At the junior club i am currently coaching at we have a sponsor willing to provide the coaching teams with new kit, anyone know of were we can get hold of waterproof jacket and bottoms, or let me know what you guys have found best ..... thanks

There are different ways companies list waterproof rating, which you can see by just googling that term. 

Some things I look for in how a jacket is made are:

- how it closes up (a placket that folds over the zipper helps prevent water from seeping through it - which happens on my club's Kooga jacket - who DO make better ones than we received; that it zips up high and that the cuffs can be closed or are at least elasticised)

- is it breathable?  Gortex is great, but expensive.  My current rain jacket is a good Adidas All Blacks one that's made of some pretty stiff material, which repels rain well, but doesn't breathe that much.  Our rains tend to be during warm periods, so I often sweat as much as I'd get wet.  On colder days, it's pretty good, though.

If you're going to go all out, there are some things to think about.  It's probably not ideal for a bunch of rugby coaches, but Umbro make a very good one for a decent price.  I can't think of the style name (did a quick search to no avail) - but it folds over the zipper, zips high with a fold away hood, closes off at the cuffs and waist, and has under-arm and back vents which allow some breathability.  I'm sure the Canterburys and Gilberts make something similar.

Your best bet - for quality, even value for your money - might actually be to go with a company which deals more in outdoor gear rather than rugby/ball sports.  I'm Canuck, so the brands I think of probably won't apply.

They do a great range of all sorts of kit and are very competitive - on the whole their business is in providing kit to schools

Peter Hyland

Kings College PE Co-ordinator and Farnham Rugby COach