Youth: 3 Factors to Consider When Buying a Soccer Jersey

Mar 4, 2020

*This article is part of an educational series for soccer parents and players new to soccer*

If you play soccer, you’re probably used to being handed a soccer jersey with a team and sponsor logo, and heading out onto the pitch. However, in practice sessions and when you’re on the field by yourself, your jersey choice is your own.

Buying a soccer jersey isn’t rocket science, but players still need to think through what they’re buying. After all, the wrong jersey can impact a player’s performance negatively if it’s the wrong fit or lacks protective features. For soccer goalies, jerseys are incredibly important as flexibility and safety features can help you make a great save, and cushion you from impact on landing.

Many avid soccer players get caught in the trap of buying cheaper jerseys and replacing them over and over again when they inevitably rip, tear, or shrink in the wash. To save yourself money and time, it’s better to just buy one good jersey.

Here are some tips for what to look for when buying a soccer jersey. If you do your research beforehand, you’re sure to come out with something that’s both functional and appealing to wear.

Fit

The most important aspect of choosing a soccer jersey is that it fits your body correctly. You can wear the most advanced, high-tech jersey in the world, but if it’s too tight, or slides around on your body, it won’t do you any good. Most on-field jerseys are slim-fitting to totally form-fitting, and are designed to ensure you have freedom of movement without excess fabric getting in your way.

Even though soccer jerseys are meant to be form-fitting, you never want to feel pinched or restricted. You should have total freedom of movement at all times.

Material

The best jerseys are made from lightweight, seamless material, and include mesh side panels to help encourage air flow, leading to a less sweaty playing experience. The light fabric is soft on skin, and the seamless construction means that you’ll never be itched, scratched, or irritated by hard seams.

These specialty fabrics are typically made from nylon and polyester. This high-performance fabric wicks sweat away from the body, so you’re not playing in a soggy, heavy jersey. The fabric is also extremely durable, so you won’t need to replace your jersey as often.

Protective Features

While your comfort on the pitch is important, your safety is ultimately paramount. Even a minor injury can sideline a player for weeks or even months. To help protect against everything from scrapes and bruises to extreme impacts, many of the best soccer jerseys now come with strategically placed ergonomic pads. These pads help to cushion impacts, and protect against cuts, bruises, and contusions.

Ideally, these flexible pads should not impact your movement at all. You should barely know they’re there.

The Best Women and Mens Soccer Goalie Jerseys

Padding is even more important when it comes to soccer goalie jerseys. In order to make saves, goalkeepers are often required to make spectacular leaps and dives, which can lead to hard and painful impacts. Choosing a women’s or men’s soccer goalie jersey with strategically placed padding is a great way to avoid the worst impact-related injuries.

At Storelli, we think body protection is one of the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing a new jersey. That’s why our BodyShield Goalkeeper Jersey is armored with XRD Extreme Impact Protection across the elbows, shoulders, and ribs. These soft and flexible pads soften the impact of dives. It also features a slow-rebound foam chest pad, which allows goalkeepers to take hard shots to the chest while protecting these sensitive areas.

Don’t play or practice in the wrong jersey just because you don’t know what your options are. Storelli can help you get suited up for game day faster than you can say ‘goalkeeper’.