The kit, which will be worn by the hosts next summer at the World Cup, combines performance innovation, cultural design cues and environmentally sustainable materials.
he kit aids performance by regulating player body temperature over the course of match. By using a combination of Nike Dri-FIT Technology, “burnout” mesh and laser-cut ventilation holes, designers are able to localize cooling where players need it most.
Nike Dri-FIT technology pulls moisture away from the skin to the outside of the garment where it evaporates more quickly. Laser-cut ventilation holes and engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated allow for increased breathability and airflow across the skin.
The Brasilian home kit is like a national flag; it symbolizes the country and its people. Nike wanted to create a fusion of the high speed brilliance of football and the culture of Brasil while staying true to what the home kit represents.
Designers utilized three dimensional body scans of the entire Brasilian National Team to collect data on the form of today’s players and identify an updated fit, improving comfort and allowing the body to move more naturally within the kit.
While looking at every element of the modern football kit, Nike designers even paid special attention to the kits’ socks. Combining athlete insight and research with new materials and fabrications, the Nike Elite Match Fit sock for 2014 features a sleeker fit specific to football. Strategically cushioned zones provide comfort and protection at the big toe and anklebones where the majority of impact occurs, while arch support locks down the foot to prevent slipping. Material was also eliminated to enhance touch and decrease bulk, and flex grooves were added to the ankle and the top of the foot to prevent any bunching.
The shorts are a classic Brasilian Varsity Royal with a white stripe. Simple and iconic, the fit is slimmer and more tailored to the body, with a cut specifically designed to aid movement and comfort. The center back of the shorts feature Nike’s signature laser vents to aid in cooling and allow for moisture management.
Even the name and number on each kit have been carefully designed, with micro fine pinholes for moisture management and cooling, and a fluorescent outline to aid visibility. The style of the name and number is inspired by the classic fonts widely used on Brasilian hand printed street posters. All jerseys worn by players and sold in Brasil are made in Brasil.
