When Remake Kits Are More Expensive Than Originals
- Adidas Relaunch: Adidas reissued the Germany 2014 away kit, sparking debate about the pricing of remakes versus originals.
- Pricing Disparity: Original versions of widely produced shirts are often cheaper on vintage platforms than modern remakes.
- Scarcity Matters: The value of a remake depends on the rarity of the original vintage version, with remakes being more appealing for extremely rare designs.
Adidas recently launched a reissue of the iconic Germany 2014 away kit, bringing back the famous red and black hooped shirt synonymous with their historic World Cup victory. While official retro remakes of classic tournament shirts usually generate massive excitement, this specific launch has highlighted a growing debate among kit collectors. The controversy centers around the retail value of newly manufactured reproductions compared to the current secondary market price of the authentic, original shirts.
Adidas Germany 2014 Away Remake Football Kit More Expensive than Original
As pointed out by JaxonsJerseys, original versions of widely produced shirts are frequently available on vintage platforms for significantly less than the cost of a modern remake. This pricing disparity extends well beyond recent 2010s kits. For example, we were able to source an original 1994 Germany shirt for 95 Euros in 2023, while an authentic 1998 Brazil jersey was acquired for 70 Euros, noticeably undercutting Nike's 100 Euro retail price for their official reissue.
Spending a premium on a modern reproduction makes little sense when the genuine, historically accurate article is still readily accessible for less.
However, this dynamic is not a universal rule across the retro market. For highly sought-after, extremely rare designs from the 1980s and early 1990s, original vintage pieces can easily command hundreds or even thousands of Euros on resale sites. In those specific cases, official brand reissues offer fans a much more affordable and accessible alternative to own a classic design without breaking the bank.
Ultimately, the true value of a remake heavily depends on the scarcity of its vintage counterpart.
Would you rather buy a brand-new official remake or hunt down a cheaper original version of a classic football kit? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.