Whether you’re looking to buy a new pair of Air Jordans or sell your old ones, it’s essential to know what to look out for. Counterfeit shoe scammers are becoming more intelligent, so it’s important to watch out for small details that can tell you if the seller is legitimate or not.
1. The Material
The Air Jordan line is one of the most popular Nike sneakers of all time, but that popularity has also brought in an extremely large number of fakes. The counterfeit market has a reputation for being worth a trillion dollars, and the problem is only getting worse.
There are a few simple ways to tell the difference between authentic and fake. For starters, the quality of the material used to make the shoes should be high.
Authentic Air Jordans will be made of high-quality leather, and they’ll feel nice to the touch. If the leather feels cheap or spongy, that’s a big red flag.
Another important difference to look for is the stitching. Real Air Jordans will have consistent and professional stitching throughout the shoes.
In addition, the manufacturing sticker on the box should be firmly attached, with no air bubbles underneath. If it’s crooked, misshapen or hard to read, that’s a huge red flag.
2. The Color
The color used to make fake airjordan has a major impact on their authenticity. Authentic shoes will always use a matte finish, which means they aren’t shiny or glossy.
Authentic Nike Air Jordans will come with an internal label that includes information such as the style, name, color, size, and country of origin. Some fakes will not feature this sticker or will have it misshapen and crooked, which makes it more difficult to read.
If you’re buying online, it’s crucial to look for clear photos that show all of the details. Avoid sites with stock photos, incredibly small images, or no photos at all.
3. The Size
The size used to make fake airjordan is quite a bit smaller than the one on real ones. It can range from 2-3 cm in width and 3-5 cm in length.
Toe boxes should be flat all the way around and should not have any peaks in them. They should also have holes that are arched and not straight.
Another thing to look at is the stitching. The real pairs have short, precise, and consistent stitches that are not too long or too thin.
You should also check out the tongue label and the registered trademark symbol, namely, the small (r). These symbols are usually missing from replicas and if they do not have them, it is probably an indicator of fakes.
4. The Logo
Authentic Air Jordan sneakers feature the iconic Nike logo on both sides of the box. You’ll also find a product label with information about the style, name, color, size and country of origin.
The font on the tag is another important clue that fakes are a no-go. Look for any inconsistencies like overlapping elements, too much space between letters or uneven wording.
You should also check for any spelling errors and smudges on the text. If it’s unclear or wavy (slanted), then it’s a surefire sign that the sneakers are counterfeit.
You’ll also want to take a close look at the winged basketball logo on the back of the shoe. This was originally designed on the back of a cocktail napkin, and it became one of the most common logos to be used on Air Jordans.