Unboxed & Up-Close: Italy 2018 PUMA Home Kit

The first big international team kit launch ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is the new Italy home kit from long time Federazione Italiana Giuoco Calcio (FIGC) sponsor PUMA. This is our World Exclusive up-close, in-person look at the latest Azzurri primary jersey.

Where to Buy the Italy 2018 PUMA Home Kit

Given the significance of the four-time World Cup champions in the soccer landscape, the Italy 2018 PUMA home shirt went on sale from the time it was launched last Thursday.

Difference Between Authentic and Repica Versions

The player issue version of the Italy 2018 PUMA home jersey is the one that you’ll see the Azzurri wearing when they close off the group stage of their World Cup qualifying run against at Albania tomorrow. Its is a form-fitting affair similar to a compression shirt that features the latest in PUMA’s fabric technology. It is made of the firm’s new evoKNIT material and has cooling zones on its side and back. The FIGC crest is screenprinted on the chest to reduce weight.

The replica version of Italy’s 2018 home kit is a looser fitting garment intended to accommodate both athletic and non-athlete physiques. The cooling fins of the authentic shirt are absent. The FIGC crest is embroidered and not printed in a move that is sure to get Azzurri fan approval.

Design and Details

The first significant feature of the Italy 2018 PUMA home kit is the use of the brand new FIGC crest. Its is the first new badge from Italian football’s governing association since 2006. It is also the first to have the four stars representing the team’s World Cup titles embroidered above the shield portion of the crest.

The Italy 2018 primary kit is of course in the famous blue of the Azzurri (which means “blue” in Italian). The PUMA branding (consisting of embroidered PUMA Cats on the sleeves and chest) is white along with the the shirt’s player name and numbering print. An eye-catching series of white dots that produce a mesh look run along the upper chest of the jersey. The dots also create sleeve and shoulder stripes that maintain PUMA’s tradition of T7 striping.

The 2018 Italy home kit rekindles the look of main Azzurri shirts of the past through its dark blue ribbed v-neck collar and matching sleeve cuffs. PUMA has added a modern twist to the collar by breaking it at the beginning of the shoulder stripes on each side. The collar then continue at the back of the jersey in an insert-like manner.

An additional modern detail is curved, prominent, extra strength stitching at the sleeves. A carryover from the authentic version of the kit, this stitching definitely adds to the durability of the replica shirt if it is worn for match play.

FInal touches of Italian football tradition appear on the jersey via the addition “Il Tricolore” (the Italy national flag) to the outside of the sleeve cuffs and in the signoff area via a screenprint. The use of the Italian national color on Azzurri kit cuffs has become a custom with recent Italy home and away kits. The flag returns to the back area after a long absence.

Fit and Feel

The replica version of the Italy 2018 PUMA home kit carries a contemporary true to size fit. We recommend getting it in your normal soccer jersey size. Its looks brilliant if you’ve got a hard-earned athletic physique in that it does emphasize your physique well.

The jersey is completely made of PUMA’s lightweight, moisture dissipating dryCELL fabric. It is extremely lightweight and comfortable on the skin. In fact it feels like you’ve not even got a top on at times even in warmer temperatures! This is a match grade kit in our opinion. We’ve run into authentic shirts from other major sportswear companies that are not nearly was comfortable as this one.

Final Thoughts

The Italy 2018 PUMA home kit uses a brilliant combination of modern and classic football shirt features. The maintains the Azzurri’s longstanding shirt tradition for a fine jersey that fans and collectors can rock with pride over the next year or two until the next Italian home kit drops.