When it comes to football training, a lot of the focus tends to be on technique, tactics, and fitness, but one essential piece of gear often gets overlooked: football bibs. These simple, brightly coloured pieces of fabric are a crucial part of any session, helping players distinguish between teams, improving communication, and enhancing visibility. But with so many options out there, what colour football training bibs are the best? Let’s break it down!

1. High Visibility is Key

The most important factor when choosing the colour of football training bibs is visibility. Training often takes place in various lighting conditions—whether it’s under the blazing sun, in low light, or even during the evening in floodlit conditions. High-visibility colours like fluorescent yellow, fluorescent green, and orange stand out the most, ensuring that players are easily identifiable and that the bibs serve their purpose in creating a clear distinction between teams.

Why These Colours Work:

  • Fluorescent Yellow & Green: These colours stand out against both the natural green of the pitch and darker shades of clothing, offering excellent visibility in daylight and under artificial lights.
  • Orange: Another high-visibility option, orange is particularly effective in overcast weather or when there’s less natural light.

2. Colour Coordination for Clarity

While visibility is the main factor, the ease of identification during training can also be impacted by the overall colour scheme. It’s a good idea to choose contrasting colours to clearly differentiate teams. For example, pairing fluorescent green or yellow bibs with darker-coloured training bibs (such as black or navy blue) can make it super easy for players and coaches to quickly tell who is on which team.

Why Contrast Matters:

  • It helps coaches see positional drills and team structures more clearly.
  • It reduces the chances of confusion, especially in fast-paced, high-intensity drills where players are often changing positions.

3. Durability & Practicality

While the colour is important for visibility, it’s also worth considering the practicality of the bibs. High-visibility colours tend to fade over time due to sun exposure, washing, and wear. To combat this, look for training bibs made from durable materials (such as our mesh bibs) with fade-resistant finishes. This ensures that the bibs continue to serve their purpose while maintaining their bright appearance through multiple training sessions.

4. Personal Preference and Team Identity

While the functional aspects of training bibs are critical, don’t forget about team identity and player preference. Many teams have specific colours that represent their identity, and players might prefer certain colours. If you’re working with youth teams or recreational players, allowing some input from them can boost morale and make training feel more engaging.

If your team has a primary kit colour, you might want to avoid those colours for training bibs to prevent confusion. In this case, opting for contrasting colours like blue, red, or even pink can offer a solution, while still providing a good level of visibility.

5. Safety and Comfort

Besides colour, it’s important to think about the safety and comfort of the players. Bibs should be lightweight and breathable, particularly for those intense training sessions. Mesh fabric is a common choice as it allows air circulation, preventing overheating during drills. A bib should be loose fitting and large enough to wear over a training top or waterproof jacket.

6. Our best-selling football bib colours over the past 12 months

It is no surprise that our best-selling bibs over the past 12 month are fluorescent yellow which accounted for a whopping 24.7% of bibs sold at The Soccer Store. Fluorescent green was our second best-selling bibs with 15% of sales closely followed by orange with 14.6% of bib sales.

The Verdict: What’s the Best Colour for Football Training Bibs?

When choosing the best colour for football training bibs, fluorescent yellow, fluorescent green, and orange are your go-to options for maximum visibility. These bright colours will stand out against the green pitch, and they’re easy to see in a variety of lighting conditions. If you’re looking for clarity between teams, ensure that there’s enough contrast between the bibs and the training kits players are wearing. Durability is also crucial, so make sure to invest in high-quality, fade-resistant materials.

Ultimately, the best colour for training bibs depends on the conditions you’re training under, the level of visibility required, and the preferences of the players. Whatever colour you choose, remember: the right bibs can make a huge difference in creating an efficient and clear training environment.