Real vs. Fake: ARC’TERYX x BEAMS Wabi-Sabi Mantis 26L Backpack “Tranquil” Authentication Guide

8th August 2025 EDT FEATURES

Real vs. Fake: ARC’TERYX x BEAMS Wabi-Sabi Mantis 26L Backpack “Tranquil” Authentication Guide

Learn the key visual and technical details that reveal the authenticity.

Real vs. Fake: ARC’TERYX x BEAMS Wabi-Sabi Mantis 26L Backpack “Tranquil” Authentication Guide

ARC'TERYX x BEAMS Wabi-Sabi Mantis 26L Backpack "Tranquil" Retail US$

Canada’s beloved outdoor brand, ARC’TERYX, has skyrocketed to fame, fueled by celebrity endorsements and becoming a staple in the streetwear scene over the past one to two years. Among its collaborations, the partnership with BEAMS stands out, boasting an especially passionate fanbase. Each release from this duo sells out instantly, highlighting its immense popularity.

However, this high demand has also led to a flood of counterfeits in the resale market, making cautious purchasing essential.

This season, we shine a spotlight on the ARC’TERYX x BEAMS Wabi-Sabi Mantis 26L Backpack Tranquil.” Expert authenticators from SNKRDUNK reveal how to distinguish the real deal from fakes. What follows is only a glimpse into the authentication process, but it’s invaluable reading for anyone hesitant about buying from the secondhand market.

About the ARC’TERYX x BEAMS Wabi-Sabi Mantis 26L Backpack “Tranquil”

ARC'TERYX BEAMS Wabi-Sabi Mantis 26L Backpack

Released in 2023 as part of the “Wabi-Sabi” collaboration series between ARC’TERYX and BEAMS, the Mantis 26L “Tranquil” captivates with its playful spirit. The backpack features a unique mix of gray, white, and black color blocking in a striking “crazy” pattern, perfectly matching the colorways of the simultaneously launched Beta Jacket and Atom Hoody.

Signature details like the brand embroidery beneath ARC’TERYX’s iconic Archaeopteryx logo add that exclusive collaborative touch, making this piece a must-have for fans and collectors alike.

View on SNKRDUNK

Authentication Points

▪ Front

Let’s start with authenticating the front of the backpack. The first noticeable difference between real and fake versions lies in the body’s color tone—the fake displays a noticeably lighter gray compared to the real one. Moreover, the fake lacks the YKK zipper pillar engraving, and the Archaeopteryx embroidery shows subtle inconsistencies.

▪ Side Pocket

Moving on to the side pockets, the same color discrepancy persists, with the fake’s shade appearing paler than the genuine article.

▪ Inner Clip

The key clip inside the pocket is another crucial detail. The authentic backpack features the “WJ” engraving, indicating it’s made by the WOOJIN company, while the counterfeit version misses this mark entirely.

▪ Quality Label

Examining the quality label, the font at the “FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED FACTORY” section differs—the fake’s lettering is overall thinner and less defined.

▪ Fabric Weave

Under a microscope, the body’s weave pattern reveals further clues. The authentic backpack’s warp and weft threads are uniformly thick, while the fake shows thinner horizontal threads.

▪ Back Mesh (UV)

Checking the back mesh under UV light, the real backpack fluoresces a distinct red, whereas the fake fails to exhibit any noticeable color change.

▪ Infrared

Finally, an infrared (IR) scan of the backpack’s base confirms authenticity: the genuine product glows white under IR, while the counterfeit appears gray.

Conclusion

The authentication points mentioned here are only a part of the process. At SNKRDUNK, our expert authenticators examine numerous other factors to make a comprehensive judgment.

With counterfeit manufacturing techniques advancing every day, it has become extremely difficult for non-experts to accurately spot fakes on their own. That’s precisely why we recommend purchasing through SNKRDUNK, where you benefit from highly precise authentication conducted by professional examiners.

What is SNKRDUNK Lab?

As a leader in the industry, our lab is dedicated to tackling the social and economic problems caused by counterfeit goods. We aim to improve authentication technology and raise awareness about fakes by strengthening our partnerships with domestic and international experts and research institutions. By combining technology, data, and human expertise, we are creating the future standard for what is authentic.

Our Main Activities

Investigating and Researching Counterfeit Goods
SNKRDUNK currently maintains an authentication accuracy rate of 99.97%. We will continue to conduct research and investigations, utilizing Japan’s largest database of counterfeit products to stay ahead of the curve.

Improving Our Authentication Technology
By introducing and researching various tools, including X-ray, infrared, and microscopes, we are enhancing our technology to ensure we can authenticate every single item.

Communicating for Public Awareness
We will regularly publish market reports based on our partnerships with external organizations and experts, as well as on insights and research findings gathered from the field.