cheap knockoffs on Alibaba

Fascinating… the jackets are just "bait & switch" — if you scroll down to "Product Details", the detailed photos are NOTHING like the MH Ghost or Pata UL. (Which begs the question why the manufacturer bothers to post the MH and Pata photos at the top…) The BA Fly Creek knock-off certainly appears to be a pirated design, but at least they're not brazen enough to slap the BA logo on it! (So, copyright infringement, but not trademark infringement.) I'm gob-smacked about the MSR and ULA products: Wow. Just indefensible. It's a pretty good demonstration of how wide-spread these illegal activities are on the world stage. Certainly ULA and MSR should demand that Ali-baba take those listings off its website…

It's crazy, there are a bunch more examples. Most of them are at least smart enough not to use brand names. I'm so curious what they send if you order one. Or, I guess, a batch, because minimum orders are 500+ http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/lightweight-beach-tent-510317_520683584.html?spm=a2700.7724838.35.1.pxDyrt http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Camping-Tent-Titanium-Tole-Ripstop-Nylon_1745997242.html?spm=a2700.7724838.35.1.hJ4SCu http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/2-person-exclusive-tent_315497262.html?spm=a2700.7724838.35.1.MgSObw http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/outdoor-tent_961578338.html?spm=a2700.7724838.35.1.XCif5Y http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Outdoor-sports-camping-hiking-Lightweight-riding_60224299497.html?spm=a2700.7724838.35.1.e6N5RV

If you're really curious you should head over to Ali Express instead, its more like China's Amazon. No minimum order quantity there, somehow the shipping is either free or incredibly cheap from China too, I have no idea how that works. Only camping gear I've bought from them so far was a sit pad. It took like a month to get here but was exactly what I expected when it arrived. Here's an example from a company called Nature Hike that uses a bunch of MSR and BA inspired designs. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Naturehike-2-person-Camping-Tent-Silicone-Fabric-Waterproof-Tent-Ultralight-Lightweight-Double-layer-Tent-NH15T002-T20D/32319397131.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.22.WeH8tp&ws_ab_test=201526_3,201527_2_71_72_73_74_75,201409_5 Edit: Corrected a mistake on shipping costs.

Thanks for the link. There are a hilarious number of "brand name" knockoffs in the clothing section, but the tents look interesting. I wonder if there's a growing market for ultralight gear either in China or in their markets overseas – I'll be interested to see if there are any new tent innovations that come from China.

AliExpress is where I purchased my $27 knockoff of a Flash 30 pack mentioned here: http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=94654 Its been my everyday pack since, I have a few hundred miles with it now and bought a second to play with as far as mods and to let friends who are new to hiking use. I like it because its comfortable and I don't feel like I have to baby it (as it was only $27 shipped) as I sometimes do with my more expensive GG, Osprey, and other packs, although I always take reasonably good care of my equipment, even the cheap stuff. I've also bought shrouded hats (essentially Sunrunner knockoffs), foam grips, and a few other supplies.

I'm curious how the sleeping bags are. Supposedly 1000g of 750+ down fill http://www.aliexpress.com/item/LMR-ultralight-filling-1000g-goose-down-can-be-spliced-camping-goose-down-sleeping-bag/32462608477.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.23.vaoNdx&ws_ab_test=201526_4,201527_2_71_72_73_74_75,201409_4

On the ghost whisperer knock off you get WHITE DUCK DOWN. I am pretty sure this was the straight to DVD sequel to Black Hawk Down.