To professional athletes, a shirt isn’t just a way of identifying which team they play for and what position they play – it also acts as their armour. A uniform that can not only help to improve their performance on the field but also prevent injuries! That’s why the football shirt material is so important – it plays an enormous role in player comfort, flexibility and performance!
In this article, we will explore the materials and technology that go into making the shirts that don our favourite players’ backs, travelling back through time to learn the evolution of the football shirt, answering common questions such as ‘what material are football shirts made of?’ and ‘how much does a football shirt weigh?’ and ultimately discovering the key features of a great football shirt!
The evolution of football shirts
The materials that produce football shirts have evolved almost as much as the game itself! In the 19th century, football kits consisted of long-sleeved shirts made either of cotton, flannelette or wool; long flannel trousers; woollen socks; ankle boots and sometimes coloured caps to help fans and match officials to tell the teams apart.
Now, if you know anything about cotton or wool, you’ll know that they are thick, warm and not particularly breathable – not ideal when you’re running around a football pitch for over an hour. Can you imagine how itchy a woollen shirt would get once you’d got sweaty?! Luckily, sports jerseys have evolved to bring more comfort to the players wearing them.
In the mid-20th century, lighter, more durable, moisture-wicking synthetic fabrics, such as nylon and polyester, were introduced. This shift marked a turning point in football kits, where the comfort of the players was taken into account.
So, what are football shirts made of now?
Today, modern football shirts are manufactured out of advanced fabric blends that not only enhance breathability and moisture control but also incorporate stretchable and seamless designs. These blends tend to include the polyester and nylon from the 19th century, and new additions like mesh and polyester ensure that players stay cool, dry, and unrestricted during matches. Modern manufacturing techniques also allow for seamless stitching, which is important to reduce friction and improve comfort whilst moving.
Since the FA introduced shirt numbers in 1928, players numbers (and often names) have been printed onto the back of shirts using a waterproof polymer, such as Polyurethane, and a technique called sublimation printing (where the design is printed onto a transfer paper and heat-pressed onto the shirt).
The core science behind football shirt materials
So, now you know about how football shirts are made, it’s time to explore the core science and cutting-edge technology behind them.
Moisture-wicking technology
Players and fans alike will agree that football is an intense, high-energy sport that inevitably leads to sweating. Traditional fabrics like wool or cotton absorb sweat, becoming heavy and uncomfortable as matches progress. Modern football shirts combat this with moisture-wicking technology, where specially engineered synthetic fibres draw sweat away from the skin and spread it across the fabric’s surface for faster evaporation.
This keeps players dry and helps regulate body temperature, reducing the risk of chafing and ensuring players can focus on their performance without discomfort.
Breathability
When you’re playing such a physically demanding sport, breathability is key. Advanced sports shirts are made from lightweight, porous fabrics that allow air to flow through the material. This ventilation effect helps release trapped heat and cool the body, preventing overheating during games played in high temperatures or under intense physical strain.
Many shirts also incorporate strategically placed mesh panels in areas like the underarms or back, where heat tends to build up the most. This focus on airflow ensures players can maintain peak performance for longer.
Lightweight materials
One of the most significant advancements in football kit technology is the evolution towards ultra-lightweight materials. A heavy shirt can reduce movement, especially when it becomes soaked with sweat. Modern shirts are designed to be as light as possible, allowing players to move more freely. By removing unnecessary weight, these shirts give players the edge they need to sustain high levels of performance throughout the match.
With all this chat about lightweight materials, you might be asking ‘how much does a football shirt weigh?’ Well, on average, a football shirt weighs between 150 to 250 grams, but this varies depending on the material and size of the shirt. The lighter the shirt, the more movement a player can achieve, and (usually) the better their performance.
Stretch
Another core factor in the production of football shirts is their stretch. Football is a contact sport, and shirt-tugging is a common occurrence during matches. With this in mind, football shirts are now made with elastic materials that allow them to stretch without tearing. This elasticity not only makes it harder for opponents to grab hold of a shirt during tackles but also reduces the risk of injuries caused by these shirt-tugging movements. Stretchy fabrics also contribute to a more comfortable fit, letting players move naturally without restriction.
Key features of a great football shirt
Now we’ve discussed the materials and technology that are used when manufacturing modern sports shirts, let’s explore the key features of a great football shirt so that you can look out for them when choosing your own:
- Durability: As we’ve already mentioned, football is a contact sport, so rough play is common. Football shirts need to stand up to all the physicality of the game without tearing. Plus, football shirts can get really dirty. After a match, a shirt might be coated in sweat, mud, grass stains, and even blood. This means frequent washing is inevitable, and the materials used must also be resilient enough to maintain their quality and fit despite repeated washes.
- Flexibility: Football requires players to move freely and quickly, so the materials in a great football shirt must be flexible enough to support this full range of motion without feeling restrictive. Flexibility is especially important for players in high-impact positions, such as goalkeepers, who rely on the stretch in their kits to perform at their best.
- Sustainability: Sustainability is becoming more and more important for manufacturers and consumers alike. Many football shirts, like those made by Puma, now incorporate eco-friendly materials, such as recycled polyester from plastic bottles and textile waste.
How Gift of Kit can help
If your current kits aren’t fitting the mark, or you want help funding your grassroots team’s kits, Gift of Kit can help you. Our mission is to support grassroots sports clubs as much as possible, by linking them with businesses that can offer investment and provide free sponsored kits to local and community-led sports teams.
Through our sponsorship program, we’ve provided over £4 million worth of sponsored kits to grassroots clubs, thanks to global partners like Sky Sports and Starling Bank.
If you’d like to learn more about how Gift of Kit can help your team, please register your interest or reach out to us today!