Counterfeit Outdoor Jackets: Is It Fake or Authentic?

Why Outdoor Jackets Attract Counterfeiters

Outdoor jackets from brands like The North Face, Patagonia and Arc'teryx have become as much about style as function. Genuine versions often cost well over £150, sometimes reaching several hundred pounds, though authorised retailers frequently offer discounts during sales periods. That price gap creates an obvious opening for counterfeiters.

Fake versions often sell for £20 to £40, though some counterfeits are priced higher to appear more convincing. The appeal is clear: buyers believe they are getting the same look and performance at a steep discount. In practice, they rarely get either.

Even traditionally practical brands are targeted. Barbour jackets, long associated with rural pursuits and outdoor work, are counterfeited regularly. The same applies to technical brands favoured by climbers and hikers.

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What You Lose With a Fake

A genuine outdoor jacket is engineered to perform. Quality versions use breathable, waterproof fabrics and sealed seams to keep water out while allowing moisture to escape. This technology costs money to develop and manufacture properly.

Counterfeit jackets may look similar on the outside but often fail at the basics. Common problems include:

• Poor or non-existent waterproofing
• Unsealed seams that leak in rain
• Fabrics that trap sweat and leave you clammy
• Zips and fastenings that break quickly
• Thin insulation that provides little warmth
• Inner labels with incorrect formatting or missing warranty information

A jacket that looks the part but lets water through the seams offers no real protection on a wet hillside. For anyone buying outdoor gear for actual outdoor use, this matters.

There are also potential concerns about materials. Some counterfeit goods have been found to contain dyes and chemicals that have not been tested or approved for sale in the UK, though this varies between products. Testing by trading standards bodies has previously identified issues with substances in counterfeit clothing.

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Where Fakes Are Commonly Sold

Social media platforms are a common source. Sellers advertise through Facebook Marketplace, Instagram and TikTok, often using images copied from official brand websites. Prices significantly lower than usual retail for authentic items often indicate counterfeit products.

Online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon host third party sellers, and while both platforms have policies against counterfeits, fakes still slip through. Checking seller ratings and reading customer reviews can help identify problematic sellers. Buying from official brand stores or authorised retailers reduces the risk considerably.

Market stalls, car boot sales and pop-up shops also carry counterfeit outdoor clothing. The lack of a returns process or verifiable business address should raise concerns. Be wary of sellers who insist on bank transfers or other payment methods that offer limited buyer protection. Credit card payments provide stronger recourse if items turn out to be fake.

It is uncommon to find genuine branded jackets sold new at steep discounts outside official sales. If a seller offers a current season North Face jacket for a quarter of the retail price, scepticism is reasonable.

How to Spot a Counterfeit

Brand owners usually provide authentication guides on their websites. These often highlight details like logo placement, stitching quality, label formatting and holographic tags. Checking these before buying can help.

General signs of a fake include:

• Spelling errors on labels or tags
• Crooked or poorly finished stitching
• Logos that look slightly wrong in shape, colour or position
• Missing care labels, product codes or authenticity tags
• Packaging that lacks branded security features

Weight and feel can also be telling. Authentic technical fabrics have a particular texture and weight that cheaper imitations rarely match.

If you believe you have been sold a counterfeit item, you can report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer helpline. The Intellectual Property Office website at gov.uk/ipo provides guidance on counterfeit goods and reporting procedures.

For anyone relying on outdoor clothing for walking, climbing or working outside, buying from established retailers or directly from brands remains the safest approach. The upfront cost is higher, but the jacket will usually do what it is supposed to.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Authenticity Red Flag Checker lets you identify warning signs that a product is likely counterfeit based on your observations. Try it now →