Up-Close: West Ham United 2016/17 Umbro Home Jersey

Seen in Premier League action during most of the club’s match so far this season, the West Ham United FC 2016/17 home kit has been a hit among Hammers fans. Here is a World Exclusive up-close look and our thoughts on the second West Ham primary shirt from Umbro since the team re-signed with the firm in 2015.

The Hammers Basics

West Ham’s 16/17 home kit uses the club’s traditional claret base. The team’s secondary light blue is used for its sleeves for the second season in a row. The color scheme is much-loved by WHU fans given its use throughout from 1903 to 1976. Since then the Hammers have had a smattering of home jerseys with claret sleeves. Light blue is also used for most of the kit’s collar and for the ventilated running down its sides.

The sleeve cuffs and front collar insert on the West Ham 16/17 Umbro home shirt are white. They match with the Umbro branding and sponsor logos throughout the jersey.

The Details

Umbro has taken what other sportswear firms can make just another shirt to collectible status through the use of detailing that is of significance to West Ham United.

The football specialists from the Greater Manchester area once again assigned a bespoke design to the new West Ham home kit. To date no other Umbro clubs are sharing it with the Hammers. We don’t expect to see anyone else in it since Umbro did not assign the 15/16 West Ham home shirt design to any other side.

The design in question is clever with an innovative ribbed collar that leads to a flat insert at its front for a rectangular look. The front and sleeves are made of a lightweight polyester satin fabric while the back is equally lightweight but ventilated to provide cooling.

West Ham’s 2016/17 Umbro home kit is the first to feature the Hammers’ new look badge that sees the Boleyn Castle removed and the word “London” added towards it bottom. The text “Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park 2016-2017” is printed below the crest in celebration of the team’s new home ground – the third largest in the Premier League. The geographical co-ordinates of the stadium are printed below a stylized Union Jack on the inside neckline.

The partial Union Jack also appears on the inside and outside of the outer sleeve cuffs via a rubberized application that we don’t expect to fade or wash off with use. This is our favorite feature of what is a stellar kit as it harkens back to the Union Jack crest used by West Ham’s predecessor club – Thames Ironworks. It also celebrates UK national pride and the fact that the Hammers new home was the centerpiece of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Fit and Feel

The West Ham United 2016/17 home kit fits true to size thanks to its tailored silhouette. It is on the form-fitting side so if you’ve got a little extra weight hanging around then we recommend going a size up. On the skin it is extremely comfortable, lightweight and cool. It can be worn on the pitch, at the gym or for casual use in even the warmest of conditions. From what we can tell it is a match grade jersey.

Where to Buy It

The West Ham United FC 2016/17 Umbro home kit is now on sale at World Soccer Shop, UK Soccer Shop, Subside Sports and Kitbag.