Soccer Pinnies
The soccer pinnies are also known as the scrimmage vests, training bibs, and “that thing Mario Balotelli doesn’t know how to put on”. And they are an excellent way to sort out a problem of quickly dividing your team. During the “official” matches, in any sport, players have clearly distinguishable kits per regulations. But that is not a case during practices or scrimmages. If you are a soccer coach or a PE teacher, you certainly were many times in need to quickly split your players or students into two or more groups. The most practical way to do this is by having one group done soccer pinnies.
Soccer training pinnies come in various colors and two general types. The first type is the ones shaped like a basketball jersey, and the second is shaped more like a bib.
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Soccer Pinnies Reviews
There is a multitude of soccer pinnies for sale at any supplier of sporting goods. To help you make a more informed decision, I have compiled a list of some of the best ones. And also have included a short review of each, describing their strengths and reasons why you might decide for them.
TOPTIE Training Vests
Soccer training vests available on the market are almost always of similar quality and design. And some makers make an effort to set themselves apart from the rest of the crowd with some additional features. One such is the TOPTIE. Whether you need soccer pinnies with numbers or without them, they have you covered. Their soccer pinneys are of the bib type. They are made of the polyester cloth and feature on each side two sturdy elastic bands for keeping them securely on. They come in packs of 12, and you can choose from the same number of colors, twelve. But, every color actually comes in three variants you can choose from. The unnumbered, numbered between 1 and 12 and numbered between 13 and 24. With numbers both on front and the back.
Additionally, they come in three sizes, child, adult, and extra-large. If you are looking for a bib style training pinnies, these have practically every variation you might need. Both in size or color and also come as numbered and blank. Unfortunately, these don’t come with a carry bag.
Pros
- Durable
- Multiple options
Cons
- Do not come with a carry bag
Kwik Goal Fundamental Vest
While TOPTIE product is the bib type, Kwik Goal Fundamental Vest is a basketball jersey type. But, make no mistake, this is not an actual basketball jersey. It is just shaped like one and intended to be worn over a t-shirt. They come in four colors and two sizes for youth and adults. Because they are made of a very light nylon micro-mesh, they are very breathable and very light. They look incredibly flimsy, but due to the wave and material used, they are actually very sturdy. Personally, I do not like this type of soccer pennies to wear on their own. But worn over a t-shirt, they don’t feel at all and do not increase perspiration or moisture retention.
While unfortunately, these do not come with a carry bag, they neither come in packs. They are sold as single units, and in my experience, that is an advantage. Maybe you need just seven of them, or seventeen, or need only one as a replacement. Being able to purchase the exact number you need is an advantage for any product.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Breathable
Cons
- Do not come with a carry bag
Athllete Set of 12
While the TOPTIE is the bib style, Athllete is a basketball jersey style. Otherwise, they are somewhat similar products regarding the availability of the options. They come in four different sizes and four different colors. And same as the TOPTIE, they come as packs of 12, unnumbered, numbered between 1 and 12, or numbered between 13 and 24. The mesh they are made of is not as light as the Kwik Goal Fundamental. Though they are very light, they are also marginally acceptable to be worn on their own.
As opposed to both TOPTIE’s and Kwik Goal’s products, this one comes with a handy drawstring carry bag. In the past Athllete had a big problem with the quality of printed numbers and users drying these soccer practice pinnies in dryers. But, they have changed the printing method, and numbers are now of acceptable quality. And, anyway, you should keep in mind that these are made of polyester, and thus should be air-dried.
Pros
- Durable
- Multiple options
- Come with a carry bag
Cons
- Sizing runs small
Kwik Goal Hi-Vis Deluxe
Kwik Goal Hi-Vis Deluxe vests are not cheap soccer pinnies, but the premium price is a reflection of premium quality. These are made of a much heavier mesh than the Fundamentals, but they are still very comfortable to wear. They can also be worn on their own, actually. They are made in the basketball jersey style and come in four different high visibility neon colors. Unfortunately, these are not youth soccer pinnies. They come in a single size that is appropriate for adults. About their quality, I can only say that a friend of mine uses them in his pick-up league for several years now.
They are built to last. Especially if you are mindful that they are made of nylon and take proper care of them. They do not come in packs but as single units, which in my opinion, gives you the option to purchase exactly as many as you need. The only flaw I can find them is that they do not come with a carry bag, nor is such one available separately.
Pros
- Highly durable
- High visibility
Cons
- Only adult size
- Do not come with a carry bag
- Price
Athllete Reversible Pinnies
While all previous products on my list were single color ones, these are reversible. This soccer training vest is made in the basketball jersey style, and come in four color options. Each option is featuring two color layers, with contrasting colors. And if you need the ability to move a player from one group to another quickly, they are reversible. So, you will not have the problem of needing twice as many soccer practice vests as you have players. Because they have two layers, they are incredibly long-lasting and very pulling and yanking.
But, even with this added material, they are still very breathable. Not on the level of Kwik Goal Fundamental, but still much higher than you would judge by their look. They come in four different sizes, but they run a bit short. So, they can be used only on top of a t-shirt or a jersey. Also, it is essential to notice that they come in the packs of six in a handy carry bags made of the same material as pinnies.
Pros
- Reversible
- Very durable
- Come with a carry bag
Cons
- Run a bit short
FORZA Soccer Training Pinnies
This another practice vests for soccer on my list that is in the style of basketball jersey. They are made of a nylon mesh of very high quality and have very bright colors. The mesh is not the lightest one you can find, but it is excellent and very breathable because it features a micro-mesh construction. This soccer training bib is built to last you for years of heavy use. And such is the experience of many of their owners. Though, being made of nylon still require a bit of proper care and washing them in cold water and air drying them. Of these soccer bibs for sales, you have several options to choose from. They come in seven different colors and four different sizes.
Additionally, they come as 5-, 10-, or 15-packs. While personally, I do not like to be forced to buy a fixed number of products, this is somewhat acceptable. While they do not come with a carry bag, you can purchase one separately.
Pros
- Very durable
- Vivid colors
Cons
- Carry bag must be purchased separately
How to Choose the Best Soccer Pinnies
When it comes to purchasing soccer training bibs, it is useful to keep in mind a few facts. You will come to many makes and models, and not all will be fitting to your needs.
Size
Most of the sports pinnies for sale come in several sizes. At least in two, but relatively often in four or more. But, some come in a single universal size. And you should be mindful that the oversize bibs can be a hindrance to movement, while the undersize can behave as compression base layers when worn over a jersey. A properly fitting one will allow the freedom of movement and not increase perspiration.
Ventilation
Soccer pinnies are intended to be worn on top of jerseys, thus they need to have proper ventilation. This is achieved either by using mesh or by having a bib design that has large slots on the side. But even if they are made of mesh, they are not all the same. The best ventilating ones do not have solidly woven material the mesh is made of.
Material
They are most often made of polyester or nylon. The polyester is more UV resistant, while nylon is more abrasion and tearing resistant. Depending on whether you need exceptional persistence of the color or resistance to wear and tear, you should choose pinnies made of one of these materials.
Price
Training bibs are made almost exclusively from either polyester or nylon. Both are relatively inexpensive synthetic materials, and a higher price doesn’t always reflect a higher quality. Most often, with a higher price, you will be paying for the brand name of the manufacturer, while a product of the same or higher quality you can buy for a fraction of the price.
Carry bag
Bibs or pinnies are one of those pieces of training accessories that often gets quickly taken off and thrown away. Especially if you are a coach of youth players, you will find yourself very quickly being a short few of them. They get taken off and forgotten. And having a bag to store them in is a sure way not to find out that you are one short at the same moment you need it.
FAQs
- Do I need soccer pinnies?
If you are a coach, PE teacher, owner of an indoor sporting facility, or a soccer enthusiast, you have certainly found yourself in need to have two or more groups of people that can be easily distinguished. This is easiest and quickest done if you have some bibs to go around.
- Are there some special soccer pinnies, or can I use those for XYZ sport?
No, soccer pinnies are most often called that way because they are most often used for soccer practices. But, their general design is the same for any sport, and they actually find use in all team sport, except for watersports.
- How many pinnies do I need?
It depends on your needs. But as a general rule, you should have for the half of your players plus a couple more as a reserve.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now have the information needed for choosing the best training pinnies for your needs. They are an excellent way to divide players in a visually noticeable way, whether you are a coach or PE teacher, for both practices and scrimmages. But, if you still can’t make up your mind, my recommendation is FORZA Soccer Training Pinnies. They are made of extremely durable and breathable nylon mesh. And if you need them in more than one color, you have seven different options to choose from. Also, they are giving you a quality that comes at a considerably higher price from other competitors.