Hummel

As one of the oldest sportswear names in the business, with roots in football and handball going back to 1923, hummel brings a lot of heritage and a distinctive look to the table. Buyers tend to rate its kit for solid construction and standout chevron design rather than chasing the biggest logos. It's a strong pick if you want character and history alongside performance gear.

Alongside its wordmark, hummel is instantly recognised by the rows of chevrons running down the sleeves and sides of its kit. The historical company logo is a stylized bumblebee — fittingly, because "Hummel" is German for bumblebee. Together the chevrons and the bee are the brand's signature visual shorthand.

The company was founded in 1923 in Hamburg, Germany by Max Albrecht Ludwig Messmer and his father Michael under the name "Messmer & Co." It became Danish after Bernhard Weckenbrock took it over in 1956. Today it's a Danish company based in Aarhus, which is why you'll see it described as German-founded but Danish.

Both make quality kit, but adidas is generally considered the more consistent top-tier supplier across every team it dresses, while hummel sits in the respected mid-tier with bold, heritage-led designs. hummel's appeal is its distinctive chevron identity and football history rather than ubiquity. If you want a kit that looks different from the big-three crowd, hummel is the more characterful choice.

hummel manufactures apparel for football, rugby league, futsal, handball, basketball, shinty, volleyball and esports teams. Its deepest roots are in football and handball, which is where the brand built its reputation. It also offers everyday apparel and footwear for adults and children.

Hummel HIVE is the brand's fashion sub-brand, sitting apart from its team performance gear. It's the line to look at if you want the hummel look styled for streetwear rather than the pitch. The teamwear lines, by contrast, are built around match performance.

Over the years hummel has kitted out clubs and teams including Real Madrid, Red Star Belgrade, Sunderland, Southampton, Aston Villa, Benfica and Coventry City, as well as the Danish national team. That roster is a big part of its football credibility. The heritage of those kits is also why classic hummel jerseys are collected today.

Since 1999 hummel has been part of the Danish Thornico Group, founded by Christian and Thor Stadil. The company is headquartered in Aarhus, Denmark. That ownership has anchored the brand firmly in Danish sportswear.

In 2016 hummel created a hijab-friendly uniform for the women's Afghanistan national team, debuting it on International Women's Day. It's a moment the brand is recognised for beyond pure performance gear. For some buyers that values-led streak is part of the appeal.

Yes — teamwear is squarely in hummel's wheelhouse, given its near-century of football and handball heritage. The chevron-led designs make a squad instantly recognisable on the pitch. Just compare the specific kit you're ordering against your needs, as with any supplier.