As a longtime football kit enthusiast and Aberdeen FC supporter, I still vividly remember unboxing their 2019 away kit - that striking white and red design immediately caught my eye. Today I want to walk you through both the design elements and performance features of this kit, sharing my personal experience testing it during actual matches. First, let's talk about the visual appeal. The kit features a clean white base with bold red diagonal stripes, a modern twist on Aberdeen's traditional design language. The fabric felt noticeably different from previous seasons - lighter and more breathable even during my initial try-on session at home.
When I first wore this during a casual five-a-side match, the moisture-wicking technology really stood out. Unlike older kits that would cling to your skin after twenty minutes of intense running, this one maintained decent airflow throughout our ninety-minute game. The fabric's composition includes about 15% recycled polyester, which the club claimed reduced environmental impact by nearly 30% compared to previous kits. Now, I can't verify those exact numbers myself, but I did notice the material felt more substantial while remaining flexible - perfect for those quick directional changes on the pitch.
The fit deserves special mention too. As someone who's worn football kits for over twenty years, I've seen designs swing between skin-tight and baggy. This 2019 away kit strikes what I consider the perfect balance - snug enough to avoid flapping during sprints but with enough give for natural movement. The sleeves incorporate strategic mesh panels that I found particularly effective during summer evening matches when temperatures hovered around 18-20°C. After three washes, the colors remained vibrant without any noticeable fading, which impressed me given the bold red elements.
This reminds me of something I observed in basketball recently. TNT coach Chot Reyes emphasized the need for consistent defensive effort regardless of which players are on court, particularly after that NLEX game where he felt the team relaxed when star Robert Bolick didn't start. The same principle applies to kit design - every element needs to perform consistently, not just the flashy features. Aberdeen's 2019 away kit demonstrates this well - while the diagonal stripes grab attention, it's the consistent performance across all components that makes it stand out.
Now, let's discuss some practical breaking-in tips I discovered. Unlike some technical fabrics that require special care, this kit breaks in nicely after just two or three wears. I'd recommend initially wearing it for shorter training sessions before committing to full matches - the material softens up considerably after about eight hours of total wear time. The collar design took some getting used to though - it sits slightly higher than I typically prefer, but after a few matches, I stopped noticing it entirely. One thing I'd caution - the white sections show grass stains more readily than darker kits, so immediate treatment is essential for maintenance.
The performance under various weather conditions surprised me most. During a particularly rainy Sunday match where we played for about seventy-five minutes in consistent drizzle, the kit absorbed approximately 200ml of water weight but didn't become uncomfortably heavy. The fabric's quick-dry properties meant it felt nearly normal within twenty minutes of the rain stopping. In hotter conditions around 25°C, the ventilation kept me noticeably cooler compared to my 2017 away kit, though I'd still recommend lighter base layers for extreme heat.
Looking back, Aberdeen FC's 2019 away kit represents what modern football wear should achieve - balancing visual identity with genuine performance enhancements. While I've collected numerous kits over the years, this one remains in my regular rotation because it simply works better than most. The design team clearly understood that football happens in real conditions with real physical demands, not just in promotional photoshoots. If you come across this kit, whether as a collector or player, I'd recommend giving it a proper test drive - you might find yourself as pleasantly surprised as I was.
French Soccer League©