UM FOOTBALL TO WEAR NIKE'S LATEST UNIFORM
Nov. 17, 2009
Coral Gables, Fla. — The University of Miami football team will wear the Nike Pro Combat uniform, a new system of dress and the lightest weight football uniform Nike has ever created, when it takes the field for the South Florida contest on Saturday, November 28.
Miami is one of 11 elite programs to debut the Nike Pro Combat uniform during the month of November before it is officially introduced at the start of the 2010 season. The Hurricanes are joined by Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Virginia Tech, Missouri, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and TCU as the schools debuting the uniform this month.
“Nike has been a premier partner of the University of Miami for many years,” commented Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. “The UM athletic department is honored to have been selected as one of the programs to debut the Pro Combat uniform.”
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“Players need their uniforms to be as light as possible so they can play the game at top speed. The Nike Pro Combat uniform is a modern system of dress that is dramatically lighter while providing durability and protection.” Kris Aman, Global VP and General Manager for Nike Athletic Training |
Nike designed the Pro Combat uniform to address the evolution of the game and the increase in strength and speed of the student-athletes. The uniform is 37 percent lighter than current designs (673 grams vs. 1,061 grams). Nike utilized a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water and, as a result, the new uniforms are 46 percent lighter than the current designs when wet. Overall, the Nike Pro Combat uniform is lighter when wet that the current Miami design when completely dry.
Designed from the inside out, the Nike Pro Combat uniform begins with the Nike Pro Combat padded base layer. Strategically placed padding zones in the Nike Pro Combat Deflex shorts cover the thighs, hips, and tailbone. The padding zones are comprised of dual-density foam cells that absorb, deflect and disperse the impact of on-field collisions. A foam grid intersects the cells to maximize impact absorption and increase flexibility. A hard plastic shield covers the thigh padding where impact frequently occurs.
The Nike Pro Combat Deflex shorts are made with Nike Dri-FIT technical fabric to provide superior moisture wicking, helping to keep players dry and cool.With the padding incorporated into the base layer, players gain greater mobility over traditional padding and the outer uniform becomes a lightweight, breathable shell with a sleek, explosive look.
“Players need their uniforms to be as light as possible so they can play the game at top speed,” said Kris Aman, Global VP and General Manager for Nike Athletic Training which includes football. “The Nike Pro Combat uniform is a modern system of dress that is dramatically lighter while providing durability and protection.”
Nike scrutinized every detail of the Nike Pro Combat uniform with the goal of shedding as much weight as possible, right down to the D-ring on the belt. Nike opted for a titanium D-ring, which is extremely durable and 66 percent lighter than the standard steel belt enclosure.
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Engineered high-tenacity yarn inspired by Nike Flywire is incorporated into the high impact shoulder area. The belt loops have been padded to provide added protection to the hip area without the bulk of traditional hip pads.
The new uniforms also feature improved ventilation and breathability. Side ribbed-piping on the uniform pant has been replaced with sublimated Nike Dri-FIT mesh, which not only shaves grams off of the pant weight, but also aids evaporation in key areas. Nike Dri-FIT mesh wraps behind the knees, a key cooling zone on the body. By adding innovative evaporation and cooling zones, the player’s body expends less energy regulating body temperature, leaving more energy for the game.
Completing this true system of dress for football is the new Nike Zoom Vapor Fly cleat, which Nike customized for Miami featuring the Hurricanes team colors, team logo, and chrome-plated outsole. This incredibly lightweight cleat at just 10 ounces is available in 2010. It features Zoom Air cushioning in the heel and Flywire engineering in the medial and lateral quarter panels.
Nike designers immersed themselves in University of Miami history and lore to bring inspirational cues to the look and direction of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms.Miami’s new uniforms are “All About The U” and the school’s proud football legacy. Graphics on both the jersey and pant wrap around to the back, representing the “everybody is behind me” speed of the team.
“THE U” is embroidered on the jersey’s inner collar as well as on the cuff of the Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves. The split colors on the jersey numbers for the first time mirror the traditional split “U” on the Hurricanes helmet.
