Nike reveals 2014 All Whites Home Kit ahead of Japan game

28 February 2014

Nike reveals 2014 All Whites Home Kit ahead of Japan game

Nike is excited to announce the release of the new All Whites Home Kit, ahead of their first game for 2014 against Japan on March 5th.

The new kit combines the best in performance innovation with New Zealand-inspired design details, and represents the country’s national pride with a classic and bold look.

The kit features a classic white New Zealand jersey that has the NZ Football crest and Nike swoosh emblazoned on the front, and the name and numbers in a new and stylish grey to represent the iconic NZ silver fern on the back.

The cuffs on each sleeve can be flipped over to reveal a tonal silver fern design, while the crest of the silver fern on the chest is the ultimate symbol of national pride and is displayed as a crafted piece of embroidery.

The new kit shorts are a simple and iconic white, and feature a slimmer and more tailored fit with a cut specifically designed to aid movement and comfort. The centre back of the shorts feature Nike’s signature laser vents to aid in cooling and allow for moisture management. The new home socks are also white to complete an imposing and sleek all white appearance.

“In addition to providing the leading performance benefits and innovations, our aim is to also celebrate each country,” Martin Lotti, Creative Director Nike Football.

“We wanted the kit to highlight the silver fern and its importance to New Zealanders.”

Tech innovations include a tapered side seam with vent detail, performance mesh back panel, and laser holes for high-speed, localized cooling.

“It feels really light, and I love the clean and crisp look of it. It’s always great to pull on your national jersey,” says All White, Winston Reid.

ULTIMATE IN COOLING AND COMFORT
The kit aids performance by helping to regulate 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.

“By managing sweat and keeping the body cooler longer, players feel more comfortable, sweat less and perform better,” said Lotti.

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.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
In line with Nike’s commitment to superior performance with lower environmental impact, the shirt, short - and for the first time in a New Zealand national team kit, the socks - all feature fabric made from recycled plastic bottles (100 percent recycled polyester in the shorts, 96 percent recycled polyester in the shirt and 78 percent 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 more than 2,800 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 elite footballers 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 kit’s 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 ankle bones where the majority of impact occurs, while arch support locks down the foot to help 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 bunching.

The new All Whites Stadium Jersey is available now at leading sports retail outlets
Adult RRP$110, Kids RRP$90

ENDS

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