AVID Soccer has reviewed lots of kit, but this is the first time we have tested soccer jerseys head to head.  We tested both recreational level and club/high school level.  One thing is certain, the level of quality and comfort has certainly improved from what was available when I started playing.

We were planning two separate shoot-outs, one for Recreational level and one for Club level.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the level of participation that we had hoped for.  As a result, we tested all four of our intrepid entries under the same circumstances.  Our tests included the Nike Park SZ5; adidas Avantis; Protime Sports Boston; and last year's AVID Soccer Awards "Kit of the Year" winner, the Dasport Victory.

From left to right, Nike Park, adidas Avantis, Dasport Victory, Protime Sports Boston

Our tests focused on comfort, style, value and clean-up (this way, Mom gets a say).  Comfort was defined both by how the kit felt during play and how it felt before/after play.  Each of these jerseys are reasonably comfortable off the field.  The Park was the heaviest fabric.  There is no venting and it did not breath as well as the others, placing it last in this group.  The Boston was third.  It is lighter weight than the Park, but also lacks venting.  The thinner fabric does breath better, but our tester didn't like the feel.  The Avantis and Victory received similar ratings in most areas, but the Avantis pulled ahead with a more comfortable collar.

They style category was probably the easiest to judge.  Again, the Nike finished dead last; however our testers said it was the only one they would wear off the field.  The remaining three are very similar in style and finished in a near dead heat.  The Victory was third, because it had "too many different panels."   The Avantis was second with nothing objectionable, but nothing outstanding either.  The Boston's color combinations pushed it out into first place.

Value is a combination of price and durability.  In a recreational league, price plays a much bigger role than it does at the club level.  As such, we segregated our contestants.  In the Recreational category, the Victory is nearly twice the price of the Boston.  Our Victory test examples have held up extremely well and would be a valid choice for an adult league or travel team; however, the Boston is a much better value for children.  When the jerseys are only used for one season, cost is everything.  At the club level, parents expect the kit to last for at least two years.  The amortized cost becomes less important.  At the club level, the Nike's price, simplicity of design and fabric weight give it the edge over the adidas kit.

Soccer can be a messy game and it is generally a very sweaty game.  As such, care and maintenance is very important.  The Protime jersey finished last in this category.  Our bright Yellow/Blue example now has a variety of color bleeds.  It is also the only one that recommends air dry.  The adidas falls next in this group.  There are no concerns, but the thin fabric is more susceptible to dryer heat.  The Dasport has been used and abused and still looks like new.  In first, the Nike's simple design, thick fabric and solid color makes it the easiest to wash and dry.

In the recreation category, the choice was difficult.  The value of the Boston and the wide range of colors would probably win out in most leagues, but we had to go with the Victory.  The venting make a big difference when the weather is triple digits.  At the club level, we came to the same conclusion.  The Park has a wider variety of colors, but the lack of style and lack of ventilation put it solidly behind the Avantis.