Adidas is one of the top companies selling athletic footwear around the world. Unfortunately, what follows is that competitors often illegally copy their popular products. You can come across fake sneakers in many places, especially when shopping online on unknown sites.
To save yourself from the hassle and stress of buying a fake pair of sneakers, you should learn how to recognize non-original Adidas. For this, it is necessary to read the following article
Distinguishing between a fake and a real couple is not that difficult, so let’s get started!
1. check the quality of workmanship
One of the first things you should do is take a close look at the materials used. Original Adidas shoes are made of high-quality fabrics, durable and pleasant to the touch. If the materials look cheap, there is a good chance that the shoes are fakes.
Genuine Adidas shoes are made with precision and attention to detail, undergoing rigorous quality checks before appearing on the market. Counterfeit sneakers, on the other hand, often have unfinished seams or glue stains. This is a clear indication that these shoes may turn out to be fakes.
2. pay attention to the logo
The logo in genuine Adidas sneakers is embroidered or embossed, while in the fakes it often resembles a sticker, which, however, is quickly rubbed off.
Counterfeits sometimes feature embroidered logos, while on close inspection you may find that some letters are not evenly spaced or the logo simply looks odd.
3. compare the serial number
Checking the serial number is one of the easiest ways to verify the authenticity of Adidas shoes. Fraudsters producing fakes often overlook this very detail.
If you have an original pair, you will find the unique identification code on the inside of the shoe. It is located on a label sewn on the tongue. The serial number appearing inside the shoes should be the same as the number on the box.
4 Verify how the laces are packed
Not all Adidas models come with an extra pair of laces in the box, but if they do, check how they are packaged.
New and original Adidas shoes come with an extra set of laces, neatly packaged in a plastic bag. Meanwhile, counterfeits often lack an extra pair of laces, and if they are already included, they may simply be thrown “loose” in the box.
5. be especially careful when shopping online
The vast majority of fake adidas are now sold online. Counterfeit shoe manufacturers offer their products online, as the rules and regulations for online shoe sellers are not as strict and can vary from country to country.
Therefore, before you buy your shoes online, make sure twice that the seller does not raise any doubts in your mind. Also look for reviews from previous customers. Negative feedback on the authenticity of the shoes they sell is a clear signal to stay away from the seller.
If you have ever bought counterfeit sneakers from a store, write about it in the appropriate place on the Internet to warn others and expose the scammers.
6. too low a price may indicate fraud
The cheapest pair of original Adidas shoes for adults can cost about 200 zlotys, however, we are talking about the brand’s basic sneakers. A more desirable pair can cost up to several times more.
If the price seems too good, especially for limited edition or highly sought-after models, you’ve likely come across a fake.
Approximate prices for the shoes on the official Adidas website.
7. answer the questions on the list
To help you check the authenticity of Adidas shoes, we have compiled a checklist that summarizes the above article:
- Isn’t the price of the shoes much lower than on the official Adidas website (Yes/No)?
- Is there a difference between the code on the box and the tag inside the shoe (Yes/No)?
- Are the shoes sold on a trusted website with many positive reviews (Yes/No)?
- Is it possible to see actual photos of the shoes on the site, not just ones from a photo bank (Yes/No)?
- Does your chosen color scheme exist/exist on the Adidas website (Yes/No)?
- Do the right and left shoes look identical (Yes/No)?
- Does the shoe have visible defects, e.g. Glue marks, protruding threads?
Remember to buy shoes only from verified stores that have a good reputation. If you have any doubts about the authenticity of the sneakers, it is better to hold off on the purchase or choose another model than to spend money on fake footwear that may break after a few weeks of use.