We take the subject of counterfeit equipment making its way into the supply chain very seriously. When we found out counterfeit Massif FR garments had started popping up, we knew we needed to put the word out.
Like most counterfeits they are pretty good and will fool you at first glance. These garments were manufactured and labeled to appear to be authentic Massif Flame Resistant clothing, but they are not. So far, we haven’t seen any show up on the backs of service members and we want to see it stay that way because these garments are likely NOT FLAME RESISTANT. That could end up being a real tragedy.
We’ve received this alert from Massif.
We are concerned for the safety of our soldiers and want to spread the word.
Any Massif branded jacket or trouser labeled with content “65% Polyester 35% Cotton” is NOT a Massif FREE garment. This is a counterfeit.
Visit www.massif.com/news for photos of the counterfeit label.
In addition, if any Massif garment does NOT include a Garment ID#, please contact Massif so we can investigate accordingly.
Massif takes pride in the protective nature of our garments. We control all flame resistant inventory carefully and can assure you the counterfeit garments did not come from within our Supply Chain.
We warrant and guarantee Massif gear purchased directly or through authorized dealers (www.massif.com/about/authorized-dealers)
If you need FR protection, don’t try to save a buck and cut corners by buying it from an unauthorized source. If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Tags: Massif
Massif and OPT have both sold their gear at incredible savings, great deals…
They firesaled a bunch of stuff when they went through transition last year, and we just sold off a bunch of Massif stuff at close to wholesale, we dropped the product line due to low sales… sometimes a deal is that good, but rarely; all our Massif products were bought directly from them.
Has Massif IDed point of sale for the counterfeits?
There are some of those counterfeits on ebay right now.
Figures, I’m guessing the usual suspects, orient based manufacturing rip off artists at their best.
Thanks.
Almost all the Massif FR stuff looks like it has been washed a hundred times( combat shirts and pants a little less so). Those bright clear colors on the counterfeit just scream knock-off.
It’s the fabric. The FR fabric doesn’t take dye as well as the materials used in the counterfeits.
True, all FR garments in multicam look “muted” next to non-FR stuff.
Same feeling I had when I got my first FRACU (Rayon Ripstop) in Multicam….I was like WTF, has this been already worn by someone? It also lost some of the color after first few washes.
NYCO Ripstop Multicam for somparison looks very bright with sharper color edges and transition between the camo shapes. It’s held color and brightness even after multiple washes.
I actually liked the color, it was issued slightly salty, which was perfect for OEF, that said, I hated the FRACU fabric and couldn’t wear it.
What did you hate about it?
Uncomfortable and non-breathing fabric, especially in freezing ass cold Yakima, WA.
Just my opinion, I just ended up using the Crye, Tru-Spec and Propper I owned, and the Patagonia Lvl 9 I was issued. The FRACU fabric does break in with multiple washings, but it still wasn’t as good as my readily available alternatives.
Yeah, but there’s FRACU and then there’s Flame Retardant mil-spec materials. FRACU is still made of summer weight Defender M rip-stop Rayon mix, while still thin and breathable in general it’s now a little bit thicker than the “original” Rayon rip-stop used for early FRACU uniforms in 2010-2011…those used to rip easily not only on seams but mid-material too.
Other Flame Resistant materials like the winter-weight Defender M Rayon twill used for USMC FROG combat uniforms isn’t as breathable, but it’s much more ‘sturdier’ and warmer. You must be talking about this one, no?
Mine were issued in 2012, and were not a rip stop type fabric. Issued by ADS on JBLM at RFI facility.
I never knew non-ripstop ACU/FRACU uniform existed. ..hmm
I’ve never heard of the rip-stop version, unless the definition of rip-stop has changed. I don’t recall mine having the tell-tale rip-stop grid pattern. I turned all mine (tops, bottoms, combat turtlenecks) in prior to leaving JBLM, I didn’t need nor want them. I do know they were Permethrin treated, if that speaks of what “version” they were. I still have the combat pants they issued us in country at BAF, those were pretty nice and worth keeping.
Sounds like the same stuff my ACP’s are made of, almost remind me of the old M65 field pants as far as comfort ,miserable things above 30 degrees or so.
All of the materials are mil-spec FR. The difference is that the materials have changed over time.
Of course they are, who said they aren’t?
I was pretty sure that was the issue. Like Jon, I kinda like the more muted look, never could stand brand new Woodland either.
The Aircrew stuff in Multicam does have really strong colors. It’s nomex instead of the Defender M fabric of the FRACUs
Massif’s aircrew stuff is awesome, but it never sold for us, FR goods perform horribly on the consumer market in my experience, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze for someone voting with their wallet. On the unit level, that is a different story.