This is a Fanatics Fast Break jersey vs Swingman jersey comparison. Before we start the review, if you are looking for quick jersey advice, I own and review all the NBA jersey types.
Quickly, here’s what you need to know about all the NBA fan jerseys available:
- Nike Swingman – This is Nike’s more affordable replica option. These are very popular among fans, but they are not embroidered. Great option if you don’t want to pay up for the embroidered authentic jerseys. Slim fit, if you prefer baggy, size up. Click here to view the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- Nike Authentic – These are the authentic jerseys. These jerseys have all the premium finishes, including stitched numbers and graphics. They have a slim fit, and you will need to size up if you prefer a baggy fit. Click here to view the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- Fanatics Fast Break Jersey – Another affordable replica jersey. It is made by Fanatics, not Nike. If you are operating on a tight budget, I suggest checking it out. These are not stitched. This jersey has a true-to-size regular fit. Click here to view the Fanatics Fast Break jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- Mitchell & Ness Swingman – Mitchell & Ness makes classic throwback jerseys. The Swingman version is the more affordable option, but these jerseys still have awesome quality, including stitched graphics on most jerseys. This jersey is not as slim as the Nike jerseys. I recommend ordering your normal sizing. Click here to view the Mitchell & Ness Swingman throwback collection at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- Mitchell & Ness Authentic – These are also throwback authentic jerseys. They are stitched. These authentic throwbacks are some of the most coveted fan jerseys. Click here to view the Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
This is the jersey type that I recommend as best NBA fan jersey due to it’s combination of comfort, quality, and style (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
Fast Break jerseys are made by Fanatics Brand. Swingman jerseys are a tier of jerseys offered by both Nike and Mitchell & Ness. This means there is both a Nike Swingman jersey, and a Mitchell and Ness Swingman jersey.
I have an entire article written that discusses What is a Swingman Jersey? You can read that article for an in-depth understanding of Swingman jerseys.
A swingman jersey is a type of NBA fan replica jersey that does not have all the premium finishes of an authentic jersey, but still closely mimics the jerseys the players wear.
The lack of premium finishes allows the jersey to offered at a more affordable price point than the Authentic jerseys (Authentic jerseys are made with the exact specifications of the players’ jerseys).
In this article we will compare these three types of jerseys:
- Fanatics Fast Break
- Nike Swingman
- Mitchell & Ness Swingman
These three jerseys are all more affordable options than the two types of Authentic jerseys offered to fans (Nike Authentic and Mitchell & Ness Authentic).
It is important to understand that although Mitchell & Ness does make a Swingman jersey, their jerseys are not for current players/teams. Mitchell and Ness makes classic throwback jerseys.
Here is a look at my Shaq Lakers Mitchell & Ness Swingman:
If you are interested in a throwback Swingman jersey, this is where you can browse through the entire selection of Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate links take you to NBAStore.com)
In this article we will discuss Fast Break jerseys vs Swingman jerseys across these categories:
- Price
- Fit
- Quality
Fast Break Jersey vs Swingman: Price
After owning and reviewing all the NBA jersey types, my recommendation for best fan jersey is the Nike Swingman. In my opinion it is the best combination of style, comfort, and price.
- This is the current price of the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). NBAStore.com is the official online shop of the NBA, so you can buy from them with confidence knowing you are not getting scammed.
Here’s my Nike Swingman:
If you are interested in a throwback jersey, in my opinion, the Mitchell & Ness Throwback Swingman jerseys have the best value.
- This is the current price of the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com.
My Mitchell & Ness Swingman has sewn on graphics, and overall is a great jersey, and costs less than the Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys. Here’s my Mitchell & Ness Swingman:
Fanatics is an online retailer of sportswear and merchandise and currently runs the e-commerce platform for the NBA (NBAStore.com). In 2017, Fanatics launched the Fast Break jerseys to give fans another affordable option for NBA jerseys (source).
- This is the current price of the Fast Break jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). When I bought my jerseys, the Fast Break jersey was the most affordable.
Here is my Fast Break jersey:
Fast Break Jersey vs Swingman: Fit
The NBA has been trending towards a slim, athletic fit for the better part of a decade. Gone are the days of baggy, loose-fitting jerseys. If you prefer a baggy jersey, you will need to size up. Here is how the Fast Break jersey vs Swingman jerseys rank as far as fit:
- Slimmest: Nike Swingman (very slim, may need to size up)
- Slim: Mitchell & Ness Swingman (true to size, but slim)
- Standard: Fanatics Fast Break (fitted shoulders, loose through stomach – true to size)
I normally recommend people to size up the Nike Swingman unless you prefer a slim fit. The Mitchell and Ness Swingman is not as slim as the Nike Swingman, but it is still slim, so size up if you are in between sizes or if you want that baggy fit. The Fast Break jerseys run true to size, and have a more relaxed fit through the stomach than the Swingman jerseys do.
Here is a look at my Nike Swingman sitting on top of my Fanatics Fast Break jersey (both size mediums):
As you can see, the Nike Swingman is much slimmer through the chest and stomach areas. This fit is one of the biggest differences when comparing Fast Break jerseys vs Swingman jerseys.
Here is a comparison of my Nike Swingman sitting on top of my Mitchell & Ness Swingman (both size mediums):
Although the Mitchell & Ness Swingman is slim, as you can see, it is not as slim as the Nike Swingman. It also has a few more inches in length. Here is a look at my Fast Break vs Swingman jerseys side-by-side:
(6’3″ 200 pounds; all size mediums)
Fast Break vs Swingman Jersey: Quality
Both the Nike Swingman and Mitchell & Ness Swingman have better overall quality than the Fanatics Fast Break jersey. Now, before you give up on the Fast Break jersey, let me come to its defense a bit.
The Fast Break jersey might not have the same overall quality that the Swingman jerseys do, but it is 1) more affordable and 2) still a perfectly nice way to rep your team if you are operating on a budget.
One cool thing about the Fast Break jerseys is they make their graphics flexible so that the jersey itself feels very lightweight against the skin. Here is a look at my jersey and how the graphics are flexible:
As I said previously in the article, the Nike Swingman jerseys are my favorite fan jersey when you combine price, quality, and style.
The Nike Swingman jerseys do not have all the premium finishes that the Nike Authentic jerseys do, but they still have a lot of quality (including Nike Connect), and are more affordable. Here are some up close looks at my Nike Swingman:
The Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys, in my opinion, have the best value out of all NBA jerseys when comparing quality to price. They would be my top recommendation, but they do not offer current player/teams. They only make classic throwback jerseys.
My Mitchell & Ness Swingman jersey features sewn-on graphics, which is something you generally only see in Authentic jerseys.
Overall, the Mitchell & Ness Swingman is well-made, and I give it my full recommendation if you are shopping for throwbacks. Here are some pictures of mine:
As I said earlier in the article, the Nike Swingman is my choice for best fan jerseys when you factor in price, style, and quality.
This is where you can browse the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com to see if your favorite player is in stock (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
I do individual reviews of all of these jerseys in case you want to read more about them: