With the release of the fantastic throwback-inspired Jamaica LFSTLR collection from adidas, we take a look back at some of the Reggae Boyz and Girlz’ best-ever kits.
In early 2023, adidas announced a four-year kit supplier partnership with the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF). This covered both the Reggae Boyz and Girlz and was seen as a massive opportunity for both parties, which began with the gorgeous Wales Bonner kits that were a hit with almost everyone.
The marriage between adidas and the JFF has since continued to provide us with heat in nearly every drop since, the latest being the LFSTLR capsule collection. This set was designed to pay homage to the nation’s historic 1998 FIFA World Cup team via a foray into the streetwear world with tracksuits, hoodies, and more.
Innovation is the name of the game, but we so often see new releases draw inspiration from iconic kits and looks from the past; which gives us the perfect excuse to look back ourselves.
Here are some of the best Jamaican football kits ever.
World Cup Debut: 1998 Home
Kappa is an icon of the kit game. The Italian label rarely misses, and one of its most iconic drops ever was for the Reggae Boyz’ debut at the FIFA World Cup in 1998.
The huge, bold collars, the gorgeous design draped down the sides straight into the shorts, Kappa’s logo placed right in the center — everything about this kit worked and there’s a reason it’s still so heavily sought after to this day.
A Modern Classic: 2024 Away
In my opinion, this year’s Jamaica away kit is the best we’ve ever seen.
It takes elements of the past and melds them beautifully into a modern design. The main pattern features Jamaica’s national bird, the swallowtail hummingbird or “doctor bird” as it’s affectionately known, which is a brilliant touch, and is woven in very well.
Solid black for the sleeves and sides is the perfect way to contrast the expressive exterior of this kit. No notes from me, 10/10.
An Unsung Hero: 1996 Home
For the vast majority of football fans and kit collectors, the name Lanzera wouldn’t ring many bells, but it brings back great memories for Jamaicans. Their legendary World Cup qualifying campaign in 1996-97 was contested in an absolute stunner of a kit.
One side of the kit is bright gold with the design on the opposite side giving the kit a palm tree/sunshine feel. Keen-eyed fans will spot a subtle detail in the use of the Jamaican flags on the collars and sleeves. The more you look at this one the better it gets. It was so good that Kappa carried it over upon becoming the nation’s kit supplier in 1997.
New Beginnings: 2018 Away
This was the first Jamaica kit by Umbro and signaled the end of a fairly poor era when it came to Reggae Boyz kits. The Uhlsport kit for 2002 was the last drop that chose to go outside the box with an extravagant design, and was a design choice that had become synonymous with the island nation.
A return to Kappa through the mid-2000s and into the early 2010s saw uninspiring kits remain a theme, with the JFF leaning towards a more plain look for their teams. This came to an end in 2018.
Umbro’s home kit was really nothing to write home about, but the away number brought a twinkle back to the eyes of fans. A green and gold diamond design that faded into black on the chest was an extremely bold choice, but one that paid off, and the green and gold on the collars topped it off well. This reignited the trend of bright and bold Jamaican kits, and for that alone, it definitely deserved this spot.
