EFL football can be some of the most exciting football to watch, but part of that excitement starts before a ball is even kicked with the unveiling of new strips. That's why we've put together a list of the best EFL football kits to kick off the excitement ahead of the new season.
How have we chosen the best football kits from the English Football Leagues though? Well, to make the cut, the design needs to be stylish and in keeping with the club's history. What's more, any kit that embodies style while subtly paying homage to past triumphs or city history is a massive bonus.
With these factors in mind, we've chosen the likes of Ipswich Town's bright orange away kit, which is inspired by the club's play-off season in the late '90s, and Preston North End's stylish white and navy home strip. You may not necessarily support these clubs, but their kits are definitely worth considering for any football collection.
So, without further delay, let's dive into our favourite EFL football kits this season...
Best EFL football kits
- Preston North End Castore Home Kit
- Ipswich Town Umbro Away Kit
- Exeter City adidas Away Kit
- Wrexham Macron Home Kit
- Huddersfield Town Umbro Away Kit
1. Preston North End Castore Home Kit
Drawing inspiration from one of Preston's best retro football kits from its past, the Preston North End Castore home kit is a stylish white and navy number that pays homage to the club's history.
Upon closer inspection of the shirt, you'll also notice subtle stripes running horizontally down the front. You'll also find a thin strip of yellow lining the navy collar and sleeves, adding an extra touch of colour to what is already a great-looking jersey.
Everything from the colour scheme to the design is well thought out here, helping the kit exude class. So, even if you don't support Preston, we'd say this kit is well worth considering if you're after a stylish jersey to add to your collection.
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2. Ipswich Town Umbro Away Kit
For the last few years, Ipswich Town kits have been pretty special as they have been sponsored by Ed Sheeran, a lifelong supporter of the club. The 2023/24 season is no different, with both the home and away jerseys featuring graphics from each of Sheeran's albums.
Out of the two though, the Umbro away kit stands out just that little bit more thanks to its bright orange and black colour scheme inspired by the team's 1999/00 season.
The 1999/00 kit earned legendary status after Marcus’s brace away at Bolton Wanderers in the first leg of the play-off semi-final. So, trying to recapture that magic, Umbro has brought back the orange and black to create another all-time classic Ipswich Town jersey.
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3. Exeter City adidas Away Kit
At first glance, Exeter City's away kit appears quite unassuming and basic if anything. However, we're a huge fan of its simple, subtle, and stunning design.
The shirt is almost entirely grey but features a very faint print of the badge across the side in a slightly darker tone. Adding to this, the kit features white branding and sponsorship, which we'd say is quite unusual as you'd expect a clearer black print and stitching to be used.
However, choosing white makes the kit seriously stand out from the crowd. As a result, we'd say this away strip is worth adding to your own collection, even if you're not an Exeter City supporter.
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4. Wrexham Macron Home Kit
Wrexham's story is arguably one of the most well-known in world football at the moment. With two Hollywood superstars as the club's owners, Wrexham is just going from strength to strength, something that we've also seen in this year's home kit.
Initially, the kit sold out in moments due to the popularity of the club alongside Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as owners. We'd argue, however, the kit didn't just sell out on this alone, as the jersey features an excellent design that nods to the team's base in Wales.
More specifically, the shirt features a red and white colour scheme, with hints of green in the collar and sleeves to complete the colours of the Welsh flag. What's more, the shirt contains subtle Y Ddraig Goch graphics on the front, while the word "Wrecsam" appears on the rear in reference to the fans.
Ultimately, it's a great kit rooted in Welsh heritage and well worth considering for your own collection if you're interested in owning a piece of history.
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5. Huddersfield Town Umbro Away Kit
Our final entry is Huddersfield Town's Umbro away kit which features a bright, highlighter-like design that is said to symbolise the club's young B team squad and players climbing the ranks.
Officially, the shirt is acid lime in colour, complemented by a subtle, lighter geometric pattern all over. It also features several black details, including the Umbro branding, sponsorship, and cutouts on the sleeves.
Around the back, you'll find the three iconic stars on the neck carried over from the home kit. The first star is black to signify the first of the Championship wins, while the remaining two arrive in white to match the small cutout section of the collar.
So, if you're into brightly coloured jerseys and after a shirt from the Championship this season, make sure you check out this Huddersfield Town strip.
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Buying a new football kit can, on occasion, lead to a ton of questions. Don't worry though as we've answered some of the most commonly asked queries below...
Where can you buy EFL football kits?
Compared to Premier League kits, EFL shirts and strips are a little trickier to come by. There are, however, a few locations you can try. These are:
- Manufacturers' websites: Kit manufacturers like Nike, adidas, PUMA, etc. typically sell the jerseys they make in their online stores. They tend to only sell the biggest clubs though, but it's still worth exploring just in case.
- Club websites: This is probably the best option, as the club you're looking to buy the shirt from will most likely sell its jersey from its official store.
- Football kit retailers: Again, buying EFL kits at any of these locations might be hard, but it's still worth exploring the likes of Kitbag, which also sells international jerseys, SportsDirect, JD Sports, or any similar sportswear retail company.
For more information on this if you're still struggling, check out our list of the best places to buy football kits.
What is a replica football kit?
A replica football kit is typically one that resembles the design of the authentic shirt but is mass-produced and intended to be a more affordable alternative to the official matchday shirt.
While it is not an exact replica, it is not considered fake either. A replica kit is made by the official manufacturer but may incorporate different technologies or materials to reduce costs. For instance, an authentic adidas kit may use advanced HEAT.RDY technology, while the replica version may utilise a more cost-effective AEROREADY system.
While the authentic jerseys are generally preferred for playing in, replica kits are great for wearing regularly to show support for your club. They offer a more budget-friendly option without compromising on the overall design and appearance.
How can you start a football kit collection?
Starting a football kit collection can be a fun and rewarding hobby for football enthusiasts, but it's important to first define your focus. Do you want to go down the route of one club, a collection of kits from one league, a selection of international jerseys, or simply kits from teams you're a fan of? These are questions you'll need to ask yourself before you begin.
Once you've agreed upon an approach with yourself, consider researching where's best to buy football kits (check out our guide linked above), and, if you're purchasing retro shirts second-hand, figure out what condition you actually want to buy kits in. Some may be worn down to the point where they won't be quite as valuable to you.
Also, collecting football kits can be an expensive hobby, especially if you're after rare or vintage pieces. Therefore, make sure you set yourself a budget for your collection to avoid overspending and prioritise acquiring kits that align with your focus.
These are our main tips to get started, and make sure to always double-check authenticity before buying. Remember, collecting football kits is a personal hobby, so make it a reflection of your passion and interest in the beautiful game.