In soccer, the standard uniform worn by the players is referred to as a “kit”. This includes the jersey. Soccer jerseys usually have the player’s number and name on the back and the team’s logo on the front. They also sometimes have advertisements on the front or back. Most professional teams have a separate jersey for games played at home and games played away, as well as other alternate jerseys that they wear on certain dates or for a couple of games a year.
Why They Help Performance
Most soccer jerseys are made with moisture-wicking material, which helps remove sweat from your body while you play, keeping you cool and dry. Staying cool and dry is incredibly important when playing a sport like soccer which involves expending a lot of energy.
What are They Made of?
In the early days of soccer, jerseys were made from thick cotton. This has changed over the twentieth century. Today, jerseys are usually made of a polyester mesh. Polyester mesh does not trap body heat or sweat the way a shirt made of a natural fiber does, making it an ideal fabric for soccer considering of the amount of running each player has to do during a game.
Washing and Care Instructions
Whether you bought an expensive jersey with your favorite player on the back or you are wearing a jersey to play on your own soccer team, making sure it stays clean and in excellent condition is essential. Washing it incorrectly can actually damage your jersey, so it is important to follow several cleaning steps. To start, turn the jersey inside out. This will prevent ironed-on numbers and letters from coming off. Wash the jersey alone without other clothes, and use the gentle cycle. If there are grass or sweat stains, you should soak the jersey in warm water with detergent and baking soda before placing it in the washing machine. Never use bleach to get out stains, because this could ruin the jersey. If you need to use some sort of product, try to use a spot remover. Once you have washed the jersey, leave it to air dry. Do not place it in the dryer, because this could cause the jersey to shrink. Do not leave your jersey in direct sunlight while it is drying, because this could cause the color to fade.
Who Makes Them?
There are a number of different manufacturers of soccer jerseys. Adidas, Nike, Puma, Reebok, and Under Armor are just some of the dozens of brands that produce soccer jerseys. Adidas was the official sponsor of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and all authentic World Cup jerseys are made by Adidas. Still, you can find international jerseys from other brands, such as Nike.
Price Range
Soccer jerseys vary in price depending on the brand you buy and whether you want a jersey that is authentic or a replica. In general, you can expect to pay over $100 for an authentic soccer jersey. For a replica, this number may drop to under $70. Prices may be higher for a jersey has been worn during a game or signed by a certain player. You can usually find jerseys for cheaper from online retailers, such as eBay or Amazon. Some less than reputable sites also sell authentic jerseys for extremely cheap, although there is always some risk involved when giving your credit card information to these types of websites.
