RBK EDGE Premier Jersey – Review

It’s been over a year since Reebok’s new style NHL jerseys were unveiled, so I decided to finally get myself an RBK EDGE Anaheim Ducks jersey, just to see what it was really like. Initially I was sceptical about buying it because I wasn’t too sure how it would fit compared to the old CCM replicas. I originally ordered a Medium, thinking that my normal Small size would be too small, and it turned out to be too big. So I sent that back and exchanged it for the Small size, having to wait a few more weeks until it finally arrived this morning.

Just so you know, this review is going to be completely unbiased, so I’m not going to sulk and rant over how the Edge jerseys have “ruined the NHL forever” (like traditionalists), nor am I going to go into any performance enhancing drivel that certain others tend to bring up (like the NHL, Reebok, and Sidney Crosby), partially because this isn’t the authentic style jersey, and partially also because it’s probably a load of bollocks anyway.

First of all, the visual differences. On the player, the authentic variant of this jersey looks more form fitting than its baggier predecessor. However, the difference isn’t too great, and after a while we all (or at least, most of us) got used to it. Other changes include the bib-like part at the bottom of the back of the jersey, similar to what baseball jerseys have, then the ‘dreaded’ piping that separates some parts of the jerseys, and which for some teams are coloured seemingly for the sake of it, and finally, the NHL shield at the collar, and the so-called ‘jock tag’ at the bottom left of the front of the jersey, which is seemingly the NHL’s desperate attempt to be more like the other three major sports leagues, particularly the NFL.

Other differences, which are more noticeable when you’re holding it yourself, include the fact that the materials used are much thinner and lighter, and even more so on certain parts of the jersey, than the old CCM replicas. The much lighter material that makes up the back of the jersey is so light that I can’t help but think that I’m accidentally going to rip it while trying to put it on one day, or if it gets caught on a door handle. Also, the arm and body length is longer than on the old jerseys, meaning that if you have shorter arms you’ll need to tuck the ends of the sleeve in just so that it doesn’t get in the way of your hands.

A major concern with fans before the jerseys were unveiled, aside from all teams using a same, singular template league-wide (which turned out to be nothing more than mislead, inaccurate information) was that the jerseys would be too tight and uncomfortable to wear. That however, is mostly untrue. This jersey I have is actually quite comfy, and doesn’t feel entirely different from the old jerseys, aside from the arms which are, as mentioned above, longer and slightly less baggy than the CCM replicas. However, there is one problem; that being the only really tight part of the jersey which interferes with the overall comfort level: the collar.

Unlike on the old jerseys, with which you could easily slip your head through the collar, you now have to struggle just to get your head through it, as demonstrated in the photo below.

This, to be honest, is my biggest problem with the jersey. What’s even more of a pain is taking the jersey off, when once again you have to struggle to get your head through it, which can prove to be even more difficult than it is to put it on. As far as I’m aware, most teams have different collar styles, so I’m not sure whether this issue applies with just the Ducks jerseys, or for any of the other teams, except for some like Buffalo, Colorado and Nashville who use the same style as Anaheim.

Pros:

• Very comfortable to wear
  
• Aside from the sleeves, not much different than the old jerseys
  
• Some may prefer the light material used
  

Cons:

• The even lighter material is too thin, and feels easy to tear
• The collar is a pain in the arse (may not apply for some teams)

Overall: It’s very comfortable to wear, just as comfortable as the old jerseys, however I highly recommend trying them on before buying, especially in case you need to try out the different sizes, and make sure you can get your head through the collar.