Colorado Rapids Introduce Minty Fresh ‘Class 5’ Kit

Inspired by the rugged beauty of the nearby Rocky Mountains, Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids unveiled their new secondary kit on Friday, dubbing it the “Class 5” kit.

The jersey is a pale mint green with dark green accents and a henley collar. Topography lines are embossed on jersey, representing six Colorado mountains that are over 14,000 feet high (also known as “14ers”): Grays Peak, Torreys Peak, Pikes Peak, Mt. Bierstadt, Mt. Evans, and Quandary Peak.

*Photo courtesy @ColoradoRapids / Twitter*

The green colour harkens back to the Rapids’ kits in the early days of MLS. When the league began in 1996, Colorado wore mainly green home kits, but switched a predominantly blue look in 2003 before adopting burgundy and sky blue in 2007.

The jersey also features a tag with the number 96 inside the C from the Colorado flag, recognizing the Rapids’ status as an original MLS club and as representatives for the entire state. The motto “ONE CLUB” is printed inside the collar.

🏔 Mt. Bierstadt
🏔 Mt. Evans
🏔 Grays Peak
🏔 Torreys Peak
🏔 Quandary Peak
🏔 Pikes Peak

The new Class 5 kit features authentic topographical maps of six iconic Colorado 14ers. pic.twitter.com/suEoCOGQT4
— Colorado Rapids (@ColoradoRapids) March 26, 2021

The “Class 5” moniker refers to systems rating the difficulty of mountain climbs. Class 5 climbs are typically the most difficult climbs. “To summit an obstacle in this manner requires focus, discipline and unrelenting determination,” the Rapids’ website reads. “As Coloradans, we live for that challenge.”

The name and number on the back of the jersey are set in dark green. The mint green jersey is paired with dark green shorts and mint green socks.

As part of the “Class 5” kit launch, the Rapids are helping raise money for the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI), a nonprofit that helps protect and preserve mountains designated as 14ers in the state. Fans who buy the new kit at the team’s pro shop will have the option to make a donation to CFI at the checkout. The team is also creating a “Class 5” jersey patch, and proceeds from the sale of patches will go to CFI.

Feature photo courtesy ColoradoRapids.com