Opinion: Adidas' 3 Stripes Are Too Big on New Kits
- Design Change: Adidas has enlarged the three stripes on the shoulders of their football kits, causing debate among fans.
- Marketing Strategy: The oversized stripes aim to increase brand visibility across Adidas' sports portfolio, but may disrupt the balance of kit design.
- Fan Reception: Initial fan reactions have been mixed, with many criticizing the new stripes as being too thick and negatively impacting the kit's overall appearance.
Adidas has made a significant design change to their football kits ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and it's causing debate among fans. The iconic three stripes on the shoulders have been enlarged substantially.
Adidas Supersizes the Three Stripes
The change is stark. On all kits, each of the three stripes is now wider than the collar itself. This represents a notable departure from the proportions Adidas has maintained for years on their football kits.
Adidas appears to be moving toward greater brand visibility across their entire sports portfolio, as the bigger three stripes were first seen in tennis and Formula 1. The oversized stripes make the Adidas branding more prominent, particularly on broadcast and in photos. From a marketing perspective, it makes sense at first glance.
The Problem
However, football kits are about balance. The best designs find harmony between club identity, manufacturer branding, and sponsors. When one element becomes too dominant, it throws everything off.
The enlarged stripes dominate the shoulder area to the point where they compete with the kit's overall design rather than complement it. The stripes are so wide they make the collar look small by comparison. That's a proportion issue that's hard to ignore.
The traditional size worked because it was distinctive without being overbearing. These new stripes cross that line.
Fan Reception
The reaction on social media has been mixed at best. Many fans have pointed out that the stripes now look "too thick" and "worse than the usual ones." When your most iconic design element becomes the subject of criticism rather than praise, something has gone wrong.
All Adidas Kits to Feature Giant 3 Stripes in Future?
Meanwhile, the big 3 stripes might also be there to further diversify Adidas' kit designs. The 2026 World Cup away kits with the Trefoil logos will feature the regular ("small") 3 stripes, offering fans an alternative.
The question is whether Adidas will adjust based on feedback or commit to the larger stripes as their new standard. For the 26-27 season, the giant 3 stripes will be there as well.
In 2024, Adidas has already maximized the size of their logo within kit rules. There was some criticism when we leaked it, but not much. Today, it is the new standard and is here to stay.
Do you think Adidas' three stripes are too big on the new kits? Let us know in the comments below.
