The Football Kit Buying Guide
Whether you’re the coach of a grassroots football team or a proud parent who wants the best for your child, buying the right football kit can be a minefield. There are just so many options available these days, and making the right choice involves knowing what’s best for you, your child or your players.
We’ve put together a brief football kit buying guide to help you get started. Whether you’re searching for a strip, training kit or a rain jacket, it’s good to know exactly what your options are.
What to Look for in a Football Kit
Adults
There are some excellent offers on adult football teamwear — particularly if you’re buying in bulk. If you’re a coach or a club administrator, for example, buy a full kit right at the beginning of the season. Although this will involve a significant initial outlay, it’s a far cheaper way to go about things in the long run.
For a very competitive price, you can get everything you need to get your team through a long season. For example, a full kit package often includes the following for up to 16 players:
- Outfield shirts
- Outfield shirts
- Goalkeeper shirt
- Goalkeeper shorts
- Socks
- Shirt numbers
- A match ball
- A kit bag
There are many colours to choose from, so you should be able to find something that represents your team colours. This is basically everything your players need to compete, bar the football boots and shin pads.
Juniors
The same basic package of football kits available for adults is also available for children. Shirt sizes range from XSY to LY, or 24-inch to 32-inch chest. Shorts are available waist sizes of between 20 inches and 28 inches. And sock sizes range from a child’s nine to an adult six.
Choosing the Right Fit
It’s usually best to err on the side of larger when choosing shirt and short sizes. While you can get these sizes simply by asking your players, it’s often worth stepping up a size to account for error. It’s better than shirts and shorts a little baggy than skin-tight.
If body dimensions fall between two sizes, move down one for a tight fit, and up one for a loose fit. At the end of the day, the sizes you choose may depend on the personal preferences of the players.
Small-Sided Options
Don’t worry if you’re running a five-a-side team, as there are team kit options for small-sided teams too. Mitre does a fantastic package of four outfield kits and a goalkeeper kit for an affordable price.
Alternatively, you can choose how many kits you want, and take advantage of a bulk-buying discount. You can choose how many additional kits you need over and above the five included. There’s also the option of choosing the colour, shirt number and name of each shirt.
Warm-Up and Training Kits
Ideally, you should keep your football strips for match days, so they look clean and presentable throughout the season. Warm-up shorts are perfect for training and match preparation, as they’re light, flexible and relatively affordable.
You can buy training shirts in a wide range of colours individually, or in bulk for a discount. There’s even the opportunity to add numbers and names. The Mitre ProFlow tops, for example, features high-performance fabric designed to keep players cool. Not only do they deliver practical benefits, they look great too. And for less than a tenner each, they can’t be beaten for value.
Rain Jackets
Nothing ruins a training session or a pre-match warm-up like torrential rain. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have a stock of rain jackets at hand. Water-resistant, lightweight and highly flexible, Mitre’s ProShield options are excellent value. You can even add player initials and numbers to the jackets — just like professional clubs.
You don’t need to spend thousands on quality, hard-wearing football kit these days. If you’re prepared to buy in bulk, there are some great deals to be found at The Soccer Store.
