Technical sheet - rugby shoulder pads
- Définition
- Rugby shoulder pad technical specifications
- What types of rugby shoulder pads ?
- Does the rugby shoulder pad really protect?
- Top brands of rugby shoulder pads
- Video presentation of rugby shoulder pads
- FAQ
- Comparative table
- Download the Rugby Shoulder Pad Advice Guide PDF
The search for the best rugby shoulder pad can be like starting a decathlon because there is so much on offer: sizes, areas to protect, colors, technical specifications, standards, usefulness...
So many questions that you can ask yourself and which we will answer in this guide with as much advice and advice as possible on the rugby shoulder pad:
Définition : what is a rugby shoulder pad?
The rugby shoulder pad, or breastplate, is a piece of personal protective equipment (PPE), which is worn under the jersey and which aims to protect different areas of the upper body from blows because the force of impact is attenuated by protections in mousse.
IRB Rule 12 specifies that " A player may wear padded shoulder pads that meet the requirements set out in the World Rugby Technical Performance Specifications for Padding"
Rugby shoulder pad technical specifications
Body padding should be designed and constructed so that all normal play movements can be performed without hindrance or discomfort. It is usually made of EVA foam. EVA foam is a type of closed cell foam which has several advantages and in particular because of its reticulated structure, EVA foam offers exceptional durability and robustness useful for rugby. EVA foam can therefore withstand repeated compression and recover quickly. It is resistant to water, humidity and is very light .
Products used for the manufacture of shoulder pads must comply with ISO 15487i and ISO 22958ii standards.
Padding materials must be homogeneous (i.e. padding facing the wearer must have the same texture, hardness and density as that facing the opponent).
All edges should be smooth and rounded. There shall be no rigid protrusions inside or outside the product that could injure the user or other players during normal use.
Shoulder padding must have a maximum thickness of 10 mm and must have a density not exceeding 45 kg/m3. Areas outside this do not need to meet these impact requirements, but must comply with Regulation 12, Section 4.
What types of rugby shoulder pads
The big difference between the models lies in the protected areas: from the simple shoulder pad which only has reinforcements on the shoulders to the integral shoulder pad which covers the back, ribs and kidneys, sternum or arms, range of breastplates is very wide.
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| Single shoulder pad | Integral shoulder pad | Shoulder pad for children | Female shoulder pad |
The different types of rugby shoulder pads
The single shoulder pad will generally only have protections on the shoulders.
The full shoulder pad will protect other areas of the upper body such as the biceps, sternum, sides or spine.
The shoulder pad for children can be simple or integral.
The shoulder pad for girls can also be plain or full but bénéficiera always in addition to additional protection at chest level.
The first question to ask yourself when buying a shoulder pad is what area do you want to protect? Do you want a shoulder pad for preventive use or, on the contrary, a breastplate to protect an area weakened by a previous injury?
Aside from the protection zones, the difference will be made on the quality of the fabric: stretchy fabric or not, breathable, compression....
Does the rugby shoulder pad really protect?
An independent study published in the 'British Journal of Sports Medicine' demonstrated that shoulder pads for rugby can reduce direct impact forces by up to 70%. The rugby shoulder pad therefore protects against direct shocks.
But beware, not all shoulder injuries are the result of direct force, but sometimes of rotation, and in those cases, the chest pad foam won't do you any good.
Rugby shoulder pads must bear the words 'IRB Approved' or 'Word Rugby Approved', meaning that they meet the technical specifications of the international rugby federation. They must also meet European standard. Please note, rugby shoulder pads sold on foreign sites are rarely compliant since they do not bear the CE mark. These two standards - CE & World Rugby - must appear both on the packaging of the breastplate and on a label sewn onto the shoulder pad.
The main brands of rugby shoulder pads
The major rugby equipment manufacturers all offer rugby chest protectors that comply with World Rugby regulations as well as the CE standard for those sold in Europe: Canterbury, Gilbert, ForceXV, RTEK, BLK, Macron...
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| Shoulder pad GILBERT | Shoulder pad MACRON | Shoulder pad CANTERBURY | Shoulder pad BLK | Shoulder pad RTEK | Shoulder pad FORCEXV |
Video presentation of rugby shoulder pads
Rugby Shoulder Pads FAQ
– Can you wash a rugby shoulder pad?
Yes, but it must be done in cold water so as not to alter the technical properties of the foam. Then do not put it in the dryer or dry it on a radiator.
– How to choose the right rugby shoulder pad size?
The sizes of the bibs work like other clothing but each brand has its own characteristics, refer to the size correspondence of the different brands.
– What's the difference between entry-level and premium models?
The difference is mainly in the number of protection zones. A simple shoulder pad will be less expensive than a full one. Then, the quality of the fabric will be the other major component of the price.
–Is wearing a shoulder pad compulsory in rugby?
No, no obligation.
– What is the difference between a shoulder pad for women and men?
The only difference comes in the protection at the chest level for the women's models.
– I have allergies. What products are contained in the shoulder pads?
The shoulder pads are made of polyester; high-end models sometimes have elastane. The protective foams are made of EVA but are integrated into the fabric of the shoulder pad and are therefore not in contact with your skin.
Comparison table of rugby shoulder pads
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Image |
Modèle |
Référence |
Marque |
Catégorie |
Zones de protection |
Les plus |
Prix TTC |
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Epaulière Rugby FORCE |
F11FORCEHN |
ForceXV |
adulte-enfant |
10 |
Bon rapport qualité/prix…. surtout avec la promotion |
39,95 € |
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Shoulder Pad Rugby FORCE Lady |
F11FORCEFJRN |
ForceXV |
Women |
11 |
Good value for money…. especially with the promotion |
39,95 € |
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EGIDE Rugby Shoulder Pad |
F11EGIDEHN |
ForceXV |
adult-child |
10 |
A military design |
56,25 € |
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ZIGGI rugby shoulder pad |
19RTL008-9 |
RTEK |
adulte-enfant |
7 |
Mesh fabric and ergonomic fit |
45,00 € |
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Rugby XP300 shoulder pad |
855228+ |
Gilbert |
adult-child |
5 |
70,00 € |
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Rugby XP500 shoulder pad |
855227+ |
Gilbert |
adulte-enfant |
7 |
Compression fabric |
80,00 € |
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Rugby XP1000 shoulder pad |
855236+ |
Gilbert |
adult-child |
12 |
Full bib with compression fabric. |
90,00 € |
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Shoulder pad Rugby Borts Padded |
935909 |
MACRON |
adult |
8 |
59,93 € |
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Rugby Triflex Lite shoulder pad |
8552210+ |
Gilbert |
Women |
8 |
Stretch fabric and mesh |
59,90 € |
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Shoulder pad Rugby EGIDE Lady |
F11EGIDEF |
ForceXV |
Women |
11 |
A military design |
56,25 € |
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Rugby Atomic V3 shoulder pad |
855195+ |
Gilbert |
adult-child |
3 |
Good value for money |
40,00 € |
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Rugby Trilite V2 Shoulder Pad |
855214+ |
Gilbert |
adult |
6 |
Sleeveless shoulder pad |
64,00 € |
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TEK 6 rugby shoulder pad |
420610+ |
BLK |
adult-child |
6 |
30,00 € |
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Shoulder Pad Rugby Vapodri Raze Vest |
211019_089 |
Canterbury |
adult |
2 |
CCC shoulder pad on sale |
37,50 € |
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Shoulder Pad Rugby Vapodri Raze Vest |
E211170_A11 |
Canterbury |
child |
2 |
CCC shoulder pad on sale |
41,25 € |
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Rugby Atomic Zenon WRX Shoulder Pad |
855168+ |
Gilbert |
Women |
2 |
Women’s shoulder pads without chest protection…. the only ! |
55,00 € |
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Rugby IZA shoulder pad |
IZAFXV |
ForceXV |
Women |
13 |
Full shoulder pad for girls at half price |
27,50 € |
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Rugby Shuk Shoulder Pad |
SHUKFXV |
ForceXV |
adult |
12 |
41,25 € |
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Rugby Shoulder Pad for Women Lady Flower |
LADYFLOWER |
ForceXV |
Women |
13 |
Full shoulder pad for women at half price |
37,50 € |
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Tribal full rugby shoulder pad |
F11TRIBALBL |
ForceXV |
adult |
12 |
20,00 € |
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Rugby Swag Shoulder Pad |
SWAGFXV |
ForceXV |
adult |
12 |
55,00 € |
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Rugby Absolute Seven Shoulder Pad |
F11ABSSEVENN |
ForceXV |
adult |
7 |
19,90 € |
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Kotara Rugby Shoulder Pad / |
ERKFXV |
ForceXV |
adult |
12 |
35,00 € |
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Splash Women's Rugby Shoulder Pad |
SPLASHFXV |
ForceXV |
Women |
13 |
39,95 € |
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Shoulder pad Rugby Triflex Women XP3 |
8551560 |
Gilbert |
Women |
3 |
70,00 € |
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Rugby Atomic Zenon V2 Shoulder Pad |
85515 |
Gilbert |
adult |
8 |
59,99 € |
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Timaru Rugby Shoulder Pad |
TIMAFXV |
ForceXV |
adult |
10 |
A rugby shoulder pad for less than €20! |
19,90 € |
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Rugby Charger X1 Shoulder Pad |
8551930+ |
Gilbert |
adult |
13 |
48,75 € |
A few explanations on the methodology used to build this comparison table of rugby shoulder pads. The first columns present the name of the model, the brand and its reference.
Then we tell you the category, that is to say whether they are breast protectors for women, juniors or adult men.
The prices indicated in the last column are those practiced on our site.