Gear that slides, binds or gives up on a cut shows up on film. Here is what matters, head to foot.
Running backs are the engine of an offense, and the gear you strap on changes how you play. A helmet that slides, pads that bind, cleats that give up on a cut — all of it shows up on film. Here is what actually matters, position by position on the body.
Helmet
The helmet is the most important thing you wear. It should sit tight on the head without sliding, protect the head and face, and still give you a clean field of vision. Most backs run a traditional shell with a full face mask.
Riddell SpeedFlex. The most popular helmet in football, and for good reason. Snug fit without crushing pressure, chinstrap that zips on and off from either side, polycarbonate shell that spreads impact well. It stays near the top of the Virginia Tech varsity helmet ratings year after year — check the current list before you buy, since the rankings move. Light and durable enough that it doesn’t change how you play.
Xenith Shadow XR. Excellent comfort and protection with an advanced shock-absorbing system. Honest note from wearing one: it is marketed as lightweight but it felt heavier on my head than the SpeedFlex. After a week of practice that stopped mattering. The customisable fit system locks in well.
Pads
Shoulder, hip and thigh. Shoulder pads should sit snug and cover the collarbone. Hip and thigh pads go inside the pants.
Xenith Element Hybrid Varsity shoulder pads are a good running-back fit — light, breathable, moisture-wicking, four-way stretch so you can actually get them on, and belted so they stay put. They don’t restrict the range of motion a back needs.
Do your research on shoulder pads whatever you buy. I know several players who broke collarbones on tackles in bad pads.
For a girdle, the Under Armour Gameday 5-pad girdle wears under your pants and holds up. You will still need knee pads separately — from your coach or online. The Champro ultra-light knee pad is a good cheap option.
Gloves
Not required, but they help. Better grip on the ball means fewer fumbles, and they save your hands from cuts. Look for grip, breathability and a fit that is neither tight nor loose.
Nike Vapor 6.0. They do everything well, which is what you want out of a back. Light, comfortable, grippy, and you can catch without your hands stinging. They come in a lot of colourways.
Battle gloves. Very sticky, and they tie into the style side of things below.
Cleats
The most critical piece for a back — cleats decide how fast you get going and how hard you can cut. Backs usually want shorter studs for traction on grass or turf, and a fit that supports the foot and ankle without locking it down.
See the full breakdown in 5 of the best cleats for running backs.
Nike Vapor Untouchable 3. Takes everything from the original Vapor Untouchable and sharpens it. High-performance, helps agility and speed from every angle.
Nike Alpha Strike 2 three-quarter. Comfort and performance together. The three-quarter cut gives real ankle support without killing mobility, synthetic leather for durability, dual traction for a locked-in feel, and a 12-joint TPU plate for acceleration and lateral movement. I wore these through a sophomore season and they gave me plenty of agility.
Nike Alpha Menace 3 Shark Mid. What I moved into when I outgrew the Strikes, and the surprise of the list — more ankle stability AND more range of motion than the Strike. Usually you trade one for the other. Not with these.
Drip
Not gear exactly, but how you look on the field changes how you feel, and how you feel changes how you play. Drip is everything from socks and undershirt to gloves and cleats. Some backs go loud, some go plain. What matters is feeling comfortable and confident so you can think about the game instead of your uniform.
Backplate. My favourite piece, and everyone should have one. On defence it gives you more power on contact because you’re less likely to fold over. On offence you can drive harder and take hits better. The Battle backplate cushions the spine and lower back and absorbs impact from falls and tackles.
Sleeves look good, keep you warm in a cold game and help you cool in a hot one. Eye black is old-school, makes you look tougher, and keeps sun out of your eyes. Beyond that: headbands, visors, turf tape, mouthguards, bicep bands, socks, face masks — there is no shortage.
Common questions
What accessories do running backs need?
Cleats, gloves, compression shorts, arm sleeves, a mouthguard, a visor if your league allows it, and sweatbands. They help grip, warmth, injury risk and visibility.
How should a running back carry the football?
High and tight, close to the body. Five points of pressure — fingers over the tip, palm around the ball, forearm along the side, ball into the bicep, and tight to the ribs. Two hands in traffic.
What helmets do NFL running backs wear?
Only helmets that clear the NFL and NFLPA’s annual lab testing and meet NOCSAE standards. The approved list is published every season and helmets that fall below the bar get prohibited — which is why the same models tend to show up across the league.
Do NFL running backs wear gloves?
Most do. Extra grip on the ball helps prevent fumbles, and gloves protect the hands over a long season.
Bottom line
A helmet that fits, pads that let you move, gloves that hold the ball and cleats that hold the ground. Get those four right and the rest is preference. Then go put it on film.
Get the running back positional training program — the work that turns the gear into offers.