From Helmets to Cleats: The Ultimate Guide to Running Back Gear
Running backs are an essential part of any football team's offense and need the right equipment to perform at their best. The right equipment can make a big difference to a player's performance and safety, and it's important to understand what to consider when choosing football gear. From helmets and pads to gloves and cleats, we cover everything including how to show off your personal style when you get into the ultimate guide to Running Back gear.
HELMET
A helmet is the most important piece of equipment a football player can wear. A football helmet should fit well on the head, without sliding or slipping. It should also provide adequate protection for the head and face while allowing good visibility. There are many types of helmets available, but most backs prefer the traditional style with a full face mask.
From personal experience, I recommend the Riddle Speed Flex. This is the most popular helmet on the market and for good reason. The Speed Flex gives a tight snug fit without putting too much pressure on your head. The chinstrap is easy to get on and off with a zipper on each side to strap it in. Speed Flexes are considered a top 10 helmet (Currently #6 on Virginia Techs Varsity Football Helmet Rankings) and use a polycarbonate shell which is very durable and equally distributes the impact. I recommend this helmet it is one of the safest helmets out there and it is light and durable so it doesn't affect your play on the field.
I would also recommend the Xenith Shadow XR football helmet. Speaking from personal use, this is a high-quality helmet that offers excellent comfort and protection for running backs on the field. With its advanced shock-absorbing system this helmet provides impact protection without sacrificing performance. They design this to be a lightweight helmet but it felt heavy on my head, and my hemet was clearly heavier then the Speedflex. However, after I got used to the weight It was no longer a problem. The customizable fit system has a snug and secure fit for all running backs. Overall, the Xenith Shadow XR is an excellent choice for a RB looking for a safe football helmet.
PADS
Pads are another essential piece of equipment for an RB. They provide additional protection to the body and help reduce the impact of tackles. Running backs use shoulder, hip, and thigh pads. Shoulder pads should fit snugly on the shoulders and cover the collarbone. Hip and thigh protectors must be worn inside the pants to provide additional protection to the hips and thighs.
The Xenith Element Hybrid Varsity Football Shoulder Pads are the perfect fit for running backs. With lightweight protection, you’ll be able to move easily, which everyone has to be able to do. These pads also don’t restrict too much motion and come with belts to keep you secure in the pads. Additionally these pads are breathable, moisture-wicking, have a four-way stretch (so you can get them on easily), and are compressed. They will allow you to absorb impact from tackles and allow you to hopefully stay injury free. I know several people who have broken their collarbones through tackles because they didn’t have good pads. Whether you get these pads or a different pair do your research.
For a girdle or leg pads I recommend the Under Armour Game Day 5-Pad Girdle. This is a high quality girdle you can wear under your jersey pants. These are top notch quality however you will need to get knee pads from either your coach or online. If you are looking for knee pads I recommend the Champro Ultra Light Knee Pad.
GLOVES
Gloves are not required, but they can offer many advantages to running backs. They provide a better grip on the ball, which reduces the possibility of fumbling. They can also protect your hands from cuts and scratches. When choosing gloves, look for gloves with good grip and breathability. Fit is also important because gloves that are too tight or too loose can limit your performance. The gloves that do all of those things are the Nike Vapor 6.0's
The Nike Vapor 6.0s are great because they do everything well, just like a good running back. They're light, comfortable, grippy, and you can catch without hurting your hands. These also come in tons of different colors, so you can have gloves that stand out. The Vapors can help prevent fumbling.
Another pair of gloves I recommend are the battle football gloves. Battle has been one of the top gear distributors on the market over recent years and their gloves have been some of the best. These gloves are very sticky and they also tie into the drip factor which we will talk about later. I would recommend these gloves.
CLEATS
Cleats are perhaps the most critical piece of equipment for a RB, as they directly affect their ability to move quickly and change direction. There are many types of cleats available, but running backs typically prefer those with shorter spikes for better traction on grass or artificial turf. When choosing cleats, look for a comfortable fit that provides good support in the feet and ankles.
Also be sure to check out my guide on the 5 Best Running Back Cleats.
My personal favorite cleats for running backs are the Nike Vapor Untouchable 3. These are one of the best pairs of cleats to wear if you're a running back since it takes everything from the original Nike Vapor Untouchable and elevates it to a new level. These cleats have received an improvement in terms of appearance in addition to better performance. This set of high-performance cleats will improve your agility and speed from every angle.
Another cleat I like is the Nike Alpha Strike 2 Three-Quarter Running Football Cleat. The Alpha Strike 2 Three-Quarter Support offers both comfort and performance, making it a solid choice for the RB. The three-quarter construction provides excellent ankle support without affecting mobility. Synthetic leather provides maximum durability and a comfortable fit, while a dual traction system provides a secure and locked-in feel. The TPU plate has a 12-joint structure that provides optimal grip for quick acceleration and quick lateral movement on the field. I enjoyed using these cleats during my sophomore season of high school. These cleats allowed me to have lots of agility and mobility on the field.
When I grew out of this pair of cleats I found the Nike Men's Alpha Menace 3 Shark Mid Football Cleats. I was surprised to find out that these actually have more mobility and range of motion than the previously mentioned Alpha strike. These are similar cleats to the Strikes but these actually gave me more ankle stability and surprisingly more mobility than the Strikes. Normally in cleats you have to sacrifice Stability for mobility but not these.
DRIP
While not technically gear, a player's style on the field can have a significant impact on their confidence and performance. Drip is basically a player's fashion and personal style, and can include everything from their socks and undershirt to their gloves and cleats. Running backs can use drip to show off swag and in some cases intimidate. Some players prefer bold, bright colors, while others like a more subdued look. Ultimately, the most important thing is to feel comfortable and confident in your gear, so you can focus on the game.
One common type of drip and one of my favorites is backplates. It's smart for everyone to have a backplate, because it makes you play better. For defensive guys, it gives you more power when you tackle because you're less likely to fold over. For offense, you can drive harder and be better protected when you have one on. That being said I recommend the Battle Back Plate.
This backplate gives protection for the spine and lower back with foam cushion. It helps absorb impact of falling and getting tackled.
You can also improve drip with sleeves. There are many benefits of sleeves for football one of which is it makes you look dripped out. It also can help provide warmth in a cold game and can cool you down in a hot one.
Another way to add drip during a game is to put on eye black. Eye black has been used for a long time in many sports. Eye black can make you look tougher on the field and it also has a benefit by keeping sun out of your eyes.
If you want to get more drip, you can also get headbands, visors, gloves and cleats (previously mentioned), turf tape, mouth-guards, bicep bands, socks, face-masks, and so many more.
Q & A
What accessories do runningbacks need?
Running backs need essential accessories such as cleats, gloves, compression shorts, arm sleeves, mouth-guards, helmet visors, and sweatbands to enhance their performance and protect them from injuries on the field. These accessories help them maintain a better grip, stay warm, reduce the risk of injury, and improve visibility.
How should a running back carry the football?
A running back should carry the football high and tight, keeping it close to their body to minimize the risk of fumbles. They should use both hands to grip the ball, with one hand covering the tip and the other hand covering the bottom of the ball.
What helmet does an NFL running back wear?
In the NFL, running backs wear helmets that meet the safety standards set by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). These helmets are designed to protect players from head injuries and are fitted with face masks, chin straps, and padding to ensure maximum safety.
Do NFL running backs wear gloves?
Yes, many NFL running backs choose to wear gloves during games. These gloves provide extra grip on the ball, which can help prevent fumbles. Additionally, gloves can protect the hands from cuts and bruises during gameplay.
CONCLUSION
Selecting the right gear is necessary for running backs to play at their best and stay safe on the field. A well-fitted helmet, shoulder pads, hip pads, thigh pads, gloves, and cleats are all essential pieces of equipment. Players can also use drip to show off their style on the field. With the right gear and style, running backs can play their best and make an impact on the game.
Make sure you get on the 5 Star Football Package “Running Back” Edition for everything you need to become a D1 Running Back!
