Nike
today unveiled the new Brasil National Team home kit at an event in Rio de
Janeiro. The kit, which will be worn by
the hosts next summer, combines performance innovation, cultural design cues
and environmentally sustainable materials.
"It
is a great honor and it fills me with pride to present the new shirt of the
Selecao to the fans in Rio," said Luiz Gustavo of the Brasilian National
Team.
ULTIMATE
IN COOLING AND COMFORT
The
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 venitilation holes and
engineered mesh in key areas where heat is generated allow for increased
breathability and airflow across the skin.
“By
managing sweat and keeping the body cooler longer, players feel more
comfortable, sweat less, and perform better,” said Martin Lotti, Creative
Director for Nike Football.
In
addition to keeping players cool, the kit is made with a new dual-knit
fabrication that incorporates cotton and recycled polyester for the best in
moisture wicking properties, while adding a softer feel and more flattering
shape.
In
line with Nike’s commitment to superior performance with lower environmental
impact, the shirt, short - and for the
first time in a national team kit, the socks - all feature fabric made from
recycled plastic bottles. (100% recycled polyester in the shorts, 96% recycled
polyester in the shirt and 78% in the socks).
Each kit is made using an average of 18 recycled plastic bottles. Since
2010, Nike has diverted almost 2 billion bottles from landfills, enough to
cover over 2800 full-sized football pitches.
“Incorporating
environmental sustainability is a key part of the design and development
process for us,” said Lotti. “Our aim is to create a kit that performs for
players and is good to the planet.”
PERFECT
FIT
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
new Nike Pro baselayer is the lightest ever from Nike and features increased
venting and breathability.
Players
have a variety of Nike Pro baselayer styles for players to choose from. These are designed for the varying
temperatures and conditions athletes will encounter in Brasil, which are
expected to vary from high heat during mid-day matches, to much colder
temperatures in the southern match locations during evening games.
Nike
has redesigned its baselayer short for 2014 taking insights directly from some
of the best players in the world.
“When
we asked players to talk about the kind of protection they need during a match,
they showed us scars and abrasions on their upper-back hip area from sliding,”
recalled Lotti. “Several players showed
us these same injuries so we set-out to add more protection, while balancing
the need for lightweight and breathability.”
The
result is the Nike Pro Combat Ultralight Slider Short. Featuring increased and adjusted protection
to match the athlete’s sliding pattern, the short is also 20% lighter than
previous versions and made with 87% recycled polyester. Weight was eliminated through the addition of
mesh for increased breathability and cooling where the athlete generates heat.
Captivated
by the unique creativity of Brasil, Nike’s design team sought to reflect some
of its unique and distinct cultures in
the new National Team Kit design, while staying true to the culture and
tradition of the yellow jersey.
“The
Brasilian home kit is like a national flag; it symbolizes the country and its
people,” said Lotti. “We 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.”
The
jersey features a new Y-neck design that provides both a relaxed fit and
comfortable look. After body scanning
each member of the Brasilian National team, Nike designers utilized player body
scans and their own insights to develop a neckline that maximizes comfort and
great fit.
The
Brasilian crest has also been updated. A
gold colored metallic weave was added to the crest for a shimmering effect, and
the 2014 crest is slightly larger.
Behind the crest, on the inside of the jersey, is a printed slogan
“Nascido para jogar futebol”- Brasilian Portuguese for “Born to Play
Football”. Nike has also worked with
Brasilian Designer Bruno Big to deliver a unique and nationally relevant mark
of pride at the inner back neck of each jersey. The home kit features a small
yellow canary motif representing “Canarinho”, the nickname given to the team
when they wear the yellow home jersey.
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.
