Historically, until the mid-twentieth century, soccer jerseys were made out of materials like cotton and even wool. As you can imagine, this meant that the jerseys kept the heat in and were very hot, not to mention they soaked up and stored sweat which made them even more uncomfortable.
However, with the advent of synthetic, man-made materials, the makeup of soccer jerseys began to change for the better.
So what are soccer jerseys made of now? Nearly 100% polyester fabrics.
Polyester offers a great many benefits, chiefly among them being their lightweight yet durable quality, perfect for spending large amounts of time on the soccer field.
Polyester is a naturally breathable fabric, so it does a better job than other fabrics at keeping you cool.
Another key benefit of polyester is its moisture-wicking characteristics. It doesn’t hold water like other natural fabrics, so it won’t retain sweat.
Being a man-made material, polyester can be manufactured in a more consistent manner than other fabrics. A consistent manufacturing process lends itself to the affordability of the material. It’s also engineered to be soft, thus adding to the comfort factor, while maintaining its durability.
Polyester’s colorfast properties mean it doesn’t shrink or bleed as cotton does, making it more resistant to stains. If the jersey has neck trims, the construction is also 100% polyester, ensuring the colors of the shirt and neck don’t bleed into each other.
For some jerseys, spandex or Lycra may be woven into the material. These aren’t as breathable, but are used because of how stretchy they are. They can stretch a great deal before rupturing or tearing and do a great job of returning to their original shape – a key benefit in soccer with how physical the game has become, including jersey pulling and tugging.
Here at High-Five, our soccer jerseys are made of 100% polyester which allows for breathability and stretchiness.
Get started and shop all three brands’ soccer jerseys here!