The 2016/17 Bundesliga season gets underway on 26 August 2016 as Bayern Munich look to defend their title from the likes of Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund.But before the action starts on the field, we analyse the home, away and third kits of all the clubs participating in the German League and rate them according to their design, changes and quality.
18) Freiburg
Manufacturer: Hummel
What Twitter said:
What we think: The Freiburg new kits are very very disappointing. They do not catch the eye one bit and leaves their fans looking not very smart. There are no major changes in the home kit from the previous season. However, the away kit is better with the black and white color combination which looks bad in the home kit with red and black. Hence, the club sees themselves at the last spot.
#17 Darmstadt
Manufacturer: Jako
What Twitter said:
What we think: If there is one thing you would say looking at the Darmstadt kit, it would go something like: “It could have been made much much better.” The makers of the kit have made no major changes from last season. Hence, the 17th spot for the recently promoted club.
#16 Eintracht Frankfurt
Manufacturer: Nike
What Twitter said:
What we think: The makers, Nike, could have done a better job with the home kit as it looks very old-fashioned when compared with how the rest of the league has been setting high standards with their kits. The home kit is based on the template of the Juventus home kit and the away kit also looks like England’s away kit. Hence, the 16th spot for Frankfurt.
#15 Hamburger SV
Manufacturer: Adidas
What Twitter said:
What we think: It is funny actually how a brand like Adidas would make great kits for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid but will experiment horrendously with weaker clubs like Hamburger SV. The home kit sees no major changes and looks more like Real’s recent kits and the away kit also shares similarities with the Spanish club’s away pink kit from two seasons ago. We honestly feel bad for the fans of the club who won’t get to wear a smart kit this season.
#14 Mainz
Manufacturer: Lotto
What Twitter said:
What we think: Both the Mainz kits can only be called ‘okay’. The home kit is fine with the collared look which is an addition from last season. However, the yellow patch on the neckline in the away shirt has spoiled Mainz’s chances of making it to the top-10. They are not magnificent or extraordinary which means if you wore them at a fashion show, there will be everything except a huge round of applause.
#13 Bayer Leverkusen
Manufacturer: Jako
What Twitter said:
What we think: The new makers of the Bayer Leverkusen kit, Jako, seem to have taken a lot of the design from the previous versions of the Adidas kit. The neckline looks pretty weird to us and it would be a shame poor ex-Man United striker Chicharito will have to wear these kits. Bring on something special Bundesliga.
#12 Augsburg
Manufacturer: Nike
What Twitter said:
What we think: Augsburg have been handed a decent kit by Adidas with their traditional white and red as the home kit. The home kit has a likeness to the Poland home kit from the Euros. However, it is the away kit which looks the best. But the design looks exactly like what Nike has used for Malaga in Spain. Copied? We don’t care.
#11 Hoffenheim
Manufacturer: Lotto
What Twitter said:
What we think: Lotto have done a great job with the home and away kits for Hoffenheim but it is the third kit which keeps the German club from a spot inside the top-10. The former two kits are unique in design and color but the third kit looks like a recent Watford away kit. Therefore, the club finishes at the 11th spot here. Will it be the same in the league table? Hoffenheim fans will hope not.
#10 Hertha BSC
Manufacturer: Nike
What Twitter said:
What we think: Nike have done well with the kits but a proper neckline for the home kit would have done wonders for them. The home kit is on the same template which is used for Atletico Madrid’s home kit in Spain by Nike, just the color combinations are different. The away kit with all whites is very simple, almost too simple. Hence, the 10th spot for the Berlin-based club.
#9 Ingolstadt
Manufacturer: Adidas
What Twitter said:
What we think: Many readers might say that Ingolstadt’s home kit isn’t great then why do they stand at the 9th spot? The home kit is nothing special with a touch of Middlesborough home kit in it. But look at their away and third kits. The away kit may seem similar to Germany’s away kit at the 2014 FIFA World Cup with an addition of the Man United kits from 2009/10 season. However, the third kit has a unique pattern on the front. Hence, 9th goes to you Ingolstadt.
#8 Leipzig
Manufacturer: Nike
What Twitter said: NA
What we think: The newly promoted club have been given great kits for the new season by Nike. The home kit is all white and the owner’s logo looks good as the sponsor on the front too but both the kits have been taken from Red Bull’s other club New York Red Bulls’ kits. However, it is the first time in a long time that a club from East Germany is back in the Bundesliga. Show some support guys, we are buying these kits soon for a start.
#7 Borussia Monchengladbach
Manufacturer: Kappa
What Twitter said:
What we think: Their former captain Granit Xhaka may have left the club for Arsenal but that hasn’t stopped Kappa from producing some great kits for the club. The players and fans should be looking dapper in these new kits which are unique from any other side. A 7th finish in this table might match their finish on the Bundesliga table as well.
#6 Werder Bremen
Manufacturer: Nike
What Twitter said:
What we think: Nike have done an exceptional job with the three Werder Bremen kits for the new season. The home kit looks very smart while maintaining the traditional colours. The away and third kits also look good. Kappa have made some changes in the club’s kits from last season and these changes seem positive. We wonder why these manufacturers are biased towards some teams.
#5 FC Koln
Manufacturer: Erima
What Twitter said:
What we think: We have never heard of that manufacturer before but they seem like they can produce some great kits. Look at the away and third kits, just plain, simple and eye-catching. That’s the way to go FC Koln. Lukas Podolski will surely be seen wearing one of these in the next season that’s how much he loves his boyhood club.
#4 Wolfsburg
Manufacturer: Nike
What Twitter said:
What we think: Nike has been nailing these kits as the home kit is well matched by the away and third kits. They have also changed the shade of the home kit to a lighter shade which looks perfect. The away kit has been changed to all white with light green vertical lines with the third kit also being on the same template. Therefore, a top-4 finish for the wolves.
#3 Borussia Dortmund
Manufacturer: Puma
What Twitter said:
What we think: It is funny that being a German brand, Puma sponsors only one of the Bundesliga clubs. But they do it with passion and have been producing the best kits for Dortmund for many years now. These kits look very good with a good use of the traditional yellow and black in both the kits. The home kit has more black on the front compared to last season and it looks dapper. The third kit hasn’t been released by the club as yet, otherwise the club might have finished at the top spot.
#2 Bayern Munich
Manufacturer: Adidas
What Twitter said:
What we think: Unfortunately for the Bayern fans, they won’t be crowned the champions in this list as well. The defending Bundesliga champions have been given some great kits by makers Adidas. The home kit looks perfect with the new collared look along with horizontal lines which is similar to what Adidas have done with Real Madrid. The away kit is also similar to last season’s away kit except for a change in pattern. It’s the third kit which looks like the best to us. We can only wish better luck for next season.
#1 Schalke
Manufacturer: Adidas
What Twitter said:
What we think: Adidas are dominating the Bundesliga with the number of great kits they have produced for the new season. But the best is Schalke’s where the maker has focussed more on simplicity with the home and away kits.
The away kit, however, has a touch of the Marseille home kit for some reason. Whereas, the third kit looks unique with styling on the borders of the kit. The sleeves also have green on the edges which makes it a perfect kit. The home kit has a dark blue collared look which is going well with the light blue of the entire kit. Schalke have been crowned the champions of Bundesliga kits. Congratulations!
