How to Tell if Nikes are Fake: A Sneakerhead's Guide

When buying Nikes, you gotta know how to spot the fakes.

As a sneakerhead for life, I’ve learned a few tricks to tell if Nikes are real.

Here’s my guide on how to tell if Nikes are fake:

Check the box. Real Nike boxes are sturdy with clean print. Look for a size label, style code and barcode. Fakes have flimsy boxes with blurry text or missing details.
Check the overall quality. Real Nikes have precise stitching, clean glue work and high quality materials. Fakes feel cheap with sloppy construction.
Check the Nike swoosh. The iconic logo should be stitched or printed clean. On fakes it’s often misshapen or poorly attached.
Look at the soles. Real Nike soles are made of quality rubber with clear tread patterns. Fakes feel plasticky with poor traction.
Check the branding. Real shoes have correct fonts, spelling and placement of Nike logos and text. Fakes have errors.
Check the size and fit. Real Nikes fit true to size. Fakes are smaller and narrower.
Check the price. If it’s too good to be true it probably is. Heavily discounted “Nikes” are fake.
Buy from authorized sellers. Buying from Nike or a reputable retailer is the safest bet.
Use your senses. Real Nikes have a smell and feel. Trust your instincts if something seems off.
Compare to official photos. Check Nike’s website to see how your shoes match up to the real deal.

With time you’ll get better at spotting fakes. When in doubt stick to authorized sellers.

Remember, it’s better to pay full price for real kicks than to waste money on knockoffs. Stay vigilant and enjoy your real Nikes!