Fake Arc'teryx Jackets
China produces vast quantities of fake Arc'teryx jackets, replicating popular models like Atom AR/LT Hoody, Cerium LT Hoody, Thorium AR Hoody, Gamma MX/LT Jacket/Hoody, Beta LT/AR/SL/LW, and Alpha SV. These are listed on Arc'teryx's website, but as you will see below, almost every one of their jackets is copied.
Rise of the Counterfeit Market
The brand's status in outdoor gear and urban fashion drives demand for fake Arc'teryx Jackets. China's manufacturing hubs reverse-engineer designs using similar patterns from legitimate factories. Production occurs in unauthorized workshops, often in regions where genuine manufacturing is outsourced. Factories use lower-cost fabrics, insulation, and hardware to mimic appearances while cutting expenses.
Some replicas look low-quality or obvious fakes, while others are super fakes that are nearly indistinguishable from the authentic jacket. Some of these items emerge as "off-the-books" items from contract facilities using leftover materials, though they lack official quality control.
How Arc'teryx Construction Differs From Fakes
Authentic Arc'teryx jackets use 12 stitches per inch, compared to the industry standard of 8. That's 50% more stitches in the same space, which creates tighter, more durable seams. Real Arc'teryx seam allowances measure 1/16 of an inch, about four times tighter than what competitors use. Counterfeit factories can't replicate this precision because it requires specialized equipment and slower production speeds that cut into margins.
Arc'teryx also pioneered die-cut narrow seam tape in 1998, then shaved another 9mm off tape width in 2001 with what they called "tiny tape." These details are visible under close inspection. Fake jackets use standard-width seam tape that looks bulky by comparison. If you flip a jacket inside out and the seam tape looks wide or uneven, that's a red flag.
Common Fake Arc'teryx Jackets
Counterfeiters target high-demand, iconic jackets:
Fake Atom Series (especially Atom AR and LT Hoody): Fakes commonly appear on resale sites due to its popularity for casual and technical use.
Fake Cerium LT Hoody/Jacket: High fill power makes them frequent targets; replicas use cheaper down or synthetics.
Fake Thorium AR Hoody/Jacket: Their balanced warmth-to-weight ratio attracts replicators.
Fake Gamma MX/LT Jacket/Hoody: Durable, breathable designs lead to widespread copying.
Fake Beta LT/AR/SL/LW and Alpha SV: The Alpha SV is their flagship mountaineering piece, and fakes often claim Asian-market variants.
Less Common Fake Arc'teryx Jackets
Fake Arc'teryx Macai Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Solano Down Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Serratus Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx Squamish Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx Nodin Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Atom Vest
Fake Arc'teryx Atom Heavyweight
Fake Arc'teryx LEAF Cold WX jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Gamma MX Hoody
Production in China
Many genuine Arc'teryx items are made in Asia, making it easier for fakes to access patterns, materials, and techniques. Unauthorized factories procure similar nylons, YKK zippers, and trims. Workers assemble pieces in small-scale operations, sometimes alongside legitimate production.
Distribution flows through Chinese online platforms, then to the US via popular US-based secondhand marketplaces. Sellers market them more often than not as authentic second-hand items. In China, street vendors and local markets openly sell them. At the time of writing, there are two or three main distributors in China that receive the best versions of these replicas, and I recently read that some agents are refusing to ship Arc'teryx replicas to North America, so perhaps things are improving in that regard.
Market Dynamics
Demand comes from fashion-conscious buyers seeking the logo at lower prices. Consumers who need Arc'teryx jackets for outdoor activities do not buy fakes because they lack the performance those jackets offer. Super fakes initially fool experts, using accurate cuts, taped seams, and branded pulls. Production exploits supply chain proximity, leftover Gore-Tex-like fabrics, or excess down fill in unauthorized runs.
Here are some pics of every Arc'teryx replica jacket sold in 2026, which will function as a guide for a legit check.
Fake Arc'teryx Alpha SV
The Authentic Alpha SV retails for $900, and these replicas sell for $60.
Fake Arc'teryx Beta LW
Fake Arc'teryx Thorium Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx Thorium SV
Fake Arc'teryx Cerium Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Cerium Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx Macai Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Solano Down Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx Solano Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Atom Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx Serratus Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx Squamish Hoody
I have not seen too many of these reps being sold in the US, but an easy way to legit check your Squamish is to look at the tag on the back of the jacket. More info here.
Fake Arc'teryx Nodin Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Atom Vest
Fake Arc'teryx Atom Heavyweight
Fake Arc'teryx Atom AR Hoody
Fake Arc'teryx LEAF Cold WX Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Beta Down Insulated Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Beta Jacket
Fake Arc'teryx Beta AR
Fake Arc'teryx Gamma MX Hoody
Check out the Article on Arc'teryx Catalogs and how to legit check a Beta SL.