What is Nike VaporKnit?
Nike VaporKnit is a football shirt technology that Nike used from 2018 for many of its high-end match shirts. Nike itself calls these shirts "Authentic".
The technology combines a lightweight, elastic fabric with ventilation zones incorporated directly into the material. It is designed for sports.
VaporKnit was used for the match version (authentic). During the same period, the regular fan version (stadium) for supporters continued to use Nike Dri-FIT.
As a result, a Dri-FIT fan shirt and a VaporKnit match shirt could exist simultaneously for exactly the same kit.
In this blog, we explain when Nike used VaporKnit, how the technology works and what the difference is between regular Dri-FIT shirts.
- 1. When did Nike introduce VaporKnit?
- 2. How does Nike VaporKnit work?
- 3. What does VaporKnit material look like?
- 4. VaporKnit versus Dri-FIT: what is the difference?
- 5. Is VaporKnit the same as what the players wore?
- 6. Did all teams use VaporKnit?
- 7. What is the difference between AeroSwift and VaporKnit?
- 8. What came after Nike VaporKnit?
- 9. How can you recognize a Nike VaporKnit shirt?
- 10. VaporKnit in brief
- 11. Frequently asked questions
When did Nike introduce VaporKnit?
Nike introduced VaporKnit in 2018 as the successor to Nike AeroSwift.
AeroSwift was used from 2016 for Nike's Vapor match shirts. Nike was already working with lightweight knit materials, stretch and targeted ventilation.
VaporKnit continued that development.
During the 2018 World Cup, the technology was visible on various Nike national teams. Brazil, France, England and Portugal, among others, played in VaporKnit match shirts.
After that, VaporKnit also appeared on the Match versions of many Nike club shirts.
The technology was particularly characteristic of the following seasons:
- 2018/2019
- 2019/2020
- 2020/2021
From the 2021/2022 season onward, Dri-FIT ADV became the main technology name for Nike's match shirts.
How does Nike VaporKnit work?
An important part of how VaporKnit works lies in the way the material is made.
Nike could incorporate various properties, such as ventilation and stretch, directly into different parts of the fabric.
In areas where extra cooling was needed, the fabric could be made more open. Other sections could be made denser or more elastic instead. This meant the shirt did not have to have exactly the same material structure everywhere.
VaporKnit combines, among other things:
- lightweight fabric;
- a lot of stretch;
- targeted ventilation;
- quick-drying fabric;
- close-fitting fit
The result is a shirt that is clearly more focused on performance than the regular fan version.
What does VaporKnit material look like?
A notable feature of many VaporKnit shirts is that the material's structure is clearly visible.
When you look at the shirt up close, you can see various patterns and holes in the fabric.
The ventilation holes are placed in areas where a lot of heat is generated during exercise. This keeps the body extra cool in those areas.
A VaporKnit shirt looks different up close from a fan shirt. The fan version has a smoother, thicker fabric, without ventilation holes or stretch.
VaporKnit versus Dri-FIT: what is the difference?
VaporKnit and Dri-FIT were used during the same period. This can be confusing when comparing two shirts from the same season.
The main difference is that Dri-FIT was primarily used for the regular fan version, while VaporKnit was used for many shirts in the match version.
| Feature | Dri-FIT | VaporKnit |
| Technology | Simple | Advanced |
| Fit | Regular | Tighter |
| Ventilation | Less | Targeted ventilation zones |
| Stretch | Less | More |
| Fabric | More substantial | Light |
Is VaporKnit the same as what the players wore?
In terms of technology, players wore the same thing on the field. In terms of construction, there are minor differences.
For example, VaporKnit shirts issued to a club to wear during matches do not have wash labels inside the shirt. In terms of performance technology, however, they are the same.
So VaporKnit does not automatically mean that a shirt is a player or match issue shirt. It only says something about the technology.
Did all teams use VaporKnit?
No. By no means did all club or national teams use VaporKnit. For example, South Korea and Australia did not use VaporKnit shirts during the 2018 World Cup.
What is the difference between AeroSwift and VaporKnit?
AeroSwift was used for Nike's match shirts from 2016 onward and already featured the same materials, stretch, and targeted ventilation.
VaporKnit was not a completely new starting point. It was primarily the next step in Nike's development of lighter, more breathable, close-fitting match shirts.
What came after Nike VaporKnit?
From 2021/22, VaporKnit was succeeded by Dri-FIT ADV. Dri-FIT ADV also continued to use different material structures and targeted ventilation.
Nike also began making even greater use of data on movement, heat, and perspiration, among other factors, to design different parts of a shirt separately.
Meanwhile, the regular Stadium shirts continued to use Dri-FIT.
That is why it is important not to interpret this development as Dri-FIT being replaced by VaporKnit in 2018. Fan shirts continued to use Dri-FIT.
In this article, we take a closer look at Nike Dri-FIT ADV
How do you recognize a Nike VaporKnit shirt?
It is indicated at the bottom of the shirt. The text VaporKnit is printed on the front. You can also see it inside the collar, where the same text is printed.
The material is also a clear indication. On many VaporKnit shirts, you can clearly see that the entire shirt is not made from the same smooth fabric. Different sections have their own pattern and ventilation zones.
Other features may include:
- Tighter fit
- More stretch fabric
- Lighter construction
- Logos are heat-pressed instead of embroidered
VaporKnit in brief
Nike VaporKnit was used from 2018 for the performance versions (also known as Authentic) of Nike football shirts.
The technology is mainly distinguished by:
- Lightweight construction
- Stretch fabric
- Targeted ventilation zones
- Close-fitting design
- Heat-pressed logos
Nike used VaporKnit through the 2020/21 season. It was then replaced by Dri-FIT ADV.
What does Nike VaporKnit mean?
VaporKnit is the name of a construction Nike used for the performance (also known as authentic) version of a football shirt.
The fabric combines ventilation, stretch, low weight and a close-fitting design, among other features.
When did Nike start using VaporKnit?
Nike introduced VaporKnit in 2018.
The technology was used, among other things, during the 2018 World Cup and later on a number of Nike club shirts.
Is VaporKnit the same as Dri-FIT?
No.
During the VaporKnit period, Nike mainly used Dri-FIT for regular fan shirts and VaporKnit for the performance version of the same football shirt.
As a result, both technologies could appear simultaneously on two official versions of the same kit.
Is a VaporKnit shirt automatically Player Issue?
No.
VaporKnit indicates which performance technology was used. This does not automatically mean that the shirt was actually issued to a player or team.
