1:1 Quality Soccer Jerseys vs. Originals: What's the Real Difference?

May 20, 2026

If you're comparing football jerseys you'll run into three terms: brand-issued, 1:1 quality and G5 quality. Nobody explains well what they mean, so a lot of people end up overpaying, or underpaying and getting a jersey that loses its shape by the third wash. This guide tells you what each one is, how you can tell the difference when you have the garment in your hands, and which one suits you.

Short answer

1:1 quality and G5 quality are the same thing. They're two names the market uses for the same level: the highest level of jersey you can get without being brand-issued. Breathable technical fabric, raised heat-sealed crest and logos, double stitching and the exact colors of the season's design. We call it 1:1 quality so nobody gets confused.

The brand-issued is something else: the brand makes it under license from the club or federation, it costs three to five times more, and it's the only one with a hologram and authenticity label.

At Velocity Savage we work only with 1:1 quality. We don't sell products officially licensed by the brand or the federation, and we say so upfront: that's exactly why the same fabric, the same cut and the same heat-sealing cost you a fraction of what they cost at the official store.

What 1:1 (or G5) quality is

It's the top of the range in the unlicensed market. What sets it apart, with the jersey in your hands:

Breathable technical fabric. Lightweight, with perforations in the areas where you sweat the most, just like the match garment.
Raised heat-sealing. The crest and logos aren't printed flat: they stand out from the fabric and you can feel them.
Double stitching and no loose threads.
Exact colors and details of that season's design.

From a meter away nobody can tell a 1:1 quality jersey from a brand-issued one. The difference is in the label, not the garment.

If someone tells you they sell "G5" to one person and "1:1" to another as if they were two different levels, they're putting names on the same product. What does change from one jersey to another is the cut: the player version is fitted to the body and the fan version is regular, like streetwear. We explain it in player version vs fan version, and the measurements for both are in the size guide.

What a brand-issued jersey is

The brand-issued jersey is made by the brand (Adidas, Nike, Puma) under license from the club or federation, and sold in official stores. In Colombia it costs between $350,000 and $550,000 depending on the model. It comes with a hologram and an authenticity label, which is the one thing no unlicensed garment can offer.

Among brand-issued jerseys there are also two levels: the pro version, which is what the players wear on the pitch, and the fan version, with more basic fabric and a looser cut, which is what you usually find in stores.

Direct comparison

Price in Colombia: brand-issued $350,000–$550,000 · 1:1 quality $100,000–$180,000
Fabric: brand-issued: brand technology · 1:1 quality breathable technical fabric
Crest and Logos: brand-issued heat-sealed · 1:1 quality raised heat-sealing
Fan Version cut: both come in a player version (fitted) and a fan version (regular)
Hologram and authenticity label: only the brand-issued one
Club or federation license: only the brand-issued one
Availability in Colombia: brand-issued limited · 1:1 quality wide

How to spot a high-end jersey without holding it

Not everything sold as 1:1 quality actually is. These are the signs that really help when you buy online:

That the crest looks raised heat-sealed and not printed flat.
That the fabric is described as technical and breathable, not as thick cotton.
That the stitching is double with no loose threads in the close-up photos.
That the colors match that season's design exactly.
That the store tells you upfront that it's not an officially licensed product. Anyone promising you the brand's own jersey at $150,000 is lying about something, and if they lie about that they're also lying about the fabric.

You can see the details in our guide on how to tell if a jersey is good quality without seeing it in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is G5 quality better than 1:1? No, because they're the same. G5 and 1:1 are two names for the same level, the highest you can get. We always call it 1:1 quality, so nobody is left wondering.

Can people tell it's not brand-issued? To the naked eye and in normal use, no. What it doesn't have is the brand's hologram or authenticity label, because it's not a licensed product.

How long does it last? Hand-washed or on a gentle cycle and dried in the shade, a high-end garment lasts entire seasons. You'll find the instructions in the guide on how to wash your jersey without damaging the crest.

Which size should I order? It depends on the cut. The player version is fitted to the body: for that one, order one or two sizes up from what you normally wear — for example, if you wear M in streetwear, you'll most likely need L or XL. The fan version is the same as streetwear: your usual size. Check the measurements for both in the size guide.

Does it come in the player version or the fan version? It depends on the model. If you have any questions, write to us on WhatsApp and we'll confirm it before you buy.

Where to buy 1:1 quality in Colombia

At Velocity Savage works only at this level, with free shipping on orders over $90,000 nationwide, delivery in 3 to 4 business days in Colombia and cash on delivery in Bogotá. We're direct importers — we bring the garment into the country ourselves — and we've spent more than three years selecting suppliers and discarding everything that doesn't reach the high end.