Real vs Fake Pro Elite Athletics Clothing: The Complete Authentication Guide
We have been handling Pro Elite gear every single day since 2019. We know exactly what separates an authentic piece from a fake — and we are going to tell you everything.
Pro Elite athletics clothing has a serious counterfeit problem. As demand for Nike Pro Elite, NN Running Team, Adidas, Asics and other elite team gear has grown worldwide, a large market of fakes has emerged — some of them surprisingly convincing in photos. We have inspected hundreds of garments, both authentic and fake. In this guide we share the 7 key checkpoints we apply to every single piece before it goes on sale, so you can authenticate any Pro Elite garment yourself — whether you already own it or are about to buy it somewhere.
Why fakes are everywhere
Pro Elite clothing is never sold through official retail channels. Nike does not sell the NN Running Team singlet on their website. Adidas does not stock the German national team tracksuit in any shop. This scarcity creates demand that the counterfeit market tries to fill. The problem is that some fakes are visually convincing — especially in photographs. It is only when you hold the garment in your hands, when you check the details up close, that the differences become clear.
A fake can look identical in a photo. But the moment you hold it, the weight, the feel, and the finishing tell you everything.
The 7 checkpoints to authenticate Pro Elite gear
1. Weight — the fastest test This is the single most reliable quick test. An authentic Pro Elite singlet weighs between 40 and 65 grams. A fake typically weighs between 90 and 140 grams. A standard kitchen scale is all you need. If it feels heavy for its size, it is almost certainly not authentic.
2. Inner labels Authentic labels are sewn with fine thread, perfectly flat, with sharp text and an internal brand product code (e.g. CJ1052-100 for Nike). The composition label names specific technical fabrics — Dri-FIT ADV, AeroSwift, TechFit — with exact percentages and a plausible country of manufacture. Fake labels are often printed directly onto the fabric or sewn with thick thread. The text may be blurry, there is no internal code, and the composition says generic “100% polyester”.
3. Seam construction Authentic Pro Elite garments use flat seams or ultrasonic bonding — panels joined without visible thread to eliminate friction against the skin. Run your finger along the inner seams. On an authentic piece, you barely feel them. On a fake, the seam is clearly raised, with visible thread and noticeably more bulk.
4. Fabric feel Authentic Pro Elite fabric is extraordinarily thin — almost translucent in many singlets and speedsuits — with a slightly structured texture that aids moisture management. Fakes use heavier fabrics that lack this technical structure. After handling authentic Pro Elite gear regularly, you develop an immediate instinct for this. It is difficult to describe in words, but unmistakable once you know it.
5. Logos and prints On authentic pieces, logos are perfectly formed with sharp, clean edges and no ink bleed. Team colours match the brand’s official pantone exactly. On speedsuits, colour panels align perfectly at every seam junction with no offset or mismatch. On fakes, logo edges show slight irregularities when examined closely. Colours are marginally off — the blue has a slightly different tone, the green is not quite right. Colour panels on speedsuits do not align cleanly at the seams.
6. Cut and pattern Pro Elite garments are patterned specifically to optimise athletic movement. Singlet back panels have a slight anatomical curve. Speedsuits have compression panels positioned precisely at the thigh, core and shoulder. A fake typically uses a generic, straighter pattern that loses this anatomical adaptation entirely.
7. The price you are being offered An authentic Pro Elite singlet is worth between €120 and €300. A speedsuit, between €200 and €500. A full national team tracksuit, between €300 and €600. If someone is selling you an “authentic Pro Elite” piece for €25 on a marketplace, it is a fake. No exceptions, no matter what the seller claims.
Brand-specific things to check
Nike Pro Elite Check that the Swoosh is crisp with a perfectly smooth curve — no flat spots or irregular edges. The Dri-FIT ADV label should be present on all competition garments from 2020 onwards. The fabric should feel almost paper-thin on singlets. NN Running Team The NN team uses a very specific shade of orange. Fakes often get this wrong — too bright or too muted. The fit is extremely close and anatomical; a fake will feel looser and less structured. Adidas Pro Elite Look for the TechFit or Adizero label inside. The three stripes should be perfectly parallel and uniform in width. The AdiZero fabric has a very distinctive hand feel — dense but almost weightless — that is very hard to fake well. National team kits The national federation logo should be embroidered, not printed, on formal tracksuits. The kit number and competition year are often present on authentic pieces and absent on fakes. Country name typography should match official federation branding exactly.
How we verify every piece At Elite Athletics Clothes, every garment goes through all seven checkpoints before it is listed for sale. We check weight, labels, seams, fabric, logos, cut and price consistency. If a piece fails any single checkpoint, it does not go on sale — no exceptions. If you have doubts about a garment you already own or are considering buying elsewhere, send us photos of the inner labels, the seams and the logos via WhatsApp or Instagram. We are happy to give you our honest assessment. Browse our full catalogue of verified Pro Elite gear: [eliteathleticsclothes.com/products/]