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, combining familiar moisture management with more advanced fabric construction and digital design methods.
Nike used data from sports research and body mapping, among other things, to tailor different parts of a football shirt to a player's needs.
During the same period, regular Dri-FIT remained available for standard fan shirts.
For many Nike football shirts, the distinction looked like this:
- Stadium / fan: Dri-FIT
- Authentic / performance: Dri-FIT ADV
The same shirt could be available in both versions.
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 fabric constructed?
- 4. Dri-FIT vs. Dri-FIT ADV: what’s the difference?
- 5. Is 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 identify a Nike Dri-FIT ADV shirt?
- 8. Dri-FIT ADV at a glance
- 9. Frequently asked questions
When did Nike introduce Dri-FIT ADV?
Nike began using Dri-FIT ADV in the 2021/22 season for the performance versions of its football shirts.
This meant the technology replaced Nike VaporKnit.
From 2018, VaporKnit was the key technology for many performance versions of Nike football shirts. Starting in 2021/22, the new generation featured the name Dri-FIT ADV.
Dri-FIT ADV then remained the key 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 is designed to transport sweat from the skin to the outside of the material. There, the moisture can spread out and evaporate more easily.
With Dri-FIT ADV, Nike goes a step further.
Nike combines the properties of Dri-FIT with extensive sports research and more advanced ways of designing and constructing a garment.
The idea is that not every part of a shirt needs to serve the same function.
For example, in areas where a lot of heat and sweat build up during exercise, the material can be constructed differently than in other parts of the shirt.
As a result, one shirt can consist of several different structures.
How is Dri-FIT ADV fabric constructed?
Dri-FIT ADV is not made from one uniform fabric that is the same throughout the shirt.
A shirt consists of different zones with different textures and functions. In some areas, the fabric has ventilation zones, while in others it has more stretch.
Dri-FIT ADV shirts therefore feature a combination of:
- ventilation zones
- raised fabric texture
- stretch zones
Dri-FIT vs. 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 at the same time.
For many Nike shirts, the distinction was:
| Feature | Fan | Performance |
| Technology | Dri-FIT | Dri-FIT ADV |
| Use | Support | Sport |
| Material | Simple | 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 by 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 not initially available in stores. Later, however, they often enter circulation at vintage football shirt shops like Oldschool Voetbalshirts.
One way to recognize the player version of a Dri-FIT ADV shirt is the absence of a large care label. Dri-FIT ADV shirts sold in stores have a large care label. The shirts worn by professional players do not. In the photo below, you can see a store-bought Dri-FIT ADV shirt on the left. On the right is a Dri-FIT ADV shirt intended for professional players to wear.
What is the difference between VaporKnit and Dri-FIT ADV?
VaporKnit was used from 2018 onward for many performance football shirts from Nike.
VaporKnit also featured:
- lightweight materials
- lots of stretch
- targeted ventilation
- different fabric textures
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'd like to learn more about VaporKnit, read here the blog about Nike VaporKnit.
How can you recognize a Nike Dri-FIT ADV shirt?
The clearest indication is, of course, the Dri-FIT ADV label on the shirt itself.
You can also recognize this kind of shirt by its different textures, ventilation zones, and lightweight, stretchy fabric.
Dri-FIT ADV at a glance
Nike Dri-FIT ADV became the main technology for the performance versions of many Nike football shirts from the 2021/22 season.
ADV stands for Advanced.
With 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
The same kit can be available in both a regular Dri-FIT fan version and a more technically advanced Dri-FIT ADV performance version.
What does Dri-FIT ADV mean?
ADV stands for Advanced.
Dri-FIT ADV combines Nike's standard 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 doesn't automatically mean it's 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 began using Dri-FIT ADV for the performance versions of many of its football shirts from the 2021/22 season.
Is Dri-FIT ADV the same as VaporKnit?
No.
Dri-FIT ADV succeeded VaporKnit as the main technology for Nike's performance versions from the 2021/22 season.
The two do have similarities. Both use advanced material constructions and targeted ventilation.
