum Inferno Rugby Protective Top Shoulder Pads are designed to protect the shoulders and upper body from impact and abrasion. They are made from a lightweight and breathable material that is comfortable to wear, and they have an adjustable straps that allow for a secure and comfortable fit. The pads also have a high density foam padding that absorbs impact and provides protection, so you have that extra bit of protection when taking contact in a tackle or at the contact area.
Gilbert ATOMIC V3 Rugby Body Armour Shoulder Pads
The Gilbert ATOMIC V3 Rugby Body Armour Shoulder Pads are designed to protect the wearer’s shoulders from impact. They are made from a lightweight, breathable material and feature padding in the key areas to absorb impact. The shoulder pads are also adjustable to ensure a comfortable, snug fit. They are a nicely fitted short-sleeve t-shirt, so you can feel agile while also being protected. At this stage, it’s largely about personal preference, so if you like the way they look – go for it!
Shock Doctor Ultra Shockskin Shoulder Pads
These rugby union or league shoulder pads are designed to protect your shoulders without sacrificing mobility. They feature an adjustable fit and breathable fabric to keep you comfortable during the game, so you’ll be both protected from injury and comfortable to perform at your very best!
Gilbert Rugby Triflex Lite Womens Body Armour (Best for Women)
The Gilbert Rugby Triflex Lite Womens Body Armour is a great piece of protective gear for female rugby players – hence why it’s in our list as the best rugby shoulder pads for women. It is designed to protect the chest, back and shoulders from impact, and features a comfortable and breathable design. The armour is made from a light, flexible material that allows for a full range of motion, and is available in a variety of sizes to fit all body types.
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Canterbury Unisex Ccc Elite Rugby Protection Vest
The Canterbury Unisex Ccc Elite Rugby Protection Vest is a protective vest designed to be worn by rugby union and league players – both men and women alike. It is made from a lightweight, breathable fabric and features padding on the shoulders and chest to protect the wearer from impact during the game. The vest also has a zipped front for easy on and off, and is available in a variety of sizes to suit different body shapes. Regardless of your position in rugby – whether you play in the forwards or backs – these Canterbury shoulder pads will suit you. It doesn’t look quite as robust as some other options in this list, but I love the design.
Some of the other best shoulder pads for rugby include:
- Under Armour Highlight Rugby Shoulder Pads
- Adidas Adizero Rugby Shoulder Pads
- Gilbert Vertigo Rugby Shoulder Pads
- Canterbury Phoenix Rugby Shoulder Pads
How We Picked the Best Rugby Shoulder Pads
We chose the best shoulder pads for rugby based on a variety of factors, including: cost, comfort, design, protection offered and how well they lasted over time.
With almost 20 years’ experience playing rugby union, you can trust our experts to help you make the right choice for your personal needs. Remember, while we can provide recommendations for the best rugby shoulder pads, it ultimately depends on what you personally prefer – this can vary depending on your position, previous injuries, and simply your preference in terms of feel and comfort.
What Are The Best Rugby Shoulder Pads for Backs?
The best shoulder pads largely depends on the individual because your personal preferences are what counts. Among the best rugby shoulder pads for backs are the Canterbury Unisex Ccc Elite Rugby Protection Vest and Optimum Inferno Rugby Protective Top Shoulder Pads.
Backs are generally required to be more agile than forwards – at least traditionally – so you’ll need a pair of lightweight shoulder pads that allow you to maintain your full range of movement. That being said, they also need to provide you with protection, as the collisions you take will still be intense. So, if you’re a scrum half, fly half, centre, winger or full-back, make sure you look into the Canterbury and Optimum shoulder pads. Those, I’ve found, are the best options.
What Are The Best Rugby Shoulder Pads for Forwards?
It depends on your personal preference, but forwards should generally go for some thicker shoulder pads – particularly if they’re playing in the front row at scrum-time (props and hookers). Some of the best rugby shoulder pads for forwards include Shock Doctor Ultra Shockskin Shoulder Pads and Gilbert Atomic shoulder pads.
If you play in the back-row as a flanker or a number eight, then you might want to consider some lighter weight shoulder pads, as you still need to be agile and get around the park. However, due to their agility and fitness, back rowers often take the most contact in loose play – as they’re usually strong tacklers and ball carriers.
What Are The Best Rugby Shoulder Pads for Women?
Now that participation in women’s rugby is thankfully at an all-time high, rugby kit created exclusively for women (and unisex kit) is increasingly popular. The best shoulder pads for women are Gilbert Rugby Triflex Lite Womens Body Armour.
As a female rugby player, it’s only right that brands offer you gender-specific rugby equipment in the form of shoulder pads. There are now rugby shoulder pads created specifically for women, so be sure to check them out as they’re designed specifically to protect your body. It’s also worth noting that loads of rugby equipment is unisex and suitable for both men and women, so just go for the shoulder pads you like the look of. If you don’t like it or it doesn’t fit, you can always send it back.
Why Do You Need to Wear Shoulder Pads in Rugby?
You don’t necessarily need to wear shoulder pads in rugby; unlike a sport like American Football, it’s definitely not a requirement, despite their benefits. As an amateur player in the UK, I personally don’t wear them myself.
Some of the very best rugby players will wear shoulder pads, while others will choose not to – it’s generally personal preference. Rugby shoulder pads are designed to protect the player’s upper body, including the shoulders, chest and back. They help to absorb the impact of tackles and other contact and can also help to protect against injuries such as dislocated shoulders.
Is it Worth Buying Shoulder Pads?
Shoulder pads are not required for rugby, but they may provide some protection and padding. It is up to the individual player to decide if shoulder pads are worth the investment, but we’d certainly recommend wearing shoulder pads if you can. The benefits far outweigh the downsides. You can generally find a pair of affordable shoulder pads online, and once you make a purchase, they are usually robust enough to last you a number of years.
What Are Padded Shirts for Rugby?
Rugby padded shirts are designed to protect the player’s shoulders, chest and upper back – they are generally interchangeable with shoulder pads or under armour – depending on what you want to call them. Padded t-shirts are made of a thick, padded material to help reduce the risk of an injury during the high-contact, tough game that we love so much!
What is Body Armour in Rugby?
Body armour is essentially another phrase to describe shoulder pads.
Body armour – also known as shoulder pads or padded t-shirts – in rugby is protective equipment that is worn by players to help prevent injuries. This equipment includes pads that protect the chest, shoulders and occasionally upper back. Body armour is a term used synonymously with shoulder pads – so don’t worry about the terminology too much! It’s usually down to where you’re from and dialectal differences – same as some folk call rugby boots cleats or togs, for example.
Do Shoulder Pads Help in Rugby?
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the player’s personal preference, but some players find that shoulder pads help them to stay protected from injuries, while others find that they hinder their performance – or at least it restricts their mobility. Ultimately, it is up to the individual player to decide whether or not to wear shoulder pads, but they definitely can help prevent impact injuries to areas like the collar bones and upper body areas.
There is minimal evidence to suggest that shoulder pads prevent serious shoulder injuries in rugby. In an expert study published in 1998, it is said that:
“There is little evidence to show that shoulder pads decrease the incidence of severe shoulder injuries. However, well-fitting shoulder pads constructed of materials that effectively disperse the force of impact appear to reduce the effect of direct contact and reduce the potential for soft tissue damage.”
However, it’s been a long time since 1998 and the quality of pads has improved.
What Padding is Allowed in Rugby?
Some level of padding is allowed in rugby, including head guards and shoulder pads (also referred to as body armour). Rugby-specific tops or t-shirts with padding are only able to protect your shoulders and upper arms. You’ll also find some shoulder pads for rugby with a small bit of padding covering the ribs and back, and there may are also some with padding on the chest, often used by women players. Some hookers actually wear shin pads as well, as they often get kicked in the shins while trying to hook the ball back in the scrum. The most commonly used type of padding or protection gear in rugby is the humble gum shield. While it’s the smallest bit of gear you can buy, gum shields are incredibly important and one of the few pieces of equipment we’d definitely recommend in our experience of playing rugby. You often get knocks to the mouth during rugby, given the nature of the sport’s collisions, so a good gum shield can help keep your pearly whites intact. But back to shoulder pads, for now…
How Do Shoulder Pads Work?
In short, shoulder pads in rugby union, league and in sport generally are there to help protect the player’s shoulders from impact during collisions – which happen often. There are questions about their effectiveness, but having a certain level of padding between your shoulder bones (collar bones) and an opponent’s knees, shoulders and elbows is bound to be better than not having protection at all.
Why Don’t Rugby Players Wear Pads?
Rugby players do wear pads to a degree (shoulder pads, gum shields, and occasionally head guards) There are a few reasons why rugby players may not wear heavy pads (as they do in American Football, for example). One reason is that pads can restrict movement and make it difficult to play the game. Another reason is that pads can add weight to the player, which can impact their performance. Additionally, pads can also be uncomfortable and cause chafing. Those are, just a few reasons why some rugby players may choose to avoid excessive pads – but be sure to wear as many pads as you like if you want to protect yourself from impact. Shoulder pads can protect you to an extent, but remember that rugby union and league are high contact sports for all shapes and sizes, so be prepared for that.
Where to Buy The Best Affordable Rugby Equipment Online
Buying shoulder pads in-store has its benefits, because you can try them on and see them in person. However, to get the best deals and discounts, you probably need to shop online.
There are a few places where you can buy rugby equipment online, including Amazon, Lovell Rugby, Pro Direct Rugby, and more! Where you decide to buy your shoulder pads depends on your personal preferences – first and foremost, make sure the website or store has the shoulder pads you want in stock and in your size. When you find a pair of shoulder pads you like, you should then shop around both online and in-store to find the most affordable seller.
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