How to Spot Fake Nike Shoes: 10-Step Checklist

Part of my How to Spot a Fake series, today I’ll be sharing with you a 10-step checklist to see if you’re Nike is authentic. Still, the best way to purchase Nike Shoes is direct from their stores/outlets.

 

1. Check the Seller

Before making the commitment of buying Nike shoes online, the first step is to check the seller or the store you are buying from. Always take time to read feedback and reviews of the online seller if you are not buying from authorized stores. The best option, of course, is to buy from authorized Nike retailers or directly on the Nike store or website.

2. Compare the Price

One of the most obvious signs of fake Nikes is an unbelievably low price tag. If the shoes seem ridiculously low-priced, they’re most likely not authentic. However, this does not mean that all discounted Nikes are fakes. Your suspicions should arise if the marked down price is less than 50 percent of the original price. Unless you are buying from an authorized Nike store and there’s a clearance sale happening, big markdowns on Nikes are not very usual. Compare the seller’s price with the posted prices on authorized stores or on the Nike website.

3. Check the Box

All Nike shoes must come in a box that is labeled and tagged properly. The box color and print will differ depending on the style you purchase, but the most common boxes used are orange, brown and red. The side of the box should display important information including style, size, SKU number and bar code. Counterfeiters try to imitate these boxes but lack the essential prints on the side. Some online sellers might also offer fake Nikes and ship them in plastic bags, without the box.

4. Check the Style

To familiarize yourself with the details of the style you are looking for, it is helpful to do a little bit of research first. Visit the Nike website and browse its product photos. Make sure to also check the color combinations available for the specific product you want. A lot of counterfeiters sell popular Nike styles but the colors and shades are very different from the originals.

5. Check the Uppers

Authentic Nike shoes boast quality design and production. Aside from the high quality materials, Nike also uses advanced technology to craft shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. Regardless of the style you purchase, your Nikes should look and feel like good quality shoes. Counterfeit Nikes might look authentic from afar but if you inspect them closely, there will be inconsistencies and flaws in the design. Watch out for uneven stitching, overlapping colors and stiff uppers.

6. Check the Tongue

The tongue on the upper should display the brand name and the swoosh, sometimes with the style or model name. The inside part of the tongue should have a tag printed with information; including size, country of manufacture and the SKU number. This unique number, typically 9 digits long, should match the number printed on the side of the box. Fake Nikes will usually display random numbers on the tag, but they won’t match the ones on the box.

7. Check the Weight

Fake Nikes do not just look different, they also feel different. Because cheap materials are used to make fake products, these counterfeiters have a hard time imitating the real feel of Nikes. Most of the time, fakes will feel heavier and more rigid than authentic ones. Authentic Nike shoes should be lightweight so that you do not feel any dragging while moving around in them.

8. Check the Midsoles

The midsoles of authentic Nike training and running shoes are typically glued and not stitched. They are made from ultralight advanced foam that provides arch support and cushioning. On most new models, the brand name — along with the swoosh and sometimes the model name — are also printed on the insoles.

9. Check the Outsoles

The outsoles of authentic Nike shoes provide traction and support because they are made with high-grade rubber. Imitations have cheap rubber that feels very plasticky and heavy on the foot. The ridges and patterns on the soles should be uniform and evenly spaced. Fakes typically have badly spaced patterns and stiff soles that are not flexible.

10. Inspect the Small Details

Other telltale signs of imitations can be seen on the small details of the shoe. The font on the prints should match and the font size should also be even. Lookout for bad or crooked stitching details on the uppers, which can indicate fake shoes. Additionally, counterfeit Nike shoes can have misspellings and swoosh logos that are too big or facing the wrong side.

 

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