Buying Leafs Jersey

[LeafFan]

I have a question regarding purchasing a Leafs jersey. I have never purchased a hockey jersey before, but with NHL switching to Adidas jerseys, and the Leafs jersey likely being unchanged, I figured I might be able to find the Reebok ones for cheaper once that switch does happen. I don't have so much money to spend on these, but I've always wanted a Leafs jersey, and I like the current ones so much that I want to be able to purchase it and be able to wear it for decades to come.

I am wondering where/when I should go to buy the jersey(when meaning like what time of the summer or fall might it be cheaper), and what size should I get? I don't want the most expensive, high quality one. But I also don't want a cheap knockoff either. I don't care about having a player name on the back so the plain jerseys would be just fine for me.

Sportchek and Real Sports I see those jerseys being $139.99 right now. Would either store be fine? What about The Bay? It's $114.99 on their site. Is that the same jersey as Sportchek and Real Sports? Maybe a place like National Sports as well but I don't know how much jerseys are at their store or the quality of the jersey compared to a Sportchek/Real Sports.

Also regarding sizing, which size should I get? I have received jerseys in the past as a gift. They're very likely knockoffs(I believe they were from Canadian Tire), but they are my size(Mens Medium). The jersey itself fits huge compared to my regular medium sized shirts. It goes further down my waist than most shirts, the sleeves are too long and wide, and the collar of the shirt is a V neck like shape so I need to wear a shirt underneath or else the collar hangs by my chest.

When laid out, the jersey sleeve by the armpit is about 12 inches wide while the wrist is about 7 inches. On my regular medium shirts though, the entire sleeve is around 6-7 inches. The length past my waist on the jersey is about 3 inches longer than a regular shirt.

So what size exactly should I be looking at for a hockey jersey? Because the current one I have feels more like it's made to wear OVER hockey equipment, when all I'm looking for is something I could wear regularly just to a game or on the streets without looking like my shirt is 2 sizes too big. When going to a store like Sportchek, would they let me actually try on various sized jerseys in a changing room?

I attached a picture comparing the sleeve of the jersey to a regular shirt I have, which as you can see is much bigger in length, almost like you could fit 2-3 arms in the jersey. The bottom is more like the size I'm looking for. Even a inch or two bigger is fine around the sleeve, but not 5-6 inches.

 

[Prominence]

All those stores sound legit. I did not know the bay sold jerseys. If you're medium, medium jersey should be fine. I'm 5'4 and a medium is fine for me. Jerseys from Canadian tire should be fine as they acquired Sportchek and the jerseys should be reebok. WHen people say knockoffs, they mean jerseys bought from ebay, craigslist, sketchy Chinese place (I'm half-chinese, bug off SJWs).

Just keep monitoring prices every week. A site I used was Coolhockey. Not the cheapest, but I found one for 135ish and paid 150 as I had to get it shipped,etc.

 

[LeafFan]

All those stores sound legit. I did not know the bay sold jerseys. If you're medium, medium jersey should be fine. I'm 5'4 and a medium is fine for me. Jerseys from Canadian tire should be fine as they acquired Sportchek and the jerseys should be reebok. WHen people say knockoffs, they mean jerseys bought from ebay, craigslist, sketchy Chinese place (I'm half-chinese, bug off SJWs).

Just keep monitoring prices every week. A site I used was Coolhockey. Not the cheapest, but I found one for 135ish and paid 150 as I had to get it shipped,etc.

Then how do you explain my jersey being so large? Granted it is an older one I got years back(one is CCM, the other is Nike), but it's still weird how the jersey is so big compared to how regular clothes of the same size fit.

So no matter if it's Sportchek or The Bay, it'll be the same quality jersey? And do you think the people there would let me try it on in the change room?

 

[Duke Silver]

Then how do you explain my jersey being so large? Granted it is an older one I got years back(one is CCM, the other is Nike), but it's still weird how the jersey is so big compared to how regular clothes of the same size fit.

So no matter if it's Sportchek or The Bay, it'll be the same quality jersey? And do you think the people there would let me try it on in the change room?

I'm 5'8 with a slim build and a small jersey fits me perfectly over clothes for when I go to games. Doesn't look like I'm swimming in it. It's a little too small to fit hockey gear into, however.

If it's tagged/described as "replica", avoid. You want "authentic"/"premier".

Simply put, if you want to guarantee a top-of-the-line Leafs jersey, you're going to pay over $100 for it. I'd suggest Real Sports or SportChek as sure-things for top-end jerseys. Canadian Tire and The Bay? Not so much.

 

[LeafFan]

I'm 5'8 with a slim build and a small jersey fits me perfectly over clothes for when I go to games. Doesn't look like I'm swimming in it. It's a little too small to fit hockey gear into, however.

If it's tagged/described as "replica", avoid. You want "authentic"/"premier".

Simply put, if you want to guarantee a top-of-the-line Leafs jersey, you're going to pay over $100 for it. I'd suggest Real Sports or SportChek as sure-things for top-end jerseys. Canadian Tire and The Bay? Not so much.

The Bay lists the jersey as Premier. Just like Sportchek and Real Sports. I know I'm looking at probably paying over $100 for the jersey, but holding off in the off chance they drop the price like they did the 15-16 jerseys where you can now get it for just $70.

But what about National Sports? I know they have jerseys too, but not sure their prices and quality.

 

[Stand Witness]

The Bay lists the jersey as Premier. Just like Sportchek and Real Sports. I know I'm looking at probably paying over $100 for the jersey, but holding off in the off chance they drop the price like they did the 15-16 jerseys where you can now get it for just $70.

But what about National Sports? I know they have jerseys too, but not sure their prices and quality.

In store I can say National Sports sells legit stuff and I believe they are actually owned by Sportchek. Prices I don't know about though.

I was always under the assumption that the legit jerseys are the same quality from the same manufacturers. Sounds like I was wrong though.

 

[Duke Silver]

The Bay lists the jersey as Premier. Just like Sportchek and Real Sports. I know I'm looking at probably paying over $100 for the jersey, but holding off in the off chance they drop the price like they did the 15-16 jerseys where you can now get it for just $70.

But what about National Sports? I know they have jerseys too, but not sure their prices and quality.

Never been there. Do you have the ability to go there and inspect the jerseys yourself? Or are you buying online?

 

[egd27]

Find one you like in your price range and buy it. Good lord the things you guys fret over.

 

[cannucky]

Buy it now or at least buy it soon because the new deal with Adidas is in place and the new Adidas authentics are going to be $200+ , the Replicas and all Lettered jerseys ie .. ones with names on them are going to be made under a new 16 year deal with Fanatics . I wouldn't expect to get a better price from them just a lower level of quality .

 

[1specter]

Check out LIDS.ca

 

[LeafFan]

Buy it now or at least buy it soon because the new deal with Adidas is in place and the new Adidas authentics are going to be $200+ , the Replicas and all Lettered jerseys ie .. ones with names on them are going to be made under a new 16 year deal with Fanatics . I wouldn't expect to get a better price from them just a lower level of quality .

So even the cheapest Adidas wit no names on them will be $200?

Never been there. Do you have the ability to go there and inspect the jerseys yourself? Or are you buying online?

For a purchase like clothes I never buy online. Real Sports is too far from me, and National Sports is a bit of a drive. Sportchek is easiest for me to get to.

Find one you like in your price range and buy it. Good lord the things you guys fret over.

It's the first ever hockey jersey I'm buying so I want to make the right decision. Not to mention spending probably $150 on something like this is a decision I want to get right. I don't have the most amount of spending money to be making a purchase like this, but have always wanted to buy a Leafs jersey and now feels like right time for this.

Check out LIDS.ca

I saw the price they have, and I won't be able to try it on because they have none in stock in store, only the small online.

 

[1specter]

Try it on at SportChek or wherever else, then buy from LIDS.

 

[egd27]

It's the first ever hockey jersey I'm buying so I want to make the right decision. Not to mention spending probably $150 on something like this is a decision I want to get right. I don't have the most amount of spending money to be making a purchase like this, but have always wanted to buy a Leafs jersey and now feels like right time for this.

There's no wrong decision. Find one you like, in your price range and buy it. It's just a piece of clothing.

 

[tp71]

In store I can say National Sports sells legit stuff and I believe they are actually owned by Sportchek. Prices I don't know about though.

I was always under the assumption that the legit jerseys are the same quality from the same manufacturers. Sounds like I was wrong though.

Canadian Tire actually owns both. Along with a few other franchises.

My best advice if you're not sure about sizing is just come in to a store that sells and try some jerseys on. Find one that feels comfortable for you.

 

[6ix]

Try it on at SportChek or wherever else, then buy from LIDS.

This. I used to work for LIDS locker room while in college and whenever a jersey style changed or a player left we sold them for dirt cheap.

When the leafs changed their logo we were selling the old styles for literally 40 bucks. Sold them extremely quickly obviously.

 

[Walshy7]

On a slightly related note it looks like our addidas jersey wasn't changed at all, which is great when you see some of the teams that made theirs different new jerseys and nashvilles are both terrible

 

[Rob Brown]

Try Coolhockey.com - Reebok Premier jerseys (i.e. the replicas) on sale for like $110 CAD all-in, with customization.

 

[hd1344]

You'll find a lot of places (online or in store) have a lot of the Reebok stuff on sale right now in order to get rid of the Reebok stock.

WRT licensed merch.- you're well off when staying with the well-known Canadian retailers (CT, Sportchek, Nat. Sports, Lids, etc. etc.) as well as some of the better-known online places (Rivercity, Icejerseys, etc.) Anywhere else online(auctions, classifieds, etc.), caveat emptor.

Since the Leafs jersey won't be changing at all, the Reebok stuff should be of very good value, but at the same time I believe it'll go fairly quickly for that same reason.

 

[ConnorTO]

i used realsports well actually was it realsports or nhl.com ...
am pretty sure i got mines officially from nhl rofl cause they had like a crazy 30% sale or something once

my recommendation is yeah wait for a sale cause sticker price for a $150 "guild tabard" is a little too... er usually it's $200 plus

medium size fits more non-obese people but the smaller thinner peoples might prefer a small for a fitted size
i recommend a fitted size opposed to a gown
but also room for a sweater...

 

[LeafFan]

If the Leafs jersey does go on sale anywhere whether it be Sportchek, National Sports or anywhere I could visit in store, can someone tell me? Either through this thread and/or PM.

There's no wrong decision. Find one you like, in your price range and buy it. It's just a piece of clothing.

I know the jersey I want, just want to make sure I get right fit and for good price. It's a jersey I want to keep forever.

This. I used to work for LIDS locker room while in college and whenever a jersey style changed or a player left we sold them for dirt cheap.

When the leafs changed their logo we were selling the old styles for literally 40 bucks. Sold them extremely quickly obviously.

It's no longer on their website, so I'm guessing they're sold out for now.

You'll find a lot of places (online or in store) have a lot of the Reebok stuff on sale right now in order to get rid of the Reebok stock.

WRT licensed merch.- you're well off when staying with the well-known Canadian retailers (CT, Sportchek, Nat. Sports, Lids, etc. etc.) as well as some of the better-known online places (Rivercity, Icejerseys, etc.) Anywhere else online(auctions, classifieds, etc.), caveat emptor.

Since the Leafs jersey won't be changing at all, the Reebok stuff should be of very good value, but at the same time I believe it'll go fairly quickly for that same reason.

Seeing the "new" jerseys they'll be using, I really hope the Reebok ones end up on sale.

Is it worth the impulse buy and paying $140 for the jersey now, or wait a few weeks and see if they eventually go on sale at Sportchek,National Sports or anywhere?

 

[taurine330]

I have a large and a medium jersey. I'm 5'10 and both are fine for me. Sleeve length is bit short on the medium but then again overall length of large is bit long.

 

[Prominence]

Then how do you explain my jersey being so large? Granted it is an older one I got years back(one is CCM, the other is Nike), but it's still weird how the jersey is so big compared to how regular clothes of the same size fit.

So no matter if it's Sportchek or The Bay, it'll be the same quality jersey? And do you think the people there would let me try it on in the change room?

Jerseys are supposed to be worn over regular clothing and will be slightly baggy. A medium jersey should fit someone who normally wears medium clothing. I have a medium and it fits me well-I'm not fat. I'm sure they will let you try on jerseys in the change room. Reebok jerseys should all be the same if its from sportchek, canadian tire, coolhockey, lids. Don't buy one off ebay or craigslist.

One word of advice, nhl.com I believe uses heat-pressed stitching, which is worse than actual stitching so do not buy from them unless the jersey is like 50 dollars as stitching costs 60-70 dollars.

If Winter Classic jerseys go on sale, I'm contemplating either a Brown or Marner jersey.

 

[Cams]

Then how do you explain my jersey being so large? Granted it is an older one I got years back(one is CCM, the other is Nike), but it's still weird how the jersey is so big compared to how regular clothes of the same size fit.

So no matter if it's Sportchek or The Bay, it'll be the same quality jersey? And do you think the people there would let me try it on in the change room?

Don't forget - a jersey is designed to fit over equipment like shoulder/elbow pads, so it's going to be baggier, looser fitting than regular clothes.

 

[Rick74*]

The Bay lists the jersey as Premier. Just like Sportchek and Real Sports. I know I'm looking at probably paying over $100 for the jersey, but holding off in the off chance they drop the price like they did the 15-16 jerseys where you can now get it for just $70.

But what about National Sports? I know they have jerseys too, but not sure their prices and quality.

Replica vs premier?

Damn i wish i had known this before my wife bought me my marner jersey. I too swim inside it, even though its reebok and the same brand/size as my london knights jersey which is more fitted and snug.

 

[apollo678]

Assuming you are not going to be wearing any equipment underneath, if you are a medium then buy a small jersey. They (as in RealSports or NHL.com) tell you that on their web site. I usually buy medium clothes and bought a small Reebok premier Matthews jersey last Christmas. I found the Matthews jersey to be cheaper cost wise then the other players since they were heavily promoting that one on NHL.com.
The Leafs jersey is very nice. Since this is your one and only jersey I would think you will want an official replica and not some knockoff. Also get a blank jersey if money is an issue.