In the snowboarding business, your jacket is not merely a fashion and style statement. It is also a critical part of your performance equipment that keeps you safe under harsh weather conditions.
But with the ever-increasing popularity of snowboarding and outdoor fashion, the market of first-copy and fake snowboard jackets is also increasing. The money spent on a real jacket will be worth it because of the durability, performance, and safety that an imitation will never give.
This is where you can find out how to distinguish between a branded snowboard jacket and a first copy, to be able to make smart decisions and get the value you are paying for.
1. Test the Finishing and Material Quality
The quality of the fabric is one of the most evident giveaways. Authentic snowboard jackets are crafted of high-performance technical fabrics such as GORE-TEX or Dermizax, or other waterproof-breathable fabrics.
These clothes are specially designed to keep you dry, warm, and comfortable when you are on hard rides. First copies would tend to be made out of cheaper and synthetic materials that are not breathable and waterproof.
The texture can be a bit rough, hard, or plastic in comparison. For instance, if you have a yellow snowboard jacket, you can experience a tactile sensation of real materials, which is smooth and soft.
2. Check the Stitching and Shapes
Each branded snowboard jacket is carefully made under quality control and precision. The stitching will be even, clean, and firm. you will hardly have loose threads or sloppy seams.
First copies frequently show bad workmanship, crooked stitches, frayed edges, or uneven lines of seams. These flaws not only impact looks, waterproofing, and durability, but also.
3. Find Real Waterproofing and Breathability Ratings
Snowboard jackets are available in branded jackets with their own waterproof and breathability ratings that are frequently quoted in millimetres (e.g., 10,000mm/10,000g).
These ratings are used to determine the extent of the amount of water pressure that the fabric can withstand and the extent to which it sweats out.
Counterfeits could make their tags have similar numbers, but they can’t prove it. In actual conditions of wearing, they absorb water very fast and leave you wet and horrible.
4. Notice Labels and Branding
The fake jackets are also infamous because of some slight modifications in the logo, fonts or even misspells. True brands spend a lot of money on ensuring uniformity of branding in their product line.
Check for:
- Proper spelling of the brand and logo positioning.
- Washing instructions are put on genuine care.
- Serial/model number tag (normally located within the jacket)
There are also numerous authentic brands that contain QR codes or holographic authentication labels that can be scanned to confirm authenticity.
5. Pricing and Packaging
When a jacket is being sold at half or a third of the regular retail price and it says it is of a high-quality brand, then it is most definitely a first copy. In any case of online shopping, it is advisable to shop at authorized retailers or at the official brand site.
The snowboard jackets are authentic and packaged with high-quality packaging while also having brand-specific tags, manuals, and warranty cards.
First copy products are commonly shipped in cheap, plastic-wrapped, or untagged products or with no documentation. The bad printing, disappearance of colours, or spelling errors are the typical signs that the product is not original.
Final Thoughts
Your snowboard jacket is not just a fashion statement; it is the necessary equipment that should help to keep you safe in the worst winter conditions. First copies may cost you less money in the short term, but you may pay much more in the long term due to poor performance, suffering, and inability to last long.
It is investing in quality, safety, and the cost of longevity when investing in an authentic, branded snowboard jacket. The next time you buy snowboarding equipment, you will remember: the real one is always better, and you will find a real difference between your first ride and the hundredth one.
