Umbro Launches Beach Soccer Vs Range

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND (24th March 2011) Umbro has today introduced the latest Umbro Vs range, combining the laid back soulful vibes of beach soccer with the grit and determination of five-a-side football.

Following on from last season’s Umbro Vs range that clashed Brazilian futsal culture with five-a-side, the new apparel this time takes its cues from surf culture with twisted tones, bold patterns and clothing made-to-be-worn both on your board and on the pitch.

To build their inspiration, Umbro’s design team visited the home of surf culture, Huntington Beach, California, to develop their latest range. They also met with the designers at leading surf-brand Hurley to understand how surf wear is constructed and to look at how the performance aspects of surf wear could be leveraged for football performance apparel. It soon became clear to the team that on the beach you simply wear what feels most comfortable, there is no uniform and individuality is key.

The result is a new Umbro Vs range built out of durable, stretchable fabrics; with unique seam placement to help movement but still possessing the style twists visible along the Californian surf. Available from April 1st the key pieces are:

– Icon Short: Clashing the best in football and surf style, the short is inspired by both the England Home short and the famous Hurley Phantom board short. Like the Phantom, the Umbro V’s short features an innovative four-way stretch and loses the traditional inside leg seam to enhance mobility. The fabric and welded seem construction allows an unprecedented range of motion in the water or on the pitch.

– Shower Jacket: The Umbro Vs shower jacket is crafted to help you concentrate on your football game. A shaped vision hood keeping the rain off but not disrupting your view of the match, the football shower jacket can be kept safe and dry when not in use thanks to the graphic embossed pocket bag and clip hidden discretely on the front of the garment.

– Training Jersey: Made from a durable polyester fabric, with a straight raglan seam and darting on the shoulder for increased comfort. The jersey also features a mesh seam on the back for increased breathability.

– Over The Knee Short: The Umbro Vs over knee shorts features no side seam to disrupt the graphic with a tailored fit and a special comfort waistband.

The new Umbro Vs range is once again being launched through a campaign featuring different characters that have been created by legendary street artist and cartoonist Todd James (a.k.a. REAS). Representing Manchester and California, the characters have each been given their own personality based on real life characters from the two areas, including three Manchester lads who went to Huntington Beach to see beach soccer for themselves. Their often hilarious reaction is captured in the Todd James film.

The Umbro Vs range will be available from April 1st online soccer retailers.