What is Nike Dri-FIT ADV?
Nike Dri-FIT ADV is a technology that Nike used from the 2021/22 season for the performance versions of its football shirts.
ADV stands for Advanced.
Dri-FIT ADV builds on Nike Dri-FIT, but combines the familiar moisture management with more advanced material constructions and digital design methods.
Nike used, among other things, data from sports research and body mapping to tailor different parts of a football shirt to what a player needs.
During the same period, regular Dri-FIT continued to be used for standard fan shirts.
For many Nike football shirts, the distinction therefore looked like this:
- Stadium / fan: Dri-FIT
- Authentic / performance: Dri-FIT ADV
The same shirt could exist in both variants.
In this blog, we look at exactly what Dri-FIT ADV is, when Nike used it and how it differs from regular Dri-FIT
- 1. When did Nike introduce Dri-FIT ADV?
- 2. How does Nike Dri-FIT ADV work?
- 3. How is Dri-FIT ADV material constructed?
- 4. Dri-FIT versus Dri-FIT ADV: what is the difference?
- 5. Was Dri-FIT ADV the same as what the players wore?
- 6. What is the difference between VaporKnit and Dri-FIT ADV?
- 7. How can you recognize a Nike Dri-FIT ADV shirt?
- 8. Dri-FIT ADV in brief
- 9. Frequently asked questions
When did Nike introduce Dri-FIT ADV?
Nike began using Dri-FIT ADV from the season 2021/22 use for the performance versions of its football shirts.
This technology succeeded Nike VaporKnit.
VaporKnit was the main technology for many performance versions of Nike football shirts from 2018 onward. From 2021/22, the new generation featured the name Dri-FIT ADV.
Dri-FIT ADV subsequently remained the main technology for Nike's performance football shirts for several seasons.
How does Nike Dri-FIT ADV work?
To understand Dri-FIT ADV, it helps to first look at regular Dri-FIT.
Dri-FIT was developed to transport perspiration from the skin to the outside of the material. There, the moisture can spread out and evaporate more easily.
With Dri-FIT ADV, Nike takes things a step further.
Nike combines the properties of Dri-FIT with extensive sports research and more advanced ways to design and construct a garment.
The idea is that not every part of a shirt needs to have the same function.
In areas where a lot of heat and perspiration are generated during exercise, the material may be constructed differently than in other parts of the shirt.
As a result, a single shirt can consist of several different structures.
How is Dri-FIT ADV material constructed?
Dri-FIT ADV does not consist of one uniform fabric that is the same throughout the shirt.
A shirt consists of different zones with different structures and functions. In some areas, the fabric has ventilation zones, while in others it offers more stretch.
As a result, Dri-FIT ADV shirts feature a combination of:
- ventilation zones
- relief in the fabric
- stretch zones
Dri-FIT versus Dri-FIT ADV: what is the difference?
The names look very similar, but Dri-FIT and Dri-FIT ADV are not the same.
During the main Dri-FIT ADV period, both technologies were used simultaneously.
For many Nike shirts, the distinction was:
| Feature | Fan | Performance |
| Technology | Dri-FIT | Dri-FIT ADV |
| Use | Support | Sport |
| Material | Basic | Advanced |
| Ventilation | General moisture management | Specific ventilation zones |
| Construction | Same material throughout the shirt | Different material zones |
They can be two official versions of exactly the same kit.
The fan version uses regular Dri-FIT, while the performance version uses Dri-FIT ADV.
Is Dri-FIT ADV the same as what the players wore?
Dri-FIT ADV technology was used for professional players on the field. However, commercially available Dri-FIT ADV football shirts are not 100% identical to those worn by professional players. Shirts intended for professional players to wear during a match are called 'player issue'.
The shirts worn by players on the field are initially not directly available in stores. Later, however, it is more common for them to enter circulation through vintage football shirt shops such as Oldschool Voetbalshirts.
One difference by which you can recognize the player version of a Dri-FIT ADV shirt is the absence of a large care label. Dri-FIT ADV shirts from stores have a large care label. The shirts worn by professional players do not. In the photo below, you can see a Dri-FIT ADV shirt from the store on the left. On the right, you can see a Dri-FIT ADV shirt intended to be worn by professional players.
What is the difference between VaporKnit and Dri-FIT ADV?
VaporKnit was used from 2018 onward for many performance football shirts by Nike.
VaporKnit also already featured:
- lightweight materials
- high stretch
- targeted ventilation
- different structures in the fabric
Dri-FIT ADV built on that development. By using research, player data, and body mapping, Nike improved VaporKnit and renamed it Dri-FIT ADV.
If you want to learn more about VaporKnit, read here the blog about Nike VaporKnit. link to be added
How can you recognize a Nike Dri-FIT ADV shirt?
The clearest indication is, of course, the designation on the shirt itself: Dri-FIT ADV.
You can also recognize such a shirt by its different structures, ventilation zones, and lightweight, stretchy fabric.
Dri-FIT ADV in brief
From the 2021/22 season onward, Nike Dri-FIT ADV became the main technology for the performance versions of many Nike football shirts.
ADV stands for Advanced.
Within Dri-FIT ADV, Nike combined Dri-FIT's familiar moisture management with more extensive material development and digital design methods.
Nike used, among other things:
- research
- player data
- body mapping
- targeted ventilation zones
- different material structures
A regular Dri-FIT fan version and a more technically advanced Dri-FIT ADV performance version of the same kit can exist at the same time.
What does Dri-FIT ADV mean?
ADV stands for Advanced.
Dri-FIT ADV combines Nike's regular Dri-FIT moisture-wicking technology with more advanced material constructions, sports research, and digital design methods.
Is Dri-FIT ADV better than Dri-FIT?
No.
Dri-FIT ADV is more technically advanced and designed for performance.
That does not automatically mean it is the best choice for every wearer. The fan version and performance version are different products made for different purposes.
When did Nike start using Dri-FIT ADV?
Nike started using Dri-FIT ADV from the 2021/22 season for the performance versions of many of its football shirts.
Is Dri-FIT ADV the same as VaporKnit?
No.
Dri-FIT ADV succeeded VaporKnit from the 2021/22 season onward as the main technology for Nike's performance versions.
The two do have similarities. Both use advanced material constructions and targeted ventilation.
