Categories
FC Bayern Munich Product Reviews

Review: FC Bayern home jersey 11-13

Review: FC Bayern Munich home jersey 11-12 +12-13

By MM Sports FC Bayern ambassador Ben Roden, Utah, USA

 

 “The price of success is sometimes suffocating expectation. So it seems to be with Bayern München. After a disappointing finish in last year’s Bundesliga campaign, and a heartbreaking exit from the Champions League, questions are being raised by pundits and fans alike: how can a team with so much history and so much talent fall short? After a busy transfer period and some strong signings, Die Roten now hope to quiet their critics and appease their restless supporters with a strong campaign.

 

 With Bayern challenging for silverware on multiple fronts, Allianz Arena will need to become a fortress for Bayern to succeed; appropriately, they will take to the home pitch in a kit that represents the legacy of Germany’s most successful club.

While previous kits have paid tribute to Bayern’s historical kits in literal terms, (the red and white stripes of the 10/11 home kit, for example) this year’s Adidas kit utilizes a simple design and important details to create a more spiritual successor to previous classics.

The color template is red and gold – the bright red of recent years has been replaced with a deep cardinal, accented with subtle stripes and gold details.  The color, while a slight deviation from the norm pays tribute to tradition, while the gold stripes and lettering represent FCB’s numerous trophies, both past and future.

 

 

FC Bayern Munich home jersey 11-12

 

 

The quality of the garment itself is excellent. The kit features Adidas’ ClimaCool fabric and vent panels for comfort, and a fairly traditional fit. The sponsor, crest, and name/number are of top quality and are integrated perfectly into the kit. The text on the back of the jersey is printed in metallic gold, and a small Bayern crest is stamped into each number. The club’s name is printed across the shoulders, while the player’s name is printed just below the number in the same distinctive font.

 

FC Bayern home jersey 11-12 + Schweinsteiger 31 printing

 

As is common with many Adidas designs, Bayern’s kit features a number of unique and impressive details that are unique to the club. Bayern is known to many as “Rekordmeister,” or in English, “Record Champion,” a title which refers to their numerous cups and titles – this nickname is emblazoned in a gold strip on the back collar of the kit.

 

 

FC Bayern home jersey 11-12 collar Rekordmeister

 

On the inside of the collar is the club’s motto – “Mia san mia,” a Bavarian phrase roughly translated as “We are who we are,” a further symbol of the club’s identity.

 

 

FC Bayern home jersey collar inside Mia San Mia

 

Even the vertical stripes on the front of the kit echo the checker of the Bavarian flag found in the team’s crest.

These details are small but well executed, enriching the overall design of the kit rather than distracting from it.

Overall, this is one of the best Bayern Munich kits in years –elegant, timeless and powerful.  Striking a perfect balance between simplicity and character, the kit perfectly captures the current aim of FC Bayern –drawing on the strength of Bayern’s legacy while looking ahead to the future.

Overall Rating: 10/10″

 

 

Categories
Chelsea Product Reviews

Review: Chelsea FC home jersey 2011/12

 Review: Chelsea home jersey 2011/12

By MM Sports Chelsea ambassador: Ray Pottenger

 

Another year, another campaign for the boys in Blue. Is there a better way to get ready for the season than getting the new home kit? 

All in all, this year’s jersey is pretty stylish. The designers made some alterations that make the 2011-12 iteration both distinctive from past jerseys and yet instantly recognizable as representing Chelsea.

Chelsea home jersey 11-12 front

 

The flash made the stripes hard to see.

 

 

  The front of this year’s model has a nice set of thick, horizontal stripes of alternating shades of blue, an eye catching change-up from the usual straight blue shirt. Samsung, Chelsea’s main sponsor, has its moniker proudly emblazoned across the chest. Chelsea’s badge is nicely stitched onto the left breast.

Chelsea home jersey focus on logos

 

 

 

The shoulders are a white mesh material with blue adidas tri-stripes giving it a race car feel.   I chose to go with the Premier League badge, which (sadly) is white this year with a straight blue back. 

Chelsea home jersey 11-12 EPL badges

 

Next year they will be gold.

 

 

 I chose to get a Torres #9 on the back. The numbers and lettering are white with black outline. The Premier Lion adorns the base of the number.

 

Chelsea home jersey 11-12 Torres 9 printing

 

El Nino will return to form this year, mark my words.

 

 

 

The fabric is adidas’s Climacool, which seems to get softer and thinner each year.  That is definitely not a bad thing. Thinner lets the shirt breathe a bit, which is good for the dog days of summer. Climacool is also durable and will not stretch out too much when that jerk who thinks he’s playing for the UEFA Cup instead of a pickup game keeps tugging on your jersey. You’ll be able to hip him off and continue on your run while still looking good.  The jersey also has a nice cut that gives even the non-athlete the illusion of at least some chest definition.

On the whole this is a great jersey for showing your Chelsea pride, because everyone looks better in blue.

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Manchester City Product Reviews

Review: Manchester City home jersey 11-12

 Product Review: Umbro Manchester City Home Jersey 2011/12

 Immediately after being selected to a “joker” position by the MM Sports Staff, I was extremely excited to see what would be coming in the mail.  A few days after receiving my first shipping confirmation, the package arrived.  I felt like a young boy on Christmas, I had absolutely no idea what was in the package and I feverishly began to open the parcel.  I pull away the tissue paper and…Manchester City! My first reaction was utter disappointment…could I really review a team that I loathe so much?  It wouldn’t take me long to realize that despite our opposing views on how a team should be built, Manchester City knew how to dress with class.

It didn’t take long for the disappointment to subside because as I inspected the jersey closer, I realized that Umbro had produced one of the classiest kits I have seen for some time.  Since being purchased in 2008 by Nike, Umbro has specialized in producing kits unlike any of the other larger manufactures.

Manchester City home jersey 2011/12

 

                 The jersey is made like their newer England kits with the jersey almost feeling like a t-shirt.  The outside feels like cotton while the underside feels more like a traditional jersey. It is odd at first but the comfort is unsurpassed.  The vibrant sky blue color really stands out and received many compliments while being worn later that day.  There is mesh for ventilation around both arms and down either side of the shirt.  There is also an additional strip of ventilation on the shoulders located on the backside of the jersey.   The club badge and Umbro logo are both embroidered to perfection.

The color scheme is flawless because the “Etihad Airways” sponsor and Umbro logo are both in a dark charcoal color that sits on top of the sky blue beautifully.  The collar is v-neck and there is an inner collar that a checkerboard pattern of blue and white.  On the backside, there is a “Tailored by Umbro” and a line design embroidered on either bottom side.  The front of the shirt has polka dots that are dark on the bottom hem and they lighten and fade away towards the collar.  This was a nice touch because I think it brings the entire jersey together.  Aesthetically, it is a beautiful shirt.

In summary, I think Umbro did a superb job on the new Manchester City home jersey.  The color, sponsor logo, badges and overall aesthetics are all great.  It looks great to play in or for walking down the street and being casual.  Despite not being a fan of Manchester City, I can admit that it may be the best looking kit in the premier league this season.  It appears to me that Umbro did not hold back and wanted to produce a top-notch kit for City’s first champions league campaign.  I would recommend the kit for fans of City and for collectors looking to add a beautiful piece to their collection.

 

-Zach Jepson

 

Categories
Product Reviews Real Madrid

Review: Real Madrid home jersey 2011/12

Review: Real Madrid Home Jersey 2011-12

By the MM Sports Ambassador Sean Moran

The Real Madrid Home 2011-12 team jersey features a sleek simplistic design.  The climacool technology that Adidas has used on this jersey works well in all conditions whether games, training, or leisure.  The mesh underarm design allows for optimal cooling.   This 100% polyester jersey features the embossed team crest on the upper right chest, and the Adidas logo stitched on the left front chest. The front screen-prints features the team sponsor (bwin) who has consistently maintained sponsorship for Real Madrid over the last several years.

Real Madrid home jersey 11-12 sponsor logo

 

Also stitched on is the league patch on the right arm.  

Real Madrid home jersey 11-12 LFP sleeve badge

 

   This jersey features the teams initials (RM) embossed into the collar and its name (Real Madrid) into the collar and its name (Real Madrid) on the inside of the collar seaming.

Real Madrid home jersey should stripes Real Madrid collar look

This white game jersey with gold accent trims on the collar, arm trim and around the underarm mesh adds to the sophisticated look to this sleek polo.

Real Madrid jersey side fabric

 

  The bottom right front displays the Adidas authentic mark, while the left bottom displays the screen-print climacool logo.

Real Madrid jersey adidas authentic mark Real Madrid jersey clima cool logo

 

 Name & Number kit:

 

Also, the screen-printed back features your favorite player name and number. Also found on the bottom of the players number is the teams crest.

Real Madrid home kit Özil 10 Real Madrid logos engraved in numbers

 

Final Remarks:

The sizing of this jersey is true to size, while offering a form fitting style.  The fabric is light weight with a tight weave of fabric, the under arm area is a mesh woven material to aid in moisture wicking and heat control.  The polo style collar is a loose weave of fabric.  The polo style opening provides a stylish sporty look.   The stitching of seams is tight and well done but will give with motion of the wearer.  The shirt has great style and design, while exhibits a well manufactured product. 

Overall this is a well-made jersey that any team supporter would be proud to wear to publically display their enthusiastic spirit.

 

 Sean Moran

New York/ August 11, 2011

 

 

See the official Real Madrid promotional video of the jersey here:

Categories
Product Reviews Valencia

Review: Valencia CF home jersey 11-12

Review: Valencia home jersey 2011-12

By the MM Sports Valencia ambassador Peter Locascio

 

The new Valencia CF (FC to those English language speakers) 2011/12 home jersey is supplied by Joma, a change from the last few years jersey supplier, Kappa. The jersey is substantially white with black and yellow/orange trimming around the neck, hips and sleeves (the left sleeve trim has “ AMUNT VALENCIA” in yellow/orange stitching and there is a black Joma “J” logo on each shoulder). The La Liga “LFP” patch (Liga de Fútbol Profesional) is fully edge stitched onto the left shoulder, an indicator of a well manufactured product.

 

Valencia home jersey sleeve LFP badge close up

The Valencia CF shield is situated on the upper left chest and a black stitched “Joma” is on the upper right chest (orientation when wearing the jersey). The stiched text is nicely executed and is another indicator of the high quality of this jersey. “AMUNT VALENCIA” with the VCF shield is printed on the inner collar and the inner band of the jersey bottom.

 

 

Valencia CF home jersey front  

 

A small yellow/orange bat is stitched onto the bottom back of the jersey, a nice touch.

Valencia home jersey backside bat

 

 

My jersey was ordered with authentic player name and number on the back (Mata, 10). The contemporary font is sans-serif black with silver “shadow” highlight on each letter and numeral and silver VCF shield on the bottom of each numeral. The player customization is of the same high quality as last year.

 

Valencia home jersey Mata 10 printing  

 

 The VCF shield close-up:

 

Valencia CF numbers with club shield

 

 

Final Remarks:

The jersey was not supplied with a sponsor logo on the front. The 2010/11 “Unibet” logo was one of the most attractive sponsor logos in all club football and I will certainly have no objection if Valencia CF jerseys later in the season are shipped with it printed on the front. 

The front and back fabric is finely woven while the side and arm fabric is a somewhat more open weave. The underarms are a mesh like fabric for ventilation. 

 

Unlike last year’s VCF Kappa jersey where I needed to size up a full size (something I rarely have to do), the 2011/12 Joma jersey fits to size, if slightly slimmer than the 2010/11 Joma jerseys.

 

Overall, the jersey is of substantial quality. While we all (at least club football fans) are proud to publicly exhibit our team association, it’s always nice when the shirt has style, quality design and is well manufactured. Valencia CF fans can rest assured this is the case with the VCF 2011/12 home jersey.

 

Peter John Locascio

New York City/August 10, 2011

Se official Joma presentation video here:

 

 

 

And another Valencia promotional video for the new jersey: