There is a new video that is slowly gaining popularity among soccer fans. Nike has been promoting national kits that are more environmentally friendly. The company's latest video features the process of making the kits from recycled plastic bottles.
The New Kits
The U.S. national teams have been busy promoting the new kits and updating their stores. The U.S. men's and women's teams will have an updated look this season that is very similar. Both teams will wear jerseys with red and white stripes. Fans have been mocking the new kits with multiple "Where's Waldo?" jokes in private soccer forums.
Although the kits have a strong resemblance to the popular children's book character, Nike has been deflecting attention by focusing on a campaign about the recycled materials. The traditional sash has been muted, but Nike insists that it is still visible as an iconic kit feature. I think they have done a great job of making it blend in with the background to the point that it is basically invisible.
The New Video
Nike has released a YouTube video that shows the production process for national team jerseys. Although the video features striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar wearing the Dutch national team's kit, the process to make the U.S. kits is similar and uses the same types of recycled materials.
The new kits are made with recycled plastic bottles, and Nike claims that 13 are used for each jersey. In addition, the kits are 23 percent lighter than previous versions. Overall, the jerseys are made with 96 percent recycled materials. The polyester in the shorts is 100 percent recycled. The jerseys have advanced technology in the form of tiny holes to help with ventilation and still use the Dri-FIT concept.
The video is a good marketing effort for the company as it tries to convince fans to purchase the latest versions of the jerseys. The U.S. national teams will wear them at the end of May, but they are already promoting sales with promises of authentic customization. The next plastic water bottle you recycle might become a national team jersey in the future.
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Lana follows MLS, UEFA and FIFA. She has been a faithful fan of the Chicago Fire since 1998. Follow @Lana_Bandoim on Twitter.
