Sourcing knowledge · Batch tiers
Every piece we source comes from a specific production run at a specific factory. Two runs of the same product can differ in stitching, hardware and fabric feel — the reason batch names exist. Here is what Best Batch, OG, LJR, PK God and the mid tiers actually mean, how they differ in practice, and how to pick the tier that fits your rotation.
Quick answer
Batch tiers describe how close a factory run gets to the retail original. Entry tiers are fine for daily-wear basics, mid tiers work for rotation pieces, premium tiers (LJR, PK God, Best Batch) sit closest to retail on materials and hardware. Message us the exact piece and we tell you which tier makes sense for that product.
Batch names are not standardised across the industry. Different factories and resellers use their own labels for what they consider the top run. Below is the working map we use when quoting a piece, based on what the labels usually mean in the Chinese factory chain.
| Tier label | What it means in practice | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Best Batch | Marketing label for the factory's top-tier run. Actual quality varies factory to factory. When from a top supplier, it sits within a few percent of the retail original. | Collector pieces, gifts, anything you plan to keep long-term. |
| OG Batch | Runs sourced from the same production chain as the retail original, often the leftover of the same run. Materials and hardware match closely. | Sneakers where midsole texture and box detail matter (Jordans, Yeezys). |
| LJR | Li Jia Ren, a well-known premium sneaker batch maker. Aims for 1:1 on midsole, materials, box and tags. | High-detail Air Jordan and Nike SB models. |
| PK God | Another premium sneaker batch tier. Similar goal to LJR, from a different factory chain. | Yeezys, Jordans, popular Nike collabs. |
| God Batch | Broad label used by several factories for their top-run product. Cross-check the specific factory before assuming tier quality. | Depends on the factory. Ask before you buy. |
| H12 / M9 / S-tier | Mid tiers used mostly for apparel. Materials get most of the way there, stitching is clean, small details (embroidery density, hardware finish) trail the premium tier. | Rotation pieces, Instagram-facing outfits, most daily wear. |
| Standard / Entry | The default factory run at a lower price. Materials are cotton or polyester of good weight, prints are clean, but the fabric drape or hardware may differ slightly from retail. | Basic tees, daily hoodies, sweatpants — pieces nobody is inspecting. |
The biggest gap between tiers is fabric sourcing. A premium-tier Stone Island crewneck uses the same garment-dyed cotton and Compass patch as retail; an entry tier uses similar-weight cotton with a compass patch that may sit a millimetre off-centre. On sneakers, the midsole foam density and the texture of the suede are the two things that shift between LJR / PK God and mid tiers. Photos help — send us the piece and we forward the current batch's close-up shots before you decide.
Zippers, snaps, metal logo tags — the small details are where mid tier and premium tier separate. A Fear of God Essentials hoodie at premium tier uses the correct plastic drawcord tips and matching thread colour; entry tier uses slightly softer plastic. Same story on Yupoo sneaker photos — check the box, the tissue paper and the stitching count around the toe cap.
Premium batches typically match the retail stitch-per-inch count within one or two stitches; mid batches trail by three to five. On denim this shows up as slightly softer selvedge edges. On sneakers, the number of stitches around the Air Jordan wings logo or the New Balance N is the fastest way to spot a batch difference.
Premium batches cost more because the factory pays more for materials and holds tighter QC. As a rough rule, mid tier sits at 60 to 75 percent of premium tier pricing, and entry tier at 40 to 55 percent. Same design, three different price points.
Daily wear (tees, sweats, gym-worn hoodies) → Entry or mid tier. Nobody is inspecting the stitching, the piece will get washed 50 times, and the price difference is spent better on a second piece.
Rotation pieces (jackets, denim, hats you post on IG) → Mid tier. Materials look right in photos, hardware reads correct at arm's length, price stays reasonable.
Collector or gift pieces (BAPE shark hoodie, Jordan retros, a Stone Island Ice Jacket) → Premium tier. Every detail counts because the piece will be scrutinised, held for years, or given as a gift where the box and tags matter.
Send us the exact piece on WhatsApp with a screenshot or product code. Tell us where the piece will be worn — daily, rotation, or collection — and any budget you have in mind. We come back with the tier we recommend for that specific product, the current price at that tier, and photos from the factory's current run so you can check the details before you commit. QC video before shipping, DHL / UPS / FedEx worldwide in 6–12 days.
A batch is a single production run from one factory. The same product from the same factory can look and feel different across two batches because materials, stitching machines, or the sub-supplier changed between runs. Batch names like Best Batch, OG or LJR are shorthand for how close a run gets to the retail original.
Best Batch is usually a marketing label the factory uses for the top run they can offer, but the actual quality varies factory to factory. A Best Batch from a top supplier can beat an OG tier from a mid-tier factory. We look at photos and the specific factory, not the label.
LJR (Li Jia Ren) and PK God are two of the most-cited premium sneaker batch tiers. Both aim for a 1:1 match on materials, midsole texture, box and tags. God Batch is a similar tier from a different factory. The tier names are set by the factory or reseller, not by an industry standard, so cross-comparing between brands and shoes matters more than the tag alone.
Entry tier fits daily-wear pieces and lower-price items where nobody is inspecting the stitching. Mid tier fits pieces that go on Instagram or into rotation. Premium tier fits collector pieces, gifts, or anything you plan to keep for years. Message us the piece and we tell you which tier makes sense for that specific product.
Yes. Send us the product name on WhatsApp and we forward the current batch photos from the factory Yupoo album, not the year-old photos that show up on Google. We film a QC video before dispatch too.