NFL Jersey Buying & Fitting Guide (2024)

NFL Jersey Buying & Fitting Guide

The best way to support your Bears — or any other NFL team (we won’t judge you…too much) — is with an authentic NFL jersey. Nike is the official licensed manufacturer of NFL jerseys that players wear and that are found on the shelves at Clark Street Sports. However, there are several types of jerseys depending on how you want to represent your team pride and what your budget is. Our NFL jersey guide has everything you need to find the best Chicago Bears jersey for yourself or as a gift for a football lover in your life.

Nike NFL Game Jersey

The Game NFL jersey is the most common replica football jersey and is considered the “entry-level” jersey for casual fans. These lightweight jerseys are designed for tailgating and daily use. They’re made of comfortable fabrics with a tailored fit and no-tag neck label. However, the numbers and letters are screen-printed on. While this makes the jersey lighter, they are also less durable. The “Game” line also has small-medium-large-etc. standard apparel sizing instead of the numerical sizing that authentic jerseys use. NFL Game jerseys typically retail in the $100 to $120 range.

Nike NFL Limited Jersey

This is the next step up in football jersey quality. The Limited NFL jersey is made of polyester fabric and has twill embroidered numbers like those on a game-worn jersey. Nike also uses its Flywire nylon thread — which first debuted in the company’s shoes — to strengthen the collar and sleeve openings. Another added feature is strategic ventilation to keep armpits and other “heat zones” cool. They still have the standard apparel sizing of the Game jersey line. A Chicago Bears Limited adult jersey retails for around $150.

Nike NFL Elite Authentic Jersey

This is the closest jersey you can find to what your favorite Bears players wear on the field. They’re made of performance fabrics — mostly nylon with a little bit of spandex — and have an athletic cut for a snug fit around the shoulders and chest. The water-repelling fabric has “zoned” stretching while the twill numbers have additional flexibility so you can move, run or jump without the jersey losing its shape. These jerseys even repel water for watching a game in the rain. You can tell at a glance if your jersey is Elite Authentic because they use numerical sizing. These advanced features do come at a price as a high-level jersey usually costs at least $200.

Mitchell & Ness Throwback NFL Jerseys

Want to pay tribute to a Chicago legend? Consider a throwback NFL jersey that will also stand the test of time. Mitchell & Ness, one of America’s oldest sports apparel companies, is a licensed manufacturer of vintage NFL jerseys and throwbacks. These jerseys are based on past uniform designs with classic names, numbers and logos to commemorate the players who wore them. They are made of polyester mesh and have embroidered numbers and letters. Getting a Jim McMahon, Mike Ditka or Walter Payton throwback jersey is a great way to remember the all-time greats. Most of them cost about the same amount as a Nike NFL Limited jersey.

NFL Jersey Sizing

So what size should you wear? Let’s go right to the source with this NFL jersey sizing chart based on information directly from the NFL Shop (all measurements in inches)

Men’s Football Jerseys

	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL	5XL
Jersey Size	46	48	50	52	54	56	58	60
Chest	42	46	50	54	58	62	66	70
Front Length	30	31	32	33	34	35	36	37
Back Length	32	33	34	35	36	37	38	39

Women’s Football Jerseys

	S	M	L	XL
Jersey Size	3-5	7-9	11-13	15
Chest	32-34	34-36	38-40	40-42

Spotting Fake NFL Jerseys

NFL Jersey Types:

Nike NFL Game Jersey:
- Description: Entry-level replica jersey for casual fans.
- Material: Lightweight and comfortable fabrics, screen-printed numbers.
- Features: Tailored fit, no-tag neck label.
- Price Range: $100 to $120.
Nike NFL Limited Jersey:
- Description: A step up in quality from Game jerseys.
- Material: Polyester fabric, twill embroidered numbers, Flywire nylon thread.
- Features: Strategic ventilation, standard sizing.
- Price: Around $150.
Nike NFL Elite Authentic Jersey:
- Description: Closest to what players wear on the field.
- Material: Performance fabrics (mostly nylon with spandex).
- Features: Athletic cut, water-repelling fabric, zoned stretching, numerical sizing.
- Price: At least $200.
Mitchell & Ness Throwback NFL Jerseys:
- Description: Vintage jerseys paying tribute to legends.
- Material: Polyester mesh, embroidered numbers and letters.
- Features: Based on past uniform designs, classic names, numbers, and logos.
- Price: Similar to Nike NFL Limited jerseys.

NFL Jersey Sizing:

Men’s Football Jerseys:
- Sizing from 46 to 60 (numerical).
- Chest measurements from 42 to 70 inches.
Women’s Football Jerseys:
- Sizing from 3-5 to 15.
- Chest measurements from 32-42 inches.

Spotting Fake NFL Jerseys:

The Price:
- Authentic jerseys come at a cost. Be wary of unrealistically low prices.
Threads and Seams:
- Authentic jerseys have superior quality and detail. Loose threads and multiple seams can indicate a fake.
The Tags:
- Genuine jerseys have a stiff jock tag placed low on the left side. Knock-offs may have a more flexible tag or place it higher.
The Numbers:
- Authentic jerseys have reflective, embroidered numbers. Fakes often use cheaper, dull materials.
The Shield:
- Authentic NFL jerseys have a plastic-looking applique for the shield. Embroidered shields are likely a sign of a fake.

Conclusion:

When it comes to Bears pride, authenticity matters. Whether you're eyeing the game-ready Elite Authentic or a timeless Mitchell & Ness throwback, knowing your jersey is legit is crucial. Watch out for those imitators—get the real deal and let your Bears fandom shine!