How to Tell Jordan Fakes From the Originals?

As interest in Nike Jordan shoes has grown, so has the number of fakes on the market. Scammers exploit the buyer's lack of knowledge or inattention by selling them a counterfeit pair of sneakers. These kicks often look strikingly like the original. So how can you tell whether you've fallen victim to a scam?

The city of Putian in southeastern China is considered the “world capital” of fake shoes. However, counterfeit sneakers are also made in many other places. Fakes from different factories will certainly not all be the same, so it's good to know even the smallest details of the shoe and what the original looks like. 

In this article, we'll go over a few things to look at when checking the authenticity of Nike Jordan footwear. 

How to Avoid Buying Fakes?

Keep in mind that it's best to buy Jordan shoes from stores that guarantee authenticity. If you aren't sure how reliable a company is, look up reviews about it online and check its social media. If your research turns up something that seems “off,” it's better to hold off on the purchase. 

Also remember that if your dream pair, which is usually hard to find on the market, suddenly shows up on some little-known site at a strangely low price, and on top of that the entire size run is available to buy – you are most likely dealing with fakes.

Scammers can also be found on well-known Polish auction platforms. They have developed their own methods: often, after a purchase, the seller's account disappears and the victim can't do anything about it.

If you decide to buy shoes through one of the sites mentioned, make sure the seller has a large number of positive reviews, ask for proof of purchase for the shoes and, if possible, do the transaction in person, “live” – that way you'll be able to see the shoes before you pay.

What to Look for When Checking the Authenticity of Shoes?

It will definitely help to know the vocabulary used by sneaker specialists:

LEGIT CHECK – nothing more than simply checking the authenticity of footwear; sneakerheads also use the abbreviation “lc”

SCAM – fraud

FAKES – counterfeits

If you've bought your own pair of Jordan sneakers and suspect they might not be authentic – check the points below. 

1. The Box

First, look at the box – authentic shoes are always sold in a neat cardboard box. Also take a look at the label – the information on it must match the information on the tag inside the shoe.

You can also search online for a photo of the original box for the shoes you bought and compare it with your box, paying special attention to the font on the label – on fakes it is often different.

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2. Build Quality

Before you start analyzing the shoe in detail, assess how it looks as a whole. Authentic sneakers are made from good-quality materials using special technologies, and the footwear also goes through a series of tests before it hits the market – hence the often high price.

Makers of fakes don't care about details, so counterfeit sneakers are typically characterized by poor-quality material, uneven joins between the individual parts, protruding glue and threads, and messy, crooked stitches and seams. 

3. Smell

Another aspect to examine is the smell. Fake shoes smell completely different from authentic ones. However, this kind of test can only be done by people who own an authentic pair of Jordan sneakers and can make a comparison.

4. The Air Jordan Logo

Factories making copies usually reproduce the logo quite accurately, but it isn't identical to the original. The genuine Air Jordan logo is embossed deeper into the leather; on fakes you're dealing with a print rather than embossing. The “Air Jordan” lettering on the original logo has slightly thicker and larger letters, while the replica's letters are smaller and thinner.

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5. The Swoosh Logo

We should pay attention to the placement of the Swoosh logo. Very often on replicas it is placed too low or too high, too far from or too close to the lace eyelets.

The Swoosh logo shouldn't be too short or too long. The shape should also be clear and well defined. The three main points are: 

• a thin end,
• a rounded curve, 
• a pointed tip.

The best way to confirm authenticity is to compare against authentic pairs, so to carry out a legit check, we recommend finding a photo online of the original version of the shoes you bought.

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6. The Outsole Logo.

The letters on the sole of a fake shoe are usually too narrow. Remember that the letter “K” in the Nike logo must touch the letter “E.” Not only the font itself but also its spacing should be correct.

The Nike logo should be located exactly in the center of the outsole. It's also important that the ® symbol is clear and visible. In addition, the sole on fakes can be more plastic than rubber.

7. The Tongue Logo

Take a good look at the woven tag attached to the top of the tongue. Fake Jordan sneakers may lack the circle with the registered trademark “R,” whereas on authentic shoes Nike uses a doubled “R” mark on this tag.

The embroidery shouldn't be too dense or too thin. There should be no bulging or protruding threads, and no “bald” spots either. 

The font in the logo matters too. The word “Nike” looks like the original on most fakes, but in the word “Air” the letters are often not aligned properly and also look too big.

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8. The Back of the Shoe

Another characteristic element worth a close look is the back of the shoe. Jordan sneakers are characterized by an “hourglass” shape: thicker at the top and bottom and slender in the middle. Fake pairs of Jordan 1 often have an overly roomy, “puffed-up” heel. 

Also check the small rectangular tab located in the middle of the shoe. An important aspect here is the double stitch: one row should sit exactly above the other. 

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The examples described above are features that fakes commonly share. It's worth noting, however, that this list is not complete.

If you have trouble determining whether your Jordan sneakers are authentic, try finding a video on YouTube with a legit check of the specific colorway, or ask people who are more experienced in this area, e.g. through Facebook groups dedicated, among other things, to verifying authenticity. You'll be able to draw on the opinions of more than one professional.