No K-Leather: Next Gen Nike Tiempo to be Made with Synthetic Materials
- Nike K-Leather Change: Nike will stop using kangaroo leather in their Tiempo and Premier football boots, switching to a proprietary synthetic upper material.
- Puma K-Leather Change: Puma is also phasing out k-leather, replacing it with a synthetic material called "K-Better," which is made with recycled material and is said to perform better than the previous K-leather.
- Reasoning Behind Change: Both Nike and Puma are moving away from k-leather due to a combination of factors, including a bill passed in Oregon banning the sale of kangaroo products, animal rights concerns, and the development of improved synthetic alternatives.
Nike have announced that they will stop using k-leather in their football boots from this year onwards, with the Tiempo and Premier lines to be affected the most.
Nike and Puma to Stop Using K-Leather
Nike and Puma are to stop making football boots from kangaroo leather. K-leather has been used for years in the production of football boots thanks to several qualities that make it particularly well suited to the purpose. It's lightweight, durable and has more give than traditional cow leather, allowing for better fit and comfort. Although Nike now use synthetic materials in many of their models, their Tiempo Elite and Premier boots are still crafted from k-leather. That will all change this year, as Nike elaborated in a statement sent to footwearnews.com.
“The Tiempo Legend Elite will debut with a new Nike-only, proprietary synthetic upper. The upper has a new material that is a better performance solution and replaces the use of kangaroo leather. In addition, the Tiempo Premier, also set to launch this summer, will move away from the use of kangaroo leather. Nike divested of its only kangaroo leather supplier in 2021 and will stop making any product with kangaroo leather in 2023.” - Nike statement.
A couple of weeks before Nike's statement, Puma also announced that they will be phasing out the use of k-leather this year. Their new Puma King model uses a synthetic replaced called "K-Better". Puma say that K-Better is "a completely new, non-animal based upper material that contains at least 20% recycled material as a step toward a better future." It has also apparently outperformed the previous KING K-Leather in testing for touch, comfort, and durability.
Soccer Bible say that Nike's move may have been encouraged by a recent bill that was passed in the state of Oregon, where Nike is headquartered. The new bill prohibits the sale of any product containing kangaroo parts, so Nike would have faced legal problems down the line had they decided to move away from k-leather. The use of the material has also long been criticised by animal rights groups.
How do you feel about this change? Do you think synthetic materials can surpass kangaroo leather in terms of quality, comfort and performance? Comment below.
Adidas 26-27 Champions League Stage Ball "Revealed"
Although not officially launched yet, the Adidas Champions League 26-27 League Phase Ball made an early appearance during Arsenal's two most recent pre-season friendlies. The ball keeps the iconic white star panels intact, while the surrounding hexagonal sections showcase a vibrant, multi-colored graphic design.
This could very well be the final Champions League League Phase ball produced by Adidas, as Nike is expected to take over as the official match ball supplier for UEFA men's club competitions starting from the 27-28 season.
Big thanks to @jerseystory_vn for spotting this detail and creating the graphic.
River Plate 26-27 Away Kit Released
River Plate and Adidas have officially launched the club's new away kit for the 26-27 season. The new strip marks the return of the iconic tricolor look, celebrating the Argentine club's rich history and traditional aesthetic.
The Adidas River Plate 26-27 away shirt features classic vertical stripes combining red and white, separated by thin black pinstripes. Adding a distinct heritage touch, the jersey features the retro Adidas Trefoil logo in red on the right chest alongside the current club crest. The collar and cuffs are styled in crisp white, while black side panels complete the design.
White shorts with black stripes and matching socks complete the primary look of the new River Plate 26-27 away kit, while an alternative black shorts option is also available. The strip is already available for purchase through official club and Adidas channels.
Burnley Announce Emergency Front-of-Shirt Sponsor Change for 26-27 Season
Burnley have officially terminated their front-of-shirt partnership with prop trading company Finotive One just weeks after announcing the deal. UK automotive retailer Vertu Motors has stepped up to become the club's new Official Front of Shirt Principal Partner for the 26-27 season, covering the men's, women's, and academy teams.
The unexpected change comes right at the start of the Championship season, requiring an immediate update to all Castore matchday and replica kits. The updated kits now feature the Vertu wordmark alongside its shield icon across the center of the chest on all playing shirts.
To accommodate fans who already bought the 26-27 replica shirts with the previous sponsor printed on them, Burnley is offering free re-branding to overlay the new Vertu logo onto existing jerseys. Supporters also have the option to return their shirts for a full refund or exchange them for the updated version.
Manchester United 26-27 Third Kit Features Nameset Discrepancy
Manchester United and Adidas have released their new 26-27 third kit, featuring an ivory base with deep red accents and dark green trim inspired by the iconic doors of the Salford Lads and Girls Club.
Following the release, kit collector @TheShirtUnion noticed an interesting detail regarding the custom cup font on the back. In promotional photography featuring Lisandro Martínez, the player name is applied in a classic curved arch across the upper back. However, official product listings on the club's online shop depict player names in a straight horizontal arrangement.
Such variations between promotional photoshoot samples and official store graphics are not unusual for bespoke club cup namesets. While the standard online printing option appears to default to the straight layout, supporters may see the curved style applied during cup fixtures or through select retail printing services.
Al Nassr 26-27 Third Kit Leaked - Official Images
Official images of the Al Nassr 26-27 third kit have leaked online, revealing an elegant design crafted by Adidas. The new shirt features a clean off-white base paired with rich gold detailing throughout, giving the Saudi Pro League club a sophisticated look for the upcoming season. Big thanks to @KamilBerberler.
The design is defined by subtle vertical stripes featuring intricate ornamental patterns running down the front and back of the shirt. Metallic gold trim highlights the collar, sleeve cuffs, and the iconic Adidas Three Stripes on the shoulders. The chest displays a monochromatic golden Al Nassr emblem alongside the gold Adidas logo, complemented by matching sponsor branding.
Completing the detailed look, a golden Saudi emblem featuring the palm tree and crossed swords sits on the upper back below the collar. Off-white shorts and socks with matching gold accents complete the full 26-27 third strip.
Atromitos FC 26-27 Home Kit Released
Greek Super League side Atromitos FC and kit manufacturer Capelli Sport have officially revealed the club's new home kit for the 26-27 season.
The Atromitos FC 26-27 home jersey offers a fresh take on the team's traditional white and blue colors. Featuring a white base, the front of the shirt is covered in slanted, diagonal blue graphic lines that form broken vertical stripes. Capelli's signature four-square logo motif appears on the shoulders in blue, alongside the club crest on the left chest and Novibet sponsorship across the middle.
The back of the jersey remains mostly solid white, accented by blue player numbering with a distinct lined font structure and lower-back sponsor branding.
SC Farense 26-27 Away Kit Released
Portuguese club SC Farense and kit supplier Lacatoni have officially launched the club's new away kit for the 26-27 season. Following the earlier reveal of their diagonal black-and-white home shirt, the new away uniform introduces a distinct green design rooted in the team's identity.
The Lacatoni SC Farense 26-27 away jersey features a rich dark green base accented with subtle white pinstripes running vertically down the front. Crisp black and white striping finishes the V-neck collar and sleeve cuffs, while the SC Farense crest is positioned on the left chest alongside Lacatoni's logo on the right.
Adding a tailored detail to the back, the shirt includes a large tonal lion graphic embedded into the fabric in reference to the club's Leões de Faro nickname. Main sponsor Barão Rodrigues is printed on the front, accompanied by secondary sponsor logos on the chest, sleeves, and back panel.
FC Dordrecht 26-27 Away Kit Released
Dutch Eerste Divisie club FC Dordrecht and kit supplier Capelli Sport have officially launched the new away kit for the 26-27 season.
The Capelli FC Dordrecht 26-27 away shirt is predominantly white with bold red accents, featuring a red crew-neck collar, red side panels, and Capelli's signature shoulder cubes. The sleeve cuffs incorporate thin black and red striping. A key design element of the jersey is the subtle, light-grey calligraphic script graphic printed across the front, drawing inspiration from local history and featuring historical terms such as Vryheyt.
The shirt is completed with the red Capelli logo on the right chest, the city coat of arms in the center, and the FC Dordrecht crest on the left chest. Main sponsor Keuken Warenhuis appears across the middle in black and red.