NHL Jersey Sizing Guide w/ Photos [Fit Big or Small?] | Sports Fan Focus (2024)

In this article we discuss NHL Jersey sizing. In general, NHL jerseys run big, but it does vary a bit depending on what type of jersey you buy. Quickly, here’s what you need to know:

• Adidas Authentic Jersey – Official Authentic Jersey. This is the closest you can get as a fan to wearing what the players wear on the ice. Stitched graphics. Loose fit, but I ordered my regular sizing. Click here to view the Adidas Authentic Jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com).

• Fanatics Breakaway Jersey – This is the official replica jersey of the NHL. Still has nice quality even though it isn’t authentic. Stitched graphics. Loose fit also, but sleeves are a bit slimmer than the Adidas jerseys. More affordable than the authentic jerseys. Click here to view the Fanatics Breakaway jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com).

• Adidas Practice Jersey – Alternate Adidas option. More affordable than Adidas Authentics. Practice themed jersey so it has a bit of a different look than the standard jerseys. This jersey also has a loose fit, but I ordered my regular sizing. Click here to view the Adidas Practice jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com).

This is the jersey type (Fanatics Breakaway) thatI recommend as the best NHL fan jersey due to its comfort, style, and price point (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com).

I hate to make it sound simple, but the Fanatics Breakaway jersey really is an easy choice for me as best fan jersey for basically 3 reasons:

1. It’s well made
2. It’s comfortable
3. It’s more affordable than the Adidas Authentic jerseys

For some serious fans and jersey collectors, the Adidas Authentic jerseys may make more sense. But for most fans who are just looking for a cool way to rep their favorite team or player, the Fanatics Breakaway jersey (in my opinion) a better option.

It is still well-made even though it isn’t an authentic jersey, it looks very similar to the Adidas Authentic jerseys, and it is more affordable. The Fanatics Breakaway jersey has a loose fit.

This is where you can check out the Fanatics Breakaway jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com which is the official online shop of the NHL).

There are 3 basic types of NHL fan jerseys:

• Adidas Authentic
• Adidas Practice
• Fanatics Breakaway

If you are shopping online for NHL jerseys, you are probably wondering how they fit. Do NHL jerseys run big?

In this article I will review the sizing of each type of NHL jersey, and include pictures of how mine fit on me. In general, how do NHL jerseys fit?

NHL jerseys run big in comparison to normal clothes. Most fans prefer to wear baggy NHL jerseys, with room to layer underneath, but if you want a tighter fit, you will definitely need to size down.

Think of NHL jerseys as you would a pullover jacket (or sweater, as NHL jerseys are often called). The sizing is similar to a pullover jacket, meaning it fits much larger than a standard t-shirt.

Many fans actually use NHL jerseys very similar to a jacket and layer over their normal clothes when they attend games in person. This helps take away the chill of the arena.

The Fanatics Breakaway jersey is my choice for best NHL fan jersey due to its combination of price, style, and quality. This is where you can browse the Fanatics Breakaway jerseys at NHLShop.com to see team styles (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com).

How do NHL Jerseys Fit?

Finding the right size for your NHL jersey can be a bit of a pain, especially when you are buying online. How can you expect NHL jerseys to fit? Do NHL jerseys run big?

Do NHL Jerseys Run Big?

Yes, NHL jerseys run big. Expect them to fit approximately 1-2 sizes larger than your normal clothes.

For example, here is my size medium Fanatics Breakaway jersey compared to a size medium Hanes undershirt straight out of the package:

As I mentioned earlier in the article, it is best to think of NHL jerseys in a similar way you think of a pullover jacket. Remember, hockey jerseys are referred to as “sweaters” in many parts of the world, especially Canada.

The sizing itself does reflect this a bit. NHL jerseys are sized big, much like jackets, and NHL jerseys are perfect to layer over top of clothes, just like a jacket or sweater.

They’ll also run long. If you want to read about sizing and height, visit our article NHL Jersey Sizing by Height. To see how NHL jerseys compare to normal t-shirts, visit our article NHL Jersey Sizes Compared to Shirts.

Again, there are 3 types of NHL jerseys you should consider:

• Adidas Authentic
• Adidas Practice
• Fanatics Breakaway

In the sections below, let’s discuss how each of these jerseys fit, using photos of the jerseys that I own. For reference, I am 6’3″ 200 pounds and here I am wearing a size medium t-shirt:

Adidas Authentic

How do Adidas Authentic NHL jerseys fit?

In 2017, Adidas became the NHL’s official outfitter for on-ice uniforms and other licensed apparel. If you want to dress like the pros, you will need to buy an Adidas Authentic jersey.

The Adidas Authentic jerseys are the closest you can get as a fan to wearing what the players wear on the ice. But because these jerseys have the authentic finishes, you will pay more compared to other jerseys.

• This is the current price of the Adidas Authentic jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com). NHLShop.com is the officialNHLonlinestoreand has the largest selection ofNHLlicensed merchandise.

If you are going to spend up for a jersey, you certainly want to get the sizing correct. How do Adidas Authentic NHL jerseys fit?

The adidas Authentic jerseys have a loose, baggy fit. If you prefer a tighter fit, you will need to size down at least one size. This is how NHLShop.com describes the fit of the Adidas Authentic jerseys:

“Fit: Men’s adidas Authentic Jerseys are made to layer underneath. For a tighter fit, we recommend ordering one size smaller than your normally wear.”

It’s also important to note that the Adidas Authentic jerseys have plenty of length built in. Again, here is the size 50 on me – I am 6’3″ tall:

Adidas Authentic NHL Jerseys Sizing

The Adidas Authentic jerseys use a numerical-based sizing system instead of the standard small-medium-large. Here is how it works per their official size chart:

• 42 = XXS
• 44 = XS
• 46 = S
• 50 = M
• 52 = L
• 54 = XL
• 56 = XXL
• 60 = 3XL

I ordered and own a size 50 because I normally wear a size medium in shirts. This is my size 50 Adidas Authentic (medium equivalent per official size chart) compared to a medium Hanes undershirt straight out of the package:

As you can see, the size 50 is much larger and longer than a medium Hanes t-shirt. This, of course, is not shocking since NHL jerseys are made large so that they can be layered underneath.

Again, it is best to think of your jersey much like you would a pullover jacket. The normal sizing is going to allow room for your clothes underneath. If you would prefer a slimmer fit, size down at least one size.

In fact, my size 50 fit looser on me than size medium hoodie sweatshirts fit on me. If you are in between sizes, size down. My size 50 feels like an XL when I wear it compared to how normal clothes fit me.

Why you should buy an Adidas authentic jersey

The Adidas Authentic jerseys are for the person looking for the best fan jersey available, regardless of price. Yes, you will pay more in comparison to other NHL jerseys, but you also get the authentic finishes that the other jerseys do not offer.

Adidas is what the players wear on the ice. This jersey lets you suit up like the pros and is, in my opinion, the best piece of NHL fan apparel.

This is where you can browse the entire collection of Adidas authentic jerseys available at NHLShop.com to see what players and styles they currently have in stock (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com). To read more, visit our Adidas Authentic Jerseys Review.

Adidas Practice

How do Adidas Practice NHL Jerseys Fit?

As we covered in the Adidas authentic section above, the authentic jerseys carry an elevated price point due to all the authentic finishes they have. Because of that, Adidas does offer a more affordable tier of fan jerseys called the Adidas Practice jerseys.

This is the current price of the Adidas Practice jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com). This might be a nice option if you are on a tighter budget.

The Adidas Practice jerseys look different than the authentic jerseys, but they are still a very cool way to rep your favorite player and team, especially if you are operating on a tight budget. Here is a look at the Adidas Practice jersey I own:

You might be wondering if these jerseys have a different fit than other NHL fan jerseys. How do Adidas Practice NHL jerseys fit?

The Adidas Practice jerseys have a baggy, loose fit just like the other NHL fan jerseys. There is room to layer underneath. If you want a slimmer fit, you will need to size down at least one size.

Adidas Practice Jersey Sizing

The Adidas Practice jerseys also use a numerical-based sizing system instead of the standard small-medium-large. Per their official size chart, here is how the sizing works:

• 42 = XXS
• 44 = XS
• 46 = S
• 50 = M
• 52 = L
• 54 = XL
• 56 = XXL
• 60 = 3XL

I ordered a size 50 since it is supposed to be a medium equivalent. As I said earlier, I wear a medium in most shirts and so I went ahead and ordered the 50 knowing it would be baggy, but planning to layer underneath.

Here is a look at my size 50 Adidas Practice jersey compared to a size medium Hanes undershirt straight out of the package:

As you can see, just like the Adidas Authentic jerseys earlier in the article, the Adidas Practice jerseys run much larger and longer than regular t-shirts. Again, I recommend thinking of it more like a pullover jacket that you can layer with.

My size 50 Adidas Practice jersey feels more like an XL than a medium. If you don’t want to wear it like a jacket, and want it to fit more like a regular shirt, definitely size down at least one size.

Why you should buy an Adidas Practice jersey

If you want an Adidas NHL jersey, but are operating on a tighter budget, then the Adidas Practice jerseys give you a cool way to rep your favorite team and player without having to spend all the way up for an Authentic jersey.

The Adidas Practice jerseys also give an alternate style and look for fan jerseys that no other fan jerseys offer. This can help you stand out from amongst the crowd of people wearing the standard fan jerseys.

This is where you can browse the entire collection of the Adidas Practice jerseys at NHLShop.com to see what players and styles are available (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com). To read more, visit our Adidas Practice Jersey Review.

Fanatics Breakaway

How do Fanatics Breakaway NHL Jerseys Fit?

As I stated at the beginning, the Fanatics Breakaway jersey is my choice for best NHL fan jersey due to its combination of price, style, and quality. Again, I hate to make it sound simple, but if you are little undecided on which jersey to buy, my advice is to buy the Fanatics Breakway jersey.

As mentioned above, the replica jerseys are made in a way that allows them to be offered at a more affordable price point in comparison to authentic jerseys. This is the current price of the Fanatics Breakaway replica jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com).

It is well made and very similar to the more expensive Adidas Authentics, and is comfortable to wear. I think for most fans, it checks all the boxes at a more affordable price point, so it just makes a lot of sense.

Fanatics is an online retailer of sportswear and merchandise and currently runs the e-commerce platform for the NHL, which is NHLShop.com. As we discussed earlier in the article, Adidas is the official NHL outfitter for on-ice uniforms and other licensed apparel.

But what you need to know about that current NHL contract is this: under the current agreement, Adidas only manufactures Authentic jerseys (and the Practice jerseys) – they do not manufacture replica jerseys.

Replica jerseys are, of course, not authentic, but often appear very similar to Authentic jerseys, and therefore offer a more affordable price range for those fans wanting a team jersey on a tighter budget.

For the NHL, the manufacturer of replica jerseys is not Adidas, it is Fanatics. The Fanatics Breakaway jersey is the NHL’s replica jersey, so if you are shopping for a replica jerseys instead of an authentic jersey, you will need to shop for a Fanatics Breakaway jersey.

The replica jerseys do have some subtle differences, but how does that impact fit? How do the Fanatics Breakaway NHL jerseys fit?

The Fanatics Breakaway jersey have a loose, baggy fit just like the other NHL fan jerseys on the market. Overall, mine fits a bit smaller than the Adidas jerseys, but it is still baggy, with room to layer underneath.

Fanatics Breakaway Jersey Sizing

The Fanatics Breakaway NHL jerseys use a standard small-medium-large sizing system, which is different than the numerical sizing system that the Adidas NHL jerseys use. I ordered a size medium. This is my size medium Fanatics Breakaway jersey compared to a size medium Hanes undershirt straight out of the package:

Here is my Fanatics Breakaway (top) jersey compared to my Adidas Authentic jersey (bottom):

As you can see, the Fanatics Breakaway sleeves are a bit slimmer (but still loose), and the Fanatics Breakaway jersey is a bit slimmer near the waist and not as long as the Adidas Authentic. I think the length of the Fanatics Breakaway jerseys is perfect.

Again, I recommend thinking of the sizing more like a pullover jacket that you can layer with. Size down if you are in between sizes. If you prefer it to fit like a standard shirt, then you may need to size down 2 sizes.

Why you should buy a Fanatics Breakaway jersey

As I mentioned above, the Fanatics Breakaway jersey is my choice for best NHL fan jersey due to its combination of price, style, and quality. The Breakaway jerseys do have nice finishes, including some sewn-on graphics.

Overall, I actually like the fit and feel of the Fanatics Breakaway even better than the Adidas Authentic. If you are looking for the same jersey the pros wear, you will need to stick with the Adidas Authentic, but if you are just looking for a cool jersey to wear, I highly recommend the Fanatics Breakaway.

This is where you can browse the Fanatics Breakaway jerseys at NHLShop.com to see team styles (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com). The jersey looks nice and it is more budget-friendly than the Adidas Authentic jerseys. To read more, visit our Fanatics Breakaway Review.

Where to Buy NHL Jerseys?

Adidas Authentic

Click here to buy the Adidas Authentic jerseys at NHLShop.com (NHLShop.com is the official online shop of the NHL).

Adidas Practice

Click here to buy the Adidas Practice jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com).

Fanatics Breakaway

Click here to buy the Fanatics Breakaway replica jerseys at NHLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NHLShop.com).