"rugby armour" - what is it, and where can I buy it?

[MrsMuddle]

I'm presuming it's not actually rigid armour. Tis for a v tall 12-year-old - any ideas?

It is just slightly padded lycra type wear to put on under kit . The vest type top has padded shoulder to help impact of tackling etc.
Any decent sports shop should have it.

I get it for DS1 with no problems.

Thank you. Is that what it's really called? I have visions of going to JJB tomorrow, asking for it, and being looked at blankly.

Is it worth buying this late in the season? Will it be in stock?

Season? It's school rugby, in horrible muddy swamp-like pitches (we are in Glasgow, so there is a lot of rain!), every Saturday whatever the weather. I guess there will be 6 weeks off for the summer holidays, but I'd rather buy it now and he'll get three months wear out it at least.

try here

Mrs Muddle
If your jjb is like our sportshops here, looking blankly is a pre-requisite for the job:

Me: "Excuse me, could I have THIS in a child's 13"

Them: ((blank stare))

Me: Sigh....

I work in an 'proper' sports shop - ie not a JJB type, and we still have loads in stock - too many schools having rugby tours to do otherwise!
There are a variety of manufacturers - some of the best are from Canterbury, Kooga, Optimum and Gilbert. The padding ranges from just pads over the shoulders, with others including some or all of:- sternum pads, upper arm pads, spine pads, kidney pads, rib pads etc. Very roughly the more padding, the higher the cost, though those with more flexible (ie comfortable) honeycomb padding also bump up the price.
Some have removeable pads to make for easy washing which as a mum sounds good, but they don't work so well.
There is one by McDavid that combines the padding with the thermal baselayer material (or Skin) which are very popular, so if your ds wants one of those too that might be worth looking at.
Generally you get a better fit with one that is a long vest rather than those that finish at rib height.
For a 12yr old I would probably start looking at Large Boys sizes - it is shoulder width that is more of an issue than height, and it will need to fit fairly snugly so that the pads stay in position.

Hope that helps!

Purpleduck, last time I was in JJB, I got to the top of the queue, then the girl behind the counter said, "I've got such a fucking hangover" and then promptly fainted!!

Hideous shop - it stinks of sweat and plastic.

Bamboozi - thanks for your advice. It's very useful. When I say DS is 12, he's also 6' 1" and very, very skinny. Would I be better getting an adult size? He already has thermals, so if I didn't get the combined ones, would he be able to wear his thermals and his armour?

So, the employees in our closest store doing dance routines (to songs heavily laden with the word "fuck") almost seems wholesome

Watching this thread for Rugby info too (ds 8 plays)

MrsMuddle - eer yes in that case then you will very likely need small or medium mens. But as I said - it needs to fit over the shoulders properly so use that as your guide, not his height. He is very tall isn't he? Does he also have big feet? I have had boys of 12 in with size 13 feet before, but they weren't that tall.
(Had one today with size 17.5 feet!)

And re the thermals - as I understand it the thermal layer goes under the armour.
How did anyone manage to play 5-6 years ago without ANY of these items??! [grin}

One of our Saturday girls did the major hangover thing once - though she did manage to make it to the toilet each time she had to throw up. She didn't get a huge amount of sympathy either much to her disgust..

I'm fainting at the thought of the cost of buying shoes for size 17.5 feet! Makes DS's size 9 feet seem positively dainty.