In this article I will compare Swingman vs Authentic NBA jerseys. If you are shopping for NBA fan jerseys, you have 5 different options to choose from.
These are your NBA jersey options (affiliate links below take you to NBAStore.com):
- 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, I’d size up. Click here to view the Nike Swingman jerseys at Nike.com (affiliate link takes you to Nike.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).
As I posted above, these are 5 types of NBA fan jerseys:
- Nike Swingman
- Nike Authentic
- Mitchell & Ness Swingman
- Mitchell & Ness Authentic
- Fanatics Fast Break
In this article we will focus on Swingman vs Authentic, highlighting differences in the jerseys that I own. The Fanatics Fast Break jersey is a budget-friendly alternative – this is what the Fanatics Fast Break jerseys look like (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
***Don’t forget, we also have other NBA apparel reviews, like the Nike Therma Flex warmup hoodie pictured below. If you want to check out the Nike Therma Flex hoodie, you can do so by clicking on this link (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). To read our reviews, visit our NBA jersey resource page.
Swingman vs Authentic
As mentioned above, both Nike and Mitchell & Ness make Swingman and Authentic jerseys. Mitchell & Ness does not make jerseys for current players/teams – they make classic throwback jerseys. For example, here is my Shaq Lakers 96-97 Mitchell & Ness Swingman throwback:
If you are interested in the jersey of a current player or team, you will need to stick with Nike (or Fanatics Fast Break). Here is a side-by-side of my Nike Swingman Embiid and my Nike Authentic Embiid:
They look very similar, but there are differences in quality and sizing (which we will discuss below).
What is a Swingman Jersey?
I have an entire article that discusses What is a Swingman Jersey? You can read that article for an in-depth understanding of Swingman jerseys (although we will cover all the basics in this article also).
In short, 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 Swingman vs Authentic for both Nike and Mitchell & Ness.
Swingman vs Authentic: Nike
Nike Swingman jerseys give you as a fan a more affordable option if you do not want to spend up and buy an Authentic jersey. Nike Authentic jerseys are engineered with the exact specifications of the players’ jerseys. This means you get the premium finishes and authentic material that the players’ jerseys are made with. But you also get the higher price point.
This is the current price of the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). Again, the Authentic jerseys are considered to be the most premium jersey on the market.
This is the current price of the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). As you can see by clicking through those links, the Swingman jerseys are more budget-friendly, if that matters to you.
For some, price alone may be the determining factor. Nike Swingman jerseys are my choice for best fan jersey when you factor in price. To me they still have great style and quality even though they don’t have all the premium finishes of the Authentic jerseys.
But if you are looking to own the best of the best, there is not doubt that the Authentic jerseys give you the best quality. Let’s take a look at how these two jerseys differ on sizing and quality.
Sizing
Both jerseys have a slim, athletic fit to mimic the current trend in the NBA. Gone are the days of players wearing baggy jerseys, and that style change is also reflected in the fan jerseys.
I did not size either up, but it was close (especially for the Swingman). If you are in-between sizes, I recommend sizing up. If you want a baggy fit, you absolutely will need to size up.
The Nike Swingman fits a bit slimmer than the Nike Authentic. Here is a look at my medium Nike Swingman compared to a medium Hanes t-shirt:
As you can see, the medium Nike Swingman is a tiny bit slimmer than a medium Hanes undershirt. Again, if you are in between sizes I would size up.
The Nike Authentic jerseys use numerical sizing instead of the standard small-medium-large. Here is how the sizing works:
- Size 40 = Small
- Size 44 = Medium
- Size 48 = Large
- Size 52 = XL
- Size 56 = XXL
- Size 58 = 3XL
I ordered a size 44 which is a medium equivalent. The Nike Authentic jerseys do have extra length built in compared to the Nike Swingman jerseys.
Here is a look at my size 44 (medium) Nike Authentic compared to that same medium Hanes undershirt:
As you can see, the Nike Authentic size 44 is a slight bit wider than a medium Hanes undershirt, and also a couple inches longer. Overall, it is still an athletic fit, and if you want a baggy fit, you should size up.
Below is a look at how these two jerseys fit on me. Also, here is a picture of me wearing a medium t-shirt for comparison.
Nike Swingman
(6’3″ 200 pounds size medium)
As you can see, it is a slim athletic fit that is fitted through the chest and still slim through the stomach. It did have enough length for me at 6’3″.
Nike Authentic
The Nike Authentic has a slim fit that is fitted through the chest and shoulders. It is not as slim as the Swingman, but you still will need to size up if you want a loose fit.
And here is a look at my Nike Swingman vs Authentic side-by-side (Swingman on the right):
As you can see the, the Nike Authentic jersey is a couple inches longer than the Nike Swingman jersey. From a distance, they look quite similar. In the next section, let’s discuss the differences in quality.
Quality
As we have discussed, the Nike Authentic jerseys are engineered to the exact specifications of the players’ jerseys. This means premium finishes like sewn-on names and numbers.
The Nike Swingman jerseys are engineered in a way that reduces the amount of premium finishes so that the overall price point can be more affordable, but they are also still very similar visually to the Authentics.
Swingman Graphics
As you can see, the Swingman jersey does not have sewn-on graphics. But even though they are not sewn-on, they still look very nice and from a distance appear very similar.
Authentic Graphics
As you can see, the Nike Authentic jerseys have sewn-on numbers and names, and also have a few extra premium finishes, like the gold championship badge on the back neckline, and the team tagline above the jock tag (available in some jerseys).
Hem Vents
The Nike Authentic jerseys (left) also have the side hem vents for added mobility just like the players’ jerseys have. The Nike Swingman just have the standard straight-cut waist hem:
Material
The Authentic jerseys are engineered with the unique material that the players’ jerseys have. It is very soft and and easy to move in. The Authentic material has added breathability in certain parts of the jerseys.
The Nike Swingman material is also very nice and comfortable, but it does not change throughout the jersey. It is a consistent material throughout the entire jersey.
Pictured below is my Authentic on the left and my Swingman on the right. You can see how the Authentic material changes on the side and upper chest:
Nike Connected Jerseys
Both the Nike Swingman and the Nike Authentic are Nike Connected jerseys.
A Nike Connected jersey is a digitally-enabled jersey that is intended to further enhance your fan connection to the game by giving you access to player and team specific scores, stats, and highlights by combining your Nike Connected jersey with the Nike Connect App (source).
Nike Connected jerseys have a chip in the jock tag, pictured below. To pair your jersey with your eligible smart phone, you simply download the Nike Connect app, then when the app is up on your screen, you tap your phone against the jock tag on the jersey (which has the built-in chip).
This allows the Nike Connect app to tailor your app experience to the team and player of the jersey you own. So when I connect my Embiid jersey to the Nike Connect app on my smartphone, I go to an Embiid-focused page that gives me access to current Philadephia 76ers scores and stats, Embiid highlights, game recaps, and other team and player focused rewards and offers.
Another benefit of the Nike Connect jerseys is it is a way to identify fake jerseys (because the fakes don’t have the built-in chip). Fake jerseys can be a problem for authentic jerseys because they are so valuable, and so this built-in chip gives you another way to feel confident your jersey is authentic and not fake.
Summary
The Swingman is a better option for you if you are operating on a budget. It gives you a jersey option that may not be an exact match to what the players wear, but it is still very similar, and from a distance looks almost the same, and does not cost as much as the Authentic.
- This is the current price of the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
The Swingman has a slim fit that you will need to size up if you prefer a loose fit, or if you are in between sizes. The Swingman features Nike Connect built in to the jock tag, and has soft material that doesn’t completely restrict movement even though the jersey is a slim, athletic fit.
The Authentic is engineered to the exact specifications of the players’ jerseys. If you are looking for the most premium piece of NBA fan apparel, in my opinion, the Nike Authentic is it.
As I said throughout the article, in general, I recommend the Nike Swingman as the best jersey option for most fans, but that is factoring in price. If price is no issue to you, then I would recommend the Authentic.
- This is the current price of the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
The Authentic also has a slim fit, but not quite as slim as the Swingman. Still, you will need to size up if you prefer a loose fit. The Authentic has premium finishes like sewn-on graphics and custom features like the gold championship badge on the back neckline. It also has Nike Connect built in to the jock tag.
Where to Buy your Jerseys?
(We are an affiliate with NBAStore.com. You can read full disclosure here.)
I recommend buying through NBAStore.com – they are the official online shop of the NBA. You can buy from them with confidence knowing you are not getting scammed.
- This is where you can browse the Nike Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com to see what styles are available (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com).
- This is where you can browse the Nike Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). Because the Authentics are so valuable, there are fakes out there. That is why buying from a trusted source is recommended.
Swingman vs Authentic: Mitchell & Ness
Comparing Swingman vs Authentic for Mitchell & Ness is a bit different than Nike. First of all, as we discussed above, Mitchell & Ness makes classic throwback jerseys featuring past superstars and famous vintage jersey styles. They do not make Swingman and Authentic jerseys for the current players/teams like Nike does.
For example, here are some of the classic throwbacks made by Mitchell & Ness (affiliate links take you to NBAStore.com):
- The Michael Jordan classic Authentic throwback 97-98 Chicago Bulls jersey (see picture here)
- The Kobe Bryant Authentic rookie throwback 96-97 Los Angeles Lakers jersey (see picture here)
- The Lebron James rookie Authentic throwback 03-04 Cleveland Cavaliers jersey (see picture here)
- The Kevin Durant rookie Authentic throwback 07-08 Seattle SuperSonics jersey (see picture here)
- The Steph Curry rookie road Authentic throwback 09-10 Golden State Warriors jersey (see picture here)
- The Larry Bird throwback Swingman 85-86 Boston Celtics jersey (see picture here)
- The Kobe Bryant Authentic throwback 08-09 Los Angeles Lakers jersey (see picture here)
The Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys feature sewn-on names and numbers but the Nike Swingman jerseys do not. So there is a bit of a quality difference between the Nike Swingman and the Mitchell & Ness Swingman.
Overall, there is not as much of a difference between the Mitchell & Ness Swingman and the Mitchell & Ness Authentics as there is in the Nike jerseys. That is why I say that (in my opinion) the Mitchell & Ness Swingman has the best value out of all of the NBA fan jerseys.
The only reason that the Mitchell & Ness Swingman is not my recommended fan jersey is because they only offer throwbacks, and many fans are more interested in current players and current teams, therefore I recommend the Nike Swingman as best overall fan jersey.
This is the current price of the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). As I will explain below, in my opinion, the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys are the best value on the market today.
This is the current price of the Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com). The Authentic jerseys will have all the premium finishes, including sewn-on graphics.
Sizing
The Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys have a slim, but comfortable fit that runs true to size. I did not need to size up. Here I am wearing a size medium Mitchell & Ness Swingman:
Here is a look at the medium Mitchell & Ness Swingman that I own compared to a medium Hanes undershirt straight out of the package:
As you can see, the jersey is wider through the chest, but slim through the stomach. It does have extra length built in. Again, I thought it was comfortably slim and ran true to size, but if you like a baggy fit you likely will need to size up depending on how clothes normally fit on you.
The Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys are different. My jersey was so slim that I actually had to return it and size it up. The Authentics use a numerical sizing system instead of a standard small-medium-large sizing. Here is how the sizing works per their size chart:
- Size 36 = Small
- Size 40 = Medium
- Size 44 = Large
- Size 48 = XL
- Size 52 = XXL
- Size 56 = 3XL
- Size 60 = 4XL
- Size 64 = 5XL
I usually wear a size medium (and wear a size medium in all other NBA jerseys). For example, here I am wearing a medium t-shirt:
(6’3″ 200 pounds)
Because of that, I ordered a size 40 which was listed as a medium equivalent. It was just too slim and I had to return. Here is a look at that size 40 Authentic compared to a medium Hanes undershirt straight out of the package:
As you can see, the size 40 was slimmer than a medium Hanes undershirt. Also, here is a look at my medium Swingman compared to that size 40 Authentic:
The Authentic is much slimmer than the Swingman. Ultimately, I had to size my Authentic up to a size 44. Here is a look at me wearing the size 44 that I sized up to:
One thing to remember about Mitchell & Ness jerseys is Mitchell & Ness is tasked with making replica and authentic jerseys from several different eras of NBA basketball. That means that some jerseys may fit slightly different just because of how that particular jersey had to be engineered.
Clearly, as a consumer, I am not privy to that information. But in general, based off the experience I had with my Mitchell & Ness Authentic jersey, I would recommend sizing up.
Quality
When comparing Swingman vs Authentic NBA jerseys for Nike, there is quite a significant difference in quality. What was shocking to me when I bought both a Mitchell & Ness Swingman and a Mitchell & Ness Authentic jersey was that the difference in quality was not as noticeable.
And it wasn’t because the Authentics were not well made – they are very well made. It was because the Swingmans also were surprisingly well made including a few premium finishes.
For example, my Mitchell & Ness Swingman jersey has sewn-on graphics, something that the Nike Swingman does not offer. This is the main reason why I say that the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys offer the most value out of any NBA jersey.
Now, again, as I stated above, it is important to remember that Mitchell & Ness is tasked with making replica and authentic jerseys from several different eras of NBA basketball. The finishes may not be the same across all jerseys. Let’s take a look at the pictures from my jerseys.
Swingman Graphics
As you can see, my Mitchell & Ness Swingman features sewn-on graphics, which is a really nice touch for the Swingman price point. It also has the custom throwback jock tag and an embroidered NBA logo. It has that classic jersey material too.
Authentic Graphics
As you can see, my Mitchell & Ness Authentic jersey features sewn-on graphics and the custom throwback jock tag. My jersey is also engineered with special Climacool® fabric to help enhance comfort and to help pull heat away from the body.
Summary
To me, there are 3 main takeways when comparing Swingman vs Authentic jerseys for Mitchell & Ness:
- The quality of both types of Mitchell & Ness jerseys is very nice, but it is worth emphasizing that the Swingman has very nice quality for its price point. My Swingman jersey features sewn-on graphics, which is something the Nike Swingmans do not offer.
- The Mitchell & Ness Swingman fits comfortably slim and runs true to size. If you want a baggy fit, you likely will need to size up. The Authentic jersey I originally bought was so slim that I had to size up one size. If you prefer baggy, you may need to size the Authentics up twice.
- Price. The Swingmans offer a more budget-friendly price point. This is the current price of the Mitchell & Ness Swingman jerseys at NBAStore.com. The Authentics have a few more premium finishes and, for example, my Authentic jersey was engineered with Climacool® fabric to help enhance comfort and to help pull heat away from the body. Because of this, the price point is higher. This is the current price of the Mitchell & Ness Authentic jerseys at NBAStore.com.
Where to Buy your Jerseys?
(As mentioned earlier in the article, we are an affiliate with NBAStore.com. You can read full disclosure here.)
This is where you can browse the entire selection of Mitchell & Ness jerseys at NBAStore.com (affiliate link takes you to NBAStore.com_. NBAStore.com is the official online shop of the NBA.
I recommend buying through NBAStore.com – they are the official online shop of the NBA. You can buy from them with confidence knowing you are not getting scammed.
Swingman vs Authentic: Further Reading
I do have individual reviews of the four jerseys we discussed in this article. If you want to read more about them, visit the reviews below:
To view all of our review and comparison NBA apparel articles, visit our NBA Apparel Resource Page.
