Rangers 26-27 Kit Quality Issues Expose Castore's Influence on Umbro
1 hour ago, by Chris
- Rangers 2026-27 Kit Defects: The newly released Rangers 2026-27 kits, including home and away shirts, exhibit severe quality control issues such as stretched material around stitched crests and visible white patches beneath heat-applied logos, leading to fan frustration.
- Umbro's Reputation Takes a Hit: Umbro's long-standing reputation for quality and reliability is being undermined by these manufacturing flaws, which are drawing comparisons to the well-documented quality control problems of its parent company, Castore.
- Castore's Manufacturing Influence: The defects suggest that Castore's quality issues have seeped into Umbro's production, as both brands' kits have been made in the same factories with identical materials and elements since at least last season.
Following the release of the Rangers' 2026-27 kits, specialist Rangers keeper account Rangers Goalkeepers has identified severe quality control issues across multiple shirts.
Umbro's Reputation Takes a Hit Following Castore Takeover
The stitched crest of the Rangers 2026-27 home kit leads to stretched material defects around it, while the heat-applied keeper kit has some obvious patches visible beneath both the club badge and the Umbro logo.
Similar manufacturing flaws have also been spotted on the away shirts, leaving fans deeply frustrated after paying £85 for the new tops.
These defects have drawn immediate comparisons to Castore, the sportswear brand that now owns Umbro. Until recently, Umbro maintained a much stronger reputation for quality and reliability among football supporters than its parent company. However, the recurring issues with the Rangers' 2026-27 kits suggest that Castore's well-documented quality control problems have now seeped into Umbro's manufacturing processes.
Indeed, Castore and Umbro kits have been made in the same factories since at least last season, with the same materials and other elements for both "brands".
Do you think the Castore-owned Umbro brand will keep its reputation? Let us know in the comments below.
Lech Poznań 26-27 '1956' Special Kit Released
Polish club Lech Poznań and its technical sponsor Macron have unveiled a special-edition 2026-27 fourth kit commemorating the 70th anniversary of the historic Poznań June 1956 protests.
Limited to exactly 1,956 pieces, the shirt pays tribute to the "Heroes of Poznań June '56" under the motto, "We are from a city that does not forget. From a city that remembers its Heroes."
The collector's edition is priced at 599 PLN (140 EUR) and comes in a custom presentation box complete with commemorative extras, including a historical map, a certificate of authenticity, a medal, and a photo set. For the first 24 hours, sales of this limited-edition release are exclusively open to season ticket holders and subscribers before becoming available to the general public.
The unreleased Adidas Club América 26-27 home kit has been spotted for sale by Indonesian kit freaks @Jerseyforum.
Nagoya Grampus 26-27 Home, Away & Goalkeeper Kits Released
Japanese J1 League club Nagoya Grampus have officially released their new 2026-27 home, away and goalkeeper kits. Made by Mizuno, the new kits will be worn in the upcoming Meiji Yasuda J1 League season, which marks the league's transition to a fall-spring schedule.
The Mizuno Nagoya Grampus 2026-27 kits are designed under the theme "Grampus Triple Helix." This concept represents the intertwined DNA of the players, the fans and supporters, and the city of Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture. The front of the shirts features 12 distinct stripes, symbolizing the unity of the Grampus family and the club's rich history since the inception of the J.League.