The Nike Limited jersey is a step higher in quality, featuring tailored fit and twill numbers. The Nike Elite jersey is the closest to what the pros wear featuring twill numbers, strategic ventilation for increased airflow, and a high-strength, stretch-resistant material. Read more about the differences, features, and sizing of each NFL Nike jersey with our NFL jersey buying guide. Check out the top-selling NFL jerseys.
One of the great things about being a passionate basketball or football fan is that official team jerseys are available, allowing you to integrate team loyalty into your wardrobe. Fans that enjoy NFL football often want to show their enthusiasm by wearing jerseys like the ones the pros wear on the field. This is a great way to show your support, whether at home or in the stands, but there are different types of jersey models, and it can be rather difficult to tell the differences just by looking at pictures.
Finding a jersey to support teams like the San Francisco 49ers and New Orleans Saints, and players like Cam Newton and Peyton Manning is as easy as turning on your computer. Nike is the official maker of authentic NFL jerseys, and you do not even have to leave the comfort of your home to get one. However, it is important to understand your options when it comes to buying the best jersey to represent your favorite team or player. There are three different jersey models that you can choose from, including the game jersey, limited jerseys, and elite versions. Each one has a slightly different appearance and has different features, which affect the price.
The Nike NFL Game Jersey
The Nike NFL game jersey is considered the official jersey for the NFL. However, it is the least expensive of all the jersey models available and can fit almost every budget. There are slight style differences between this jersey and the limited and elite versions, but it is still very stylish. Other features of the game jersey include an official NFL shield on the collar (centered), the Nike logo printed on both sleeves towards the seam, and screen printed numbers made of silicon that offer a soft and light feel, and tailored fit. This one is designed for ease of movement.
Another great feature is the no-tag neck label. The label information is printed directly onto the jersey, so there are no annoying tag scratches. This has become a normal feature in most jerseys, as cutting out the label severely decreases its value and the ability to sell it.
The Nike NFL Limited Jersey
The Nike NFL limited jersey is also an official jersey for the NFL. It is considered to fall in the mid-range price category as it offers more features than the less expensive game jersey. The limited jersey includes an official NFL shield on the collar, Nike logo printed on both sleeves, and a tailored fit that is designed for movement. The limited jersey also has a no-tag label for comfort and is a great choice for watching the game.
Limited Jersey
- Fly wire strength around the neck. This prevents the neck stretching and becoming overly stretched over time.
- Twill number instead of silicon. This is highly flexible and is meant to move with the jersey to prevent puckering or cracking.
- Ventilation holes over major heat zones. These have been strategically placed, including under the arms.
The Nike NFL Elite Jersey
The Nike NFL elite jersey is perfectly matched to the NFL elite 51 uniforms that most pro teams wear for games. It is the version that is closest to the pro uniforms worn by players, and has the same features as limited jerseys. However, it also has flexible twill numbers, water repelling fabric, and zoned stretched fabric. The zoned stretch fabric is designed for a precise fit, though it still moves with your body. The water repelling fabric is meant to wick moisture away from the body, leaving it feeling lightweight all day and leaving you moisture free.
It is important to note that some of the NFL teams chose not to use the fly wire collar of the elite 51 and some teams decided not to use the elite transformation, keeping their original design.
Those teams that chose not to use the fly wire collars include the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Texans, New England Patriots, and Pittsburg Steelers. The teams that chose to keep their original jersey designs include the Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons , Philadelphia Eagles, and Carolina Panthers.
As these jerseys are extremely similar to the actual uniforms worn during play, these jerseys tend to have the highest prices because they have more features and look exactly like the uniforms of the players. If you are a die-hard fan, you may want to show how loyal you are by purchasing this jersey.
Sizes Available
The sizing for each of the jerseys is slightly different. For instance, the elite jersey only comes in men's sizes. It also comes in numeric sizes instead of letter sizing, and starts at the equivalent of size medium, and goes up to a size 4XL. The game and limited jerseys come in men's and women's sizes. The men's game and limited jerseys start at size small and go up to size 4XL, while the women's sizing for game/limited jerseys start at extra small and go up to size 2XL. The game jersey also comes in infant, toddler, boys, girls, and youth sizing. However, this is not to say a woman could not purchase an elite jersey; she would just need to know how to convert women's sizes to men's.
How to Find Nike NFL Jerseys on eBay
When looking on eBay for Nike NFL jerseys, it is important to find sellers that use words such as 'authentic' or 'with tags.' 'With tags' generally means that the original purchase tag is still attached. This means it has not been worn before. This is especially important if you collect these types of sports memorabilia items. If you are interested in a specific model (elite, limited, game), then you should probably search for that specific model as it will be easier to locate through all the results.
If you view the description of the item and are unsure if it is elite, limited, or game, send a message to the seller and ask specifically. It is important not to go only by the price listed, as this is not always a true statement of the model type. You may also see 'on field' to describe the type of jersey as elite. Those sellers that have elite/limited/game in their description are indicating that they have some of every model; these are usually retailers selling their products online.
You should also consider how the item is pictured. If it still has tags, this means it is new and has more value. Hanging up a jersey is not a very big problem, but the hanger should fit it perfectly, so there are no lower hanging sides. This just shows that the jersey has been taken care of properly. Look closely at the picture as well. There should be no stains or markings, and the jersey should be in good repair.
Another important thing to consider is the size. It is important to pick the size that will fit you. In some cases, the size listed may be XL but intended for youth. If you are an adult, this will not fit. These jerseys are meant to be form-fitting, but not overly tight, so choose the size that you normally wear in regular shirts.
Conclusion
Whether you're a hardcore Los Angeles Rams fan or rabid follower of the Baltimore Ravens, no matter your budget, you will enjoy owning a Nike NFL jersey. There are a variety of options available, ranging in price from affordable to high-end, including game (lower-end), limited (mid-range), and elite (higher-end). All of these models are available to you on eBay, though you may have to search specifically for the model you prefer to locate it quickly.
No matter what model you choose, you will have an authentic jersey; the differences may be slight, but they can matter. Die-hard fans will truly enjoy an elite model as these are almost identical to the uniforms worn by players on the field. However, it will not make you any less a fan to purchase a limited or game jersey, as these are both
very acceptable and fashionable.