[Sang Han Lee]

So we all know the deal with soccer jerseys on eBay being sold New With Tags for $20-$30 when it should go for about $70-$100. Of course, as with all things I think some fakes are probably better than others.

I just bought two such jerseys on eBay, mostly due to being an idiot and not reading up on the subject until after I had bid and the auctions closed.

What I'm wondering is, for those of you that have bought such jerseys in the past, whether knowingly or unknowingly, how have these jerseys held up-and even more importantly, what were they like to actually play in?

[ScottyB]

My experience with fake jerseys is that they don't breathe worth a crap. I bought one that I didn't realize/want to accept was fake at the time. I played outdoor in it and it was very hot. I sometimes play with an indoor team that sometimes uses fake jerseys. They aren't any good at all (they look okay but perform like crap).

It's worth it to get the real thing (ethical and performance reasons).

[Sang Han Lee]

Originally Posted by ScottyB

It's worth it to get the real thing (ethical and performance reasons).

Yeah I definitely agree with you there after looking at the fakes firsthand. I guess they will only serve to look (somewhat) pretty if they are useless on the field.

Although the 'adidas' jersey I got looks to have mesh in all the right places (climacool), I wonder if it will actually work. Technically climacool is just strategically placed mesh right? So if they copied it exactly...

I'll probably try playing in it once and die from dehydration

[soccerballnews]

I've bought several cheap ones that, if they're fakes, are pretty darn good copies. I have an Arsenal jersey that is EXACTLY like the ones I see in stores... same with an old US jersey I bought. Lots of the ones with tags are legit, probably just stolen.

[Sang Han Lee]

Mine are definitely fake, I know which tags to look for, and besides the crests on both jerseys are stitched like they were done by a one-armed drunk in the dark.

[Dr.Phil]

how legit is this

http://www.ioffer.com/i/Football-Soc...-09-M-65251271

[Sang Han Lee]

Originally Posted by Dr.Phil

how legit is this

http://www.ioffer.com/i/Football-Soc...-09-M-65251271

1. M and XL sizes only. Good sign of fakes.
2. No mention of adidas even though the jersey is clearly 'made' by adidas if you see in the pics. Basically, no clear, explicit mention of brand name usually = fake.
3. I feel bad for the guy in the Questions and Offers section paying $100+ for a bunch of bootlegs.

[asprillialim]

I had same experiences too. I bid on something on the last minute before really go through all the description. After the auction ends, I came back and read it until then only I regret of what I had done. Some dishonest sellers, they tend to give you unclear pictures but they mention in the description that their jerseys are authentic. But, when you received the jersey you realize that it wasn't as the sellers said. When you quest them, they would just tell you that they don't even know that it is fake and they are hell of a good story tellers.

I never wear any fake jersey neither playing in it or casual wear. I just put them in my drawer. For sure, the quality isn't as good as the real deal (mostly), the stiches, the fabrics and the look of course.

About the meshes on the jersey, what Adidas's "clima cool" or "formotion", Nike "dry fit" or Puma's "USP" technology, it was just names to make it look grand. Of course we know that the more meshes on the jersey, the more breathable the jersey will be. However, the construction of the fabrics of the jersey is important. The construction of the fabrics which helps to repel sweat fast is important and the breathability of the skin through the jersey. Those fake jersey couldn't provide you with the same quality of the fabric construction that given by the real deal.

[Brady24]

Just buy the real thing...Fakes are crap...usually run about 1/2 to Full Size smaller, they try to use less material to save money....plus the numbers are junk, and peel very easily.

A friend of mine once bought a fake United Jersey....Longsleeve, with Premiership Lettering on the back with dual champions league patches on the arms, WHICH NEVER HAPPENS, buy from kitbag, onionbag, soccer.com of subside sports, spend the $, it helps support your team.

[lhooq1770]

I hate that. Some fakes can be quite similar in pics, but when you can touch them is quite different.

You don't know who you can trust on.