This is a Nike Elite vs Vapor jersey comparison. These are the authentic NFL jerseys. There are actually five different types of NFL jerseys. Quickly, here’s what you need to know (affiliate links take you to NFLShop.com):
- Nike Legend – The Nike Legend is unique compared to other NFL jerseys. It fits almost like a standard t-shirt, and is more affordable than other jerseys. I was a bit shocked how much I liked the fit. True to size. Lightweight, and easy to wear. Click here to view the Nike Legend jerseys at NFLShop.com. NFLShop.com is the official online shop of the NFL.
- Nike Game – The Nike Game jerseys are popular fan jerseys due to price point. They have the true look of a jersey, but are replicas, which means they are a bit more affordable than premium jerseys. Relaxed fit, but true to size. These jerseys are a good option if you are looking for a Nike jersey on a tight budget. Click here to view the Nike Game jerseys at NFLShop.com.
- Nike Limited – The Nike Limited Vapor jerseys are my favorite jersey. Vapor style has clean front with seams converging in back. Sits flat against body. This jersey has stitched numbers and graphics. Awesome jersey, with a great fit and some premium finishes. More affordable than the Elite authentic jerseys. True to size. Click here to view the Nike Limited jerseys at NFLShop.com
- Nike Elite – These are the authentic NFL jerseys, and the closest you can get as a fan to wearing what the players wear on the field. The fit will be slimmer than other jerseys, mimicking the athletic fit of the players’ jerseys. The Elite jerseys have all the premium finishes, including stitched graphics and authentic paneling. Click here to view the Nike Elite jerseys at NFLShop.com.
- NFL Pro Line Jersey – The NFL Pro Line Jersey is not made by Nike. It is a more affordable replica jersey, which might be a nice option if you are on a tight budget. This jersey has a baggy, loose fit, and you may need to size it down. Click here to view Pro Line jerseys at NFLShop.com.
The “Vapor” jerseys are a type of Nike Limited jersey and a type of Nike Elite jersey. These Vapor version are designed a little bit different than the normal versions of the jersey (more on that later).
I actually own and review all 5 types of NFL jerseys. They each have unique strengths and design differences.
This is the jersey that I recommend as best fan jersey due to its combination of fit, quality, and price (affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com; Limited Vapor jerseys).
Although both the Nike Elite and Nike Elite Vapor jerseys have premium finishes that are created to match exact specifications of what the players wear on the field, these two jerseys have significant differences, including price.
This is the current price of the Nike Elite jerseys at NFLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com). When I bought them, the Nike Elite Vapor jerseys were more expensive, but prices can fluctuate.
If you are set on buying either a Nike Elite or Vapor jersey, this article will focus solely on those two types of jerseys so that you will be completely informed. However, if you want to read some of our other jersey review and comparison articles, you can visit our jersey resource page.
- To read more about the Nike Elite jersey, visit my Nike Elite Jersey Review.
- To read more about the Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable jersey, visit my Nike Elite Vapor Jersey Review.
- We also have a buyer’s guide that will help you determine which jersey is right for you. Visit our article: Best NFL Jersey to Buy
Nike Elite vs Vapor Jersey
The Elite jerseys are the authentic jerseys, and they aren’t cheap. If you want to spend big money on a jersey purchase, it is definitely worth taking the time to make sure you get your choice right.
Comparing the Nike Elite to the Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable on the surface might seem like there would only be minimal differences since both are Nike Elite jerseys, but there are actually significant differences between these two jerseys.
Understanding these differences will likely make your decision much easier, and it’s safe to assume that one of the two will likely make more sense for you. In this comparison, we will discuss Nike Elite vs Vapor Untouchable across these 4 main categories:
- Fit
- Comfort
- Price
- Design
Fit
The regular Nike Elite has a true-to-size standard fit. It can fit a bit loose through the chest due to the authentic paneling on the jersey made to match the paneling specifications of the jerseys that players wear on gameday.
The fit of the Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable is a slim athletic fit – it fits slim especially through the chest, stomach, and shoulders. If you are looking for an athletic, slim fit, you will likely not need to size up or down. If you are in between sizes and prefer a looser fit, sizing up might be your best bet.
**Pictures below are of a white Andrew Luck size 40 Nike Elite jersey and a blue Saquon Barkley size 40 Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable jersey. I am 6’3″ tall and weigh 200 pounds.**
There is a lot to unpack with both of these jerseys. Both the regular Nike Elite and the Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable use numerical sizing instead of the standard small-medium-large sizing. I own a size 40 in both, which is comparable to a size medium.
Nike Elite Jersey Fit
The fit on these two jerseys is quite different. As mentioned above, expect the regular Nike Elite to have a standard, true-to-size fit. The authentic paneling can create a looser fit in the chest.
Again, in my opinion it fits true to size. But to make sure you have all the information possible, I want to post how the Nike Elite jersey fit is described on the product page at NFLShop.com:
“Fit: Men’s Nike Elite Jerseys have an athletic cut that fits snug in the chest and shoulders.”
Again, I would disagree with this just slightly. To me, it does not fit near as “athletic” or “snug” as the Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable. To me it is more of a standard true-to-size fit that can fit a bit slim around the waist but also have extra room in the chest due to the paneling.
If you’ve read any of my other reviews, I have said numerous times that the Nike Elite is one of the hardest jerseys to give a fit description on due to the paneling.
The fit overall is slim-type fit, but the paneling creates some extra space in certain spots. Overall, the jersey fits on me in a way I would personally describe as a standard fit. Expect a little bit of a slim fit right around the waist line.
But again, it is not so slim and snug that I couldn’t layer underneath. Here I am layering a size 40 (I am 6’3″ 200 pounds):
The jersey is standard through the stomach area, then tightens slightly at the waist line near the bottom of the jersey. Again, the most notable fit feature of the regular Nike Elite is the chest paneling causing extra room through the chest area.
Also, expect the Nike Elite jerseys to run a bit longer than some other types of fan jerseys. For example, here is my Nike Elite jersey placed underneath my Nike Limited Vapor Mahomes jersey:
So just make sure you are preparing for about an extra inch of length in the Nike Elite jerseys (length can vary by size).
Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable Jersey Fit
The Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable jersey also has a very unique type of fit. It has an athletic, slim fit that lays flat and snug across the chest, shoulders, and stomach.
Just know this: the sleeves are very unique compared to other fan jerseys because they have elastic sleeve cuffs that keep the sleeve tight and short, giving it an athletic look.
Although many love the athletic look of the fitted sleeves, just consider it isn’t necessarily for everyone. Here is a look at the fitted sleeves on my size 40 Saquon Elite Vapor jersey:
What does Vapor mean exactly? It was a jersey design that Nike launched in large part to reduce the paneling, which from a player’s perspective meant less grab points (source). With Vapor Untouchable jerseys, the paneling uniquely comes together in the center of the back of the jersey, allowing the jersey to lay comfortably flat in all other places:
In the picture above, if you look closely you can see where the paneling comes together under the numbers on the back side of the Elite Vapor jersey.
In fact, if you go through this link and take a look at the Tom Brady Elite Vapor at NFLShop.com, the product picture gives a fantastic look at how the panels come together and shape the jersey. This design feature really differentiates the Elite Vapor from the regular Nike Elite.
The Nike Elite Vapor is a very comfortable jersey to wear. It has stretch fabric that allows the slim fit to move comfortably and not bother me in anyway. I actually also like how the neck area fits on the Nike Elite Vapor more than the regular Nike Elite.
Overall, I hate to simplify it, but your decision on whether or not the Elite Vapor is for you might come down to these 2 things:
- Are you okay with an athletic fit?
- Are you okay with fitted sleeves?
Comfort
When discussing Nike Elite vs Nike Elite Vapor, comfort is something that must be discussed. To me, the Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable is more comfortable to wear than the regular Nike Elite.
As I’ve mentioned previously in the article, the Vapor Untouchable jersey design limits the front side paneling of the jersey, which allows the jersey to lay flat against your body instead of bubbling away in certain panel spots.
Combine the reduction in paneling with the stretch woven fabric design and the Nike Elite Vapor has, in my opinion, a very comfortable fit.
The regular Nike Elite I would not describe as uncomfortable, it’s just a unique fit because the authentic paneling is unlike anything else you wear. Standard t-shirts don’t have zone paneling, etc.
Price
When comparing Elite vs Vapor price, it is important to remember both of these jerseys are authentic jerseys. They won’t be cheap.
They both are expensive in comparison to other NFL jerseys. But they also have the authentic design and premium features.
Because the price on these jerseys can reflect their premium quality, I would suggest taking a peak at the price to help you make your decision. When I bought mine, I got the regular Nike Elite for cheaper than the Elite vapor, but I can’t guarantee that is always the case.
This is the current price of the Nike Elite jerseys at NFLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com). NFLShop.com is the official online shop of the NFL. You can buy from them with confidence knowing you are not getting scammed.
Design
As mentioned throughout the article, the Elite vs Vapor design is quite different. Let’s look at some pictures of both jerseys and then below I will briefly discuss some of the design features of both.
Nike Elite Design
Front
Again, you can clearly see the authentic paneling, but also see how it pushes away slightly in the chest area.
Back
Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable Design
Front
Clean front side due to the Vapor Untouchable design which limits paneling. Of course, note the sleeve length in comparison to the regular Elite.
Back
If you look closely at the last picture, you can see where the seams come together on the Vapor version.
Nike Elite vs Vapor Comparison Photos
Front
These are both size 40’s. As you can see, the sleeves are longer in the regular Nike Elite vs the Vapor. Also, you can see the Nike Elite Vapor is slimmer through the chest and stomach, and about a half inch shorter in length.
Collar
The collars are different, but both offer premium versions in comparison to other types of fan jerseys. The Nike Elite Vapor (blue, left) has the Chain-Mail mesh grill at the front of the neckline along with a metallic NFL shield. The regular Nike Elite (white, right) has the built in flywire to prevent stretching and has a rubberish NFL shield at the front neckline. I don’t foresee stretching being an issue with either jersey unless you overdo it.
Sleeves
We’ve already discussed the sleeves at length, but here is another close-up look at the difference in sleeve length and design.
Graphics
Both the Nike Elite and the Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable offer sewn-on numbers, letters, logos, and name plates.
Nike Elite vs Vapor Jersey Summary
To summarize the Nike Elite vs Vapor jerseys, these two jerseys are both premium fan jerseys and offer authentic replicas of what players wear. The Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable version has a much more athletic fit than the Nike Elite, including fitted sleeves.
In many cases, only one version is available to buy per team. So you choice may already be made for you.
The Vapor Untouchable version allows the jersey to lay flat across the chest because the paneling is limited. In my opinion, the Nike Elite Vapor Untouchable is the more comfortable fit between the two, just make sure that having fitted sleeves does not bother you.
I don’t recommend sizing up or down for either jersey, although the Elite Vapor has a slimmer cut, so if you are in between sizes, and don’t want it to be extremely tight, it would likely be best to size up.
Where to Buy?
If you can’t shop locally, buying from NFLShop.com is a nice solution. You can buy from them with confidence knowing you aren’t getting scammed. Click here to shop for Nike Elite jerseys at NFLShop.com (affiliate link takes you to NFLShop.com).