What Teams Should Expect From a Uniform Supplier

Ordering team uniforms should be straightforward, but most programs know it rarely works out that way. 

Coaches, kit secretaries, and parent managers juggle confusing sizing charts, mismatched reorders, shifting timelines, unclear communication, and suppliers who promise more than they deliver. When you’re already managing practice schedules, parent emails, regattas, and budgets, the last thing you need is uniform drama on top of it. 

That’s why choosing the right supplier matters. The process only runs smoothly when the company behind it truly understands the sport, controls its production, and takes responsibility for consistency and timelines. 

JL Racing has spent 45 years building exactly that kind of system. We’ve seen every challenge teams face, and our structure was built to remove those pain points entirely. Here’s what teams should expect — and why so many programs trust JL year after year. 

1. Full-Team Fit That Actually Fits the Whole Team 

Teams don’t come in standard sizes. A coxswain and a stroke seat might wear the same “size,” but with completely different heights and proportions. Stock uniforms force athletes into compromises that affect comfort, movement, and performance. 

A supplier should offer: 

What makes JL different 
JL builds uniforms with individualized top/bottom sizing and optional length adjustments so the entire boat fits correctly — not just most of it. It takes more work, but we do it because performance depends on proper fit, not “closest size available.” 

2. Year-Over-Year Color Consistency You Can Trust 

The frustration is real: a re-order arrives, and the color doesn’t match last year’s kit. That happens when suppliers outsource production and rely on whatever machines or settings their factory happens to use. 

Long-term consistency requires: 

What makes JL different 
JL operates best-in-class industrial sublimation printers, maintains dedicated team-specific color profiles, and preserves those settings season after season. Because our family owns and oversees our production, we control every calibration, every batch, every detail — something outsourced brands simply cannot guarantee. 

3. Premium Fabrics, No Compromises 

Uniforms should be made from materials engineered for high output training — fast drying, stable when saturated, abrasion resistant, comfortable, and durable. 

Buyers should expect: 

What makes JL different 
JL uses majority Bluesign-approved textiles and does not compromise on fabric quality. For 45 years, we’ve tested and refined materials specifically for high-performance training, including repeated wet/dry cycles, UV exposure, and long sessions on the water. Our fabrics wick sweat and backsplash quickly and are purpose-built for athletes who demand more from their gear. 

4. Durable Construction That Actually Lasts 

Coaches hate buying replacement gear because seams fail, seats blow out, or garments stretch out after a season. Durability comes from construction choices, not shortcuts. 

Teams should look for: 

What makes JL different 
JL is known for gear that lasts. Our classic and Powerband unisuits both feature double-layer seat construction, and our trou are built with the same durability-focused approach. Many teams tell us they’re still using JL kit that’s well over a decade old — and still training hard in it. 

5. Production Oversight That Eliminates Uncertainty 

Many suppliers outsource every step of production, which introduces multiple points of failure — color drift, sizing inconsistencies, miscommunication, and inaccurate timelines. 

Teams deserve suppliers who offer: 

What makes JL different 
JL is family-owned and vertically integrated, meaning we oversee every stage from patterning to production to finishing. We’re manufactured in the Americas, which drastically reduces transit time and carbon footprint. Most importantly, having everything under one roof allows us to avoid the multi-point failure chain found in outsourced operations. 

6. Sustainability That Is Real, Not a Marketing Line 

Every brand talks about sustainability, but few can back it up with operational choices that meaningfully reduce impact. 

Genuinely sustainable operations include: 

What makes JL different 
JL’s manufacturing is powered by approximately 90 percent renewable energy, including geothermal, hydropower, and solar. We laser-cut fabric to reduce waste, use Bluesign-approved textiles where possible, focus on long-life construction to reduce replacement cycles, and operate our JL RePlay program to responsibly handle end-of-life gear. Very few suppliers can point to sustainability that is this structural and measurable. 

7. Customer Service That Actually Cares 

Coaches and kit secretaries need communication, clarity, and accountability — especially during busy parts of the season. 

A reliable supplier should offer: 

What makes JL different 
JL maintains a 97 percent customer satisfaction rating — one of the highest in any industry. We take customer service seriously because reliability isn’t a feature; it’s the foundation of our entire brand. 

The Bottom Line: Teams Choose JL Because We Make Their Season Easier 

From fit to fabric to production control to sustainability, JL delivers what teams expect but rarely receive from other suppliers. Our 45-year commitment to quality, consistency, and service is why thousands of programs — from youth clubs to national teams — rely on us year after year.