THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Nike and Kaizer Chiefs unveil Home & Away Kits for 2014-15 Season

Kaizer Chiefs

Kaizer Chiefs

The rich and classic tradition of Kaizer Chiefs is captured in this season’s new modern home kit with signature gold and black colors taking center stage.

The kit features a gold shirt with a high crewneck and cuffs to match, while there is single, thick black stripe extended from the left shoulder to the chest with the Kaizer Chiefs logo positioned across both colors. Black shorts and gold socks with a black band complete the new home kit.

The new away shirt is blue, and features the single, thick stripe in gold, extended from the left shoulder to the chest. This jersey is paired with white shorts, while the socks are blue with a yellow trim.

In addition to featuring Nike’s authentic design insights, each new kit offers players the very latest in performance innovation, kit technology and environmental sustainability.

The new home and away kits will be available from Nike stores and leading retailers from July 17.

NIKE DRI-FIT TECHNOLOGY

Nike Dri-FIT technology draws sweat away from the body to the exterior of the shirts and shorts where it quickly evaporates. This allows players to perform at their absolute best by remaining cooler, drier and more comfortable.

Laser-cut ventilation holes and mesh panels in key areas of the kit also improve performance by increasing air circulation to the players’ bodies and regulating their temperatures throughout 90 minutes on the pitch.

The kits are made of a new dual-knit fabric consisting of cotton and recycled polyester, which removes sweat as well as offering a softer feel and an overall more flattering appearance.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Nike continues to place environmental sustainability at the heart of their kits..

Again this year, the kits are made from polyester derived from recycled plastic water bottles. The shorts are 100 percent recycled polyester; the shirts are 96 percent recycled polyester, while the socks are 78 percent.

Each kit is made using an average of 18 recycled plastic bottles; over the last four years Nike has diverted almost two billion plastic bottles from landfills to produce kits.

By using recycled polyester Nike is also reducing the energy consumed in the entire process by up to 30 percent.

A NEW AND UPDATED PERFECT FIT

Nike took 3D body scans of many of the world’s leading footballers to create a kit with an updated and improved fit.

The new fit allows the body to move more naturally within the kit, and so effortlessly improves players’ comfort and performance.

The Nike Elite Match fit sock for 2014 also boasts a sleeker and updated design created especially for football.

Nike’s designers spoke with many of today’s elite players to gain insights in to what they wanted from a sock during a game.

There are now strategically cushioned zones to provide comfort and protection around the big toe and the anklebones where the majority of impact occurs, while arch support provides a firm foundation for the foot to prevent any slipping.

There is less material on the sock to enhance players’ touch, while flex grooves on the ankle and top of the foot prevent bunching.